Off for mid year travels as I am desperately needing a break from work. The trip was a quick first stop in Hong Kong where I met friends and family. Not much time for pics and I'd rather not drown you all with food pictures.

Had an early morning flight on Thursday 10th of September for Taipei, Taiwan. Taipei has always been a place people have told me to spend a few days. Being in Hong Kong, Taipei is about a 1 hour flight. So this time I decided to head to Taipei for some different scenery.

Taipei during this time of the year is pretty warm. Looking at high 20 degree Celsius to low 30s. After doing some research it was easier for me to get around if I hired a driver who doubles up as a guide. Though they do not guide you around the sites, they basically give you some history or information about the site and you go along your own merry way through the museum or attraction. You are given a pickup time and if you need more or less time you can call the driver to delay or come earlier. I used Andy's Limo service. The drivers English was adequate to get me around.

After going through TripAdvisor and many other websites I decided to do the following. Hope you enjoy the pics, they are all taken using my Fuji X Pro 1.

Taipei resides the Presidential Office Building

After passing by the Presidential Office Building the driver took me Lungshan Temple. Lungshan is one of the older Buddhist temples in Taipei.

Lungshan Temple, people bring fruits and burn incense for Buddha

If you have sensitive nose or eyes it is probably best to stand a distance as the smoke is everywhere.

It's time to move on. The next stop is the Elephant Hike Trail aka Nangang District Hiking Trail. The trail is about 900 steps which doesn't sound like much. It takes about 20 minutes by someone with moderate fitness to get up there. The best time to climb up would either be sunset or when the lights are switched on Tower 101. I went up on a sunny day around 3pm so I was early but it was going to be a long day for me if I did stay back longer. It is a shame but the view is quite spectacular.

After a 20 minute trek up Elephant trail, you are left with the city view of Taipei. Taipei 101 sticks way out in to the sky compared to everything else !!

After an early morning departure from HK, I am pretty burnt out. Time to retire back to the hotel and wait till its evening to check out the local night market near my hotel.

I decided to venture out with map in hand. Ningxia was the market closest to me. It wasn't the biggest night market but it was walking distance and convenient for me. I have a weak stomach so I was merely just checking it out rather than trying for bites. I've got a long trip ahead and did not want to risk anything.

Assorted skewers, I wonder how long the meat has been out there :)

Behind the stalls there are eating areas provided by the stall owners

How game are you ? intestines ? One thing about the markets are that the food prices are cheap 50NT dollars is not much.

Someone in a hurry... tummy ache from the markets

OK that's a wrap for the first day in Taiwan, time to retreat and prepare myself for an early start.

An early start for Day 2 in Taiwan. Lots to see but lots of walking to do !! A 9am start was suggested by the driver and I've got my time sync happening with no more jet lag. First stop Yeh Liu Geo Park. This is to see the famous stone that has a shape of a Queens head.

Queen's Head, the wind has naturally blown the sand stone to have a shape of a Queen

Lian Tien Zhen Fisherman statue, the man who saved many lives but perished himself in the act of saving.

After Yeh Liu Geo Park it was off to the Shuinandong Smelter, this was about a 30-40 min drive away. Shuinandong Smelter is where the Japanese invaded Taiwan and took over the mountain where there was an abundance of gold. The area has many buildings that were restored in their Japanese contemporary ways.

Shuinandong smelter left in it's original decaying condition.

One of the rivers that runs through Shunandong, the locals claim all the rocks are golden due to golden years :)

The old track still exists to push the carts full of gold

Shift it, it is yours 220kgs of pure gold

Next stop Jiufen. This place is more known for its food and view as it is perched up a mountain that overlooks the sea. Jiufen has an alley or arcade full of souvenir shops and food stalls. Assorted foods of tofu, skewers, sweets, bubble tea and green tea. It's a cheap eat but there are also a few restaurants. Sorry I have no recommendations about eating. My trick is if you eat something you are not sure about have a beer or two to kill the germs, this is by no means medical advice so do at your own risk :)

The view from above looking down on Jiufen

Scooters are one of the easiest ways to travel in Taiwan and with the mountain terrain in Jiufen it is no different.

It's time to make a move after a bite and wandering the market. Need to make a move to the Shifen Waterfall. One of the two bigger waterfalls within the northern part of Taiwan.

In order to reach the waterfall you need to walk over a suspension bridge and gee I really hate these things, and those darn teenagers just love to bounce on these things.

Quite a beautiful view of the Shifen Waterfall just before sunset

A quick drive to Shifen Old Street. The street is one of the few places in Taiwan where you can fly things and let fire crackers go off. It is famous to spend 200NT for a wishing lantern that you inscribe wishes on four sides of the lantern. The funny thing is this is all done on a train station and you light the lanterns up on the tracks. The train comes by every 30 minutes !!

People writing down their wishes, most write something about health, wealth, work and getting married.

It is time to go back to Taipei. It has been a long day. Grabbed some refreshments from Ice Monster. Shaved mango with mango ice cream. Then off to eat Lu Ruo Fan (滷肉飯), Taiwan's famed pork mince rice. It wasn't bad quite nice. It is also a cheap eat.

Day 3 in Taipei is a half day before jetting out to Osaka. The day consist of seeing two of the more popular spots in Taipei.

First stop is Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. The Taiwanese owe a lot of their independence to the man andthe memorial is a nice touch to respect him.

Open sesame, the door handle to get into the museum part of the memorial

A re-enactment of Chiang Kai-Shek in office

Off to see the hall where thechanging of the guard takes place

Kind of like Abraham Lincoln, similar pose

Detailed golden ceiling in the main hall of the memorial

The next stop is the National Museum, unfortunately even though there are many national treasures especially the jaded cabbage you are not allowed to take photos within.

That's a wrap in Taipei. Thanks Taiwan it has been great fun