back from Taiwan!
Saturday, June 02, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
5 days just wheezed by like a flicker of an eyelid!
At this time yesterday, I was still doing some mad shopping and da bao-ing food back to hotel to eat and rest my feet. And today, I'm already home *sadzz*
It was really a good holiday break come to think of it. Had loads of fun with MB, bought alot of stuff for myself, family and friends and really got to experience the Taiwan culture and their people much better as compared to last year.
We arrived at about 8+pm in Taipei and sped to clear the customs so that we can board the airport bus as soon as possible. Turns out that due to the late hour, the airport bus doesn't drop us off at our hotel like what we've heard from our frens.
And we wanted to really want to be a budget traveller, so we lugged our luggages across 3 streets to reach their mrt station and took a train to Ximending, walk for 5min to reach our hotel. In ONE HOUR. *tirreeddd*
2nd day, the plan was to 'sightsee' those famous shopping malls like Taipei 101, New York New York and Mitsukoshi. Fanciful names with fanciful boutiques. Almost ALL the designer brands have a boutique there (some of those we never hear or seen before in SG) and I start to wonder, if Taiwanese are THAT rich after all. (Prolly those celebs :P)
At this time yesterday, I was still doing some mad shopping and da bao-ing food back to hotel to eat and rest my feet. And today, I'm already home *sadzz*
It was really a good holiday break come to think of it. Had loads of fun with MB, bought alot of stuff for myself, family and friends and really got to experience the Taiwan culture and their people much better as compared to last year.
We arrived at about 8+pm in Taipei and sped to clear the customs so that we can board the airport bus as soon as possible. Turns out that due to the late hour, the airport bus doesn't drop us off at our hotel like what we've heard from our frens.
And we wanted to really want to be a budget traveller, so we lugged our luggages across 3 streets to reach their mrt station and took a train to Ximending, walk for 5min to reach our hotel. In ONE HOUR. *tirreeddd*
2nd day, the plan was to 'sightsee' those famous shopping malls like Taipei 101, New York New York and Mitsukoshi. Fanciful names with fanciful boutiques. Almost ALL the designer brands have a boutique there (some of those we never hear or seen before in SG) and I start to wonder, if Taiwanese are THAT rich after all. (Prolly those celebs :P)
No money to buy, so I jus take pictures of the malls :P
After which, we doodled around at Taipei 101 (the place is freaking exxx!!) before setting off to Wu Fen Pu, the much raved about wholesale market to shop.
But sadly, I was rather disappointed, coz first, most of the shops sell similar stuffs and there were 100+ shops like these, so after awhile, I was rather overwhelmed by their selection and 'consistency'. 2ndly, you can't try their clothes, so for big-sized girls like me, it's kinda hard to buy the stuff coz you never noe if you might jus pop one button or cant zip that bottom up or something.
So end up we left after 1hr+ of browsing and 2 tops I got from the first shop I stepped into. *bleahzzz*
The next day, we got up real early to catch an early bus to the Leofoo Theme Park!!!! MB has been bugging to go so I thought maybe we can go take a look. Bought the bus tix and admission tix (we applied for this Youth Travel Card at the airport when we landed, so there was discount) and off we went!!
I've never been to any large scale theme park (not counting the defunct Fantasy Island), so it's kinda interesting to actually visit one. I'm not sure about HK Disneyland or whatsoever, but Leofoo is really BIG! There are like those separate themed areas like the Latin zone, the Wild Wild West zone and such, and we managed to catch one of their performances also.
The zoo was great too! There were just so many species of animals! I dunno why, but although I'm pretty sure our own zoo has those animals too, but when I saw them at Leofoo, it's as if I'm on my maiden trip to see animals!
But sadly, I was rather disappointed, coz first, most of the shops sell similar stuffs and there were 100+ shops like these, so after awhile, I was rather overwhelmed by their selection and 'consistency'. 2ndly, you can't try their clothes, so for big-sized girls like me, it's kinda hard to buy the stuff coz you never noe if you might jus pop one button or cant zip that bottom up or something.
So end up we left after 1hr+ of browsing and 2 tops I got from the first shop I stepped into. *bleahzzz*
The next day, we got up real early to catch an early bus to the Leofoo Theme Park!!!! MB has been bugging to go so I thought maybe we can go take a look. Bought the bus tix and admission tix (we applied for this Youth Travel Card at the airport when we landed, so there was discount) and off we went!!
I've never been to any large scale theme park (not counting the defunct Fantasy Island), so it's kinda interesting to actually visit one. I'm not sure about HK Disneyland or whatsoever, but Leofoo is really BIG! There are like those separate themed areas like the Latin zone, the Wild Wild West zone and such, and we managed to catch one of their performances also.
