Last additions - spewmuffin

2011-05-21_17_25_51.jpgView from the Pedestrian Foot Bridge0 viewsLooking southeast is the heavily forested east bank of the river. Despite the heavy jungle looking view, development occurs just over the hill. This face of the hill is zoned for national preservation, so at least it will continue to look like the natural state of the bank from years past.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_17_25_32.jpgPedestrian Foot Bridge0 viewsThis little foot bridge doesn't cross the river. Nope, it extends out into the lake by about 5 meters (16 feet). That allows you to feel like you're surrounded by water, or at least closer to it anyway. spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_17_01_32.jpgFloating Bridge0 viewsThis little foot bridge doesn't cross the river. Nope, it extends out into the lake by about 5 meters (16 feet). That allows you to feel like you're surrounded by water, or at least closer to it anyway.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_16_55_02.jpgBitan Lake (碧潭)0 viewsA closer look at the pedal boats. This is a popular spot to bring dogs and kids (or both!) out to play. When I was young, I came here often to play with my cousins.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011
2011-05-21_16_52_52.jpgBitan Lake (碧潭), with Formosa Freeway (福爾摩沙高速公路) bridge0 viewsLooking north (other two pictures were looking east and south), the twin bridge is the national highway (北二高) literally translates to North Second Highway, but is officially known as National Highway No. 3. The reason it is known as the second highway is because it was the second highway to be built, goes more inland that runs from north to south (they get odd numbers) and skims the edge of Taipei. One thing about the highways is that it is unlike United States and more like most other places in the world: Intersections are further apart and far in between. This highway has five exits spanning the southern and eastern portions of the town over a 20 mile length. The exit roadways are what brings traffic into the city.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_16_52_04.jpgBitan Lake (碧潭)0 viewsOverview of the park and town lake. The pedestrian foot bridge is visible in the background. Meanwhile, lots of greens line this side of the lake. At the edge of the lake, lots and lots of foot powered pedal boats line the marina. I think motorized boats are forbidden here.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_16_51_35.jpgBitan Lake (碧潭)0 viewsFor those living in Phoenix, this should look familiar. Bitan Lake is similar in formation and operation like the Tempe Town Lake. The major river Danshui (淡水河) flows through Taipei, and the river has a small dam that forms a lake and a park is created on one bank. Within this two mile linear park is a LOT of food stalls, boating (AKA foot pedal boats), a pedestrian/foot bridge, and lots of entertainment happening around the area. It's convenient that the Red Line subway's last stop is right at the edge of the park, and a night market is on the banks makes this a happening place both in the daytime and at night.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_16_46_52.jpgSubway/Train Route Guide0 viewsThis map shows all of the subway lines (including the elevated light rail which is shown as the brown line). The red line is the first to be developed, and was being worked upon while I was 6 years old and leaving Taiwan for America. The total length of the red line (the longest line) is 22km (which is 13 miles) for comparison. When it was first built, it was one of the most expensive public transportation projects ever built, at a cost of about $15 billion. Since opening and the convenience, the subway station makes a large profit (something like tens of millions of dollars, USD), which then subsidizes the extensive bus network (something like 200 city public bus routes). The main red and blue lines runs every three minutes while other lines come every five to ten minutes.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011
2011-05-21_15_53_05.jpgSide View of the Peace Bell0 viewsThe date is printed on this bronze bell. Click on the photo to enlarge and see the inscription.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_15_59_23.jpgSky Train!0 viewsOne of the "subway" lines is actually more like an elevated light rail line. This runs the east side of town and is not the standard length, that of eight cars. However, each of these stations is massive and built above the roadway, often times connected to office buildings and shopping malls on the side of the road. Talk about convenience!spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_15_52_49.jpgPeace Bell (平安鐘)0 viewsIn September 21, 1999 (now known as 9-2-1), the second largest earthquake in recorded history to strike Taiwan, with a magnitude 7.6. About 2000 people died, but caused nearly $10 billion in damage. This bell serves as a small memorial in Taipei to the event. An actual memorial and museum is built in central Taiwan, not too far from the epicenter. Massive damage and the disorganized initial federal government response to the disaster rattled the confidence of the government and played a significant role in ending the 50 year rule of the Kuomingtan National Party.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_15_49_07.jpgPublic Art, between R and Y sections of Underground Mall1 viewsA beautiful rendition of balloon pet in chrome. This area is at the exit of the bus station and going towards the R section.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011
2011-05-21_15_30_47.jpgSection Z shopping mall of the Underground Mall1 viewsSection Z shopping mall is the most classy because this is where the Taiwan's High Speed Rail station is located. Above this section of the mall is the bus station parking, with spaces to park about 70 buses. Something like 300 buses access this station each day!spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_15_28_10.jpgTaipei Main Station Rail Transportation Hub & Shopping Area (台北車站特定區導覽圖)1 viewsThe epic underground mall that is the center of the city, spanning four subway stations! In all, the total length is probably in the 5km range (3 miles long) and ALL of it is underground. This area is subdivided into several zones (K, M, R, Y, Z) to mark which section of the mall and between what subway stations.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_14_25_05.jpgStreet Corner with a New Building Going Up in the Background1 viewsWhile the left corner that is barely visible is the police station, another big building is under construction four blocks away. This is on the north end of the Ximen Shopping District. I'm not sure what that building will house in the future.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_14_24_25.jpgTaipei City Government Police Headquarters (台北市政府警察局)1 viewsIn a what seems to be a nondescript corner two blocks from a major thoroughfare is the city police headquarters. We randomly stumbled upon it while walking to a business district two blocks away from the subway station (on the other side of the building).spewmuffinJun 02, 2011
2011-05-21_12_06_14.jpgTaiwan's Beef Noodle Soup!1 viewsIf you were to ask a Taiwanese what is one of the most famous dishes in Taiwan, the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup is the likely answer. While it sounds pretty simple, tender beef chunks with noodles in beef broth, to make it delicious takes a lot of effort and can cater to many tastes. My uncle happens to be really good at this dish, often rivaling many of the shops and restaurants. The rest are stewed roasted pork roast, intestines and stomach, along with green onions for garnish. Also, there's a string beans as an appetizer to flavor the soup and open up the appetite.spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-21_12_05_50.jpg1 viewsspewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-20_23_51_17.jpgStuffed Meat Balls!1 viewsMom and I spent three hours stuffing meat balls inside of a fried tofu cubes. First, the insides were scrapped out, mixed in with the meat, then stuffed back in. After these puffer balls :) are done, about a half hour of steaming will thoroughly cook the meat. This goes great in vermicelli soup!spewmuffinJun 02, 2011	2011-05-20_20_04_51.jpgMiddle of Ximen, where there's one through traffic road4 viewsWhile in Taipei, you can find taxis just about anywhere (think New York City!). Last I heard from my cousin's wife, there are about 12,000 taxis roaming around the city. In this photo, two vehicles are visible, and both are taxis? Hmm...spewmuffinJun 02, 2011
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