Went with the missus to Taipei. Land of my birth, don’t remember a thing until after I emigrated and learning English. Last time I was there was for grandfather’s funeral. This time no family, just going as a tourist.

Missus heard it will be cold, so she went to the market to layer up.



Taiwan doesn’t have official relations with Cambodia so she needed a Japanese visitor visa to enter. The only hassle was passport control asking what was my relationship to her.



We stayed at the cosmos because it has an MRT station right next to it.



Instead of a ‘Do Not Disturb’ door hanger, they use door magnets.



Also no switches for the lights, aircon, and other stuff. Instead, a control panel.



Toilet comes with an instruction manual.



Since it was late, we went to a small hole in wall next to the hotel and a 7-eleven to stock up for tomorrow.

Oatmeal - not just for breakfast in Taiwan.



The next day began to the touring.

Small tour group, just me, the missus, one other couple.



First headed to Bopilao, a preserved old section of the city.



Also popular with local events and art festivals.



The it was off to Longshan temple.





The temple has the main temple dedicate to the chief god but also smaller temples for the other gods as well.

One form of divination is by picking up 2 wooden pieces, asking the god a ‘yes no’ question, the dropping the pieces. The answer will be either yes, no, or inclear.



Another divination is taking a wooden stick out of a cup and reading the sutra.

Finally, good luck charms, thank you gifts for the gods.



Next is was off to the presidential palace (built by the Japanese) and right in front - the white terror monument.



The white terror is the period of almost 40 years of martial law where an uncountable number of people were in prison or perished.



Then off to the Chiang Kai Shek memorial and to watch the changing of the guard.



Apparently it’s also an even for the school kids too.





After that it was off to Taipei 101 and lunch.





Amazing views of the city. Even Songshan airport can be seen.

After that we went preserved a preserved house that used to sit in the middle of Taipei.



The former owners family donated to the city.



Did I say house? More like an estate! A main house for the owner, his various wives, guests, a school, teahouse, and mountains.









And the random rice farmer.



After that, it was off to Beitou hot springs.



There’s actually no public bathing areas, so need to go to one of the resorts to bath. It’s done Japanese style (ie, naked).

There is an public area to put your feet in. Crowded with elderly.



The it was time for the tour of the National Museum. The 1 hour guided tour.



Finally, drop off at the Night Market.

I got a mild sunburn.

Missus puked all night.

I forced her into a taxi and dragged her here.



Gastroenteritis.

Arget wrote:They really think of everything and even call it a "Wand"

Did you try the Wand cleaning as well?

I just wanted to know how to flush the toilet after I was done. All the other functions of the toilet are beyond me.