Visiting the Taichung Rainforest

Today didn't go according to plan.  We actually didn't really have a plan getting up but Tina suggested we head over to the Art Museum so that she can spend time with Moses and I can take Seraphine to the kiddie play room.  We rushed through our morning routine and got out the door by 9:00 as we wanted to be there early before the crowds formed.  The first clue should have been how empty the parking garage was but we ignored that in our haste to enter the museum.  The second clue was that there seemed to be as many people walking away from the museum as there were going towards it but it didn't really register at the time. When we finally got to the door, we noticed the automated doors would not open. Clue three.  As we looked around for an explanation, a small sign posted next to the door said, in effect, "Closed. We will open at 1pm due to the elections." Elections!  We had completely forgotten that November 27 was Election Day here!  After months of blaring loudspeakers, fire crakers, and rallies the Election was here and the campaigning was finally over.  Oh well. It's a small price to pay for the democratic process. 


I suggested we head over to Park Lane (a small mall operated by the Eslite Group).  When we finally got there, I noticed how empty the parking lot was.  Hmmm .... We took the elevator down to the first floor and , behold, the mall was closed too.  Not for election purposes though. It turns out the mall doesn't open until 11am and we were there at 9:30.  Ok ... How about a walk around the park next to the mall? That lasted about five minutes until Moses complained of being bored.  We then thought we'd check out the "One" building, the tallest building in Taichung.  There's a restaurant on the 46F called "Top of the One" that should have a nice view. No luck ... The place was closed as well.  However, a nice bellhop by the name of Sid suggested we visit the Science Museum and even called them to make sure they were open. So off to the Science Museum we went. After parking we strolled around the grounds and found a little snack shop selling soft serve cones.  Three cones among the four of us made us feel better.  It was too late to go into the museum as it was already 11:15 by now and we were suppose to head back for lunch so we made a trip across to the street to the 'Botantical Garden'.  It turns out this is a large greenhouse structure enclosing a miniature rainforest!  There were hills, 'hiking' paths, a waterfall, and even a fish tank containing some large sturgeon like fish and a separate one with piranhas. (Probably not a good idea to mix the two species.)  At NT20 to enter, this place is a total bargain and a nice little retreat from the concrete/asphalt urban landscape.  We'll be back and will remember to bring our camera next time!


Steve