Layover in Taiwan

My intention when I booked this flight from Bali to Hawaii was to get the cheapest flight possible. I found a fantastic fare ($500 or so) but it was via Taiwan on China Airlines - with a 19 hour layover. I went to the net to find if this was doable and it turns out -- it's a thing. 

I booked a hotel as the flight to Hawaii arrived at 8 pm and left at 2 pm the next day. Even with the cost of the hotel, the fare was a great deal. Considering I also like to explore new places, there was no reason not to do this. The room is pretty much the size you see here, with the addition of the bathroom. 

It was the Ark Hotel Changan-Fuxing for $57, booked through Agoda. Nice, small, clean. Perfect for my needs. 

I thought I would experience the night markets, which seemed to be an important aspect of the Taipei experience (re: Anthony Bourdain). But it did take a while to get from the airport to the hotel, more than an hour. It was very easy to catch the bus at the hotel, but I think I got off at the wrong stop so I had a bit of a walk. I don't remember how I found my hotel, but I think it had to do with logic, and numbered streets. Maybe just a miracle. So by the time I reached my hotel, it was 10 and I was tired and apprehensive, so I just stayed in.

Got up early the next day and just went walking. I looked up sites to see on Google and made my way to these various places. 

Taipei 101, at one time the tallest building in the world.

This was in the morning and they were dancing! Not sure what the dance was, the music was in their language, but some kind of partner dance.

Da'an Park, which was on the other side of the city.

And there was tai chi around every corner. I loved this!

There were many sculptures dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of the country. Here is the caption to the sculpture "Root" on the left. 

A man had made these origami birds and had them placed in the park. I believe they were for sale, but it wasn't obvious, just delightful.

Taking time out of the business of city life to pray.

This was only a taste of Taipei, but it made me want to come back with better plans, and for a longer time. At Festpac, the indigenous Taiwanese came and impressed us with their culture, but they are located far from Taipei. This is a very organized, clean city. I felt safe here and I liked the "feel" of it - serene, though urban.