Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Taiwan 2011 -– - – - – ✈

I've been dreading to post this Taiwan Trip. Haha..
I am really lazy.
Actually I drafted this post but still not fully done yet.
Anyway since I have time now, so I decided to continue with this post.
I'll try to remember as much as possible.
I guess I'm losing my memory. Old already~ :O

Travel period was from 10 Nov 11 to 15 Nov 11.
Trip to Taiwan in year 2011 is almost the same as year 2010, especially the feel of the weather.
It is because we coincidentally went on November.
(By right we should be going to Bangkok but due to the flood, we cancelled the trip).

We flew there by Tigerairway this time which is different from the previous whereby we took SQ and CX.
Stayed at Shin Shih Hotel which is the same as last year.
Choose the same hotel because we find the place is convenient and familiar, and also its cheap.
Total spending for air tix and hotel per pax is about SGD$600.
Which is cheap because we were on budget this time.










Touched down the airport and I went to buy the 3G Prepaid Data card.
I got the Taiwan Mobile at NT500 for 3days usage.
Then we took bus down to Taipei.

When we reached Taipei, its already the night time - 1 day wasted.
Checked into our hotel at about 10pm.
We were to hungry to go out to the night markets out there, so we just drop by the MOS Burger restaurant to grab our lunch & dinner.


The meal is very different from Singapore.
They have something like a buddy meal, so we got that.

Then we went to the convenient stores around the area to buy some neccessities like cup noodles, packed drinks and my collagen drinks.


I got this brand of collagen.
They have a few but do not have the DHC that I got in SG.
Actually I dont fancy the taste of this collagen drink but since I bought it, so i force myself to drink it all up.

Didnt go to Ximending or other places. Ended the first day like that.

On the 2nd day (11 Nov 2011)...

My outfit of the day.


Us in the train from ShuangLian Station to Danshui station.

It was raining almost the whole day and it was really cold that day.
We went to Danshui.
Shopping on a rainy day is a total spoil mood.
Still we cannot miss out the good food there.
Miss the Ah Gei and the fish ball soup! *slurp*







Look what I found there?

Naraya shop at Danshui.
Didnt went in the shop though.
I bet the bags are more pricey than in Bangkok.

I like Danshui because there are a lot of shops that sell accessories and at cheap price.






Haha i was being playful, trying all the nice glasses. ^~^

Stopped by a leather shop.
BF bought a leather bangle for himself.
There I was camwhoring myself with the big mirror.

This photo is Y !

After shopping at Danshui, we went back to our hotel to put our handful of stuff before heading out to Shinlin market for dinner and more shopping.




The beanie that I bought at Danshui. :D

After we finished our food, we were walking out of the food market, we saw Sheauwei!

By right we should be meeting but their schedule was delayed so we didnt go shopping together.
Nonetheless, we were still very very happy to bump into each other in Taiwan!

On the 3rd day (12 Nov 2011)..


If I didnt remembered wrongly, we went to Taipei 101 shopping centre.
No, this time we didnt went up to the highest level as we went before already.
Maybe I'll bring my mum and sis this coming trip for the night view, since I haven seen the night scenery up at Taipei 101.

Purpose of going Taipei 101 was to help Veron to check the Longchamp bag.
Ended up there's nothing nice for the latest edition.
Thus BF and I went to find Ding Tai Fung (鼎泰風) for lunch.
The queue was really long like SG! -_-


The cute icon of Ding Tai Fung at Taiwan






Xiao Long Bao (小籠包)


Four Season Green Beans (四季豆)


Steamed egg soup (蛋花盪)


Seafood Fried Rice (蝦仁炒飯)

For these 4 dishes, we spent NT715, estimated to be $32.50.
It should be cheaper than SG and some of the dishes are not found in SG too.

After that, we headed to Wu Fen Pu (五分鋪) for shopping.
Wu Fen Pu are the largest wholesales in Taipei.
Its like a MUST GO if you want to shop in Taipei.
There are too many varieties there.
Its quite a bad thing to me though because I wouldnt know what to buy or might regret buying if I saw cheaper stuff at the other store.
Due to winter season, I cant really find much spring clothes there.
Anyhow, I still bought some really good deal and pretty clothes too!
Can't wait for this coming April, I guess I will find more pretty clothes due to the spring season! :D

For dinner, we tried going to Shida Night Market (師大夜市).
Its our first time there, luckily we didnt get lost.
So we alighted at Taipower Building MRT Station (Green Line), and go out at Exit 3 then you just follow the crowd and you will reach there.





Sheauwei introduced to us this Lu wei(滷味) store in Shida Night Market.
I really like the Lu Rou Fan(滷肉飯)!


We were really full after we had this!
So we continue to walk around in Shida Night Market.
Its quite a small night market.
The crowd are really scary.


JAM PACKED!
Some of the stores we don't even bother to go in due to the crowd. :(
Left the place after exploring.

As we still have time, we tried to go to Ning Xia Night Market (寧夏夜市) as it just a long walk from Shuanglian Station.


