I Fell Hard For Taiwan

Before we got married, I talked to my husband and asked if we can try for a baby 6 months after getting married. But 3 months after, I had this sudden imagination of being in bed and carrying our baby. I knew it was the right time. In May, our company sent me to China and before the convention, they booked me for a trip to the Great Wall. Admittedly, I didn't know that I had to climb up and down the stairs to get to the posts. And to be honest, I didn't even get to the first post. I was scared. Even without any test, I knew I was already pregnant. So if you ask me, I did not enjoy much my China trip. I didn't like the food at the hotel restaurant and it was always drizzling.

A year after, I returned again on a business trip. We were at a commercial district so I spent my free time inside the high end mall in front of our hotel. This time, I enjoyed it.

Fast forward to a few more years and my friends and I went on a trip to Singapore and Malaysia. Honestly it was tiring and lots of time were wasted. I learned my lesson. Wear comfortable shoes and if your time is limited don't go on a cross country trip. As for the rest, I mostly forgot. Nevertheless, I'd definitely go back to each on separate trips or maybe to a longer one.

Last June, my friends and I travelled again. This time, to Taipei, Taiwan. I flew with zero expectations but got a lot in return. As a tourist, I fell in love with Taiwan. With the  exception of 2 taiwanese ladies, I found them very kind and helpful.

We took the midnight flight and when we arrived, only the convenience store was open. Thankfully, we already had our dinner at the Philippine airport. We found spare seats and turned them into our bed. It was not an easy sleep but we all got by. Early morning, we bought our breakfast at the convenient store, without tables in sight, we used our luggage.  

Before embarking on this trip, I did a lot of research and in one of those sites I bookmarked, I discovered Lalalocker, which I tell you was very helpful. Our hostel only accepts guests starting at 2 PM but since we're in Taipei at 7 in the morning, we left our suitcases at Park Hostel. But before we got to Park Hostel, we got lost inside the Taipei Main Station looking for exit M8. After many unsuccessful turns, I finally asked a passerby. She herself did not know where it was but she opened her phone and searched through the internet where it was. She could not find it and apologised. Still I was happy, like I said they're helpful. I found a ticket window and asked the teller where it was. This time, we're able to find the exit.

Our first stop was the Maokong Gondola. We bought the Taipei All Day Pass Gondola Version for NT350 and for the first time got to experience their MRT. I couldn't help but compare it to our own MRT. Huge difference. By all means, the Taipei MRT won. Since I was in charge of the itinerary, I downloaded the MRT map on my phone. In 2 days, I became an expert. It's so easy and handy.

The Gondola was still closed when we arrived. We waited near the vending machine and bought myself a coke. The rest bought several variety of drinks. There was a convenience store nearby which sells souvenir but I found them expensive. 

We're a  group of 7 and rode two gondolas. Going up, you had no choice but to ride what is available. Taiwan's rainforest surprised me. It's huge, lush and really green. I had ridden a cable car before in Singapore so the ride was nothing new to me. But the scenery was very different. In Singapore, I saw buildings and different structures. In Taiwan it was a lot of green and a spot of buildings. I also saw the Taipei 101 from there. It was just 10 in the morning when we arrived. Besides the convenience store the rest of the shops and tea houses were closed. For the 2nd time, we had our food from a convenience store and it was becoming old. I had bread and coffee for breakfast at the airport. And since I couldn't understand Chinese, I had bread again and an orange juice.

We're supposed to visit Taipei Zoo right after since it's one of the stations but it was drizzling so we opted out. We met a new Filipino friend at the mountain top and asked for a restaurant recommendation. We had one near Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. It was on a side street but at the corner there was a milk tea store and our friend treated us. It was my first time to taste it. Will I buy it for myself? No. It's not for my liking.

At first glance, the restaurant didn't look inviting at all. It didn't have a chinese vibe to it. But I was amazed at the waitress. She was alone guarding the fort. She was really a hardworker. She was busy but was always smiling. She has this welcoming aura in her.

