Taipei

My motherland. I had not been there since I was two years old, but my roots were beckoning. Also, I had planned a trip to Cambodia, and I wanted to make the most of the long flight east and see more than one place.

Living in a part of Los Angeles with plenty of Taiwanese and Chinese, I really did not experience much of a culture shock, if any, going home. It actually felt a little bit like LA, except less, well Americans.

I stayed by Ximending, pictured above, which is in the Wanhua district. The area has its own night market, and I found it to be as good an area as any. (More on night markets below).

The National Palace Museum.

Well, to be honest, I can't remember what this was. That's the problem of adding photos years later to your blog!

The Zhinan Temple, a taoist temple on the slopes, reached by taking the Maokong gondola. Not a gondola that floats on water, like in Venice. The temple's main deity is Lü Dongbin.

The Zhinan Temple stop, before getting on the gondola.

Sea of Chinese lanterns at Zhinan Temple.

I got to see the changing of the guard at the Chiang Kai-Shek memorial, and it was fantastic!

Shilin Night Market.

Taiwan is famous for its night markets. These are markets that stay open late and have vendors selling anything from CDs to clothes to bites to eat. It's perfect to come here hungry and just go from stall to stall trying new things, but if you're alone, you'll get full fast. Better to go in a group so you can try more things!

There are quite a few night markets in Taiwan, but the best for food are probably Shilin and Raohe.

Taiwan is a GREAT place for a foodie, and I would like the secrets of the people who manage to stay so thin with all the delicacies available.

Scrumptious dessert every where I turn! Someone save me.

Taipei is the home of the famous Din Tai Fung, known all over the world for their xiaolongbao, which are like little round dumplings filled with soup.