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Date :
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Yay!
Good morning earthlings!
After a 6 hours flight uncomfortable flight from SG to TPE,
we finally arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at around 5.45am.
Taoyuan International Airport Arrival Immigration
It was pretty crowded at the time when we arrives
but the officers did managed to clear the crowd relatively fast.
I was pretty upset with one of the immigration officer
as she was rude and even threw Vanessa's passport
on the desk, just because she did not provide the actual address to it.
It was because of that, we took longer than usual to clear the
immigration to collect our baggages at the baggage belt.
Anyway, we decided to go wash up after collecting
our baggages before leaving the airport, so it wasn't too bad for us too.
We stayed in the airport toilet for close to an hour to wash up,
change our clothes and put on a little make-up for
our cannot make it face.
Finally, it is time to leave the baggage area to the arrival hall
and after exiting, I went to do a exchange currency at the airport
(ps: the rates in the airport is better than SG money changer)
The money exchange is situated just inside the arrival hall and after exiting
the baggage area, turn left. It is very accessible and easy to locate.
One agenda down after reaching the airport. Next up, we went to
collect our mobile SIM card that we had already pre-booked
on KKday prior our trip.
KKday Taipei 4G SIM card
https://www.kkday.com/en/product/2697
Carrier：Chunghwa Telecom
Internet speed：4G
Data limit：Unlimited data Data sharing：Network sharing is possible Calls & Texts：50-100 NT worth of texts or calls Card Format：nano, micro or normal Validity period：3, 5, 7,10,15 or 30 days Signal coverage：Entire Taiwan, including the islands Pick-up Time：05:30 am - 01:00 am
Price: USD 9.90
However, there is a lot of collection area so it can be confusing
as we locate for quite awhile before we finally found it.
Pick-up Location：
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) Terminal 1
‘Unite Traveler Booth 3 counter
Direction: Exit Airport Control Hall, Turn left and
walk straight till you reach the end of the arrival hall.
`
After collecting our SIM card, we headed down to basement
where all the airport transfer company are there.
We exchanged our bus-tickets with the voucher that
Vanessa has collected previously in Singapore from
Taiwan Tourism Board.
It can be exchanged with quite a number of airport transfer company
and we chose to exchanged it for 国光客运.
 
We were lucky that when we reached there it wasn't queuing
and we got our tickets exchange fast. This is how
the tickets for the airport transfer looks like and we got
the tickets right to Taipei Main Station which is the
last destination for the bus.
Yes, we count ourselves lucky that there isn't any queue
at the bus ticketing counter but when we reached the
bus-bay to board the bus, it has just left like 2 minutes ago.
So, now it is time for us to do some cam-whoring while
waiting for the next bus to arrive.
We waited for around 30 - 45 minutes, enough time for us,
no not us but Vanessa to run to the toilet and returned.
After she came back from the toilet, the queue grew tremendously long
so we yet lucky to be in the front.
Finally, the bus arrives and the bus operator loaded our luggage into
the compartments and gave us a baggage ticket to collect when we
alight the bus later on. The bus was crowded when we boarded
the bus since the bus went over to Terminal 2 first before coming for us.
Sat comfortably in the bus and ready to conk out
a second time before we reached our destination.
`
Another 45 minutes spent on transportation and finally
reached the final destination. Everyone from the bus alight at the
final stop as we queue to collect our luggage. From the final destination
to Taipei Main Station wasn't really very near and you need to
at least lugged your luggage for at least 5 - 10 minutes walk.
The station was really crowded and I didn't managed to snap
any photographs at the point of time as I was lugging my
luggage and trying to walk in the crowded subway station.
`
We took a train from Taipei Main Station to Zhongshan Station
to transfer to the Green line for Beimen Station, where
our apartment is located.
MTR card was run out instantly when I wanted to
purchase mine at Taipei Main Station so I got to get
the single ticket from the vending machine instead.
While waiting for the train to Zhongshan Station
`
Beimen Station was a rather quiet station as compared
to the rest. It is always empty and quiet throughout our whole trip.
The station is walking distance approximately 5 minutes walk
to our apartment.
We booked the apartment through Airbnb with DB Apartment
and it was way too early for us to check in the apartment
so we park our luggages somewhere, where the host has arrange for us.
After parking our luggage, we went to have brunch at the
nearby 7-11.
关东煮! Yums!
`
After an awesome, quick brunch,
we headed down to our first itinerary of the day,
which is the Taipei Zoo.
 
Purchasing the tickets for the Zoo
Yay!
It is time to enter Taipei Zoo .
After entering the entrance gate,
we are greeted by the magnificent sight of the pink flamingo.
See!
They are so beautiful right?
Continue walking into the zoo,
we saw this cute little panda sculpture and Vanessa
cannot resist but to take a photo with it.
      
