Weekend 6: Saturday (Part I)

Presidential Building
Luckily for me, it's the 100th year of ROC (Taiwan.) In celebration, the presidential building opened its doors to the public one weekend per month this year. I already missed July's open house, there was no way I was going to miss August's. Normally, the building is open on weekdays, but taking time off work to go visit the presidential building was not an excuse that would go over very well with my boss.

This used to be the governor's office back in Japanese colonial days. So the architectural is heavily Japanese-influenced.   

The Foyer. Impressive.

There were many exhibits detailing the history of the building and of Taiwan. Look at all the flags that flew above Taiwan. Netherlands->Zheng Cheng-gong->Manchu->Japanese->ROC.

A view from the courtyard.

Look. They even provide cardboard cutouts of the president and vice-president so you can pretend to shake hands with them.

Taipei Guest House

This was the governor's residence during the Japanese colonial period. It was then converted to a guest house for important dignitaries/guests. Now I believe it's just a museum.

Look at the details. It must have cost a small fortune to build this place. I was surprised at how European the whole manor looks and feels. The gilded details, the tiled furnace, even the staircase seems something out of Anne of Green Gables.

Finally, something distinctively Japanese. A decorative chest that folds outwards. The ceiling inside holds 72 panels, each with an unique design (as you can see from the plaque.) Very curious thing. Why did the artisan spend so much time and energy on an area hidden from view? (The conspiracy theorist in me is yelling "Secret compartment!!!! Secret compartment!!! The panels act as a keypad!!!") Regardless, the craftsmanship on this chest is simply stunning. All the details. Very very ornate piece of art.

More pictures from inside the manor.

 

At this point, I would have been extremely surprised if the backyard landscape turned out to be mediocre.

A lovely backyard. You could tell a lot of thought went into the overall design of the landscape.

On the way to CKS, I saw the East Gate. Out of the four gates, only three remains (East, West, and South.) There's South Gate Junior, but I don't think it really counts.

Unto CKS! I had a date with a tour guide and a bunch of little kids.