My mind is still on holiday WTH. I've spent last weekend clearing things up and staring blankly into my Japanese notes... #truestory Also catching up with work, updating the fam/bff/friends and taking Japanese class test. So busy right after I just got back from Taipei wtf.
On the brighter side, we're back safe and sound! I'm SUPER GLAD we all did!
I was really worried about the recent Typhoon Nepartak (GANBATTE Taitung & China!!) that hit southern Taipei just a week before our departure! Because of that we changed plans many time, deciding between Sapporo or to travel locally or Taipei.. I had to rearrange the itinerary again and again because most of us have gotten our long leaves from work and it would be a waste not to utilize them. And then there is the recent bombing in Taipei MRT that injured several people added to my worries. In the end, we decided to move forward, me redoing the itinerary only to covering Taipei area for fear of being stranded, our safety and a dozen of other things. I warned my friends to be super alert even in Taipei. You bet I was a worrywart the entire planning period. How could I not?? (T_______T) It was a super stressful week nevermind I still have work and studies on my mind. I did blew up after that, more on that LOL.
This is my second time overseas (aha) and my first with the group of friends. It was definitely wayyy different than solo. Like duh but heyy, like I said, it was my first time ok.
And you know there's a saying that goes something like, "Travel brings out the best and worst of people". Yeap, that happened. I guess my friends now know I'm impatient and emotional when it comes to certain stuff. And the next, I'll be so uncaring and carefree when I'm too tired HAHAHAHA. Story later. I too, know their bright sides and the hidden ones LOL. Mostly how they react when they're tired HAHAHAHA. Or that they can't stop talking about dirty stuff which annoyed me cause I got bored of repetitive talks on the similar topic (=______=) I earned the nickname, "The Sensible One" from that.
~♥~
Sharing with you guys the itinerary I came up with. Bracket ones are the places that we didn't make it to as we took our sweet time to explore LOL. I will be blogging about my adventures (after I've sorted out my work and studies) and will linking them here laterwards with my blog p.
Taipei Itinerary
Day 4: Jiufen ⇒ Shifen ⇒ (Attractions along the Pingxi Line) ⇒ Miaokou Night Market
& Part 2
After this trip, I find myself falling in love with Taiwan! In many ways they reminded me of Japan a lot! The places are just so beautiful, clean and they even have onsen (hot springs)!
Despite spending 8 days being in Taipei alone, I felt that there just wasn't enough time to explore! I think we missed quite a number of places other than the ones mentioned such as Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aboriginals, Taiwan Folk Arts Museum, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, old streets & attractions along the Pingxi line, Yehliu GeoPark and Yingge.
I never thought I'll ever find myself so interested in museums but I got brainwashed after our visit to National Palace Museum. And Taipei alone offers so many museum-visiting opportunities.
Oh, before I forget.... I think the best time to go to Taiwan is spring/autumn if not early summer. Especially if you don't like the heat. It is blazing hot, hotter than Malaysia. You can feel the heat in the morning and it can get super bright throughout the day I was squinting most of the time. So yes, get your sunglasses ready. I got tanned despite putting on SPF 50++ sunblock and my palm is peeling, look at these!
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Due to the change of plans, we had to cancel our appointment with a taxi driver whom I found via TripAdvisor and several blogs' recommendation. It is truly unfortunate our trip southern Taiwan didn't work out... Should you be looking for a taxi driver to chauffeur you around Taichung, do give her a call. She speaks Chinese only, me thinks. She's an experienced driver so I heard, thus she should be able to show you around pretty well.
Lee Da Jie +886 932 518 438
If you're interested in my itinerary, here it is. I'm simply jotting it down for future use. You bet, I'm still going back to Taiwan!
Taichung/Sun Moon Lake Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: HSR from Taipei to Taichung ⇒ Breakfast:Din Tai Fung/other ⇒ XinFeng Fruit Farm ⇒ Lavendar Cottage ⇒ Carton King ⇒ Check In ⇒ Yizhong Shopping Street & Feng Jia Night Market
Day 2: Breakfast ⇒ Swiss Garden-Enroute ⇒ Lunch:Urn Chicken (甕仔) ⇒ Cingjing Farm & Green Green Grassland ⇒ 18 Degree Chocolate Factory ⇒ Miyahara/Yi Fu Tang (一福堂老店) to get souvenirs
Day 3: Sun Moon Lake (Cycle around/Ferry to somewhere random)
Day 4: Sun Moon Lake ⇒ Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
Day 4: Yilan (Suou Cold Spring, Hot Spring, Lanyang Museum, Meihua Lake, TaipingShan, Crayon Factory, Botanical Garden, Guishan/Turtle Island)
Day 5: Head all south to Kaoshiung!
~♥~
That's all~! I hope you find this useful.
More posts on my Taiwan adventure to come!
