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!