Starbucks Coffee Mooncake

Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with Unique Starbucks Experience - The Art of Giving

Mid-Autumn Festival or better known as the Mooncake Festival is a yearly tradition celebration for the Chinese community around the world. This year Starbucks provides you with a unique experience of four delightful trats that will enhance and tantalize your tastebuds to a brand new level of excitement

It will be available on the shelf from 2nd August 2011 till 12th September 2011.

Taiwan, Part 20 - Taipei 101

Taipei 101

With a massive 60-foot spire inspired by Taiwan's native bamboo plant, Taipei 101 Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world. At 508 meters (1,667 feet) high, the tower and its spire outrank the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The design of Taipei 101 borrows heavily from Chinese culture. Both the building's interior and exterior incorporate the Chinese pagoda form and the shape of bamboo flowers. The lucky number eight, which means blooming or success is represented by the eight clearly delineated extrior sections of the building.

Taiwan, Part 19 - Shilin Night Market

Shilin Night Market

The Shilin Night Market is divided into two areas; the Shilin Tourist Night Market located opposite the Jiantan MRT Station on the Jihe Road, and the area that stretches from Yangming Cinema to Danan Road, Dadong Road and Wenlin Road. The Shilin Tourist Night Market offers all kinds if snacks that attract large numbers of foreign tourists who are seeking, along with local customers the unique flavours of Taiwan.

Taiwan, Part 18 - National Palace Museum

National Palace Museum

The National Palce Museum (NPM) was originally founded in 1925 in the Forbidden City in Beijing, which explains why the word "Palace" is used in its name. Beginning in 1931 the collection was crated and moved into the hinterland of China to avoid the ravages of the impeding Sino-Japanese. In 1949, with civil war raging between the Nationalist government and the Communists, the Republic of China shipped about 680,000 of some of the most precious objects in the collection to Taiwan establishing repositories at Yangmei in Taoyuan and Peikou in Wufeng, Taichung. Not until 1965 were they moved to their present home in the Wai-shuang-hsi are of Shi-lin, Taipei.

Image adapted from National Palace Museum website

Taiwan, Part 17 - Martyr's Shrine

Martyr's Shrine

The Martyr's Shrine, resting on the slopes of the Qing Mountain and overseeing the Keelung River, is located right next to the Grand Hotel. Its grand and magnificent archietectural style is similar to that of the Taihe Dian Imperial Palace in Beijing, Mainland China and symbolizes the martyr's brave spirit.

Taiwan, Part 16 - Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Located at the heart of Taipei City, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall) was built to commemorate the former Taiwan President Chiang Kai-Shek. Established in 1980, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall has a total area of 250,000 square meters. Occupying a large area, the memorial hall is coverd with the colours of Taiwanese flag; blue, white and red. The colours of the flag symbolize independece, equality and universal love. Since 2007, it have been noted as a national historical site of Taiwan. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is now a popular landmark of Taipei that attracts large populations of visitors every year.

Taiwan, Part 15 - Five Cent Driftwood Tree House, Taichung

Taichung

Taichung city is in the middle of Taiwan Province. It is the third biggest city of the Province as well. Situated at the center of the Taichung Basin, west part of the Taiwan Island, Taichung City was established in Qing Dynasty, 1886 which was once the provincial capital of Taiwan.

Here at Taichung we had our dinner at a very unique restaurant. Located among the skyscrappers and the busy road is a small unique restaurant among the tall trees structured like a cave - Five Cent Drift Wood Tree House.

Taiwan, Part 14 - Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake

The biggest fresh water lake in Taiwan - Sun Moon Lake. The lake covers an area of 793 hectares and the length of the lake is about 33 km. It is divided into two section by Lalu Island. The southern part is shaped like a new moon and the northern part is shaped like a sun; hence the name Sun Moon Lake.

Taiwan, Part 13 - Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village

Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village

Located in Yuchih Township. Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village has five theme parks: the European Gardens, the Aladdin Plaza, the Aboriginal Villages, Amusement Isle and Ti Ka Er Rainforest. This could take a day to travel to all the parks. With the limited time we had, only the Aboriginal Villages that we went.

Taiwan, Part 12 - Kaohsiung

Before meeting my uncle, we headed to the night market for a light snacks. Fried eryngii mushrooms and fish noodle.

Taiwan, Part 11 - Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are few meters away from the Spring and Autumn Pavilions. One have to enter from the Dragon and exit from the Tiger. Before entering the pagoda, there is a winding bridge which believes it will ward off any evil spirit.

