Taiwan Trip 5 - 9 July

Just went to Taiwan for 5 days with Jeriel, John and Adriel. During the trip, we stayed in Paradise Hotel which is conveniently located near Ximending, the shopping area. The hotel facilities were not too bad for a three star hotel and there are about slightly over 100 channels on their cable TV (spoilt for choice)! We visited quite a few places in and around Taipei but we didn't travel out from Taipei due to a lack of time. 5 days is definitely not enough!

Taiwan is a food haven and there is an abundance of street stalls selling food everywhere. The food was really good and I found myself eating non-stop throughout the day. The people there are also really friendly and nice to talk to. I realised that most of the people in Taiwan, especially the young, know how to dress up well. In fact, most of them (especially the girls) look quite good. You can hardly find an ugly girl on the streets and about 70% of them are either average or good looking - lots of hot chicks around .. haha.

Things there are not exactly very cheap and I didn't really buy a lot of stuff. Found the clothes there a little too 'blink blink' and some are quite 'beng'. Spent most of my money on food instead =).

Well here is a summary:

Day 1: Reached Taipei in the evening. Spent the night exploring Ximending.

At Ximending

Ah Chung Rice Noodles, a must try! One of the dessert shops
Generous helping: Portion for 2 but can feed 4

Day 2: Travelled to this place on the mountains called Jiu Fen and spent the day there. Towards the evening, we went to Shih Lin Night Market.

At Gold Ecological Park, an old gold mining town

Outside the mining tunnel

The mining tunnel itself

Acting cute =)

Ancient concrete golf courseGreat scenery from the top
At Shih Lin Night Market'Smelly' Beancurd

Day 3: Went to Taipei 101 and walked around the shopping area. At night, we travelled to Huaxi Street Night market where snakes are killed for their blood and gall bladder (apparently they are very good tonics and good for health). After that, went back to Ximending again for further exploration.

Taipei 101

We took 37 seconds to reach the top of Taipei 101 taking this lift

On top of the tallest building in the world

View from the top

At Huaxi Street Night Market, the lady was going to feed the snakes with a rat. The cups in front of her contains tonics, snake's blood and juice from the gall bladder

We ran into a pyjamas party at Ximending

Day 4: Travelled to Beitou for a dip in the hot springs and later in the afternoon, travelled to Dan Shui (Fisherman's Wharf) to watch the sunset and beautiful scenery.

Indoor hot spring. You are supposed to be totally naked when taking a dip. No photos allowed but I quickly snapped a few when no one was around

Cold spring. For cooling down.

Outdoor hot spring. Here, you must put on swimming trunks =)

At Dan Shui

Taking the ferry to Fisherman's Wharf

At Fisherman's Wharf in the day

Sunset

View during the night

Day 5: Visited the historic sites in Taipei City itself. Mainly Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Martyr's Shrine. Chinese Temple and National Palace Museum.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial GateChiang Kai Shek Memorial HallMartyr's ShrineChanging of guardsA photo with the guard

Chinese TempleOutside National Palace Museum (we are not allowed to take photos inside the museum)

Yup .. Taiwan is quite a nice place and there are lots of things to explore. I haven't been to the other parts of Taiwan outside Taipei and it is one place I would definitely go back to visit again.