Taipei 101

Wherever you are in Taipei there is one building that you can always see; Taipei 101. It has or at least had two world records. For many years it was the tallest building in the world and had the fastest elevator. I really recommend a trip to the observation platform, but only on a clear day. Luckily the air quality in Taiwan has improved dramatically in the last few years, so your chances of getting some good pics from the tower are much improved. For visitor information go to the Taipei 101 website. Happy snapping!

Looking east

Looking west towards Guanyin Shan

Looking north to Da Zhi.


Looking west and down Hsin Yi Rd.

North west (west north west to my fellow sailors)


At last something of 101 itself. The big ball that dampens the building in typhoons and earthquakes.

Tanshui

If ever you visit Taipei be sure to take a trip to Tanshiu. Here you'll see fantasic sunsets and enjoy mingling with people. Of course, as with almost everywhere in Taiwan you'll also get to eat some great seafood at the night market.

A typical flat bottomed boat used for inshore and estuary fishing.



Taiwanese barbequed corn makes a great snack.


Keeping with tradition many vendors in Tanshui use lanterns instead neon signs to advertise. The lantern on the left is advertising 虾xiā 卷juǎn and the one on the right is advertising 鱼yú丸wán汤tāng (shrimp rolls and fish ball soup).

East Coast Seascape

I was thinking about trips to China and Taiwan earlier today and I remembered a great but short trip we took back in 2005. It was just after a typhoon but as we were short of time we decided to go anyway. Here are some seascape shot that I got on the trip. All the photos were taken just south of Yilan on the north east coast of Taiwan.

In praise of the Taiwanese scooter

One of the first things you notice when you arrive in Taiwan is the number of scooters. It seems like every Taiwanese adult has a scooter, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

The love affair with scooters stems from their practicallity. They are cheap to buy and run, and easy to park and navigate through traffic. They're not just for one person either. Most people regularly carry a pillion passenger and, to the shock of many western visitors, it is common to see parents with two or three kids on a scooter (one as a pillion, one seated in front of the parent and one standing on the foot board).




Parking your scooter in Taipei is easy. Just find a place on the sidewalk.


The traffic looks bad, but just imagine what it would be like if all these scooter riders were to trade in their scooters for cars.

One scooter per lane? You've got to be kidding. A lane is where you make it. Just drive your scooter somewhere, and that's your lane.

Easy to ride, cheap and convenient. The scooter still rules in Taiwan. Long may it do so.