MLand

國立中正紀念堂
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall 國立中正紀念堂 is a memorial located in Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China, for the late President Chiang Kai-shek. It shares the grounds of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park with the National Concert Hall and National Theater and is one of the city's defining landmarks.

The main building is white with four sides. Its roof, rising 70 meters above the ground, is octagonal with blue glazed glass tiles. The blue and white colors of the building and the red color of the flowerbeds provide the symbolism found in the flag of the Republic of China.

Two sets of white stairs, with a total of 89 steps representing Chiang's age of death, lead up to double doors, 16 meters high and weighing 75 tons. At the top of the stairs is a large vault containing a bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek. Behind him are inscribed the words "Ethics, Democracy, Science" and Chiang's accompanying writings. On the side walls are inscribed "The Purpose of Life is to further improve the general life of Mankind" and "The Meaning of Life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe." The vault is under guard during opening hours (9 A.M. to 4 P.M.) by an honor guard drawn from a branch of the ROC military and rotated periodically among the branches.

Eileen took the train back to her apartment cos she forgot to bring along her handphone. So she left us to explore on our own, which is quite easy since this place is easily accessible via the mrt. We walked around, not sure which one is the main building as we saw 3 buildings. Then I recalled Eileen told me the main building has a big big statue. We saw it and walk towards it. Along the way, cheeky Chloe posed this:

I was running out of breathe when I climbed up the 89 steps (not sure should it be 88 or 89). Fortunately, my hubby carried Chloe all the way up the 89 steps. I can't imagine if I'm the one carrying Chloe.

I asked my hubby to take a pix of me and Chloe with the big statue. He took this for me:

I told him off, I said I look more like attending a funeral with the wreath of flowers behind. And where is the statue??? ARGH!


西門盯
This is the place where tasted the super delicious Mango Snow Ice. The ice is so soft, it just melts once it's inside your mouth. I wonder if I can find such similar Snow Ice in Singapore.


Eileen went to tabao the chicken drumstick(NT50 ~SG$2.4) and duck wing(NT25 ~SG$1.2) which I mentioned I wanna try after looking at one of her blog entry. I ordered 2 drumsticks, 2 duck wings and 1 egg for Chloe cos she loves to eat egg.

We also went to eat the 阿宗面線. It's different from the one sg Shilin is selling. No oyster, only got pork intestine. But you see the crowd outside the shop, there's really alot of people standing outside the shop eating the mee sua. Below is a pix of my hubby eating the mee sua.



龍山寺
This temple, 龍山寺 is where countless generations of Taipei citizens have come to pray and seek guidance at times of trouble. As the temple is dedicated to Guanyin (the Buddhist representation of compassion) it is officially defined as Buddhist, but there is a great amount of folk religion mixed into the fabric of the beliefs here.

Me and Eileen went to pray where my hubby walk around with Chloe to admire the building structure of the temple. And Chloe fell asleep!! Perhaps this place is too smoky for her eyes. :P



華西街夜市
We waited for TL to knock off then we proceed to 華西街夜市 for dinner. It's interesting to see that at 華西街夜市 there are quite a few restaurants selling snakes! I find it yucky mann. End up we settled our dinner at one of the stalls selling cuttlefish, oyster, fish etc. I had a lot of seafood. After that we went to the night market for a walk. Wah they are selling adult toys over there. OMG!

I nearly forgot that it's my hubby's birthday today. I quickly find a chance to ask Eileen where can I buy a cake. End up I came up with a lame excuse saying I want to accompany Eileen to go pharmacy to get some cough medicine for Chloe.

Ta ta...The person gave me a "30" birthday candle which is big. I was expecting 3 normal candles instead. :P Thought it's not a grand celebration, I hope hubby appreciate my thoughts :)