Into the Far East

It was with great expectations that we flew to Taiwan. Not only this would be the first of three countries we were about to visit that were new for all of us, but also because these countries (South Korea and Japan will be the other two) represent the "proper East", the Far East. Highly developed nations with very different cultural references.
Taipei is a big, busy city with an efficient metro network. Surrounded by lush hills, and crossed by the Tamsui river, it has many night markets with great street food and plenty of neon lights, making Time Square look insignificant and Piccadilly Circus pathetic.
We stayed in the very central and vibrant Red House district. Known by it's remarkably progressive gay scene (Taiwan recently legalized gay marriage and

is the only country in Asia to do so), offering plenty of bars, restaurants and shops.
On the first day, after walking through a local park, we took the metro to the southwestern part of the city to take the Maokong Gondola, a cable car that went up for half an hour over forest and tea plantations, and admire the wonderful view of the city, which allowed us to not only realize the enormous area covered by it, but also to enjoy a rare view from above of the 508 metres tall 101 Taipei Tower, once the highest building in Asia, until the Burj Khalifa was erected in Dubai. At night we had dinner at Shilin Night Market, the biggest and most famous night market in Taipei where thousands of people slowly walk through a

complex labyrinth of food stalls and shops in search for amazing delicacies like stinky tofu, grilled giant squid and mushrooms, octopus balls and bubble tea.
The following day we tried one of the multiple hot springs resorts in town. The idea of submerging ourselves in hot water, when the weather was already sticky hot and humid, didn't seem that appealing. However, this turned out to be a very relaxing day for the adults and an excitement for Flora, who couldn't help herself from jumping from pool to pool, pushing all the bubble buttons available in which one of the pools.
On the last day in Taipei, we took a bus to visit Wulai, one of the aboriginal villages of Taiwan. Right on the mountains, Wulai is a picturesque place sat by a river, where we had lunch, visited the museum and Flora enjoyed herself eating ice cream while observing the rainbow created by the sun rays crossing a waterfall that could be reached by jumping on a kids-like little train in the village.