Taiwan /,taɪˈwɑːn/ - Formosa

     Due to the f***ing traffic in Manila, I was late and missed my flight going to Taiwan last October 30, 2015. To cut the story short, all my plans was ruined. My brother (thank you bro!) booked another flight at Cebu Pacific Airlines. The flight was delayed (as usual) and I got to Taoyuan Airport at around 2230H of the same day. This is where my Taiwan escapade begins.

Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station

   After passing through the immigration, all you have to do is to follow the signage to the bus station. There will be a lot of bus lines in there. You have to look for the "Taipei Main Station" route at the screen. In my case, I rode Citibus and it cost me NT$90 to Taipei. The teller will give you the ticket and will tell you where to wait and when (exact time) the bus will come. 

Waiting Area #10. Route 1961. The bus will arrive at 2250H

     Taipei Main Station is the terminal of route 1961. But you have to walk about 2-5 minutes to get to the Metro Station. Walk to your right (facing the Terminal Station), pass through the first crossing and you can find the metro.

MRT Station

     If you are planning to go to different places on your whole trip, I suggest you to buy the day pass. Unlimited use of it on different stations is possible. The con of it is that even if you used it at 2100H of Day 1, it will still expired on 2359H of the same day (for 1-day pass) and can't be used for the next day.

*1-day pass (Gondola Version): NTD250
1-day pass: NTD150
2-day pass: NTD310
3-day pass: NTD440
4-day pass: NTD700

*Unlimited rides on Taipei Metro and associated bus services. Allows 3 trips on Maokong Gondola

     If you anticipated that you will not be able to ride the metro that much (for a day), you might as well buy the 24-hour pass.

24-hour pass: NTD180
Unlimited rides on Taipei Metro for 24 hours

     In my case, since I attended a conference and spent most of my time there, I bought the EasyCard. You can buy it at any 7/11 convenient store for NT$100 as deposit. You can reload the card any time at any 7/11 stores and/or MRT stations. It can be used at metro stations with discount (on fare) as compared to a single journey token. It can also be used as payment for Maokong Gondola, bus and Taipei Zoo. The remaining balance can be refunded afterwards only at any metro stations (not 7/11 stores). 

Flower was given to me by an old lady at Raohe Night Market

    Riding the metro train won't be hard because of the availability of signages and maps around the station. You just have to apply your logic on some aspect so you won't get lost. You can save the route map for your reference on what train to ride and for transfer stations.

First Train: 0600H

Last train: 2400H

     To decide on what card to buy, you can visit Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation to calculate the overall metro travel cost, to see the travel time and to have a guide on what train to ride (especially for transfer line).

      

We Come Hostel

     I want to recommend this Hostel. It is very affordable, the staff are great and helpful, the place is very clean and it is just a 3-5 minute walk from the Beimen Station. It has a lot of restrooms and shower rooms. It provides you a free wifi, slippers, shampoo and soap. It has refrigerator, dining area, coffee maker, study area and couch. I love the area with big mirror and hair dryer (FAVORITE SPOT! It satisfies my girliness. haha). And though I came very late, they still accommodated me without extra payment. That's how awesome this hotel is.

Address: No. 26, Gangu St, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112
Phone:+886 2 2555 7177

   

*Print a copy of the address. Not everyone can understand the english address or the way you pronounce it. I guess all Taiwanese are rich because they can easily access their phone maps through postpaid wifi. 

Free Wifi

My bed

My room (S6)

Lockers

     You can book a hotel reservation at booking.com. It doesn't require you any deposit and give you the lowest price ever. BTW, Booking.com is my favorite booking site. :D

     To get to We Come Hostel, ride metro station. Alight to Beimen station. Go out through Exit 2. Walk straight ahead (You will pass the first big crossing, the park and the small street where you can find 7/11 store). Just keep walking straight until the street after the 7/11 store. Turn right, follow the road and you can find We Come Hostel sign. Ride the elevator to 2nd floor. 

     The hotel will provide you the key at the main door so you can go home really late without any hassle, the key to your room and another key for the locker.

PLACES THAT YOU MIGHT AS WELL GO TO..

Due to limited time, I have squeezed all the places to visit in just 2 nights and one whole day.

Raohe Night Market and Rainbow Bridge

      

      Alight at Songshan Station and go out at Exit 1. Walk stratight and you can find Raohe St. Night Market. The food and things that can be bought here are cheaper than other night market. 

Raohe St. Night Market Sign

Raohe St. Night Market

My 100 dollar cotton candy

Enjoy the silence and fresh air

 

Maokong Gondola

     To get there, ride the metro station. Alight at Taipei Zoo Station. You will encounter series of escalators before you get there. Go out at exit 1. You have to walk for 5-7 minutes just to get to the building. The ride is worth NT$50 (one-way). I recommend you to go by morning or anytime before 1500H. We didn't enjoy the scenery because it's dark and when we get to the last station, all the stores are closed. We felt betrayed (haha) and unsatisfied.

