Another thing to do in Taiwan is to visit the hotspring! We went to the one at Xin Beitou. Other than the hotspring, it might be good to visit the aborginal centre and the hotspring musuem as well. That’s all for Taipei!

Next stop – Hualien. We arrived in the night and we went for a dumpling and dessert FEAST! It was cheap, costing about NT$140 only! And check out our nice japanese styled room!

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Haha. I’m sorry for the long delay in updating this blog. I grew abit lazy. Day 3 was one of my favourite day in Taipei. It was not so much of Ximenting that I like, but JiuFen and Jin Qua Shi. I think JiuFen is a good place to try taiwan snacks. And it does not require much walking – just a street! haha. Of course we were done with that fast and we proceeded on the bus to Jin Qua Shi – an old mining town of taiwan. It’s a big place to explore fully, for which we did the best things of course. Check out the picture which I touch the huge chunk of gold! I thought i would be rich after that, but I am still not! Taking up the “part-time” job as a construction worker in the mine was fun too. I managed to take a picture with my “supervisor.” I can’t remember his name already. Enjoy the pictures!

At night for us, was an elevator up the Taiwan’s tallest building – Taipei 101. It was my 2nd time up the building and hmm, once is enough. Of course, going with my gf was different and special.

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We woke up early for breakfast at a famous goose meat restaurant at Ximenting. (the same one which wanlin, vin and me went last time) I love it!

We went to Danshui. Thinking it’s the most northern part of taiwan, it might be cold and we regretted not bringing our jackets. When we reached, it was surprisingly HOT! haha. taiwan in summer is just like singapore! We all know Ximenting is the hippest district in taiwan and their fashion scene follows closely with Japan. That explained the umbrella in my hand – an accessory that i used to complement my dressing. Ok, im just kidding. That umbrella was used to shelter from the rain for which taipei is prone to.

According to my taiwanese friends, they said Danshui has alot of delicious snacks which i failed to try. Maybe we were walking too fast to care about the food. Feel free to try next time when you guys go! Danshui is a nice place overlooking the sea and the streets lined up with shops. We visited the tourist spot – Fort San Domingo. And shockingly, we walked to the fisherman’s wharf from the fort. (Please take the bus as it’s really far and it don’t cost much!) We walked the lovers’ bridge of course and the white bridge. We had a big Ji Pa! Look at the size! I love Danshui.

In the evening, we went to the famous Shilin Night Market for dinner and some shopping. (My gf loves beef noodles.)

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29th Apr was my best day in taiwan – the day my gf arrived in taiwan! Looking gorgeous as always. Our hotel was at Good Ground Hotel, which is in close proximity to Ximenting and the metro. Upon check-in, we went for a good meal (My gf likes japanese bbq) and it was the most expensive meal i had eaten in taiwan. But being our 1st meal since about 2.5months of physical separation, i pay for the meal with a smile.

Next stop, we went to play taiwan’s favourite game – basketball machine, in the arcade. (pardon the low score as it was only day1. My gf and I scored higher points after a few days!) We shopped around Ximenting for a while and went for Ah Chung Mee Sua. It was delicious but too bad i don’t like to eat mee sua at all.

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I would not call my trip complete without visiting some of the historical sites as Tainan is known as the “historical town” of Taiwan. It’s the first area to be developed in Taiwan too. First stop, i went to the Tainan Garden. (this garden looks better than the one in Taichung.) The garden looks perfect for a scene in shows with the ancient Imperial Palace.

Next, I went for a Taiwan traditional breakfast – Salted Porridge + Fish Meat. (It taste just like our fish porridge but fresher. Eh I don’t like fish anyway!) The shop owners were friendly and they agreed readily to pose for a photo. They called themselves “the four beauties.” I proceeded to another place for Guan Cai Ban (Coffin Board, directly translated) It tasted abit like Campbell Soup on top of toasted bread initially. But after a few tries, it’s not too bad. Worth trying.