At the restaurant, I had a chance to observe the outside world. The street was clean despite being a busy and narrow lane. The vegetables and fruits were huge and fresh. And I liked the dresses displayed at the storefront. Next to our table was a woman and two men. Like us, she also ordered rice, meat and vegetables. But unlike us, she only ate a small portion of rice and ate all the vegetables. Looking at my plate, I had all my rice and most of my meat eaten, and the vegetables untouched. Our friend told us that Taiwanese are not really into rice but more on vegetables.  Being in Taiwan, of course we had to eat with chopsticks and it had been a challenge but I managed. I ordered chicken with 4 different kinds of cheese. There was no photo but I assumed it would be similar to garlic parmesan fried chicken. Naive little me. When my ordered arrived, the chicken was in a bowl swimming in melted cheese. But I ate it anyway. Delicious!

From the restaurant, we walked to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. However, it started raining when we arrived. We took shelter inside a store. While my friends took a look around, I sat on a chair and just waited for the rain to stop. But it did not entirely stopped. It was still drizzling when we did a 90 degree turn for each attraction. It was quick and fun. 

We took the train and returned to Hostel Park to get our bags. We then proceeded to Happy Taipei at Shilin District and registered. After a few hours of sleep, we took the train again and went to Taipei 101. Initially, we were set to go to Elephant Mountain first but had to cancel because it was already 6 in the evening.

We ate in a food court but with the decoration and lighting, it looked high end. It was a Friday and it was crowded. There were lots of restaurants to choose from but since I am a picky eater, I stood in line at Pepper Lunch, a place I passed so often in Greenbelt but never eaten. Haha. 

It was a happy dinner. Again, eating with chopsticks was challenging but we all managed. In all honesty, it took us a long while to finish. 

With stomach full, we took the train again and went to Longshan Temple. The place was packed with tourists and locals. I wished I prayed but I didn't since I'm a Catholic. Looking back now I realized it's not about the place, I could pray anywhere. 

Now this is an epic fail. With a lot of time to spare I thought of another place to go. Earlier, our friend told us that at the end of MRT Red Line at Tamsui is another attraction which would allow us to walk through an old street market, ride a ferry to the Fisherman's Wharf and feel romance at the Lover's Bridge. We rode the train again and in less than an hour, found ourselves sitting on the bench at Tamsui realizing that it's already 10PM and the ferry and restaurants were already closed. Tired and sleep deprived, we went back to Happy Taipei. While the girls were sound asleep, the boys went their merry way to Shilin Night Market. 

The next day, we're set for a huge revelation. From outside, Happy Taipei looked creepy with the dark sidewalk. But in the daylight, I was delighted with what I saw. The dining area was very cozy and clean. We helped ourselves to free breakfast which took a while as we waited for the boys to come up. I went directly for coffee and strawberry jam sandwich. In Singapore, I fished about 3 sandwiches and wanted more but already felt full. Their strawberry jam was really delicious. But at Happy Taipei, the jam was bland I had to switch to peanut butter. Looking around the other foreigners had no problem with the jam. I asked my friends and they told me they found it bland too. So maybe it's just us. Maybe we're just used to a sweet strawberry jam. 

Having ridden a train all day yesterday, we had little knowledge about bus routes and bus stops. The receptionist had been helpful in giving directions. We walked a lot to get to the bus stop. Again I was amazed of their public transportation system. At the bus stop, bus numbers and their assigned bus stops were posted. They're in Chinese and English. No reason for us to get lost. Overhead there were monitors showing the bus numbers and how long until they would arrive. I was left to wishing. Wishing we have this kind in the Philippines. We are very far behind. With NT15 for the fare and in less than an hour, we got to National Palace Museum. We took a while here. My friend Van Joe, with the Ms. Earth sash across his body, did different poses at the stairs. It was a delight watching him. Other groups of foreigners were watching and smiling too.

Having ridden a bus before we pretty much knew how the bus system went. This time we did not ask for directions and use the bus route posted. We went back to Shilin Station for lunch.

Here's another funny story. Near Shilin station, each side of the street was lined with Chinese restaurants. Since we couldn't read Chinese, we relied on photos. When Ann told us to go inside a restaurant, we hesitated and told her that there should be rice. She said yes and even pointed at the rice photo. My lunch was good. With the help of chopsticks, I was able to finish it. It was fried rice with shredded pork. But I had a problem with my drink. While ordering, I kept on saying "Coke, Coke". But the waitress kept on giving me a questioning look so I said "soda". Ann ordered a glass of cold tea. When a tall glass of white drink arrived, she sipped and had this confused look. We all assumed the tea just tasted different. After a few more sips she asked what it was and she was told "soda". So she gave it to me. It tasted like Sprite without sugar. Suffice to say, I didn't like it. And I paid more for it than for my food. Despite eating at the same table and considering it as a group meal, we had to go to the cashier and pay one by one. I found it weird but hey that's how it worked for them. Outside the restaurant, we realized one thing. The photo of the menu where Ann showed us the rice, it was actually for the next restaurant.

