Presidential Palace of Taiwan from the inside

After Sunday mass today, I visited the Taiwan Presidential Palace and the nearby Taipei Guest House, 台北賓館 - which wasn't planned. The taxi had dropped by right in front of it, since security does not allow cars nearer to the Presidential Palace. The security guards by the road, suggested I see it. Since I was being tourist for the day, why not.... Built in 1899 it was the official home of the Japanese governor of Taiwan during Japanese rule. Just a nice classy house with a lot of chandeliers, used today by the Taiwanese heads of states and their guests.

Now, I've seen the Presidential Palace ttp://www.president.gov.tw/en/ from afar, and also on TV, but it's my first time inside it. Security was real strict, guards every couple of meters and most of the rooms are blocked off, understandably. But still a big eye opener. Pity the President wasn't home...

More pix - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8062670@N07/sets/72157621928661704/

My 3rd and last stop - the Smiling Kingdom exhibition at the National History Museum. There was a 2nd part to the terracotta warriors of Xi-An, China. Some 70 years later, in the tombs of Emperors Wen & Jing, more terracotta warriors were found. Since these Han dynasty emperors ruled in a time of peace, unlike the Qin Emperor and his terracotta warriors, the terracotta warriors were different. They had peaceful, even smiling faces, they were nude with movable arms and parts and even er.. genitals. They were men, women and even eunuchs. They are known as the Terracotta Warriors of Han Yang Ling.

3 museums on a Sunday afternoon in the 38degrees of summer heat made me sleepy. Time for bed.