bike ride to DiHua street

On the Friday before Chinese New Year, Gareth, Vivian & Fiona hopped into the saddle and took a bike ride to the famous DiHua street, which is the place to to to get all your holiday snacks and supplies.

Fiona rides in style, in a trailer pulled by Gareth's bikeStopping at the riverside park for a rest and a little run around

I like playing in the grass!

Here we are at last. Brace for the crowds...

Vivian pushes through the throngs of shoppers

All kinds of different snacks and edibles on display. Huge bags of pistachio nuts here

A mountain of dried squid, in assorted flavors

Want to try some dry mango? Most of the shopkeepers encourage people to taste before buying. One could enjoy a meal's worth of food at DiHua street by sampling everything on offer

Cured meats and other innards... I'll take a pass on the sample thanks

Huge bags of 'shrooms

Peering up above the crowds and chaos, we catch a glimpse of Taipei's past: ancient brick façades overlook the street. This area is one of the oldest in the city

Shopkeepers usually hire college students to hawk the goods on offer. This one has climbed a stepladder in the middle of the road and is delivering his pitch via a blasting megaphone

OK, enough of these crowds already! "People mountain people sea" as we say in Mandarin. Time to get back to our bikes and ride home