Double Tenth Day

Wednesday, October, 10th is Taiwan's independence day.  Teachers don't have to work because it's a national holiday.  It's actually the only holiday all semester other than new years that teachers get off at Principal school!  Since it was a day off, Kristin and I decided to do something on this special day -- so we joined in the festivities.  We heard the day before there would be a Parade starting in the morning, but no one know what time it started.  We even looked online, but couldn't find a time.  We decided to meet at 9:30 a.m. hoping to catch the parade.  We arrived at the Presidential building, where supposedly the parade started.  There were many security guards everywhere and they had roped off a large perimeter around the Presidential building, so no one could get through.  The security guards told us (and a nice family we had met while searching where we could watch the parade) we had to take the MRT to the other side at Sai Ka Shek memorial hall.  So, we got on the MRT, took the train 1 stop and got off.  When we got there, we found out it too was roped off and we couldn't get through either.  The officer told us we had to go around, but we already did.  We decided to not chase the parade all day.  And, just try to watch from afar.  A few minutes later, we heard helicopters.  We looked above and saw 5 helicopters in a straight line.  The first and last helicopter had a Taiwan flag hanging down.  It was quite cool.  We were disappointed we couldn't see any of the parade after waking up early on our day off, but at least we tried to participate in the holiday cheer.  

Kristin and I spent a nice afternoon together.  We first walked around Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall since we were already there.  I hadn't see it yet, so I really wanted to take a look.  Chiang Kai Shek, 'is a famous monument, landmark and tourist attraction erected in memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China.' The buildings and ground were beautiful!! I would have to say it's one of my favorite spots in Taipei.  Since it was double tenth day, there was a small market to buy little trinkets and different foods.  Kristin said, there were many more people here today than usual, which made sense since many people had the day off from work.   

Afterwards, we took the MRT to Danshui, a really nice area many tourist enjoy, located right on the river. Right near the train station, was a popular street that had cute shops and many food vender's including German ice cream!  At the end of the long strip, a few minutes by foot was a fort.  Kristin, a history major was very much in love with this.  We both learned some things about Taiwan's history in this old fort, San Domingo.  'The fort was first built in 1628 by the Spanish when they occupied the north of Taiwan.  Over the years, Fort Santo Domingo was owned by different nationals including Dutch, British, and Taiwanese.  It was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1644, and was used as consolation office by the British.  The property was not handed over to the Taiwanese government until 1980!  

One of the biggest draws to Danshui is the beautiful sunsets over the river on lovers bridge. In fact, you can see the lovers bridge on many postcards throughout Taiwan. We took the bus, not far from the fort to fisherman's wharf. Kristin and I sat and talked waiting for the sunset.. We waited and waited.. And, never saw the sunset!  It was too cloudy :(  We walked along the bridge and stopped at a few shops.  We both agreed fisherman's wharf is beautiful at night compared to the day.  At night, you can see the changing colors of the bridge.  It's quite lovely, especially when the bridge changes to red-- very romantic.   

Each year the government puts on a big firework show on double tenth day located in a different part of Taiwan every year.  Sadly, this year it was in Miaoli, located about two hours by car on the west side of Taiwan. So, we weren't able to see any firework show.  Instead, we decided to take the MRT to Shilin night market, the biggest night market in Taiwan.  We ate dinner and enjoyed a few hours of looking at the many shops!!  It was fun!  

We had a fun day despite not being able to celebrate much in the festivities. 

Sometimes it's the journey getting there that means the most

Early Saturday morning, August 22nd, I met Kristin at Banqio train station to head south to Kenting. Kenting is located at the southern most tip of Taiwan.  The train ride was almost 5 hours.  However, there is no train or even bus that goes directly from Taipei to Kenting.  So, we took the train to the largest city near Kenting, Kaohsiung; the second largest city in Taiwan. Kaohsiung is located on the west side of the island.  The train ride was very nice and relaxing.  I enjoyed a nice conversation with Kristin, however, the train ride was nothing compared to the weekend before to Hualian.  The west side is filled with cities and buildings while the east is filled with mountains and greenery, my personal favorite.  The train made stops along the way, one of them being Taichung.  We coordinated train times with Amanda, Kristin's friend from back in Canada, so she got on the train in Taichung, where she lives and works. 

Once we made it to Kaohsiung we took a taxi to Kenting.  Kristin, had been to Kenting many times before so she knew the taxi was the best route to take.  We had trouble finding an inexpensive shared taxi, so we took the Kaohsiung MRT to the main station.  There we found a shared taxi for 400 NT each.  We shared the taxi with a young girl about 30 years old and an older lady with an elderly woman.  I sat next to the older lady and found out she is from the Philippines and has been working here for 5 years.  There is no work in the Philippines, so she had to leave her two kids behind and look elsewhere.  Many foreigners (such as Filipino's) come to Taiwan to help the elders with every day tasks; it's about the only job they are able to get here.  It's very hard on parents when they can't provide for their family and have to leave their own children behind.  The lady told me she only sees her kids once a year!  She and I talked the whole two hours to Kenting; she was an incredible lady.  She made my day!  I tried to keep eye contact with her, but it was hard not looking out the window, everything was so tropical.  The trees, fruit plants, change in climate; it was fabulous!  

We arrived at Kenting around 3 p.m. !  Kristin, Amanda and I were all hungry so we had a nice lunch at a Mexican restaurant.  I had a beef burrito; It was the nicest and most expensive meal I have eaten since I've got here! Kenting is considered a touristy area, so there were many western restaurants, but all were rather pricey.  Afterwards, we rented scooters.  Kristin and Amanda taught me how to ride a scooter!!  It took me a couple of tries to feel like I could ride to the beach where the group we were meeting was at.  The group took the overnight bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung (1 a.m. to 6 a.m.) and then renting scooters, and rode three hours to Kenting.  Kristin didn't want to ride that far, so I decided to go with her and Amanda on Saturday by Train.  The group, about 20 of them, were all very nice.  They all have been in Taiwan for a year or so, some even 4 years or more.  

That evening we enjoyed drinks on the beach and chilled; all the beaches in Kenting are so beautiful. Late into the night, most of us took a dip in the ocean.  As we moved through the dark water we could see hundreds of tiny star-like bioluminescent plankton! We were all so mesmerized by the tiny glowing dots every time we would move. It was a spectacular sight, something I will remember for a very long time.  That night we all passed out on the beach.. and wake up very early the next morning.

Sunday, we all separated.  Most of the group went back early, the rest stayed for a few hours and enjoyed the sun.  It was a very hot day!  Kristin and I rode scooters along the coast to the very south tip of Taiwan.  As we looked to the left we could see the east and to the right we could see the west.  It was very cool!  We took some awesome pictures, very pretty scenery. Afterwards, we had some breakfast/lunch and rented snorkels.  We went to two coral reef locations that were right next to each other.  The reefs were great!  We saw some excellent coral and many beautiful fish.  I got a little sea sick unfortunately, but I was still able to enjoy the reefs.  It was about 3 p.m. and we decided to return both our snorkels and scooters and head back to Taipei.  We managed to get a shared taxi for 350 NT and then decided to take the bus back (530 NT) instead of the train.

It was a great weekend!  I loved the south!  It was so tropical and extremely different than the other parts of Taiwan especially Taipei.  We spent a big chunk traveling as Kenting is so far away, the farthest you can go from Taipei.  But, we still managed to enjoy the area and have a fun weekend.  Sometimes it's the journey getting there that means the most.  ..riding the train along the coast, meeting the Filipino lady, taking a cab through the farmland, and learning to ride a scooter.. =)