Hike - Not Maokong, City Hike

Okay. So this morning I promised my mom I would go on a hike. I had just read a blog about a guy who has done hikes all over Taiwan and one good one he suggested was in Maokong. Fortunately for me, Maokong is a short bus ride and then short gondola ride away. So I put on my trusty rain jacket, some quick dry pants, some water resistant shoes and headed out (it has been raining steady for 24 hours so I figured it probably wouldn't stop for me).

First thing to do: catch the 679 bus. This bus has a route that goes right in front of my apartment complex, so I got comfortable and waited out front. And I waited out front. Waited out front, for about 30 minutes. Okay, I figured at most these buses would be 20 minutes apart. Then it hit me. These buses primarily serve the zoo and the gondola, what if the zoo and gondola were not operating today...I was probably the only soul who would really care to go out and get soaked for the afternoon. I figured I should go with that gut feeling and I started the short 10 minute trek to the base of our hill where a more prominent bus stop is. My plan was to get there, possibly still catch the 679, otherwise I would grab the 912 and head in to Taipei. I ended up doing the latter.

Once in Taipei I jumped on the MRT Blue line and headed to Taipei Main Station. About 15 minutes later I was at the main station. I decided to do a walk I had done once before...the Metro Mall. This particular metro mall follows the MRT for three stops along the Red line. It was a much dryer way to walk around, and there is still a lot to look at, although it is completely artificial.

After I walked the Metro Mall I headed back to the Taipei City Hall Station. From there I walked to Taipei 101, mainly using the sky walk. At Taipei 101 I bought a Mango Bubble Tea at Coco's and enjoyed it in the company of a few hundred other tourists. From there it was back to the bus and on home. Time: 6 hours.

A quick run down on the pictures:
Metro mall, Metro mall sign, Photo of Taiwanse phtographers photo in Metro mall, Looking down from skywalk onto Taipei traffic, Mua, and City jungle.

For you mom xoxo :)