20150823 | Taiwan Day 2 - Eslite Spectrum, East (Shopping) District

Today was pretty rainy, so we spent most of it inside, minus walking to wherever we were trying to get to!

Breakfast at an Ikaro Cafe, which is a Japanese chain a few minutes walk from where we are staying


After breakfast, we made our way over to the Eslite Spectrum, which is advertised as a shopping mall, but is about the most hipster thing in the world - a basement food court followed by four floors of little independent shops and such.



The Songshan Cultural and Creative Center - used to be a tobacco factory, but now hosts a plethora of events including some open swing practice.


Some of the eateries in the downstairs food court




There was this guitar shop on the second floor - the solid top models were in the 20,000NT range, which would be ~$670USD - they actually sounded pretty good, with a LOT of low end.


Posing with Glenn




Lunch






More posing with Glenn





After stopping by home base for a bit to clean off and such, we went out to the East Shopping District, which was filled with just about any (typically apparel) store you could think of. An 85C Sighting :P  Didn't feel compelled to try it, but will report back if we do!




After walking around for a bit, we began our journey up through the floors of SOGO - a *EDIT* Japanese Taiwanese (Thanks Auntie Winnie!) department store, the home of two story Tiffany and Co. and just about every major clothing brand you can name!


This small world display at the lower floor of the old SOGO


Taiwan seems to be the land of the plazas with lavish food courts in the basements.. airports, malls, you name it... A mango cream puff from Beard Papa


The view from the glass sided elevator of the Ming Yao - yet another department store


Some night views from the roof of home base! It was still sprinkling sporadically, which made it pretty interesting to shoot, but with an umbrella and a weather sealed body / lens left little concern.