Final day to explore Taiwan and the weather seems good enough to head up 101 floors of Taipei 101, currently the world's tallest building. Breakfast for Airol was the pack of heart-shaped Doritos he got from 7-Eleven, while I still had some left-overs from the night before. Not long after, we were out of the hotel and right within Taipei 101.
Heart-Shaped Doritos
Once there, Airol spotted the Agnes B. store and couldn't resist going in to get a bag, urging me to get one as well. Well I almost did but they just didn't have the bag in the colour I want, while the only alternative was in PINK or BABY BLUE, both of which I won't really wear, let alone, carry around on my shoulder. After a bit of shopping, as well as a slightly more proper breakfast at the cafe, we headed to our main destination.
Other than the shops right below, and the viewing gallery right above, I think the rest of the building is leased out as office space but I guess they use a different elevator to access each individual floor. The tickets are sold on the 5th floor, and after we purchased our tickets, we join the line to take the world's fastest elevator up to the 89th floor where we start snapping up tons of pictures.
The elevator ride was rather interesting even for the short time we were travelling in it. After being given some facts about the lift, as well as some tips to clear our ears, the lights were dimmed and the ceiling turns into a replica of the night sky. At the same time, the panel just above the lift buttons showed how high up the building the lift is, and before I can start to capture everything on my camera, the lift doors open and we're ushered out to explore on our own.
We were rather lucky to have quite a good view, considering that on the first day we arrived, this level was actually blanketed by clouds. About after an hour of taking pictures (some rather odd ones included) and getting to learn a little more about dampers, we decided to head up and out to the open.
Just Hanging Around Giving Everything Balance
Up on the 91st floor, we got to go out in the open, and get a view through the telescopes provided. However, as we didn't really have a specific thing to focus on, it didn't seem very interesting after a few minutes. Airol tried getting a photo with the security on duty but they were too shy and so I had to move on to something more interesting, like the "NO JUMPING" sign. I'm not sure what's actually written in Chinese but I think it doesn't translate to just the two words. Anyway, boredom struck and we wanted to head down but realised there was a video playing inside, and I guess that's where everyone went after they got bored with the outdoor observatory as well. The show was just a mini documentary on the building itself, but the best bit seems to be the opening ceremony and the display they had while ushering in the new year.
Not Even A Jump For Joy?
Then it was back down again to the 89th floor to have a snack, and Airol tried to settle his running nose. I'm not sure why we didn't spot it before, but I guess no one was taking photos earlier, as we stopped to see what was being created in a rather strange photoshoot. While the people just posed before a blue screen, the photographer manages to direct them in the right position and snaps the photo. It later appears on a computer screen with different backdrops that the people can choose from. The both of us, on the other hand, decided to choose the backdrop and create our own little story around it, thus creating that rather crazy photo of Airol dragging me up Taipei 101 using the scarf around my neck.
So as we waited for the photo to develop, it was time for more photos as the sun had set and the city lights came on. Not long after, we started souvenir hunting again, before it was time to get our special photo that included a certificate as well - one souvenir that no one else can have, before heading down another level to get to the lifts. This time, we had to go through a jewellery store, and probably by the way we dressed, no one was bothered to even ask if we were interested in the jewellery. Good anyway because I had more fun playing with the interactive walkway that would part clouds to give u a glimpse of what is below when u walk through it.
Airol's Choice Souvenir
Help Me!!!!
Back down to the 5th floor to collect our bags, and we realised that there was actually a pretty bull right infront of the ticketing counter. It wasn't the hearts that actually made it interesting, but the eye make-up it had. After reading the sign, I realised there were cows in the observatory, but not knowing what exactly it was about, I didn't even bother with a second look. This cow was less abstract, and possibly the reason why it even made our heads turn,
After completing my instant noodle haul from 7-Eleven, we got a cab to Shilin again, but to the side where they sold more bags and clothes rather than the food market itself. Once there, it started to pour and we got ourselves ponchos, which were really bothersome when trying to purchase items, and trying to stuff them in our bag to keep things dry. So I gave up, bundled my bag instead, and walked in the rain when it lightened up. I'm not sure if people thought I was mad, or it was my size that got them curious, but I seem to get stares the whole day, so many that even Airol started laughing about it. Maybe it was because they thought I was mad, especially when I'm walking around in a tank top in 17 degree wet weather. I found it rather refreshing.
- Giant Takopachi with Spicy Sauce (40NT)
- Giant Takopachi with Wasabi Sauce (40NT)
- Mixed Fruits (100NT)
- Fried Sweet Potato (100NT)
- Popcorn Chicken (30NT)
- XXL Chicken (50NT)
- XXL Sotong (80NT)
- Frog Eggs & Snow Jelly Drink (35NT)
- Pig's Blood Cake with Peanut Coating (35NT)
- Fried Chicken Butts (35NT)
- Fried Pig's Blood Cake (35NT)
- Candied Fruits (3 for 100NT)
- Twice Baked Potato (forgot price)
Fried Chicken Butts & Pig's Blood Cake
The stall just opposite the barbecued squid sold the sweet potatoes that were dipped in batter and deep fried till they were crispy on the outside, and really soft inside. To top it off, they blast a load of some sugary powder, and as per our request, some chilli powder, making it one sweet and spicy snack that we regretted not getting more of. This stall also offered something similar to popcorn chicken, which was peppered with seaweed and chilli powder, creating a really nice snack that we finished before the camera got to it.
