Taiwan Day 16: Maokong Gondola, Taipei Zoo, red-eye back to Seattle
The mosquitos got a few parting chomps, my least favorite souvenir. Home to the land of flushing toilet paper, of shower curtains, a clothes dryer and drinking tap water.
Goodbye narrow alleys, scooters darting around pedestrians, clotheslines, bars over every window and door, the visual chaos of signage gone wild. Miss you.
This was Paul's favorite day in Taipei. We took the scenic 2.7-mile gondola ride to the top of the mountain, enjoyed yummy snacks at the tea shops, then took the gondola down to the Taipei Zoo to see the pandas and koalas. Perfect kid outing.The Maokong Gondola cost $3 USD. I couldn't believe it. "太貴會被罵," explained the aunties who shared our gondola. "They'll be scolded if it's too expensive." Yeah, that concept doesn't exist back home. The aunties turned out to be Taiwanese-Canadians from Vancouver, B.C.; Grouse Mountain in comparison, costs $58 USD a ride.The Maokong Gondola took us over a lush green jungle. Hard to believe we were still in Taipei. On a clear day, you get a panoramic view of the city skyline, including Taipei 101.There's no surcharge to ride the crystal cabin, the one with the glass floors!Mountaintop stationMountaintop snacksTaiwan-shaped pineapple cake and fruit teaAdmission to the Taipei Zoo is less than $2 USD. And they have two pandas! I was told, "小朋友的地方應該便宜." (Children's activities SHOULD be cheap.) Well, duh, that makes sense. Except try saying that out loud in Seattle.Yuan Yuan (圓圓), one of two pandas at the Taipei ZooYuan Zai (圓仔), 10, was the first giant panda cub born in Taiwan. Mom is Yuan Yuan. Dad Tuan Tuan, 團團, died in 2022.So many pandas in the panda gift shop.Even the restrooms are panda themed.I'm sorry, but how is this actually real? I think the zoo made a mistake and put a stuffie in the koala exhibit.Final meal in TaipeiLucky for us, Taoyuan International Airport is filled with high-end designer stores. It's great to be able to pop by Hermès and Gucci while you're waiting for your flight. You never know when you might need a Birkin bag or two.
