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Taipei 2014: Revisited
posted : Thursday, October 30, 2014
So back in June I was feeling that I needed a break from work, and since boss is back from her maternity leave I am actually free to go for my break. Considering I was going home in August already and I promised myself a solo trip each year so the time was ripe. Picked the Deepavali period to go, initially planned to do 5D4N but unsurprisingly, tickets are more expensive due to higher demand. So settled for 4D3N instead.
Itinerary planning wasn't hard. Having been there once before, I knew what are the places I missed out last time and what are the ones I would love to revisit. Restricted myself to Taipei only coz of the tight schedule, if I had 5D4N I probably would have squeezed in a day trip to Kaohsiung. Accom wasn't difficult either. Hostels are out of question because even tho I travel solo, that was because I was kind of anti-social lol so no, wasn't intending to go along the"make new friends while traveling" route. Wanted to try out AirBnB, fortunately managed to find an ensuite room which was pretty affordable at SGD30+ per night. But more on that later!
Chose an overnight flight despite knowing well I won't be able to get much sleep, but had to make sure I don't waste anymore time given the well, tight schedule. Initially planned to laze my Saturday away and head to airport at early evening, then last minute got summoned to join in a house visit with the CPN peeps, and my presence is basically to add in a "trust me, I am an engineer" vibe =.= Utter waste of time talking to people who believe they are so high up in terms of political and social ranks. Rushed home, grabbed my backpack then headed out to MBS coz I found out there was a draw ceremony going on for the WTA Finals..didn't get a close spot but good enough to catch sight of the top 8 women tennis players. Thought of buying tickets to watch the matches at first, but decided that there is always next year. Satisfied, headed to airport after that.
Thought I would head to airport early for once, somehow I was always nearly late for flights and never get to roam around in the airport much, and Changi does have a lot to offer. Would be a nice place to camp overnight if I ever need to.
One of the indoor gardens at the transit halls.
Snooze Lounge! Good for camping overnight! Its really quiet and conducive for sleeping!
Landed in Taipei at about 5.30 in the morning, had some time to kill coz I told my hosts I would take my own sweet time and only be there at about 8-9am in the morning. Needed to get a SIM card with data plan at the airport, read online that the airport is the best place to get it coz shops in town may not necessarily unlock it for you or sth like that (now typing those out I am starting to think that it doesn't make much sense). Saw that the counters will open at 7 and I thought it was a pretty reasonable time to wait so decided to pop by a convenience store and grab breakfast.
Oh Taiwanese convenience stores drinks how I have missed you.
Breakfast heh. Got obsessed with the onigiri.
Come 8am, went up to the counters only to find that I wasn't the only one with the idea of waiting for the counters to open..in fact there was a short queue alr =.= luckily the queues were moving rather fast and I managed to get my SIM in time, then rushed off to my bus. Which is when I discovered another error...directions from my host says to take Bus 1841 and drop off at 中山国小 station which is a 5minute walk to the place. I ended up buying 1840 for some reason. Managed to improvise though. Ain't no problem that cannot be solved if there is a metro station along the bus route and luckily for me, 行天宫 which is one station away from 中山国小 is in the way so problem solved.
Found the place with the help of the ever dependable Google Maps. My host doesn't live there, in fact he has a couple of properties and he live in his other apartment. His parents and sister help to run this place for him, and his sister was around when I arrived. Oh yea, they are all Singaporeans. He's working here and his gf is a Taiwanese, and by the looks of it probably settling down here too. It's a bit odd to still hear Singlish and Sing-nese (lol Chinese with sg accent?) when I am already in Taipei, but rather warm I suppose. The previous person occupying my room left just before I arrived, and they were supposed to arrange for cleaners to clean my room first and allowed me to deposit my belongings first. Repacked my backpack, taking out all the clothing and stuffing them in a hand carry baggage I had with me, washed up and good to go! 
Temple on my way to the apartment.
Room A. Good sized bed probably can squeeze two people if needed. Aircon and TV. Watching Taiwanese news is a form of entertainment too hahaha.
Ensuite bathroom! Really a steal for the price.
The living room.
The pantry.
Was about 10.30 when I head out. Got my 悠游卡 (from my previous trip) reloaded and head to my first stop of the day, 忠正纪念堂. I am really more of a sightseeing person and generally head for places of interest like this.
Freedom Square. Its a really youthful place, surprisingly. Lots of teens/dancers probably like the open space and make use of it for practice sessions and what not.
 
中正纪念堂
Taiwan's equivalent of our Esplanade Concert Halls.
The man himself.
Just in time for the change of guards ceremony (which happens every hour).
A pair of them guarding, er, a statue.
Next stop, 国父纪念馆.
Similar concept. 2 guards guarding a statue of Mr Sun, changing duties every hour. Popped by the museum too.
Was kind of lethargic after just two attractions..the weather definitely didn't help. Way too hot for autumn. Thinking of grabbing a quick lunch and since my room should be ready by now, head back to recharge (considering it was almost 24 hours ago since I last bathed hahaha feeling sticky and dirty all of a sudden). Settled at 台北车站, where lots of memories of the previous trip came flooding back (the Starbucks green tea latte incident ahahah).
Lunch!
Not over yet...I stupidly got off at the wrong end of the Lover's bridge where most people remained on the bus (should have alighted at the next stop). While on normal days you can just cross the bridge, this time round the bridge was closed for upgrading works arghhh. The next bus arrived, but an uncle told me not to get on the bus as it would take me back to 淡水 and I should board the bus behind instead. Turns out...the uncle gave me wrong directions FML and I find myself on the bus back to 淡水 urgh. Managed to get off before straying too far away from the wharf and board the correct bus. By the time I reached the correct stop...I had to actually run to the wharf and made it just in time as the sun starts disappearing beyond the horizon wootz!
Sundown.
  
情人桥. Which was closed for maintenance :(
The wharf!
Beautifully lit up bridge.
Bus back to 淡水 and strolled along the 老街 for dinner, part 1 lol.
 
Fried mushrooms. A bit oversalted.
Tower ice creams!
Really think it has lost its charm
Mango shaved ice all for myself!
棺材板. I had a much better version last time round in 花莲.
Legs felt like they were giving way but soldiered on coz I realized I didn't bring enough clothes hahaha. And considering I probably won't shop much the next day which was planned for 九份 etc. did managed something in the end though, before calling it a day. Oh, after a trip to 7-11 on my way back, of course. :)
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