Lucky for GPS in iPhone this time round, we manage to find a lot of location and didnt get lost!
It's really a good tool when traveling overseas.
But of cos, you must know the address of those places.
I did lots of research for the trip that I am going ok! :D

From Shuanglian to Ningxia Night Market, it was really a long walk.
About 15 to 20mins I guess.


This night market is really small and mostly food store.
We didnt explore further down because it looked quiet at the back area.
Maybe because when we went there it was kinda late.


I wonder what game is this?













Nothing much.
We only bought finger food for supper then went back to the hotel.

On the 4th day (13 Nov 2011)..


Decided to go Maokong Gondola (貓空纜車).
Alight at Taipei Zoo station (Brown Line), and just a walking distance away to the place.
Along the way, there are so many cute figurine around so we took lots of photos!






















We got the crystal cable car.

While waiting to board the cable car, we went to the Dancing Fountain.
It was very pretty.






Haha.. FAIL.

After that we went to queue to take the cable car.














We shared another container with another couple.
Feel so awkward. HAHA!
There are total of 4 stops.
Took about 15mins plus to reach the top.





Actually nothing much at the top, we had our lunch there.
The food is not very fanciful.
Kinda regret going up but anyhow we'll treat it as an experience yah.

After we left Maokong Gondola, we decided to go find the Hello Kitty Cafe.
Alight at ZhongXiao Fuxing station at the blue line (忠孝复兴) then exit 3.


To Hello Kitty Cafe Map

When we reached the place, it was fully reserved.
Even for walk in, they do not entertain.
Its so sad!
The place was really princessy. Awww~






Gosh! Look at the cute kitty cakes!
How I wish I could try them! Yum~

Since we couldnt go to the Hello Kitty Cafe, we decided to cab down to CHIA TE BAKERY CO - http://www.chiate88.com/.
Search online that its the best bakery shop for Laopo Bing and Suncake!
Here's the address - 105台北市南京東路5段88號


The place was really packed with people ordering.
Its indeed famous.
However, I guess due to their popularity and busy business, the sales person are not really friendly to us. :(
But we still bought a few boxes of suncakes, Laopo Bing and Pineapple tarts back to Singapore for our family and friends.

Carrying the heavy stuff, we walked from the shop to Nanjing East Rd station.
It was really a tedious job to do. :(
We even walked past by Taipei Arena whereby the concerts are held at!
Hope in future I'll be able to watch a concert there.
Should be a very happening there!

Went back to our hotel to put those heavy stuff and we headed out to Nanjichang Night Market (南机场夜市).
To go there, you can take a bus at Ximending.
Due to our first time, we waited for the bus for half an hour plus and it didnt came so we cabbed down the place.


Didnt regret coming this place because the food are nice!
I watch Guess show and they introduce this night market food.


Xiu Chang Shui Jiao Guan (秀昌水餃館)


I can tell you this is the best shui jiao I've ever ate.
I think I can finish all up without getting sick of it.
Yes, its that nice!


My share of Steamed egg soup.


BF's share of beef noodle.
I only ate the noodle and it taste good!

We also tried the Hao Chi Ji Pai (好吃炸鸡).
In my opinion, it is better than the Hao Da Da Ji Pai (好大大鸡排) in Shilin.
I love the crispiness of the skin!

We didnt explore this night market and we took a bus back to Ximending.




I saw Ding Tea so we decided to try it.


Not bad. But I still prefer KOI. :D

Walked around Ximending and also made reservation for next day steamboat at Ma La (马辣).
We were attracted by a Street Rapper's rapping skill.
He called himself Husky (哈士奇).
His rapping skill is really amazing.
I've recorded it down.





After the show, we left and back to our hotel to rest.

On the 5th day (14 Nov 2011)..
Last day for shopping...

We went for our full lunch at Ximending; ate at Ma La (马辣).
Sheauwei told us that we need to do reservation beforehand, otherwise its hard to get a place there.
The queues are always full.
I guess its one of the popular steamboat.






These are collagen.








We had a fulfilling and satisfying lunch.
Next, we continue to chiong our shopping at Ximending and Shilin as its our last day.










This Indian Teh Tarik is nice.
The guy doing it is good.
I record his stunt too, will post it out for you to see..

Back to the hotel to pack our stuff.

Here's my loots.
Bought 3 pairs of shoes this time!
Loving the stuff that I bought everytime I go Taiwan! :D

Conclusion for this trip, it was all good except that the 2nd day at Danshui due to the rain.
Other than that, it was a fine day and lucky for us we can do our shopping normally.
Moreover, I learn that apply the data plan is a good tool.
For communication with family and friends in SG and also for the GPS usage! Haha..
It just only 3 months but it feels like I haven been to Taiwan 1 or 2 years already.
Sometimes I really miss the food there.
Well for the next trip in April which is confirmed, I am going to explore a new state that is Taichung then to Taipei with my mum and sis!
Looking forward to it already!

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