Sunday 23 November 2014

Taiwan Part 3, 2 to 8 November 2014

Day 5, SML to Taichung, Taipei, Thursday @ 6 November 2014

After a hearty breakfast of porridge, bread and jam, we loaded up the car for our last leg of our cross country trip to Taichung on the West Coast for our journey back to the capital by THSR, Taiwan High Speed Railway aka Keretapi Peluru.
The route eventually took us to the freeway, speed limit 100 kph, to Taichung. On the car windscreenis a microchip to tag the car as it enters the freeway. We only paid TWD20 for the stretch used to the car rental company when we returned the car with the same full tank.

Subsequently, the company dropped us off at the Taichung THSR station. Originally, our journey back to Taipei was supposed to depart at 3pm but we have it changed to 1pm since we were early. The journey from Taichung to Taipei by bullet train was 1 hour.





After we checked in to Go Sleep Xining also in Ximending, we spent the afternoon exploring the shopping area at the basement of the main Taiwan Railway Station.


We always make an effort to try the KFC in different countries. The girls quite like their version of Hot n Spicy.

One of many restaurants found below




From the main railway station, we took the MRT to the famous Shilin Night Market.
 


White Bitter Gourd!





 
 

They are fishing for prawns. Catch them and they will grill it on the spot for you to eat.

Many game stalls can be found
 
Assorted candies to choose from
The night market has the usual gamut of stalls.Shilin Market is not the largest but popular with the tourists.

Day 6: Wufenpu Wholesale Market, Taipei 101, Tonghua Night Market Friday @ 7 November 2014

Slept until later in the morning after 5 exciting but tiring days. On the way to Ximen station, we came across the iconic 'Red House'.

 

From Ximen station, we took the blue line to  Houshanpi station. Wufenpu is an area best known for wholesale garment especially women fashion wear.

When we reached there at about 11 am, all the stores have yet to open. After asking some local people there, apprently it only comes to life after 2pm!


This stall serves one mean pau with tender pork meat and 'miu choy'. 

Steaming hot pau. This I've to say is simply delicious!

The shops have yet to open

Ready for the day's business
After a late lunch, took the same MRT back to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall station and walked a few blocks to the famous Taipei 101. Honestly, not to be biased, I personally feel that our Petronas Twin Towers is more impressive and aesthetic tower.




Friday 21 November 2014

Taiwan Part 2, 2 to 8 November 2014


Day Three: Cingjing to SML, Tuesday @ 4 November 2014

From Cingjing, it is all the way down winding roads to Sun Moon Lake (SML). It is the largest and most beautiful alpine lake in Taiwan. The lake scenes changes with the seasons.

According to legend, a long time ago a group of Thao hunters chased a rare and beautiful white deer for days, going up river valleys and across mountain ridges when they came across a beautiful lake.

First stop at SML was Wenwu Temple. It is devoted to the God of Literature, the God of War and Confucius.

The Wenwu temple overlook the SML

365 steps down to the pier. Did we go down?

Wenwu Temple



3D Wall Sculpture

Photo Bomb #1

Photo Bomb #2

Photo Bomb #3 




Owls are considered lucky for the locals





Day Four: SML, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Wednesday @ 5 November 2014

The 3 main piers at SML are Shuishe Pier, Kuanguang Pier and Ita Thao Pier. Our minshu, Lakeview Homestay is a just a short walking distance from Ita Thao Pier





SML
Xuanzang Temple



 





Shuishe Pier in the background across the lake
'Naruwan' Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village

The theme park grounds is huge. The theme park and the cultural village which is up on a hill is connected by the SML Ropeway cable car. You need a full day here to cover the entire village.

It was the first Wednesday of the month. The bad news was the SML cable car was closed for the monthly maintenance. The good news was we had the theme park all to ourselves and a bunch of students from a particular school. That means no queues for the rides!



European Palace Garden

We paid cash for this 18 room castle


All the rides are all inclusive but none dared to take this ride..the UFO

The indoor theme park..Aladdin Pavilion

They had an adrenalin thrilling ride going round and round the carousel. lol

Screen grab of the Gold Mine Adventure ride we had guts to ride.






Duh..we gave the Mayan Adventure a pass




Caribbean Splash.. pass..:)






The stage for cultural performances


Not bad eh?


One of the aboriginal tribes



If I'm not wrong, it is a chicken coop


It will be awesome when the cherry blossom trees bloom

Feeding frenzy


Literally feeding off our hands


Everyone had a KOI of a time!




Jumping for joy from our purchase lol!