With time running out, the countdown to heading home has begun. We’re squeezing in the last few experiences while we can.
One more temple … Songshan Ciyou Temple is a traditional Taiwanese folk temple dedicated primarily to Mazu the sea goddess who is widely worshipped as a protector of travelers, fishermen and sailors.
Next to our hotel was a small Hindu shrine called the Khadirawana. The Chinese letters on the top translate roughly to “Home of the Enlightened Mother” or “House of the Bodhisattva Mother.”
In the Buddhist world, a Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who has achieved great spiritual wisdom but chooses not to enter final nirvana yet, instead remaining in the world to help others awaken and be free from suffering.
We passed the brightly lit, open-front space several times as we came and went, and at first glance it looked like a small retail shop. I often noticed women stopping there and assumed it was a jewelry store.
Leaving photos of pets is a common practice in compassionate or healing-oriented spiritual spaces. It’s a way of asking for protection, health and longevity.
Another last-minute stop — I wanted to try authentic soup dumplings, known as xiǎolóngbāo. I’m also a big fan of cucumbers and was happy to find them featured on a few menus.
We ended our stay with a visit to Taipei 101 … it is not a course on basic Taipei, it’s Taiwan’s most iconic landmark — a supertall skyscraper that once held the title of world’s tallest building and still defines Taipei’s skyline today.
The building’s shape is inspired by bamboo stalks — symbolizing strength, flexibility, and growth. It features traditional Chinese architectural elements and has stacked segments (8 floors each) since 8 is a lucky number in Chinese culture. It blends modern engineering with deep cultural symbolism.
I found the most interesting aspect of Taipei 101 to be the damper … which is a giant golden steel sphere weighing 660 tons. It acts as a shock absorber and stabilizes the building during typhoons and earthquakes.
The damper is located at the top of the building and is 5 stories tall. It is one of the only skyscraper dampers in the world visible to the public. It’s both functional and mesmerizing.
The main floor of Taipei 101 is a luxury shopping mall with restaurants and cafes. The building also has office space for global companies. It’s as much a destination as it is a building.
Taipei welcomed us with warmth, curiosity, and calm. As we head home, we carry memories of temples, tea hills, night markets, bustling streets, thermal spas, massages, intriguing cuisine and quiet moments of reflection — proof that the best journeys are often the ones you never planned.
Jane in Spain 