We’re spending our second Taiwan day in the port of Keelung where we are parked. It’s 32° and high humidity so we rip up our planned 10+ mile adventure and decide to stay more local.
First off we’ve read about a 1930’s derelict house, which we go searching for, not alone as it happens because we chat to a lovely Singaporean couple who are sailing on Anthem of the Seas, the other ship in town today. They have the advantage of being able to read the characters and give us confidence to continue onwards to our goal. We find a temple and then the house itself. A pretty spooky but fascinating relic from the Japanese invasion.
Then we’re off to Zhongzheng Park, for a long list of attractions starting with a Martyrs Shrine, not on the scale of yesterday but impressive. Next is the Zhupu Alter where we chat with a couple of Texans also off Anthem. There is also a viewing platform here which overlooks the port.
Next up is a pair of Buddhas, one golden the other a quite large white one, which we can climb into.
Further along it’s an eclectic collection of weaponry at 228 Monument and finally Ershawan Fort which was built in 1886 but in fact traces it’s history back to the British Opium Wars of the 1840s.
After all this excitement we descend back to street level and refresh our electrolytes and chocolytes, before continuing across the city. We note that fuel prices are very low. Taiwan has a good standard of living equivalent to Australia (using the PPP measure.)
Our destination is the harbour of Zhengbin which has famously coloured houses. Afterwards it’s just a wander back home, passing various interesting bits as we go – the old Mayor’s house, Army Officers quarters (with a WC still standing!) and French Cemetery.
We pop up to the roof of the terminal building which is also a shopping centre to see the pathway where locals can come and look at us in a sort of “reverse tourism” paradigm.
We are required to de-immigrate again as we are off to Japan tomorrow, and then it’s time to catch up on blogging, although it’s been a very testy 48 hours with so much either blocked or hopelessly slow.
Jacuzzi time requires a Raspberry Daquiri and Mud Slide which we enjoy in the pouring rain, the first we’ve seen in Taiwan. Joyce looks after us perfectly, as she has for several years when our paths cross.
Dinner in MDR is just perfect – excellent service and fabulous food – crab cake, clam chowder and stroganoff for both, then brownie for Hubby and dark chocolate soufflé for me.
It is Ship’s Company tonight, performing the production “Better Together” which we’ve not seen since last year. It’s a very energetic performance featuring Queen, Beetles and …
Tomorrow’s blog will feature a guest editor!
