Happy travelling: June 2010

8.30am, time to look for breakfast.
This stall just located directly opposite my hotel.

I ordered a hamburger w/ bacon $30NT
水煎包 and Soya milk for $22NT

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
Their lift attendant very pretty. Seems like pretty girls everywhere in Taiwan.

Passed by a bakery shop in Taipei Main station, alot of very nice bread and pastries, couldn't wait and bought a cream puff for $30NT.

Realised that there is no money change in Taiwan, turned back and go to bank for currency exchange. 兆豐银行 do not charge additional adminstration fees for currency exchange.

Ok, Set off to Shifen(十分)
Taipei Raiway Station

This a traditional board like those in airport in older days.

Figures and time keep flipping up and down.

All train station have a Waiting Zone for Female passenger.

Buy ticket for TRA (regional train) to Ruei Fang Station (瑞芳車站).

There will be different kind of trains available depends on which timing you bought. Certain trains will take longer travelling time as there will be more stops, some only 5-6 stops and will be shorter travelling time. It will be better to book in advance, or else there may be no seats and you will need to stand.

The train we took is from Chukuang(莒光)> Ruifang(瑞芳), $60NT each.
Ziqiang (自强)> Ruifang (瑞芳) will be faster.

Besides need to go to the right platform, need to find to correct side as well. The train will stop exactly the right place and you will not miss your cabin. Like air ticket, each person is allocated with their own seats.

Free hot/ cold water dispenser in every cabin.

The train is surprisingly clean and neat. Better than some of our budget airways.

GG likes the leg rest, she says SQ have it but not CX.

We reached Ruifang around 45mins.
Out the train and need to buy another train ticket to Shifen (十分)
$55NT each for day ticket.

Change to another platform for the train:)

About 15mins, we reached Shifen(十分).

Shifen train station

Nice boar meat yakitori $45NT

Souvenirs shop, free stamping.

Sky Lanterns a.k.a. Kongming Lanterns(天燈)又名孔明燈
Strategically used in wars in ancient China, sky lanterns nowadays are transformed into media to the Heaven. People would write down their wishes on the lanterns, burn the bamboo papers that soaked in oil and tied below them, and then released them into the sky so that the gods would receive their wishes and make them come true. Pingxi Township is the original location where early people race sky lanterns to pray for good luck.

This is one of our favourite place in this trip. Quiet and peaceful old town. Feel very relaxing...

And although it is drizzling, we don't feel wet at all, the raindrops are very fine...

The dog saw GG left over capsicum...

And it finished it...

We were told that Shifen Waterfall is only 20-25mins walk from the train station.

Signage everywhere, just follow:)

See, GG like pro

Looks interesting, a homestay.

We walked for about 25mins, still no sign of the waterfall...

The wind is getting stronger and now start worrying....

Finally, saw something might lead us to the waterfall.

四廣潭桥

Some even come here for fishing

Not near yet???

Not this one

Follow the sign again...

And finally!

It took us about an hour....

Shifen Waterfall, entry $80NT each

Grab a few shots first

Telephone booth

This time we decided to try the shortcut.

It took us only about 15mins to reach back the main Shifen street.

Sky Lantern Miniatures (3 for $200NT)

Our turn to fly our Sky lanterns!
$100NT for single color

$150NT for 4 colors

Each color represents certain wishes.

Put some oiled incense paper and light up.

There it goes..........

Very fast, it flew very high.

Wish the god will answer our prayers:)

静安吊桥

Time to go back, back to the railway station and found out the next train will be another 1 hour later. Remember to check train timing when reach next time!