              

Taipei 101

     Due to lack of time and budget, we have not seen the observatory. I suggest that you should go and see Taipei's pride for NT$500. If I'll be given the chance to go back to Taipei, I would definitely try this.

Tip: Go to the observatory if the weather is good so they could let you go out at 91st floor and take pictures.

Observatory Bldg

Taipei 101 Entrance

Love can make a difference <3

       

Goofying around

                 


Taipei Zoo

     You can visit the zoo and see new animals for just NT$60. To go here, just ride the metro to Taipei Zoo. Go out at Exit 2 and walk towards the zoo. You can use the EasyCard to pay for the entrance fee. 

Very sad bear :(  He's so cold and shivering

     When I get there, it was raining. So the birds aren't flying. Most of the animals are sleeping and the big panda house is closed since it was Monday (too bad). Though I saw some animals that I have never seen before and an eating fat Panda (I guess that's something to be thankful for).

Feeding Time

Pink Flamingos

Fat Panda who didn't care about anyone

You can ride the train for NTD 5 (one way)

Mr. raccoon is begging for food

Red Panda

You can check here other events and attractions inside Taipei Zoo.
Tip: Go on a good weather to have the full time experience.

Jiufen Old Street

     To get here, ride metro station to Zhongxiao Fuxing. Go out through Exit 1. Take the bus: route 1062 (Keelung bus to Jinguashi). Alight at Jiufen. I didn't actually get "there" since the bus driver didn't alight us to Jiufen station itself. So my whole trip was gone to waste. (HOW ANNOYING!)  

Shilin Night Market

     I really enjoyed exploring Shilin. This would be my favorite Night Market. I bought so many pasalubongs (food, shirt, magnet, shoes, accessories) there. Shoe stores are adjacent to each other. You can find food anywhere. Prices are very much affordable and all you want to do is to spend your money. I wanted to stay too late but I can't since I bought too many heavy and bulky stuff, I can't even walk straight.

     To get here, ride the metro. Alight at Jiantan station. Go out through Exit 2 and walk towards the night market

Ice Shavings. Try it! They have it in different flavors.

Vegetable wrapped in meat. I think it has wasabe inside.

Very cheap, original shoes

It is a must try. Kind of expensive tho, but it's worth a try.

It's a corn btw. A 78-dollar corn

Tip: Go here for the first days of your stay so if you want to go back, you can schedule it ahead of time.

Ximending Market

     To get here, ride metro station. Alight at Ximen Station. Go out through Exit 5. Walk straight till you see Wuchang St. Section 2. Turn left and cross the street. Walk till you find what you want. :)

*In my case, I am looking for Sophisca Shop
- they are selling different kinds of chocolates and candies.

First aid kit chocolates

They come in cute package designs

They have naughty chocolates too.

**Not all chocolates and candies taste good. After all, looks can be deceiving.

The gummies taste good (Haribo is better).
Candies in the bottle taste REALLY good, you might as well buy that. 

 

Taiwan Regrets:

* I've never been to Jiufen Old Street, Hotsprings, Maokong Gondola at morning, Taipei Zoo on good weather, Taipei 101 Observatory, and Modern Toilet

* I've not bought two Nike shoes

* I've not eaten so much (esp. chocolate-flavored ice shavings)

You may read this blog to have a guide on Shilin foodtrip. :)
             

     It is easy to explore Taiwan since they provide signages everywhere. Taiwan is the safest place I've been all my life. I stayed very late outside with no one attacking me or robbing me. People there are very helpful even though not everyone can understand you and can speak in english, they will do their best to help you.  

Always Remember: 

     Be polite. Always thank them, whether or not they treat you right. Thank them, whether or not they help you. Obey traffic rules. Be observant. ENJOY!

Tourist Visa Application: Republic of China - Taiwan

     I went to Taiwan last Oct 30 - Nov 3, 2015 to join the Asian Association of Schools of Pharmacy Conference. Since I went there alone, I did all the work especially on preparing all the requirements needed for the application. I am now sharing this to you for easier application.

     You may visit the Official Taiwan Website here to check the latest updates regarding on visa application. Online forms and list of requirements for different type of visa can be seen on their website as well. I will be focusing on tourist visa application.