Opps!
I realised that I have lost the rest of my photographs
that I took in Taipei Zoo.
However, the zoo was quite a disappointment for us
as the animals and their enclosure wasn't really well taken care off.
Despite that, I can see their effort trying to do renovation work
to improve the place further.
Anyway, I still feel it wasn't a must to go in Taipei.
After touring Taipei Zoo,
we took a tram from the zoo that leads us to the cable station
of Mao Kong Station.
We took the normal cable car up to Mao Kong and
got to share the cable car with a family from Hong Kong.
It was a hilarious trip for us as the little girl in family
was super attention seeking and her family members
is just non-stop teasing her.
We just have to control our laughter and comments so
badly throughout the trip up.
Finally! We reached the top of Mao Kong Station
Once, we reached Mao Kong, we were all hungry
and tired. We decided to walk around and find a nice place
for lunch, erm, probably it should be high tea cause we had
our meal close to 4pm in the afternoon.
We settled down at this tea restaurant that seems pretty
famous and quite a number of bloggers have recommended.
It's view from the restaurant was good, especially when
the sun is setting and the food they served was nice too.
Both Vanessa and I love their tea fried house, although
it is pretty oily but we ordered brewed tea to help
washed away all the fats that we had just ate.
 
Salted Egg Bittergourd (It was really bitter)
Tea Fried Rice! (YUMS)
Waiting for our food to come and the 大姐 to help us brew our tea.
We enjoyed our meal with the great view from the restaurant
and cooling weather as we take our time.
After the hearty and yummy meal, we made our way by strolling
back to Mao Kong Station enjoying the cooling breeze
from the winter season. There is small little street food
along the small road and most of them sell 黑猪肉香肠.
I wanted to try but it was too oily and I can't
make myself it so I decided to give it a miss.
Since, it was evening and we decided to head back to town
to see whether is the apartment ready to for us to check-in
so we could at least wash up and take a rest before
heading out again.
We took the Crystal Cable Car down from Mao Kong Station
to the first stop at Taipei Zoo. It looks a little scary at first
but afterwards, the view just take our breath away and
we can't stop taking photographs of the sunset.
Onboard the Crystal Cable Car
The world is beneath our legs (Haha)
Partially sun-set view
Mr. Sun is saying goodbye to us
Frontal view from the cable car
Us again
Acting funny
After a 30 to 45 minutes ride, we finally reached the bottom
and exited the cable car station. The wind was very strong
and with us not really wearing the right attire,
we nearly get freeze to death and could only walk as fast as
we could to the subway station.
We took a train back to Zhongshan Station and
change to the green line for Beimen Station.
Deep down in our heart, we were really hoping to be able
to check-in as after the red-eye flight from Singapore with Scoot,
we didn't managed to have a good night rest on board and
hope that we can check-in to take some rest.
Our dreams came through when we met the host
and she is ready to bring us up to our apartment which is
just beside DB Hostel.
  
The apartment is generally very comfortable and the interior
of the room looks nice. The host actually provide most
of the necessities that is needed such as air dryer, toiletries and
kitchen utensils. The television has full channels for us to choose and
not just the basic channels. We were actually glad that it has 2 beds
and both of us can have each to ourselves.
However, the downside of the apartment is the beds and toilet.
The beds were rather soft and it is not comfortable for
people that has back pain issues.
The toilet showering area, the depth of the bath tub was
too deep and isn't very convenient to shower.
It is not recommended for people staying with elderly
or children. Overall, it was a pretty good stay.
After checking in and washing up,
we decided to go walk around Xi Men Ding area
and headed back to the apartment for an early night rest.
That's all for Day 1, FINALLY!
See you for Day 2
Taipei Christmas Travelogue: Day 0
Taipei Christmas Travelogue: Day 1
Taipei Christmas Travelogue: Day 2
Taipei Christmas Travelogue: Day 3
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안녕하세요! Hello! I'm Joan. I lived in the little red dot of the earth. This blog records down the places I travel, nice foodies I eat, skincare and make up that I tried. I love photography, sunset & sunrise, Seoul, My Melody, Super Junior and my favourite shade is MINT. pick up Korean Solo trip to Japan Trip to Australia start bullet journaling staying close to God Isaac Toast SG JB Travelogue Day 1 JB Travelogue Day 2 Taipei Christmas Travelogue Day 0 Taipei Christmas Travelogue Day 1 Taipei Christmas Travelogue Day 2 Taipei Christmas Travelogue Day 3 Taipei Christmas Travelogue Day 4 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 1 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 2 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 3 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 4 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 5 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 6 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 7 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 8 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 9 언녕 Korea Travelogue Day 10 August 2005 October 2005 March 2006 May 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 December 2010 January 2011 February 2011 April 2011 June 2011 September 2012 December 2016 January 2017 March 2017 May 2017 October 2017 February 2018 June 2018 October 2018 March 2019 Designed by { ★CRUSHthespeaker } Thankful to { blogskins l xox } Blogged to { 53-percent } |
