Human Grace

This being Taiwan, the boardwalk is graced with many statues that line the riverside and represent both local talent and act as tributes to different aspects of humanity. 

Artist's Booth

This couple has their portrait done by one of the many kinds of artists you can find along the boardwalk. 

Connie

Connie looking radiant and fresh, as usual! 

Rob

Rob is modelling his stylish orange and brown laptop case that has space for everything inside it, it's like a small pocket universe. Ironically enough, it almost never gets used to carry my laptop because it's too heavy, instead I usually just use it to carry my books and papers as I rush around Taipei during the week. 

Couple Shot!

In trade for taking a picture of another couple desperately looking for someone to take their picture, we joined the numerous couples having their picture taken before the river and the distant misty mountain. It's too bad that the mountain was enshrouded in clouds that day, otherwise it is quite beautiful with a large temple up high on it. 

Caricatures

The DanShui boardwalk is covered with artists who will draw or paint you any way you wish. These are samples with the faces of famous local celebrities of the kind that adorn almost every artist's booth. I have no idea who these people are, but I was impressed with this guy's work. Of course, the one who draws nearly pornographic versions of these celebrity caricatures a little farther down was the one who was drawing more of a crowd... 

BBQ Squid.

Dried Grilled Squid is a popular (if tough and chewy) snack here and in many places in Asia. I never did develop a taste for it, but the local people can't seem to get enough of it. 

Hey, don't shoot me!

Carnival games are the same the world over, I think. Put a pellet through a balloon and you get a prize, of course they don't tell you the guns are horribly inaccurate and the balloons are made of rubber designed for NASA space missions to Mars. Still, these shops lining the boardwalk really added to the party atmosphere! 

Riverfront Property

I'm not sure if I feel jealous or pity the people who live in these apartments along the boardwalk. On one hand they have an absolutely amazing view, but on the other hand they have to deal with huge amounts of noise and so many smells that I can't describe. Still, if the apartments were soundproofed enough, they'd be amazing places to live. 

Blind Musician

It's interesting how blind people have found their niches here on the boardwalk, there are several places where a staff composed of entirely blind masseusses will give you a massage for a low price. I'm told because of their touch sensitivity they can actually diagnose problems with the muscles and bones of the clients very well. There are also a few musicians such as this fellow who played quite beautifully for the passersby. 

Barque Lunaire

It's interesting that many of the signs in DanShui are actually in Chinese and French, even this statue's plaque is in Chinese and French. 

Another Shot

Another picture of the odd statue, still no idea what it is. 

Don't Pay the Ferryman...Unless you want to actually get across...

The ferry to Ba Li on the other side of the river. 

The Turkish Ice Cream Man

One of the attractions of the DanShui boardwalk is this fellow, a Turkish man who makes his own unique brand of Ice Cream. It's extremely thick, so thick that after he puts it on the cone he hands it out to people at the end of a pole, the pole being stuck into the ice cream. He spins it around a few times just to freak people out with how thick it is. Intrigued, I bought a cone and while a little bland, it's not bad stuff. Takes a while to eat, though, more like a kind of soft taffy than ice cream. 

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Work all day, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in Ice Cream. 

Who do you love?

"Did you all hear that? This little boy's words of love have touched my heart! Free Ice Cream for everyone!!!" 

Ferry Port

Behind the lovely Connie sits a ferry port with people waiting to board ferries to travel across the river. But hey, it's Connie that matters, right? :) 

I think it's some kind've aboriginal icon...

I think this statue represents the local aboriginal fishermen and their history in DanShui.

At the end of the boardwalk lies...

Who knew? 

And what do people do in Starbucks in Taiwan? (when not waiting for the bathroom)

A typical scene in Starbucks in Taiwan, young people with laptops, books and MP3 players galore. I do admire their coffee shop culture sometimes. :) 

For the love of God let me in!

A common sight at Starbucks throughout Taiwan, people lining up for access to their tiny unisex washrooms. People seem to use Starbucks as a generic place to stop for a bathroom break despite the perpetual lineups. Kind've like McDonalds in Canada, but at least there the washrooms are big enough to handle the traffic. 

Snack Time!

Camel Mocchiato, Hot Chocolate and Cranberry Cheesecake Pie. Yum! 

Dog Fight!

Tourists run after a pair of dogs playing along the boardwalk with their cameras. 

A view from the Starbucks Balcony

This is a cluster of shoreline cafes and restaurants next to the Starbucks. 

A Golden Opportunity!

We spotted this Golden Retriver as we were leaving the Starbucks, Goldens are status dogs here in Taiwan. It's not a country which is good for them in any sense, but the people here adore them and treat them like...gold.