Day 9

12:00AM
A quick breakfast and the day was off to a busy start. The group loaded onto a new bus and went for a 90 min ride to the center for traditional arts. We got to see a lot of culture in everything from venders to the parade and performance. It was really fun to see some traditional art and the parade was funny. The fish costumes made it seem like a show for little kids. After the parade we went into a performance called Dream World. It was very cool to see, but there were no pictures allowed. There were insane balancing acts, tricks on the high ropes and music. It was a lot like Cirqu du Soleil, but with an Asian flare. I tried this candy that was strawberries and tomatoes coated in a red caramelized candy. It was good, but a bit too much sugar for me. Some of us got to see how traditional taffy was made. I linked a video of it on the flicker.
Next we visited Lan-Yang Museum. We all got lunch which made us a bit late for the English tour, but we still got to see a lot of cool exhibits. The building was really trippy to walk through...it felt like being in a fun house because it was built sideways into the landscape. The exhibits included information about the land, sea, and agriculture of the area. I got some nice pictures of the museum. I thought the map of Taiwan that was made of lights and pictures was pretty neat.
After the museum we had a company tour at King Car Whisky Distillery. There was a brief presentation about the company. I walked out of there asking what doesn’t this company do? I took a photo of the slide that showed all the different aspects of the company. They ranged from food industry, whisky, biotechnology, logistics, and so much more. I cannot even begin to imagine how much money this company pulls in even in one day. I noticed there was a real push for health foods. Maybe this is a growing demand they are filling? It would fit with the culture. I thought the tour through the distillery was interesting. We actually got to see the whiskey being made.
If you didn’t already assume as much, yes we were given samples of the whisky. We had straight whiskey, then whisky and coke/whiskey and soda premixed. The premixed drinks are sold everywhere (even at the Lan-Yang museum). I got a new hat at the gift store. I figure by the time I get home someone will have made mine disappear because it’s so old and dirty.
Another 90 min bus ride and we were back in Taipei. Dinner consisted of some amazing Pizza Hut! Ed, Pat, Josh, Arianna, Gannon, Dion, myself and a few of the students that went with us went next door to play pool at the bar. By the time we got back I was so tired I just crashed.