Taiwan 2014 Day 2: A day in Taipei

Let me tell you about our adventure-filled day in Taipei! It started with trying to find a place to have breakfast. Taipei is full of quirky cafes but it seemed like they were all hiding from us. After a while, we finally stumbled upon a charming little cafe and got ourselves fueled up for the day ahead.

                                                                                    

Our first stop was the stunning Lin family mansion and gardens. It was hard to believe that such a tranquil place existed in the heart of this bustling city. The mansion and gardens were built by the Lin Ben Yuan family in the Qing Dynasty, who made their fortune in the rice-growing industry. The gardens were breathtaking, and we spent a few hours exploring them and learning about their rich history. 

After soaking up all the history and culture of the magnificently restored gardens we headed down to tourist-ville in the shape of one of Taipei’s many night markets. We strolled around, taking in the vibrant atmosphere and sampling a variety of snacks. From french fries with Japanese salad sauce to octopus balls, fried chicken with mustard to veggie spring rolls, and even Sponge Bob waffles, there was something to satisfy every craving. Although we were feeling adventurous, we decided to save some snacks for later and headed back to our room to rejuvenate ourselves for tomorrow's adventures. 

Now it's time for three footsore, hot, tired and stuffed people to jump on the underground train back to our windowless room to rejuvenate ourselves for tomorrows adventures around Taipei. The rest of the evening will be spent watching Taiwanese period dramas, which are dubbed in Korean and subtitled in Japanese.

HONESTLY THEY ARE ADDICTIVE.