Taiwan, Part 10 - Spring And Autumn Pavilions

Finally we are in Kaohsiung!

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung city of Taiwan is situated at the southwestern part of Taiwan. It faces the south outlet of Taiwan Strait and is the biggest seaport city, secondary only to Taipei city. Kaohsiung is a beautiful city well-known for its scenic beauty, a place for sightseeing.

Spring And Autumn Pavilions

Spring and Autumn pavilions are dedicated to Kuan Kung, The God of War. In front of the pavilion is a statue of Guanyin or  Kuanyin, The Godess of Mercy riding a dragon.

Taiwan, Part 9 - Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Part II

Fo Guang Shan Monastery

This temple is one of the largest temple in Taiwan. This monastery has been in Taiwan since May 16, 1967. The place is more than 30 hectares in Ta Shu Township, Kaoshiung County. Taiwan is the first establishment of Fo Guang Shan Monastery is all over around the world; Japan, Korea, India, America, England, France and Brazil..

Taiwan, Part 9 - Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Part I

It is lunch time when we reached the Fo Guang Shan. Upon arrival at the monastery we were greeted by little statues of monks in various pose.

Taiwan, Part 8 - Pinxi

On our way to Kaohsiung, we have to stop by Pinxi for our toilet stop. It is always quite unique that the stopover at Taiwan are with new architecture.

Taiwan, Part 7 - Master Bear Resort, Part II

Master Bear Resort, Part II

Finally we are in our resort! Me and my family got the upper level and we are sharing the cabin with another newly married couple. I was secretly hoping that we would be sleeping in the caravan. But from all the rain and cold weather outside. Think the cabin sounds more comforting!

Our cute little living room of the cabin.

Taiwan, Part 7 - Master Bear Resort

Master Bear Resort, Taitung

Master bear resort is located by the moutains and the away from the city. An ideal place to relax and enjoy the beautiful nature of the countryside.

Taiwan, Part 6 - Taiwan Marble Factory

I am actually contemplating whether I should post this. Marble factory is not exactly part of the main attactions to Taiwan, only part of the itinerary. But I do find that I took quite alot of pictures there.  As this is an tourist center sort, no indoor photography is allowed and I did not get anything there either.

Taiwan, Part 5 - Taroko Gorge

It was early in the morning when we departed our hotel after breakfast. We headed to Taroko Gorge, our first destination. It was a winding road uphill.

Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is one of the jewels in Taiwan. The mountain are made of marbles and protected by the goverment. This area of the gorge is also identified as Taroko Gorge National Park.

The Taroko Gorge is composed mainly metomorphic rocks such as marble, gneiss, "schist". etc. The name, Taroko means "magnificent and splendid" in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe who resides in the area.

Taiwan, Part 3 - Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu is located at Wanli of Taipei County with a long cape. Because the rock layer of nearby seashore containes limestone subject to sea erosion, weathering and earth movements, Yehliu is full of seawater-eroded holes as well as numerous rocks in the shape of mushroom, candle, ginger and chessboard. All these make this 1,700-meter-long cape a geology park with rich ecological resources and a prosperous fishing village.

Taiwan, Part 4 - Chiufen, Hualien

Chiufen

Located in Rueifan Town, Taipei Country, Chiufen used to be the center of gold mining in Taiwan. Chiufen is surrounded by mountains and facing the sea. When gold mining industry ended, Chiufen was once solitude until the rise of tourism in Chiufen.Today, Chiufen features historical sites of Japanese styled architectures and vivid old street that offers abundant local snacks and exotic traditional stores.

It was a short stop for us to do some shopping and to purchase some food before boarding the train to travel to Hualien. No doubt it was a rush and we barely had enough time to get our food after getting the souvenirs.

Taiwan, Part 2 - Tamsui, Fisherman Wharf and Lover's Bridge

Not a usually early riser. Waking up at this monster hour at 0600 is torturous! To dampen the mood even further...it is still raining when we poke our head out the little window in the hotel room. Had our breakfast and off we went for our official Taiwan Tour!

Taiwan, Part 1 - Ximending, Ah Zhong Mian Xian

It was a 1430 flight from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei via the China Airlines. This is way cooler than the aircraft which we usually boarded. This comes with refreshments, entertainment and even meals! Just love it and its the beginning of it.

Both, my sister and I are keeping our fingers crossed that this trip will be good one. As it is my sister's first time travelling with my parents and aunties. Yeah you heard me... aunties... and 4 of them!