Day 2–Boring Meetings and the Shih-lin Night Markets

(Remember to Click the photos to view them larger size)

Just a boring day of meetings today. until tonight when i went to the famous (around here anyway) Shihlin Night Markets.
First though, today was Taipei’s ‘Double-10’ day. (10 Oct=10/10). it was also the 100th (or 150th i don't quite remember) Anniversary  the day. so they had fireworks galore.

they also lit up the Taipei 101 building, and the other Skyscraper around these parts, the Mitsubishi Tower.

Taipei 101 towering above the city

Hotel Entrance with Mitsubishi Skyscraper lit up i nthe backgroud

i had a wicked Buffet dinner at one of the many restaurants here. all for the grand sum of $17AUD.

fresh seafood, that the chefs cut and cook for you on the spot!

Dinner, round 1. including Yellow Sushi...

Dinner Round 2, with Bluefin Tuna Sashimi

Dessert. the spotty thing at the back is actually a fruit. they come in bright purple or white. and they are DELICIOUS. dont know what they are called though.

To get to the night markets, the hotel provides you with a little translation card to give the Taxi drivers.

in the taxi i learned a couple of VALUABLE lessons..
1) – Taxis do not have seatbelts. Not that it matters, it wouldn't make you feel any safer!
2) – the white lines on the roads hold absolutely no meaning whatsoever…nor do indicators, mirrors, or scooters!
3) – no matter how hot it is, and how tired you are, and how far it may be, JUST WALK.
seriously the taxi ride lasted 2:45. it really wasn't far. but it was scarier than any ride at Dreamworld. so i walked back to the hotel!!!!
at the market i discovered some weird and wonderful things, not least of which was this guy……he had made 20 Taiwan Dollars in his platter. which is approximately $0.65AUD. hardly worth the efforts!!!

Yes, he was missing some limbs, and the WAS blood....

The food wasn't so great either (maybe the guy in the video above just ate some?). glad i filled up on the buffet earlier and wasn't hungry! you cant even begin to image the smell. i had to hold my breath at times....

Deep fried, battered whole octopus on a stick...

as with everything in Taipei, they make 'em big!!!

Suddenly, im not so hungry....YUCK.

as you might expect, there were people, scooters and Taxis everywhere.

and in the middle of it all, i found both an English sign, and a very odd little market lane…