Day 11, Taiwan

Did you know that Taiwan is also called Formosa??? Taiwan, is an island group located in East Asia and has been called the "Kingdom of Butterflies".

It's easy to see why. There are more than 400 species of butterflies in Taiwan - and 40 of them can be found nowhere else in the world!

Let'g go to Taipei

Taipei 101 is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan.As of June 2009, the title of "world's tallest building" still rests with Taipei 101, as international architectural standards define a "building" as a structure capable of being fully occupied.

Longshan Temple at Wanhua, Taipei It was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian, China. It served as a place of worship and a gathering place for the Chinese settlers.

The Martyrs Shrine is dedicated to approximately 330,000 men wh o sacrificed their lives to the overthrowing of the Ching Dynasty before the establishment of the Republic of China in 1911, and who fell during the Sino-Jap anese war (1938-1945) and the Chinese Civil war (1945-1949). Plates of these brave and loyal martyrs have been inserted into the four walls of the main building in testimony of their heroic deeds.

Just look at the military police officers who guard the main gate. They have been rigidly trained to stand like expressionless statues and remained unmoved even when Jarca & Nopi threw kisses at them! There were many other visitors who were also amazed at this display of composure and flocked to see the ceremonial changing of the guards which is held at each hour.

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a famous monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. .

The Tienho Temple in Lugang Township in central Taiwan's Changhua County is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Matsu (or Matzu), the Goddess of the Sea. The temple was first built during the Qing dynasty. It was renovated in 1936 and expanded to the grand scale seen today.

and last stop in Taipei......the Hwahshi Tourist Night Market.......this city never sleeps , and neither did we........all of us just continued shopping:-)....and even blew our diets by eating huge slices Black Forest Cake to celebrate Jarca's birthday.

Thanks to the following postcrossers for making this tour of Taiwan possible:

1. http://www.postcrossing.com/user/sharonissocool
2. http://www.postcrossing.com/user/nancy0326
3. http://www.postcrossing.com/user/peixebola
4. http://www.postcrossing.com/user/aguanita
5. http://www.postcrossing.com/user/alvatsai09

We have travelled through 15 countries thus far........next we will visit S.Korea and Japan before we leave Asia........