Day 1: Taoyuan airport, coach transfer to Taichung
Enterprise Hotel, Fengjia market
Day 2: Hired cab to Sun Moon Lake
Laurel Villa, The Lalu
Day 3: Sun Moon Lake
Mt. Maolan for sunrise, boat cruise around the lake
Day 4: Hired cab to Taichung HSR station, train back to Taipei
City Inn Hotel, fabric centre, Sogo area, Shida market, Gongguan
Day 5: Depart for Hualien via Tze Chiang Express
Quality Inn, Taroko Gorge
Day 6: Day trip with Mr Chu
Lala farm, Chi Ke mountain, Ruishuei farm
Day 7: Train back to Taipei
Ambience Hotel, Taipei 101, Wu Fen Pu, Raohe market, Eslite bookstore
Day 8: Taipei
Jingaoshi, Jiufen, Shilin night market
Day 9: Taipei
Danshui, Ximenting, Eslite bookstore
Day 10: Taipei
Wu Jiao Chuan Ban, Miramar centre
xoxo
Taiwan was hot hot hot in September. The trip would have been more enjoyable if it hadn't been so hot? But I shouldn't be complaining really, since the heat would have been preferred over rain, or typhoons, anytime!
Contrary to P's prediction, I enjoyed Taiwanese food a lot, especially the pan-fried meat dumplings, beef noodles & Formosa Chang's lu-rou-fan. And I loved it that everything came in small portions so we could order a variety to share. Sadly, I did not enjoy stinky tofu and I thought it tasted just like how it smelled, though proponents claim otherwise. Logically though, how likely is it that something that smells rotten would taste fragrant, or at best odourless?
Our pre-booked accommodation suited us fine throughout the trip, from the lower end Enterprise Hotel in Taichung to the modern chic Ambience Hotel in Taipei. At Sun Moon Lake, we stayed in a minsu, Taiwan's equivalent of a B&B. While the hosts, the Wang family, were hospitable and warm, Mrs Wang did annoy me slightly with her outpouring of their domestic problems and non-stop chatter, and Mr Wang was constantly excusing himself for being in a foul mood.
In terms of sightseeing, I'd say Taiwan has little to boast about. Sun Moon Lake & Hualien were scenic, but not particularly mesmerising. Jinguashi & Jiufen felt like tourist traps but did offer a spectacular view. Having said that, I did enjoy frolicking amongst the orange lily flowers atop Assassin mountain and strolling through the streets of Danshui.
I'd gone to Taiwan expecting to come home laden with a thick bundle of clothes. However, Taiwanese fashion doesn't quite seem to agree with me! And combing through rows after rows of shops at Wu Fen Pu, on hindsight, doesn't strike me as appealing at all. There's just too much junk in that cluttered mess! As corny as it may sound, picking out something nice from Wu Fen Pu is almost akin to finding a needle in a haystack! But I did chance upon a few "needles" so I guess it's not beyond hope...yet...Hahaha!
Hands down, my favourite place to shop and hang-out is Eslite the bookstore. Actually, it's my dream combination of HMV & Kinokuniya come true! Eslite though, has a larger variety of books, CDs and quirky objects so it made browsing a real treat!
Since photos have already been uploaded onto Facebook, I'm just going to share those of my stash of goodies from Taiwan here:
My beauty diary facial masks, enough to last me through the year
Taiwanese snacks and biscuits for the families
My favourite purchases
On reflection, perhaps the most poignant part of the trip for me was the chance to spend time with my gal pals. Despite the occasional friction and disagreements we had, I'd say we all got along pretty well! I wonder if such an opportunity would ever come along again?
Would I go back to Taiwan again? My first response to this question was a vehement "not in the next 10 years". But as I fondly look through the photos, I'm leaning towards a change of heart. So who knows? I might be back in 2, or 3, or 5 years? Or maybe the impetus to visit again will come about when my supply of face masks runs out! Haha!
Taiwanese snacks and biscuits for the families
My favourite purchases
Richmond bridge, a heritage arch bridge about 25km from Hobart.
Fruit picking at Sorell fruit farm. You pay a fee for an empty plastic container and you can pack as many berries as you can into that container.
Woo, look at the mountain of fruits!
Historic Port Arthur ruins, a National Heritage Site. Port Arthur used to be a prison until it was gutted by fires in the 1800s.
Boat cruise around Port Arthur.
Tahune forest walk, Geeveston.
View from above.
Final resting place of the Margate train (formerly known as the Tasman Ltd).
A scene out of Mission Impossible?
Mom & Dad.
Oatlands flour mill.
Goofing around on daisy-dotted grass.
Boats at the wharf.
Quick stop for drinks.
Mount Wellington. I love love love this photo! So cool :)
The pinnacle @ Mt Wellington.
View from Mt Wellington.
Our rented car.
A visit to the Pearling Exhibition at the Wharf.
We stayed at the Darwin Backpackers Hostel.
Abundant water lilies.
The marshland where we were supposed to see migratory birds but of course, we were there in the wrong season, so none were spotted :(
Dad & Mom.
Gigantic termite mound.
See how tiny we look in comparison to the termite mound.
Wild spear grass that can grow up to 2m!
Mom hiding in the tall spear grass.
Of rivers, streams and waterfalls.
Unattractive bathers.