Tainan has many temples with hundreds years of history which means, I have to visit lah. On my way to the temples, I passed by another garden (“11″ garden, abit forgot the name) but the place was small (so don’t bother). I stopped by to buy a drink and chatted with the hospitable store owner. We took a photo together! (This is the only photo with my face!)

I arrived at Confucius Temple and continued my “shooting” spree. There is a street opposite the temple which has cafes selling coffees, pastas and snacks. Nearby was the “Cramped Door” which is actually a coffee cafe. (luckily i’m not that fat! haha.) Next was the Koxinga Shrine, which seemed like another temple to me. I rode all the way to Fort Anping (Fort Zeelandia) and took more photos. I was getting abit bored looking at all the historical sites. Greedy me went to take a walk at the Anping street and I tried the “Iced Egg.” It tasted just like ice with flavourings, such as chocolate or vanilla etc. Again another friendly taiwanese to add on to my photo album.

From the fort, i took another long long journey to the Cigu town. It was abit far and took me around 40rmins ride on my scooter. But the Cigu salt mountain is a must-see! Hey mum, I bought a salt toothpaste for you! Surprisingly, Vincent, Wanlin and Ben (Hongkong Friend) came to Tainan too! I did not want to revisit the attractions again, and so i did not join them. Instead i went to eat Dan Zai Mian for dinner again and visited the Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia).

It was 630pm and without wasting much time, i hopped on my scooter and enjoyed a night ride back to Kaohsiung. That’s Tainan for me.

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Few days after my trip to Taichung, I embarked on another trip to Tainan! This time, alone and on my scooter!! It was for a 2days 1 night escapade. haha. It was sure a fun ride to Tainan. eh I took abt 3hrs lah to travel from the school to Tainan Railway Station. As the school is ulu-ly located, it took me a long while to get out of Kaohsiung City. And a greater while to get out of Kaohsiung County. It even rained on the way and I had to stop two times. Fortunately the rain lasted for only a short while. Eh the journey back was 2hrs because I raced back together with the other motorcyclists. (they were all riding very fast, seemed like a race course with them fighting for the championship!) I was travelling at 50-60km/h, still very safe. hehe. I’m not Kiasi but I value my life much more!

I was really glad to arrive at Tainan as it was already 630pm and was turning dark. Immediately I took out my camera and snap a few shots of the railway station. It’s supposed to be an attraction from the tourist guide book which I got. I was “impressed.” Of course I was famished by the time i got there and so I immed. went for the Tainan’s famous Dan Zai Mian! It tasted really good! (it’s my fav noodles in Taiwan but it is still no fight for my Bak Chor Mee) During my night scooter ride around the city, i passed by the Chihkan Tower and took a night shot from the outside. What’s a tour of Taiwan without its night market and so i went for the biggest night market in Tainan, which I think they open only on Thu, Sat and Sun. (I was lucky to arrive in Tainan on thu!) It was big and comparable with Rue Feng Night Market but I think it’s cheaper!! Damn, they were selling sun glasses 2 for NT$100! (Previously i got a sunglass for NT$100 at Taichung.) At the night market, I bought a soap (with a hello kitty inside) and it smells good!

As I was not really a night market fan, i left and took a stroll at the area near my hotel. There’s the South Park, also known as Nan Fang Gong Yuan (not the usual south park we know) where the youths gather. Occasionally there are performances in the park. I was told there will be Zhang Dong Liang’s sing&autograph session on saturday. (WHY NOT JOLIN!!)

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We were lazy to travel on day 3, thus we did not do much. First we went for pizza at a pizza place and then to the Taichung Garden to take some pics. Straight after, I insisted to visit to the Robot Cafe. As Vincent wanted to come back to Kaohsiung earlier, we da bao our drinks and of course took a few pics of the cafe. Though I’m not really a robot-lover, it is really interesting to visit such a place.