We made sure to return to Happy Taipei before 1PM to wait for the coach van that will pick us up for our Jiufen afternoon tour. Herbie booked it through Klook. We waited until 1.30, no one came and no call at all. Pick up was between 1 to 1.30PM. Puzzled, Herbie called and was told that they had been waiting for us at Shilin station. Our booking said we would be picked up at Happy Taipei and they would contact us. The van ha already left and we're told to get to Shuanlian station. As fast as we could, we went to the station. When we arrived, we found out we would be touring with a Japanese family and they have to be at their hotel at 6.30PM. It was past 2 and we're still in Taipei. It started raining heavily as we go farther away from the city and we had no jackets, umbrellas or hats. At the Nara Rock formation, the family lent us their umbrellas after getting on board. But then the rain really poured after we left. Our guide told us that we really needed umbrellas or raincoats. 

We stopped by a 7/11 store and lost time buying umbrellas and raincoats. Since it was a weekend, coasters were not allowed to the top. We transferred to a bigger bus. The transfer got us all wet, socks and shoes. Upon arrival we're told by the guide to be back by 4.45PM. By then it was already 4.15. We had to rush everything. From walking to looking for souvenirs and packaged food. And there was no electricity. We had to use our phone to see things. We got separated along the way. Some of us arrived on time, some were late. The guide and the other family left. We waited for the rest to arrive and took the bus to Taipei. Now, this being not part of the plan did not scared me at all. Their wifi connection was great and the streets were safe. I wouldn't fear taking out my phone to check for directions. But it turned out I wouldn't be needing that. We stopped at a train station and just by using the map we got to Happy Taipei. Easy breezy.

After a change of clothes for some, and socks and shoes to merely slippers we head down in search of the best place to see the whole Taipei 101 lit up. When we arrived to Happy Taipei, I had to ask the receptionist if wearing slippers is allowed on the train because we never see anyone doing so. She explained that since they often walk all day, they prefer to wear sneakers. Puzzle solved.

Honestly I kept on thinking where we ate dinner but I couldn't remember so I'll just skip that for now and ask my friends later.

Our last stop was the Shilin Night Market. The plan was to buy souvenirs, unique trinkets and home decor (for me) but they didn't sell any. They had food (I tried the grilled sausage and loved it), lots of clothes, toys and packaged pineapple cakes but no ref magnets or key chains. I even asked the lady manning her store and she told me she didn't know either. And the street that we went to was not like the one I saw in photos. As we're a group of 7, we resorted to buddy buddy system and distributed the keys. This way we wouldn't have to wait for all of us to finish buying before we could head home. I purchased toys for my kids and nephews and pineapple cakes to be given back home to friends and families. 

The next day, we woke up very early and headed to the airport. Ann booked our van through Klook. I was asleep all the time. We had our breakfast at their cafeteria but I found the selection minimal. Breads, Burger King and fruit Juices. Other restaurants would open later. The line at Burger Kind was long. We bought bread and coffee and killed time. 

When we came up the check in counter was still closed. Just beside us was a souvenir shop. We took turns going in as we still have to tend to our bags. 

At the check in counter, the employee told us we had to many bags (she saw paper bags full of our purchases) and told us to sort everything. Each of us could only bring to the plane 2 bags with 7 kgs in total or just one 7-kg bag. With our things and purchases mixed and transferred to other bags we returned to the counter. In the end, I had to bring a laundry bag (not mine) and a bag of toys (yes they're mine). Before leaving, the girl told us "no more buying."

I still have money so while they waited for boarding I went up and looked for a souvenir that will fit in my bag. Luckily, I found one. When I returned, my friends were buying from the vending machine using all their coins. Apparently, they still had a lot. Each of us received a drink and they were still able to brought home bottled drinks.

The flight and arrival were uneventful. We had lunch at NAIA airport and took different cabs and cars to get home.

Next on the list: South Korea and Cambodia