Category: Taiwan

Food Tripping at Bali Ferry Port

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 14, 2009

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Bali Ferry Port
No.36, Guanhai Blvd., Bali Township, Taipei County, Taiwan

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On our way back to Tamsui, we decided to hang out for awhile at the Bali Ferry Port.  This was because when we got down the bus from Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology, we saw numerous stalls selling street food.  They just look yummy that we decided to try out some before riding the ferry.

Honestly, it was overwhelming!  We wanted to try out each and every street food.  There were so many choices!  You know what?  We can only eat so much 😛  So I was only able to try like 5 different types of street food at Bali Ferry Port area.

This one, they called it, car wheel treats.  They sell it for 10NT each.  You can however buy 3 and get 1 for free.

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Remember my ever-favorite Taiwan Street Food?  You guessed it!  Would you believe they have it here too?  But honestly, nothing beats the one I’ve eaten at 中和市興南觀光夜市 (Zhong He night market).  It is sold at Bali Ferry Port for 25NT.  The price includes 2 tofu in 1 stick.

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Now, this food item was something we wanted to bring home.  Dried meat & we call it “Ma Pa” here in the Philippines.  Yummy, yummy yummy!  This was sold at 100NT per pack.  Anyway, I wasn’t able to bring it home coz I was able to finish it when we got back to the hotel hahaha!

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Lastly, our favorite from all the ones we tried:  Potato Chips.  Pretty innovative, they were able to put all those potato chips in one stick.  Such great presentation and yummy too btw.  I wasn’t able to buy one coz I was really full.  My friends let me try theirs so I can say that it tasted good.  It was just 35NT per stick.  Affordable!

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Hayyy, I really miss Taiwan!  I wish our country had a place like this where we could enjoy street foods like there’s no tomorrow.  Such a great experience 🙂

More of Bali Ferry Port here.

Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 13, 2009

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十三行博物館 Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology
249臺北縣八里鄉博物館路200號
886 (02) 2619-1313
admission: 100NT

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Shihsanhang Museum is located in Bali but can be reached from Tamsui.  We just need to ride a boat from Tamsui fisherman’s wharf to Bali then ride a bus going to the museum.

The museum is such an awesome site!  It has astounding architectural design that is very hippy & modern.  We even stayed a bit outside the museum appreciating all the sights there.  As you can see in the pictures, the inclined roof is actually a staircase where we can climb up and have a look into the youngest volcano in Taiwan, Taipei Harbor & even the Tamsui River.

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Anyway, Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology offers exhibits on artifacts from Taiwan’s earliest residents.  The museum had a lot of interactive areas in each of the exhibits.  It was very kid & child-friendly!  Those areas would really make your kids and also young at heart like us to be very entertained.  They will also make our brains work coz some of the games were presented in trivia form.

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Here are some of the exhibits during our visit:

  • Taiwan Landbridge Fauna – during the 1970s, fishermen caught a number of human & animal fossils in Penghu archipelago.  The exhibit showcased the story of those discoveries as well as excavation & restoration.
  • Back to Shihsanhang – the story begins with a Major in the Taiwanese Air Force who discovered the Shihsanhang Site. While flying over the site, the major recorded strange readings. The Major’s recording and other reports on the “rescue excavation” from the site is used to introduce visitors to the Shihsanhang people who lived here.

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You can find more pictures of Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology here.


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Huwei Fort

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 13, 2009

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Huwei Fort
臺北縣淡水鎮中正路1段6卷34號
886 (02) 26295390
admission: 50NT

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Just 1 kilometer from Fort San Domingo is Huwei Fort.  At 1st glance, you’d know that it was meant for military action.  I also noticed that the place had a lot of plants & small animals.  Visitors could definitely sit there on the top and enjoy the view (well just make sure that the weather is not hot when you visit).

In 1886, following the Sino-French war, the Chinese government decided to strengthen Taiwan’s coastal defenses thus Huwei Fort was built.  To ensure the strength & structure of this fortress, German engineer Max E. Hecht was hired to oversee the construction project.

