Taichung National Museum of Natural Science in Taiwan

This is my 200th post! It look me long enough (about a year and nine months) but I've finally reached another milestone. There's nothing special going on today, just another post as I try to finish up my Taiwan trip from over a year ago...

 Let's go to a museum! Taichung is very proud of its science museum, and for those interested in science or for families with children, it's a good place to spend an afternoon.

 You get there by following a long path through a park-like setting. Be sure to look at the path itself, as it shows the natural history of the world.

 The large building across the street from the walkway is the museum. Be careful when crossing the street.

 Once inside, there are a ton of exhibits to look at. Be aware that there is a lot of Chinese, but English support is available.

 Taiwan loves models. There are plenty here! Natural science includes human interactions with nature.

 Don't worry. You can see animals too.

 Kangaroo-looking giant rat things and porcupines? Awesome.

 Dinosaurs are big here, and I don't just mean size. They're all over the place.

 Giant flying bugs! It's like I'm back in Texas!

 Giant leaping dinosaurs! It's like I'm back in... hmm.

 Down in the dinosaur exhibit, you can see a giant T-Rex and the little one move around a bit. They kind of rock back and forth.

 They have that sailboat dinosaur, too. I always liked these.

 Hmm. Natural science? It turns out that the museum looks at technology a lot too, so the name is a little misleading. Here you can read about some developments of old scientists.

 I don't remember what this was, but it's pretty cool.

 Architecture and design is fun, and a science. Naturally.

 Closed to the public when I visited, there was a pyramid built in the middle of the central courtyard.

 It turns out the museum looks not only at animals, but technology, human life, and cultures. This is a collection of brains. I think they're just models.

 In an integration of technology and life sciences, there was mention of a future suit that would be able to help paraplegics walk.

 I wish I remember what this did. But there he/she is.

 This looked fun, even though it's just a static display on computing technology.

 There was a stand-in-a-bubble station. Lots of interactive things were found together but that part was packed with kids. The bubble thing was the most popular, of course.

 Sharknado in 3D!

 Which way is up?

 Trick houses and trick art are really popular in Asia. Japan has a bunch of trick art photo museums, and they're pretty expensive for empty rooms with large printed stickers on the floors and wall. I saw two of these "size" rooms in Taiwan, where it looks like you're growing as you walk to the back of the room.

The museum was pretty fun for me, as a science teacher, and the children seemed to all be enjoying themselves. I recommend it only if you're a science geek or carrying kids; there are other museums in Taichung for adults without kids.

The Taichung National Museum of Natural Science is open 9AM to 5PM Tuesday through Sunday. There are additional sites that belong to the museum, including an earthquake memorial and botanical garden. Several buses go to the museum from the train station. Once arriving at the museum, ask to "rent" an English language headset, which will help you translate the permanent exhibits. The headset is free for the first two hours, so be sure to return it before you get charged (NT$100/hour after the first two).

Location: Nagasaki's Glover Garden

Going all the way back to May again, it was a beautiful sunny late morning when I started my explorations of Nagasaki. My first stop was a hilltop collection of Western-style homes called Glover Garden.

 To get to Glover Garden, you walk up a hill next to some beautiful homes and buildings. This is a garden where some wedding photography was being held.

 You could climb the steps to visit the old church as well - this is Oura Cathedral. It was built in 1864 for the westerners and is the only Western building to be declared a national treasure in Japan (admission 300 yen). But my destination was a bit further up the hill to the right of this photo.

 Ah, here we are. Glover Garden. There was no way I was going to be able to get a photo without people in it, so this Japanese woman posing for her boyfriend or husband ended up in my shot.

 The homes all seem to be somewhat Victorian in nature, though how Victorian they are can vary. This was a tea house on the way up the mountain. You take a series of moving walkways up the hill, and then stroll back down at your own pace.

 At the top is this large building with a pond. Everyone enjoyed just sitting around enjoying the warm day.

 Inside were some exhibits/displays. This is an office with some clothes.

 Here is a parlor ready for a relaxing evening and some tea.

 This water feature built into the mountain seemed out of place but really cool.

 It doesn't match any of the buildings, but made for a nice plaza for more people to relax.

 I forget what exactly this was. Maybe an old train station.

 You can rent costumes and walk around as if you were from the time period. These adorable young ladies let me take their picture.

 More buildings can be seen as you walk down the hill.

 Inside thsi one was a bunch more furniture.

 A different, yet similar water feature.

 Wouldn't you like to live in one of these homes?

 This is more ranch-style.

 Due to limited space in front of many of the houses, I had to take extreme corner photos most of the time.

 Inside the above house, a room is set for tea.

 In the hallway, you can see what school desks were like. Or should I say school benches.

 The first paved (asphalted) road in Japan! Way up here! And there's just a little bit left.

 I really liked the garden in front of this house. I believe this is the actual Glover residence, which the garden was named after. The Glover house and some of the other buildings are original to the area, but others were moved here from throughout Nagasaki to preserve the Westerner cultural history.

 From a different angle. You can see there were a few little islands of plants.

 Off in the corner near the bottom of the hill is a Japanese garden.

 And at the bottom, in one of the buildings is a display featuring parade boats.

 They also had several parade dragons as you see above.

 Bonzai!

One last view of a house at the bottom before I head on my way.

Westerners were an important part of Nagasaki's past and this garden/collection of houses gives a glimpse into their life in the city a hundred years ago. Admission is 600 yen for adults (cheaper for children) and the garden opens at 8AM daily (closing at 6pm or later). Access is easiest via the #5 tram, Oura Tenshudo-shita station, then following the signs or people toward the cathedral and along the road to the garden (note the pictures above leading to the Glover Garden entrance gate).