I left off at the Yehliu GeoPark. The sea has carved the rocks into interesting formations, the most famous of which is the Queen's Head.
Our next stop was Danshui (otherwise spelled Tamsui), a port city 20 km and 35 minutes north of Taipei. It's easy to get to via the MRT.
Old Market Street is a popular street with souvenir shops and food stops.
Some of the shops are a little kitschy but it does attract a crowd.
One of the most popular snacks in Danshui are Iron Eggs--NT65 ($2). I love these.
These are eggs (in this case quail eggs) that have been stewed in soy sauce and spices and air dried multiple times to create a dried egg. It's chewy, dense and has such concentrated egg flavor.
Fuyou Temple, Danshui's oldest temple, worships Matsu, the goddess who protects sailors and fishermen from the sea. Since Taiwan is an island, Matsu is a very important goddess.
Fort San Domingo was originally a wooden fortress built in 1628 by the Spanish. It was destroyed by the Spanish in 1642 when they lost the 2nd Battle of San Salvador to the Dutch. The Dutch built another fortress in 1644. It was taken over by the Qing government in 1724. From 1868, it was leased to the British for use as their consulate, briefly occupied by the Japanese during the Pacific War and resumed as the British Embassy until 1972. It was managed by Australia then the US until it was turned over to Taiwan as a historical site in 1980. What a history!
The former British consul's residence.
It's furnished with period pieces.
On the way back to the train station, we walked along the waterfront.
We found more street food. This is dried squid.
Pork floss is another good snack.
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