Asia trip Day 14 - Keelung, Taiwan

Saturday March 11

Our third stop here in Taiwan. The first part of our cruise is over. Many passengers ended their trip here and left the ship this morning. New passengers will come on later.

The excursion we had booked had been cancelled but we could sort it out and did book something else.

 

Today we didn't have to start so terribly early. At 10 am we were on the bus. Driving into town was quite interesting. Interesting buildings and everything so clean looking. But taking pictures from the bus just is not that easy.

This is what the discription for the tour was: Discover fascinating details about Taipei’s ancient culture and more recent history by visiting key landmarks, beginning with the prestigious National Palace Museum. Its treasures were originally housed in Beijing’s Forbidden City, but they were moved several times starting in 1931 to keep them out of the hands of invading Japanese troops. Inside, you will find the world’s largest collection of Chinese art treasures, spanning the country’s nearly 5,000-year history. The jade, porcelain and embroidered pieces are particularly spectacular. You will next visit the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, a national monument dedicated to the former president of the Republic of China. Its collection includes historical relics of Chiang Kai Shek from his early family life through his presidency. Be sure to notice the monument’s color scheme. Although predominately blue and white, there are splashes of red and together they represent the colors of Taiwan’s flag.

So, first stop: The National Palace Museum. 

Masks are mandatory.

In the bus our guide had explained that 720,000 items had been brought from the Forbidden City in Beijing to Taiwan. They are very proud of having them but I have mixed feeling about it. Of course the things we saw were truly gorgeous and priceless.

Our guide explained about Chinese writing and had us guess some of the characters on this wall. Very interesting. 

The guide explained a lot about how much the culture mattered. When you think this was a woman's jewelry you are wrong. An important man, who was supposed to be an example to others, would wear this on his side. His movements were supposed to be such that the beads would make the least amount of noise. Decorum. 

Of course I could post only the fewest photos possible. But it was all very interesting. 

Emperor Qianlong more than once urged Chinese jade artisans to learn from the three major characteristics of Hindustan jades: its moist, sleek luster, its exquisite thinness, and its elaborate yet not gaudy designs. 

Before there was porcelain jade was used as eating and drinking vessels. Of course thinness was very desirable. 

These were the earliest porcelain pieces. They were white on purpose to imitate the jade vessels of rich people. Chinese jade was mostly whitish. 

This was labeled: Revolving vase with swimming fish in cobalt blue glass.

Carved ivory. A ball in a ball in a ball .... One of the many master pieces.

On the wall of the ivory exhibition was a large sign:

In the furniture exhibition hall was this glass box with miniture furniture and next to it was the explanation who you can download and print the pieces you need to make your own historic Chinese doll house furniture. 

And yes, cloisenné.

Back in the bus.

 The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial.

Just before 2 o'clock we hastened to the 4th floor for the hourly changing of the guards.

When it started I saw children behind me and I let them come in front of me. The mommy was very happy. The children were so cute and so well-behaved.

Afterwards we went down the wrong steps and got lost a little. We (and another gentleman) were 5 minutes late at the bus. Sorry.

Back in the bus. Another side of the Memorial place.

Such unusual buildings.

A very late lunch on the ship. Another pretty view.

And then we played cards in the cabin. Too windy outside.

We were very impressed with our 3 stops in Taiwan. Clean and orderly and we felt safe and welcome. Another very nice day.