Yesterday we were at sea with nothing much to tell you other than the previous night was quite a lot of motion in the ocean…. Had quite a bit of interrupted sleep. 

Guide today is Ada… a much younger gal. Today, we are back in Taipei. It was formerly was called Formosa….( I knew that but had forgotten). It is only 250 kms from China. 

Evergreen, Eva Air, Asus, Tesla (1st 2 motors made here) are all big names in the international business world , golf balls, wet suits, optics in phone cameras…..big industry. They also export dolphin fish, orchids & eels to Japan, “sensei” orchid is like a girl dancing and pineapple & edemane. And a liquor that is 58%… to China (I bought some. It’s kinda like white lightning). Most exports go to US, Japan and China. 

First stop is Yehliu Geo Park. The park is a peninsula that juts out into the sea for about a mile. There is lots of walking and steps to climb. The figures all have a hard top….. (looks like lava) with sandstone below. As a result of the wind, rain and ocean waves, etc., the figures have been carved into some very cool shapes…. The most significant is of “the queen” and the “fairy slipper”.

Upon exiting the park there was a market…. Predominantly with fish products.

Back to Keelung and another park….. Chung Cheng park where the largest statue on Taiwan is located.

Special animals on the island are the Formosa black bear (has “V” on chest)…. It is endangered now as are leopard cat, owl & pangolin..  so many because they believe that parts will increased sexual performance. Bee-eater bird…. Beautiful… seen only in May. Hoopie bird.

Has been ruled by Spain, Holland, China and 41 years by Japan. 

As before, it is quite apparent that the building are not well cared for … kind of looking shabby. My thoughts are that it is because of all the rain causing mold on the buildings. Also the constant rain would take away initiative to clean it up.