wanderlust: j i u f e n

As Taipei gets dark around 5-ish this time of year and the sun was already setting by the time we got to Taipei East yesterday, we decided to return for the iconic landmark Taipei 101 today before we check out in the afternoon and leave for Jiufen.

The lift was set to impress as we arrived at the observation level on the 89^th floor (or was it 101st?) in the span of a short commentary given by a guide inside.

Clearly, YQ was not impressed.

Some installations to make you feel like you are up in the air and out of space includes stars in the lift, clouds along corridors, an aerial city view on the floor and some space age lighting.

We were warned of the cloudy skies that may restrict views but it was alright with us.

One floor down, and you get to see the damper ball which was designed for the building to withstand earthquakes and typhoons. It was said that Taipei 101 could possibly be the safest place to be in the event of an earthquake or typhoon. How the damper ball works I still have no idea.

Exhibitions and souvenirs.

This is the damper baby, something like the mascot of the building. We both got one haha. We are afterall, tourists.

Just in case eating places here too take a break after lunch time, we decided to eat in Taipei 101 itself. And we settled for Ding Tai Feng to see how different it is from the ones back home.

Other than the restaurant being at a larger scale, the food’s pretty much the same.

Taking shelter from a sudden drizzle and finally hopping onto a cab on our way back to check out, this is probably the only picture we have together, in a rear view mirror.

Checking out.

Marked on the northern territory of Taiwan, Jiufen is about an hour and a half from Taipei by coach.

With a movie (City of Sadness), an animation (Spirited Away) and a song ( from my favourite Taiwanese singer, Cheer Chen no less), all based on this quaint little town, it was on top of my list on our trip to Taiwan.

Translated as 9 “portions”, rumour has it that there used to be only 9 families living up in Jiufen and when people deliver food to the area, they addrerssed it, Jiufen.

This portion of their famous taro balls is, however, too little for me.

Now, Jiufen is now a rather thriving tourist town. It’s hilly winding paths flanked by shops, cafes and inns overlooking the Pacific Ocean are a big draw.

Jiufen is a town small enough to do as a day trip. But again, by the time we reached Jiufen, the sun was about to set. We wanted to experience both the day and night of the town so we decided to stay one night just so as to wake up to a chinese painting brought to life.

It was said that Hayao Miyazaki was inspired by Jiufen when he made Spirited Away. Looking at the some of these night night scenes, Jiufen does exude a certain fantastical quality with its hanging lanterns, wooden huts and stone pavements (Although sometimes going uphill, a wrong turn can lead you to a cemetery).