We took a bus back to Kaohsiung, which cost about NT$350 and the journey was about 2.5-3hrs. However, the seat was comfortable with mini screen to watch tv or play games, and massage capability. And the seat was spacious. (Bus Company is Aloha!) haha.

That marks the end of my Taichung trip! yeah.

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The next day, we went abit far to Nantou, to a Gu Bao (Fortress). This is also one of the attractions near to Taichung. I was glad to be there. Take a look at the pics! However it was difficult to leave the place as there was no more bus bringing us back to Taichung city by about 5pm. We had to walk far out to get a taxi and the taxi ride from Nantou to the shopping mall, Xin Guang San Yue, cost about NT$440. Xin Guang San Yue is more like Takashimaya with LV, Prada etc. Of course we did not shop at all but proceeded to FENG JIA for our shopping instead!! We spent a cool 4hrs at the night market and we had a few buys – i’m sorry to my parents for spending NT$2000 on my shopping. And don’t worry dearie, I will spend more on shopping with you when you come! haha. Eh we did not eat much in the night market as the food was fairly similar with the other markets. I tried the Yam “Ice Kacang” which was a big bowl to be shared by two. Of course, greedy ivan finished it all!

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Hey guys, i’m back from my 3days 2nights Taichung trip. Well, I was supposed to go Tainan with my scooter but Vin was abit scared that I was tired and couldn’t ride well, thus off to Taichung we go. On train of course. Eh it cost about NT$450, single trip on Zhi Qiang train and took about 2.5hrs. Overall the train was comfortable.

We arrived at Taichung railway station. The station was one of the attractions in the book which we borrowed from a friend. Eh it look old and unglam, but it sure look better than most of the buildings in Taiwan with the european feel. Straight away, we checked into a cheap hotel near the station. Full of excitement, we went for a walk in the vicinity. Took a couple of pictures - the shop street as shown in the picture is the hippest around the region and it’s for youth. However, the shops open around late afternoon and the photo shown was taken around 1-2pm, which means, we did not shop at the place at all. Do not worry shoppers! No harm not going to the shop street as the best place to shop is actually at Feng Jia – the biggest night market in Taiwan!! And it’s a must-go if you are an avid shopper and you happen to be in Taichung! Eh let me rephrase.. Go to Feng Jia if not you will regret!! The place is so damn big and full of shops! You will be amazed i guarantee! We did not shop much and went for dinner at Five Seven – a main course with buffet style for the sides. We were lucky to pay only NT$200 each to fill our empty stomach since noon.   

Next stop was to take a taxi to a club in Taichung. We have heard Taichung clubs are fun and different from the other regions in Taiwan. Out of curiosity we went and I’m glad we did. Anyway we did not enter the clubs in the end but look at the deco of the clubs!

We went to a nearby shopping mall called Tiger City. It was brightly lit. (pardon me for the lousy pics, I must be tired) And they have an arcade called Sega! And I love Sonic.

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I bought a 100cc scooter in Taiwan for NT$13,000. It’s really much more convenient now, going to school and out for dinner/supper. Haha. It’s quite a reasonable price, from what the other foreigners were quoted with. However, I do not know much about scooter and I’m hoping that the scooter will work well for us. I’m sharing the scooter with Vincent, but he’s still not used to the scooter yet. So i guess i will do the riding most of the time! 

And do not worry about me. I’m riding the scooter at about 40km/h, so it’s perfectly safe! And i’m not road-hogging. There’s a lane specially for scooters on all the bigger roads so there’s no squeezing in between cars etc. Guess i’m quite alright with the bike, just that I still gotta get used to the roads here. Afterall, it’s all for the experience! :) 

* In case you guys wanna rent a scooter without a license or buy a scooter without the Alien Resident Cert (ARC), just go approach the shops in Taiwan. There will be one which will close one eye to such things and allow you to rent/buy!! I’m speaking from experience!

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