7) Macau - 2 small worlds on a small island

When we arrived at Hongkong airport, we realized that we should have booked the airport-Macau ferry in advance. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take this ferry without pre-booking once you landed. Thus, we had to go to central piers by bus, which took us almost an hour. There we had lunch and went on a ferry to Macau. Prices were much higher than in Taiwan and people were considerably less friendly. In Macau we stayed at 5footway Inn. At the ferry terminal they explained us to take the free Sofitel shuttle bus... we were surprised but learned that it is common in Macau to use free hotel or casino shuttles even if you have no interest in these places. Our hotel was great for a hostel, disappointing for a hotel and even more disappointing for almost 100 EUR a night - still it was one of the cheaper places. Macau's old Portuguese central square was in walking distance (as is almost everything on Macau's main island). We felt very comfortable walking the old Portuguese streets... it was more like home and more inviting than the modern city structure in Taiwan. After McD dinner we visited the most famous Grand Lisboa casino. An impressive building but not very exciting inside. We would have been interested in playing a game or two if it wasn't for a minimum bet of 50 EUR. We jumped on a bus to Taipa and walked a bit around. Back on Macau main island we went up to the rooftop bar Sky21. The drinks were expensive, but we the impressive view was worth it.
The next morning (05.11.) we visited the old Portuguese center again. Walked up to the Guia Fort that offered great views too. Afterwards we payed a visit to the biggest tourist crowd in Macau in front of the ruins of St. Paul's church. All in all Macau has some impressive buildings and a cute Portuguese old center... thereby Macau displays different world and cultures in one place... I liked that while I disliked the prices and the money wasting glossy hotel and casino culture. We then took a ferry back to Hongkong.

Old St. Dominic's Church next to relics of the shopping-addicted world, at the central square

Run-down housings in front of the shining Grand Lisboa casino

Someone couldn't resist taking advantage of this statue's posture

Huge bridge connects Macau main island with Taipa

View on Grand Lisboa casino from

Aiming at Grand Lisboa from Guia Fort

Macau's landmark - the ruins of St. Paul's church

6) Tainan and some more Taipei

Wendy, the Taiwanese teacher we met in Kenting, even offered us a hotel voucher for Tainan. Unfortunately, we had difficulties to contact her and booked a room in the Tie Dao hotel. Later Wendy told us that she wanted to give us vouchers for exactly this hotel :/. At the evening she picked us up together with her husband. They took us on a sightseeing trip. We started at the beautiful Chihkan Tower. Probably the oldest building I have seen in Taiwan. Then Wendy took us to have dinner at a nearby local seafood restaurant which was absolutely delicious. The tricky part was that Wendy insisted on paying for us... rather unusual in our culture, the Taiwanese/Chinese tradition values guests extraordinarily. After dinner, Wendy and her husband drove us around the city until the beach. On the way back from the beach we saw a lot of people in Halloween costumes near a park. We jumped out of the car and joined the crowd :) Some of these costumes were amazing! Wendy, Danny and I got quite some photos with these guys^^ We then picked up Wendy's son and went to see Hai'an road. A beautiful street filled with bars, old houses and drunken Taiwanese young. Wendy and her family brought us back to our hotel and went back home... we planned to meet again the next day...

Chihkan Tower

Wendy and Danny in the park around Chihkan Tower

Halloween in Tainan

Hai'an road

The next morning (01.11.) Danny and I went sightseeing in Tainan. We started at Confucius Temple where local politicians gave us some badges, we watched funny squirrels in the park and then continued to the Temple of the five Concubines. After two small temples we visited the picturesque Koxinga Ancestral Shrine. After our sightseeing tour we had lunch and took a break before we wanted to meet up with Wendy again. Unfortunately, Danny became sick including fever. So we rested in the hotel until late. At late evening we just went for dinner, had a beer and went for sleep.

Squirrel near Confucius Temple

Garden at Temple of the five Concubines

I and Danny

Dragon fountain in front of Koxinga Ancestral Shrine

inside Koxinga Ancestral Shrine

The next day (02.11.) we took the high famous Taiwan high speed train from Tainan to Taipei. Rather expensive, but truly fast and comfortable. Though, not very different from German ICE which is slightly more comfortable but much more expensive. In Taipei we first had lunch at the central station food court and then checked in at Via Loft hotel, which we can recommend. As Danny had not seen it before, I visited the Taipei101 with him including the observatory and the Din Tai Fung restaurant :) Danny finally understood what can be so special about simple dumplings...
The next morning (03.11.) we changed hotels after breakfast. We had booked the Stay Inn early and it was full when we were to book the earlier day. However, the Via Loft was better... We then visited the National Palace Museum, which we cannot recommend as it was mostly boring. For late afternoon we went to Beitou hot springs. More natural than I expected, but less than I hoped. And as so much in Taiwan - a lot cheaper than I thought. Still, filled with old Asian people, mainly man... but the pools were of different heat and very enjoyable. We were not lucky finding a good restaurant for dinner that evening and ended at some unfriendly and hardly tasty one. After breakfast the next morning (04.11.) we left for central station where we took a bus to the airport and caught our flight to Hongkong.

Taipei101 mirrored in a pond

Impressive Taipei101, not so impressive guys :P