Yunlin and Chiayi

Ching Song Seafood Restaurant in Yunlin and Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Chiayi  -- February 12, 2016

2016 HAL Volendam Asian Adventure

After a simple breakfast of man-tou and soy milk which we purchased around the street corner, we were picked up by BIL for a drive up to Beigang. We were to meet some family members for lunch at one of our favorite seafood restaurants in Taiwan--Ching Song Seafood Restaurant in Beigang, Yunlin. We had been there a couple of times before and really enjoyed their seafood served there of excellent value and quality. Only this time, we were not able to order from the menu because of the busy New Year holiday. Everyone had to order from their set menu to make things easier for the kitchen. They have also moved into a bigger and newer building with a huge parking lot since the last time we were here. Here are pictures of just some of the food that we had on this day.

sashimi

jelly fish

pork ribs

fried fish

abalone

and a lot more dishes that I did not get pictures of

This pot was the salt and pepper prawns.

We had a wonderful lunch there but I have to say that it was not as good as the times when we ordered our own dishes. Probably because of the set menu, some of the dishes were prepared ahead of time, which made it not as fresh as I'd like.

Apparently, this is a very popular restaurant in Beigang as you can see how busy it was on that day. Some say it is the best seafood in Beigang. I am sure we will come back again, on a day that is not a holiday.

青松餐廳

No. 369, Taiping Road, Beigang Township, Yunlin County, Taiwan 651

Tel: +886 5 783 6548

After lunch we drove to the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Chiayi which just opened the week before. The National Palace Museum in Taiwan is in Taipei which housed the many treasures from China when KMT moved to the island. We did not make reservations to visit the museum that day so all we did was just to walk around the grounds to get a feel of the place. Being that its a new development, the place was quite bare with not a whole lot of trees or shades. Walking around under the bright sun even on this fine spring day was quite a task. I can't imagine being there in the summer time with such long walks between the parking lot and the museum. Make sure you have an umbrella when you come here.

The museum--an interesting building.

parking lot at the back entrance

I thought the lamps were kind of cute, with hat-shape lamp shade, just like the ones worn by officials in the Ching dynasty.

Birds on the bare branches.

Nice and huge space that needs more shady spots.

We were drained by the time we reached the museum.

It was wonderful browsing through the interesting items in the gift shop as well as enjoying the cool air. It was very crowded on this day though.

I was told that this head of one of the zodiac animals was donated by Jacky Chan. It was poured with paint a few days ago by someone as protest. 

The courtyard area inside the museum.

I just don't like crowds, so after walking around a little, we decided it was enough and we headed home for the day. We were planning to go to Yenshui for the lanterns display but later found out that there would be too many people there also and it would be difficult to find parking. Eventually we gave up on that idea and enjoyed a quiet dinner at home instead and retired early that evening.