The zoo was great too! There were just so many species of animals! I dunno why, but although I'm pretty sure our own zoo has those animals too, but when I saw them at Leofoo, it's as if I'm on my maiden trip to see animals!
The animals are just soooo cute!!!
And the best stuffs are yet to come! Animals sight-seeing were just the 'appetiser', the 'main course' were all the rides!! MB wanted me to try the easy-peasy ones and go slow until the ultimate Screaming Condor ride (which really got me screaming my lungs out, wobbly legs and slight giddyness :S), and I had so much fun!!! It certainly brought back good old memories when I used to go to Asian Village @ Sentosa with my parents to ride the Viking (to me, that was the ultimate! :P)
We were like little children that day... :)
3rd day was SHOPPING day. We've got some mission to accomplish, like getting some clothes, bags, books and MB's Gundam toys. And we conclude that Shihlin Night Market is the best place to go, if you really have limited time.
There's loads of local foods there, like 豪大大鸡排，生煎包，orh luah, ice jelly drink (or they call it 爱玉冰), smelly beancurd and what nots. Plus the whole stretch of shops and stalls selling all kinds of knick knacks! There were loads of interesting printed tee, shops that sell everything at NT133 only, jeans shops that you can try on, stress balls, shoes, bags, undergarments, leather... almost everything! We were quite blown away by the huge variety and honestly, I think I really GRABBED at anything that's nice! :P
Ximending was also a good place to dig out stash. I managed to find some interesting knitted tops and belts from some of the shops around the area. You really have to be patient and walk around a couple of times, to really find something that catches your eye. :)
On the lasy day, we decided to sleep in and grab a good lunch at one of the restaurants. We popped by this jap restaurant called 黑车轮, which is a Jap restaurant that serves sushi on motor trains running around the place (in place of normal conveyor belts). We were so tempted to grab one from the train but since we din see anyone doing it, we decided against it. And then I overheard the lady boss telling one customer that they were actually FAKE. Phew, luckily we din take from there, else it'll be super embarrassing!! :P:P:P:P
There's loads of local foods there, like 豪大大鸡排，生煎包，orh luah, ice jelly drink (or they call it 爱玉冰), smelly beancurd and what nots. Plus the whole stretch of shops and stalls selling all kinds of knick knacks! There were loads of interesting printed tee, shops that sell everything at NT133 only, jeans shops that you can try on, stress balls, shoes, bags, undergarments, leather... almost everything! We were quite blown away by the huge variety and honestly, I think I really GRABBED at anything that's nice! :P
Ximending was also a good place to dig out stash. I managed to find some interesting knitted tops and belts from some of the shops around the area. You really have to be patient and walk around a couple of times, to really find something that catches your eye. :)
On the lasy day, we decided to sleep in and grab a good lunch at one of the restaurants. We popped by this jap restaurant called 黑车轮, which is a Jap restaurant that serves sushi on motor trains running around the place (in place of normal conveyor belts). We were so tempted to grab one from the train but since we din see anyone doing it, we decided against it. And then I overheard the lady boss telling one customer that they were actually FAKE. Phew, luckily we din take from there, else it'll be super embarrassing!! :P:P:P:P
Real Japanese feel...
After a hearty meal, we set off to Dan Shui's Fisherman's' Wharf to take picture at the famous Lover's Bridge!
Dan Shui is actually the last stop of one of their lines so we sat all the way thru and changed bus at the station to reach the place. It was so BEAUTIFUL!! The weather was perfect, bright and sunny (although it got abit too warm for comfort later on) but I love the scenery there! It's just so different from other parts of Taipei: No skyscrapers and large bustling crowd, just some picturesque scenery with the background of the mountain and the sea.
Dan Shui is actually the last stop of one of their lines so we sat all the way thru and changed bus at the station to reach the place. It was so BEAUTIFUL!! The weather was perfect, bright and sunny (although it got abit too warm for comfort later on) but I love the scenery there! It's just so different from other parts of Taipei: No skyscrapers and large bustling crowd, just some picturesque scenery with the background of the mountain and the sea.
Look the bright blue sky! The place is just breathtaking....
We left Dan Shui with 2 big bags of local goodies like muah chee and fish crackers and headed back early to our hotel to rest.
It was a wonderful holiday break that was much needed and I'm so glad I was able to re-experience Taipei all over again. I'll probably visit Taiwan again in 3-4 years' time, and by then I hope to travel around Taiwan by railway and explore the counties. :)
Thank God for everything. :)
It was a wonderful holiday break that was much needed and I'm so glad I was able to re-experience Taipei all over again. I'll probably visit Taiwan again in 3-4 years' time, and by then I hope to travel around Taiwan by railway and explore the counties. :)
Thank God for everything. :)