Taichung

'ONE' the tallest building in Taichung

Outside the Taiwan Museum of Fine Art

I tour Taichung today with a view to visiting the Jade market. It's a long way from the main station so first I take a taxi to NOVA, a large computer, camera and electronics store close to 'ONE', Taichung's highest building. From there I walk the remaining 2km to the market. On the way I pop into SOGO to cool down and to see if it is as spectacular inside as the expensive facade seems to promise. It's all Gucci, Chanel, perfume and jewellery at first, much like the 101 entrance in Taipei. It's nice and cool with lots of marbled surfaces, glass and chrome, if you like that sort of thing. I turn back after the sixth floor as it seems to go on forever. There are few customers but a multitude of bored staff. It all looks far too expensive, but when I inspect a pair of shoes I am surprised at how cheap they are. Back outside the yellow cab drivers wait in anticipation of customers. When I finally reach the Jade market I find it is shut, what a bummer, so I head back into town towards the Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. This is a wonderful area for walking with a long park with plenty of trees and strange sculptures that finally concludes with the art gallery. I am pleasantly surprised to find that there is no entrance charge and the artwork and interior certainly make the visit worthwhile. But don't expect any Rembrandt's, Van Gogh's or artwork before 1900, instead they have some very interesting modern print artwork (lithography and lino-cut). Before leaving I have a cup of black tea with milk and it's the best cup of tea I have ever tasted in my life. Mind you, where I live you could have 3 good meals for the price of that pot of tea so I suppose it ought to be good. The weather was glorious today with a breeze that kept the temperature just below boiling point. Things can only improve as winter approaches.

Amy MacDonald sings a song