     There are lucky people who are qualified for the visa-free entry to Taiwan. Qualifications are as follows:

Nationals of India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 30 days, if they possess a:

   a. Valid visa (including an electric one) (**) or

   b. Permanent resident certificate issued by U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., Schengen Convention countries, Australia or New Zealand

     Those who meet the above qualification and have never been employed in Taiwan as blue-collar workers have to apply to the "Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan" of the R.O.C. National Immigration Agency (website: https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast/) for an "Authorization Certificate" before coming to Taiwan. After completion, the printed-out Certificate can be used by the foreign visitor for boarding the airplane and the immigration inspection. During the immigration inspection, foreign visitors who can not show a valid visa or permanent resident certificate issued by one of the aforementioned countries will not be admitted into the R.O.C.

** A single-entry visa becomes invalid once it has already been used. However, a used single-entry visa might be acceptable for the purpose of immigration inspection to enter Taiwan, if it meets the following conditions:
1. On the same continuing journey, the visa holder uses it to enter the visa issuing country prior to his/her arrival in Taiwan; and
2. The visa holder will arrive in Taiwan before its expiration date.

Qualified applicants may require approval at https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast. Upon obtaining approval, please print out the Authorization Certificate and present it to the airline staff upon checking in at counter. For those who fail to show valid visas or permanent resident cards of the abovementioned countries, ENTRY TO TAIWAN IS PROHIBITED.

     For those unlucky people (including me) who didn't qualify for the visa-free entry to Taiwan, here are the requirements:

1. Printed online application form. Visit the site for the online visa forms. 

   

Click General Visa Application

Fill up the form. Make sure that everything is completely filled up. For the address and number in Taiwan, you can put the hotel's address and number that you're going to stay in for the whole trip. Make sure that you put the right address and number because they actually call the place where you'll stay (or your contact person/ friend/ relative in Taiwan) to assure that you will not do anything aside from your declared purpose of visiting Taiwan.

    *After filling up the Application Forms online,  print them out, sign on the last page and bring them along with other required documents to Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in the Philippines, either personally or through a substitute within 15 days of accomplishing the visa form. Hand written Application Forms will not be acceptable.

2. Two (2) passport size photos. 

    * Taken within 3 months

    * Measures 45 x 35 mm (1.77 long x 1.38 inches wide)

    * White background

    * Show a close-up of the head and top of the shoulders

    * Looking directly at the camera, with eyes open and clearly visible.

    * Neutral expression (no smiling, mouth closed) and a neutral skin tone is required

    * No hairs accross the eyes. Ears, moles, birthmarks or scars must not be covered

POKER FACE ON :) 

Photocopy and original copies of the following:

3. Passport. It must be valid for atleast 6 months. If you have old passport showing previous travels, bring it also. 

4. Birth Certificate issued by NSO

5. Marriage Contract (if applicable)

6. Supporting documents related to the purpose of visit such as:

    a. Confirmed roundtrip Air ticket or Booking Certificate

    b. Certificate of Employment and Letter of permission to leave from employer

    c. Financial statements of the applicant such as:

        (1) Income Tax Return or

        (2) Bank Book or Bank Certificate

    d. Etc. - Since I participated on a conference, I gave a copy of the proof of exhibition, invitation letter from the organizer of the event, and a copy of receipt of the said conference. I also gave a copy of hotel reservation. 

7. Employee's ID and/or PRC ID (if applicable)

8. Visa fee

Note: 

1. This Office reserves the right to withhold the reason for the disapproval of any visa application.

2.  In case visa applications were declined after review, the FEES CHARGED ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.

-----

     If everything is set, you can go now and pass the requirements to the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines at RCBC Plaza, Tower 1, 41st Floor.

Filing Time: Monday to Friday 8:45AM to 11:45 AM

Releasing Time: Monday to Friday 1: 45PM to 4:45PM 

Processing Time:

* Visitor Visa: 3 Working Days

* Expedite Processing: 1 Working Day

     Passing of requirements is done during the morning. I suggest to go as early as 8:30am to sign at the reception area. After that, they will ask you you to go to the "smoking area" in front of the museum. DO NOT WANDER OFF. They will give queue numbers by 8:45 and will not hesitate to skip your name when you're not there. 

     When called, you have to show them your valid ID (SSS ID, Voter's ID, PRC ID and/or Driver's License) to be able to get your queue number. After getting your number, you will go back to the reception area to get an ID Pass. You must give them a valid ID in exchange of the ID Pass. If not valid (e.g. Employee's ID), you have to deposit P1,000 pesos. It will be given back after the application.

     The application proper is so fast. It took me about 10 minutes of waiting and about 5 minutes for the application per se. You will be called at the cashier to pay for the visa fee and will give you a receipt with your name and the date when you will get your passport.

     You will not be interviewed nor denied if you provided them all the requirements and supporting documents that they need. 

Note: I am a newly grad, recently passed the board examination and unemployed. If you really want something, you can have it. Just do your best and PRAY! :)