Taiwan: 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo

Taiwan hosted to the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo from November 6, 2010 to April 25, 2011. The 2010 Flora Expo is a garden festival recognized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers. We didn't have time to explore the entire site. So we were brought to the Expo Dome where an orchid exhibition was being held.


Orchids are among the most fascinating flowers in the world, and is said to be the second largest family of flowering plants. And the wide range of species and hybrids were very much evident in the massive orchid exhibition at the expo.



We also got to see the Pavilion of New Fashion - FE EcoARK, a structure made of 1.52 million used PET bottles and bamboo as the main structural material supplemented by recycled steel beams. It was in fact featured in National Geographic Channel's Megastructures and is a perfect example of how one can make an energy self-sufficient structure by utilizing the sun, air and water.

Hopefully, this would be the future of construction. In Taiwan alone, several billions of plastic bottles are discarded every year. Given that most of them are non-biodegradable, the accumulation of garbage is a very serious issue and one that was addressed by the FE EcoARK.


After taking photos at some of the outdoor floral exhibits, we proceeded to Taiwan's electronics market to get some great deals. More photos of day 2 in Ivan About Town FB page.

Note: This familiarization tour of Taipei, Taiwan was organized by China Airlines. Book online at the China Airlines website.

Taiwan: Taipei 101 Observatory

Taipei 101 was the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010. When it was completed in 2004, it was the world's tallest structure at 508 meters, had the tallest roof at 448 meters and had the tallest occupied floor at 438 meters. And like many of these tall skyscrapers and structures, Taipei 101 has an observatory which visitors can go up to for a spectacular view of the city.


After our dinner at Din Tai Fung, the group proceeded to the Taipei 101 Observatory on the 89th floor, which is 382 meters above the ground. The good thing about the visit to the observatory is that you can borrow pre-recorded multi-media guides in eight languages that annotate your view as you walk around the observatory. Unfortunately, it was a bit foggy that night so we weren't able to see much. If I had the chance, I would have wanted to visit the Taipei 101 Observatory during the day.

Don't forget to visit the 91st floor which is the Outdoor Observatory. There are steps from the 89th floor to get you there. But as we were about to reach the entrance, an announcement was made that the access to the 91st floor was going to be closed due to the weather situation.


As you exit the observatory, you'll get to see the world's largest and heaviest wind damper on the 88th floor. The Taipei 101 wind damper has a diameter of 5.5 meters and weighs 660 metric tons.

To get up and down the observatory, you naturally have to take an elevator. But note that the elevators of Taipei holds the Guiness Record for world's fastest elevator with top speeds of 1,010 meters per minute.

Admission fee to the Taipei 101 Observatory is NT$400 for adults and NT$370 for children under 12. While kids under 110 cm (3 feet 8 inches) enter for free. It's open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. But they only allow guests in until 9:15 p.m. Note also that there is a dress code and that slippers are not allowed. More photos of day 1 in Ivan About Town FB page.

Note: This familiarization tour of Taipei, Taiwan was organized by China Airlines. Book online at the China Airlines website.

Taiwan: Xiaolongbao 鼎泰豐 at Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐

To the many fans of xiaolongbao, Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 must be heaven! Known not just in Taiwan for its xiaolongbao, the restaurant has received accolades from all over. The New York Times named Din Tai Fung as one of the Top 10 restaurants in the world in 1993. While its Tsim Sha Tsui branch in Hong Kong received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2010 edition. So visiting its many branches is a must when in Taiwan.


Earlier, we passed by their first branch along Xinyi Road in Kang Qing Long District. Obviously, But our dimsum dinner was going to be at the branch in Zhongxiao East Road. You better make reservations because it was obvious from the crown and long queue outside that getting a table if you walk-in would take some time.

While many non-Chinese refer to xialongbao as "soup dumplings," they are actually steamed buns. I would later find out that one major difference of dumplings and buns is where they are pinched or sealed before steaming. The dough wrapper of dumplings or jiaozi 餃子 are folded in half and pinched along the perimeter of the semi-circle. While buns or baozi 包子 are sealed with a pinch on top.



As we sat down in two tables, the dumplings, buns and other signature dishes just kept on coming! There was their Appetizer 小菜, Spicy Pickled Cucumber, Stewed Beancurd, Xiao Long Bao 小籠包, Steamed Shrimp and Pork Dumplings 蝦仁蒸餃, Steamed Vegetable and Ground Pork Dumplings 菜肉蒸餃, Steamed Fish Dumplings, Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shiaomai 蝦仁燒賣, Vegetarian Fried Rice 蛋炒飯, Hot and Sour Soup 酸辣湯 and Steamed Mashed Red Bean Buns 豆沙小包 for dessert.


By the time we were down, the group was simply overloaded with dimsum. But the night was not over since we had two more stops, the fist one being Taipei 101. More photos of day 1 and the food in Ivan About Town FB page.

Note: This familiarization tour of Taipei, Taiwan was organized by China Airlines. Book online at the China Airlines website.