XXL Sotong & Fried Sweet Potato
A few stalls away, they were selling XXL chicken, but this one seemed a little different from the one we got before. Finally biting into a piece, the diva started to grumble that it still had bones and so the whole piece ended up as mine, which I traded half my XXL sotong for. Guess to him it was a good deal. Well other than the bones, this one was appeared to be smaller, but the pieces were thicker and jucier. Maybe they didn't flatten it out to keep it's juices in but the bones were a bit of a chore. I think I'd rather stick to the boneless kind just because there's less hassle.
Another discovery, the giant takopatchi, was just across from the XXL chicken stall. This one I knew Airol would like and so I got 2, but in different flavours. As Airol didn't like wasabi, I got to have that one all to myself, while he got the one with spicy sauce, although I took a bite out of that first. They were really soft and thoroughly cooked inside, with a thin chewy layer helping to keep its shape. THe spicy one wasn't spicy at all, but the wasabi went straight to the sinuses. Maybe Airol should have it and clear to help his runny nose?
These takopatchi balls were as huge as my fist, possibly bigger, filled with prawn, octopus, chicken, corn and some other things which I cannot remember, but it had whatever was shown on the signboard. Now this takopatchi ball is probably one complete meal for someone with a normal stomach, but we've just got almost bottomless pits, and therefore I can continue with my bag of mixed fruits.
Boney XXL Chicken & Giant Takopatchi
My mixed bag of fruits I got along my way back from the chicken butt stall, randomly choosing fruits that looked appealing to me. I ended up getting some rock melon, nectarine, and an unidentified green skinned fruit that tasted like a cross betweenan apple and a pear. I find the mix a little expensive compared to the other things I've bought, but sometimes you just have to pay a little more for what your body craves.
Then I tried something Airol got, which looked like prata, tasted somewhat like prata, but was a bit tougher. It's like prata that wasn't flipped but just pressed, and pan fried. I seems like I'm not a big fan of the pastries in Taiwan or something.
Mixed Fruits & Plain Pancake
Another thing I got on the way back from the chicken butt stall was a dessert called 'Frog Eggs and Snow Jelly Drink', at least that was the translation on the sign they had. Basically it was like a melted ice jelly with sweetened tapioca balls. Light, not too sweet, and rather refreshing, especially after the giant takopatchi balls.
Frog's Eggs With Snow Jelly
One of the first things I bought while walking through the market was the pig's blood cake rolled in peanuts. I was thinking they were just selling a fried cake of blood on a stick but the surprise was when they rolled it in crushed peanuts. The whole thing felt like a big mochi with bits of pork fat, coated withe satay sauce. It was chewy with some crunchy bits, with the spicy peanut mix helping to disguise the porky flavour. Somehow I wished there was more blood in it than glutenous rice.
Pig's Blood Cake With Peanut Coating
The 2nd thing I got were sticks of candied fruit. Not knowing what most of them were except for strawberries, I ended up with cherry tomatoes stuffed with prune, and a stick of sour plums. The sugar coating on the strawberries melted and left them a little mushy on the outside, as though they were halfway through a preservation process. They would probably have been good when the coating was still crunchy like on the other two sticks of fruit. The tomato and prunes made a really weird combination as the tomatoes weren't exactly that sour that you'd want to add some sugar, and the addition of prunes just confuses me. I guess the best one of the lot was the sour plums, as the plums were really really tart, and the sugar coating sure helped with keeping it in the mouth.
Candied Fruits
The last thing on the list would probably have been another one of Airol's favourite if not for the fact that it contained pork. I wanted to get 2, one with seafood, but they ran out and only had this option, which was ham and sausage. It's just as simple as something you would make at home, toss the insides of a cooked potato with ham, sausage and cheese, dump it back into the skin, and toast till the cheese melts. Simple, tasty and satisfying. Poor Airol was missing out, but I guess he had better things to do, like pack!
Twice Baked Potato
Airol's runny nose seems to get worse as he packed his bags, and I wonder if the carpet was probably the cause, since he started getting really bad when he was organising his things on the floor last night as well. Anyway, as he was packing his new bag from Agnes B., he finds 2 little boxes and thought it might have been rubbish, but upon closer inspection, we realised they were condoms. Question is, were they put in on purpose, or did it drop in from someone else's personal stash? Strange little free gifts if you ask me.
All my bags are pack, I'm ready to go.... to Hong Kong!
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