Taiwan in Fisheye 2014 - Part II - Taipei City
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余(魚)眼看臺灣 2014 - 第二部曲 - 台北
Taiwan in Fisheye 2014 - Part II - Taipei City
這是我們第一次寫旅遊文章，而且還是中文和英文都有喔！全部照片都是以Canon 7D + Rokina 8mm Fisheye lens所拍攝的。之所以為叫作＂余＂眼是因為我們的Cedric大哥姓余，也是他第一次來台灣觀光，所以 Cedric 用魚眼鏡頭拍下余眼看見的台灣！
獻給我們在台灣以及溫哥華的家人與朋友們！
For our friends and family in Taiwan and Vancouver, this will be our first post written in both Chinese and English from different perspectives. The mandarin title includes a play on the word "fisheye"; Cedric's last name is "Yu", which sounds like the Mandarin word for Fish (pronounced "yu"). It is Cedric's first time in Taiwan so we thought it's an appropriate title. All shot on Canon 7D + Rokina 8mm Fisheye cine-lens. Enjoy!
*ps* some of these group shots are shot on the Canon 24mm f/1.4
Cedric 抵達台灣的第一天晚上，就有飯局了！見了幾個我國中＋高中認識的好朋友，這幾個都是回流後已定居在台灣了。很難得見面再這樣相聚。
Cedric arrived in Taipei at dawn, and that very evening, Ruby brought him to a dinner with her friends who live there.
這是 台北101。曾經是在2004~2010之中世界最高的大樓，是個設計很特別的地標。過去的幾年內，很多大型活動都在這邊舉行，其中包含了世界級的跨年煙火。很可惜，來台北 101 這天天氣不好，天濛濛地看不清楚。
Taipei 101, once the world's tallest building, still stands a giant; towering several times over every other building near it. The mall is huge and spacious. We didn't get to go up to to the observatory, partly due to the weather. Would definitely like to go up there on the next visit.
這兩個俊男美女是 Ruby 的小學同學，一位是醫生，另一位是畫畫老師。 過了這麼多年還能連絡見面真的是很令人感動的。我們去了子芳同學介紹的永康街上一家餐廳名為＂嗤飯＂。很好吃的台菜！
Another dinner with Ruby's friends! The gentleman pictured below is a doctor, while the lady an art teacher. We had some awesome Taiwanese cuisine. Cedric can be finicky with his food though, avoiding innards and "unusual body parts" whenever he can.
這幾個女生是 Ruby 的好朋友們，難得有機會能同時在台灣碰面逛街吃飯。（圖下）
Cedric never got to meet these good girl-friends of Ruby's (below) as this happened before his arrival.
這是手機照 - This is a cellphone photo.
這是手機照 - This is a cellphone photo.
來台灣當然要帶 Cedric 去一趟有名的＂士林夜市＂（下圖）
To the famous Shilin Night Market! Cedric felt that it reminded him a lot of Bugis Street in Singapore. Taiwan's shaved ice ("ice kachang" to Singaporeans) is blended with milk (evaporated probably). We had to have it despite it's winter in Taipei.
這是手機照 - This is a cellphone photo.
Ruby在溫哥華的一位朋友 Wei 正好來台北觀光三天，難得有機會在溫哥華以外的地方聚會。我們又跑到永康街這邊來吃飯，那晚吃了好吃的台南小吃。
Met up with another friend of Ruby's, who was also visiting from Vancouver en-route to many other countries. One of the few successful group photos with the fisheye lens.
這裡是台北捷運（MRT）其中的一條線，很難得看到人不多的情況（當然也看地區而不同）。台北其中最棒的地方，就是這先進的捷運設備。溫哥華很缺乏的一項公共交通，在溫哥華這邊就三條線，也不怎麼乾淨，還動不動就出問題。台北人很幸福的！
Taipei MRT; much like Singapore's MRT, but with more intersecting lines. Very busy places. It must be very interesting to see the blueprint or map of subterranean Taipei (or any other city).
選了一個天氣不錯的日子去貓空，搭上了最老的捷運線–文湖線（原：木柵線）出發去搭貓空纜車！
To Maokong via MRT and Gondola! The first gondola station starts at the zoo, which Cedric also hopes to visit someday. The MRT line towards the zoo fascinated Cedric with its amazing views. Some of the scenery seemed like a blend of Brazil and Japan- dense, asian/utilitarian-looking architecture on tropical hills and forests. The cemeteries of Taiwan also looked very cool, pictures on next visit (if possible).
下了捷運步行幾步就到了貓空纜車站，我們選擇了底部是透明的＂水晶車廂＂。
We picked the crystal cabin for our gondola ride up Maokong, which had a see-through bottom. It wasn't as scary as we thought, as the cabins were never too high up above the canopy of the forests.
上面的風景很美，風也很大，其實會有點頭暈。
It was a real windy ride, which swung the cabin wildly at times, adding to the thrill.
也不知道在山上走了多遠多久，買了幾根黑豬肉香腸，蔥抓餅就去排隊坐纜車下山了。夜景有美喔！
There were a lot of charming cafes and restaurants up on Maokong. Cedric loved the little pools of light along the streets.
到了尾牙的季節，我們有機會跟一些親戚見面吃潤餅。我幾個姑姑很賢慧準備了很多食物，還有自己做的港式蘿蔔糕。最開心的是能有機會跟四隻很愛吃的貴賓狗碰面啦，百聞不如一見（見狗？），果然又可愛又貪吃又愛叫！
We visited Ruby's relatives for lunch! We had what Singaporeans would call Poh-Piah, and to the western world- the wrap.
終於有機會帶 Cedric 來到很有名的西們盯，晚上來比較漂亮，很適合拍照。
Ximending, where all the young and hip (probably not the hipsters though) congregate/shop at.
這是台灣很多的＂格子鋪＂ 每次逛都可以逛很久！
終於又有機會跟更多的小學同學碰面！ 我們是六年六班，所以比了＂六六＂！（左邊兩個不合群啦！）
Elementary School Reunions! Cedric misses those, but was happy to be a part of this gathering!
台灣的誠品書店，文創的地方滿有名，其中朋友介紹的＂松山菸廠＂那邊是今年回台灣常聽到朋友介紹。
What used to be the Songshan Cigarette Factory is now a museum for art shows and exhibitions. The tall building nearby houses an Eslite Bookstore + Hotel. Eslite is more more like an artsy department store than just a bookstore. You can find a lot of cool gadgets, souvenirs, and locally made or designed products. In this particular outlet, you can learn handicrafts such as glassmaking, textiles, and even a modern bonsai-ish plant growing method.
相信很多台灣人不知道，台灣的誠品書店在全世界一個唯一營業２４小時的書店喔！
Many Taiwanese didn't know that the Eslite Bookstore in Taiwan is the only bookstore that opens 24 hours in the whole wide world.
這只是台北這繁華都市的一小部分，真正要去看清楚這個城市需要更多時間來體會才能看見更多的美好。
Taipei is a huge city with plenty to see and photograph. Definitely worth visiting often just to wander around to sight-see, or patronize its many local stores and get to know its people.
我的小表妹與阿姨，我們最愛做的事情是打撲克牌！
Ruby's cousin and aunt, we had fun playing cards and taught them how to play Ninja like pros.
最後來一張我們這些美麗的魚眼照片幕後的攝影師 － 余／魚先生！
The man behind the camera for most of the photos - Mr. Yu/Fish!