Travel Diary: Where To Go in Taiwan - Day 1

So you heard that you can now visit Taiwan without Visa starting this June. LUCKY YOU! :) Oh well, lucky me too! Because finally visited the country where my high school ultimate favorite series Meteor Garden from. Okay so exaggerated. I was amazed to finally see cherry blossoms.

I mentioned in this post that it was a short trip because of a) It was spontaneous booking and b) I will come back again this year hopefully. 

Taiwan is a small island nation 180km east of China with modern cities, traditional Chinese temples, hot springs resorts and dramatic mountainous terrain. Taipei, the country’s capital in the north, is known for its busy night markets, Chinese Imperial art at the National Palace Museum and Taipei 101, a 509m-tall, bamboo-shaped skyscraper with an observation deck.

Here's my DIY Itinerary that I am not sure if you would like to follow: 

(No check-in luggage challenge. Success!)

I booked the ticket last February via Air Asia. Their flight schedule was not ideal, but it was the cheapest. We left Manila at past 11 PM and arrived at past 1 AM. It was so tricky because there are no trains available at those hours and you have to ride a bus which I don't have an idea. My point of contact is my cousin Geraldine. She is working Taiwan as a nurse for two years.

To immigration counter. I got confused with their arrival card and visa information, but I managed tho.

Taoyuan Airport

Closed counters

6:14 AM Okaaay.

Accommodation for the night

It was a very challenging part for me as "this is my first time ever" to look for a place where I can sleep until 6 AM! Good thing they had this lounge area where everybody was sleeping and charging their phones. YAY! 

Taiwan couch literally.

I woke up at 5:45 AM and I was the only one who was sleeping the lounge I feel a little embarrassed, but didn't care at all. After washing up from the toilet. I went out looking so fresh and ready to go to Shilin, but first coffee. So I went to their airport food court and only Burger King is opened.

Taoyuan International Airport MRT

A convenient system for getting to downtown from the airport. Here's are the details:

• Route: Taoyuan Internation Airport to Taipei Main Station
• Fare: NT$160 (But I paid only NT$80 discount fare of 50 percent for the first month) * 
• Type of Train: Express Train
• Travelling Time: Around 35 minutes. 

* I was lucky enough to take advantage of this because they have been officially launched on March 2. Few weeks before my trip last March this year. Oh-ha! 

The first Express Train from Taipei Main Station to the airport will leave at 6 a.m. and the last train at 10:58 p.m. Read the timetable info here and ticket information here. 

For faster transaction, I skipped the machine for a ticket and went to the counter. It was too early for me to deal with their ticket machines.

Always waiting...

TADAAH! Not a card. :)

How to use: Scan it on your entrance and insert the coin when you arrived at your destination. Same as the card one. ( I don't know if that helps)

Wifi connection available on the train so I can update my cousin.

When I arrived Taipei Main Station it will take you 10 to 15 minutes to get to the red line platform this is if you walk fast and you follow the signs. I love signage in other countries, you will not get lost they have big fonts. Here's my route:

Taipei Main Station

I made it to Shilin and met my cousin and her friends. They are all nurse. (Mabuhay ang mga nurse!) Yes, I am a joiner which is good. 

My cousin recommended using Easy Card instead of buying an unlimited day pass. 

First load is NT$100

Bus ride to Yangmingshan for NT$15

Yangmingshan National Park 

Yangmingshan's original name was Caoshan (Grass Mountain in Mandarin), referring to the tall silvergrass that covers the highest slopes. Chiang Kai-shek renamed it Mount Yangming after his favorite Ming philosopher Wang Yang-ming (A.D. 1472-1529). (source) 

No entrance fee. 

After our lunch in the park, we rode a bus going to Calla Lily Farm.

Meet my cousin friends: F4
JK!

Finally I felt cold

It was my cousin's birthday that day and I was surprised! That's why she agreed right away when I told her I am planning my trip to Taiwan on that day.

Geraldine and I

She picked three Calla Lily

It was started to drizzle when we were around the farm, so Eric was so kind to shelter me under his umbrella. Such a cutie pie and gentleman.

After the farm, we decided to go to our next stop.

We took off in Taibei High School bus stop and wait for another bus.

The National Palace Museum

Located in Taipei and Taibao, Taiwan, has a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks, making it one of the largest of its type in the world. (source)

The gang and saling-pusa me. 

Frequently asked question: Is it fun to travel alone? 

Here's my reaction:

Shilin Night Market

A night market in the Shilin District of Taipei, Taiwan, and is often considered to be the largest and most famous night market in the city. (source)  They are open from 3 PM until 1 AM. 

Many of Taiwan’s traditional foods can be found and bought for reasonable prices. I tried Stinky Tofu as they challenged me to eat it. I said "yes" because I love tofu. 

Nigh shots

I am planning to go back late this year for cold weather and to shop. Looks like this will be my new fave city.



Cute

Spotted a traveler selling his photographs. I don't want to judge, but there were articles regarding beg-packers in Thailand to fund their travels. 

I like his photos tho

We had fun for a day and it was time for me to rest since I only had 3 hours of sleep. Look how haggard I was - kaloka!

Travel diary for day two on my next post.

Have a great day everyone!
xx

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