Pamela very enthusiastically took us for various outings. We got to see Tamsui the colonial area north of Taipei. It encompasses all eras Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese occupation. You will see a bit about the history in my next post.
We used public transport and they have the most amazing top up ‘EasyCard’ that can be used on any bus, tram, train, MRT, cycle, in the cities. Just touch and go and it’s very cheap
In Tamsui we met another couple of Servas members including Juliana who we also stayed with. The temple above was very small and very old. Here we found out we are supposed to enter on the right and leave on the left, leaving all the bad spirits behind. Most of the temples here are Taoist with many gods but Buddha is often seated within too!
I keep meaning to say that, Tatjana explained to me the lions often at the door of buildings and especially temples are male and female, the female has a cub and the male has a ball, as a representation of the world.
We hired cycles to travel along the river!
Then later as it was threatening rain we went to this fascinating temple. Guandhu Temple cut into and right through a hill. It was a maze of passages and rooms
We also visited a night market and had the most disgusting fermented tofu. I ate it but, it tasted and smelled rotten. Now before you ask, it’s meant to be like that and it’s then cooked really well and there were no ill effects, thank goodness!
A brief history of Taiwan (my version) next!
The Travelling Bee 