Huwei Fort construction was finished in 1889 but it was never used in any war hence it is still intact.  The Fort was designated as a 2nd class historical site in 1985.  It has been open to the public since then.

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One thing to note is the architectural characteristics of Huwei Fort.  It’s called The Hidden Fort as it’s located at high altitude & covered by surrounding woods thus it could not be found easily.  It has fortified walls, massive gates, batteries & steep steps to its ramparts.

There is an inscription above the entrance that reads “北門鎖鑰” (Key to the Northern Gate).  This inscription denotes the importance of the fort in the defense of the island.

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More pictures taken at the Huwei Fort here.

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Fort San Domingo

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 12, 2009

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淡水紅毛城 Fort San Domingo
臺北縣淡水鎮中正路28卷1號
886 (02) 26231001
admission: 60NT

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Tamsui’s most famous site is Fort San Domingo.  It is one of the most treasured historical site in Taiwan.  Fort San Domingo could trace its origins back to 1626 when it was a Spanish colony.  Through the years, a lot of nationalities clashed & fought with each other in Tamsui and Fort San Domingo is the perfect witness of that rich history.

When we entered the place, I made sure that I get the 10NT brochure of the place.  I was certain that I had to do a lot of reading in order to understand the rich history of Tamsui’s Fort San Domingo.  I could really feel that this is a place close to the heart of taiwanese people.   We were even lucky enough to go to Fort San Domingo when they were having the UNESCO Heritage Days that celebrate the historic sites of Tamsui.

Here are the series of events that can describe simply the various cultures that made Fort San Domingo to what it is now:

  • 1629-1641 – Spanish army occupied Tamsui as the base of their colony in Taiwan
  • 1642-1661 – the Dutch colonized Southern Taiwan & drove out the Spaniards.  The Dutch built a new fort on the site called Fort Antonio.
  • 1683-1867 – Chinese government controlled the fort.
  • 1868-1972 – the British took over the fort & made it their trade consulate.
  • 1980 – Republic of China reclaimed the land.  The fort was classified as a grade one listed historical site & was renovated & opened to the public.

Fort San Domingo has 2 buildings in its site:

  • Fort Antonio
It was first constructed by the Dutch as a defense in 1644 but was rebuilt by the British as a consulate office after.  The exterior was painted red.  Battlements & watchtowers were added as well as balcony, storerooms & yards.

The lower floor was converted into jail consisting of 4 prison cells.  Foreigners who committed crimes in Taiwan were kept in this jail as they were exempt from judgements of the local laws.

Upper floor was divided into 4 rooms.  Facilities like incinerator, safe, vault, fireplaces can be found inside those rooms.

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  • Former British Consular Residence
A colonial-style house built by the British that featured French windows, verandahs & raised foundation which were designed to provide better ventilation & drainage.

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More pictures here.

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Fuyou Temple

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 12, 2009

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淡水福佑宮 Tamsui Fuyou Temple
臺北縣淡水鎮中正路200號
886 (02) 26211731

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The oldest temple in Tamsui, Fuyou temple lies in the middle of Tamsui Old road (Zhongzeng Rd.).  In the old days, this beautiful temple was visited by families & wives for the safe return of their men.

Fuyou Temple was once called Ma Zu Temple when it was first established during the time of Emperor Chia Ching (1722-1735).  It was reconstructed in 1796 by townsmen & fishermen as the temple for the public during the early years of Tamsui.

Fuyou temples honors Ma Zu, who is the marine goddess that protects fishermen.  It was once shared that Ma Zu showed her power against the French soldiers during the Sino-French war.  The people reported it to their emperor who thus gave the temple a tablet that says “翌天昭佑” which means “A Blessing for the Next Day”.  The tablet is still hanging in the hall of the temple.

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Fuyou Temple also honors Guan Yin & the Lotus King.  More pictures here.

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