After 6 months hardwork, GG decided to go for a shopping trip.
10 Days Taiwan and Hong Kong Free n Easy.
This is the longest holiday trip GG n me ever had:)
Cathay Pacific: SIN>HK>TW, TW>HK, HK>SIN.
We got a great deal for less than $500.
Went to T1 earlier for breakfast and meet up WX.
WX is now in charge of the Butterfly Garden and he brief us around and took some pic for us:)
Our flight at 11am.
This plant eats insects, not easy to grow in our climate. Mine died in less than 1 month.
Reached HK at 1455hrs.
TW flight at 1555hrs.
TW flight at 1555hrs.
Initially thought that we have an hour to look around but HK airport is real big. Just walking distance to the transit area already took us more than half an hour.
HK airport
Reach Taiwan aiport at 1740hrs.
We head for the 臺灣銀行 to exchange currency. They charge a $30NT for every transaction.
After checking out from the hall, turn left and we proceed to the express bus service.
Taiwan does not have any train service to their airport.
We were advised to take 國光客運 for $125NT but saw 大有巴士 offering $90NT only to Taipei Main Station and we decided to give it a try.
Bus is newer than 國光客運 but unfortunately it takes us nearly 70-75mins to reach with abit of traffic jam. And they did not stopped at the main station itself and requires us to walk 3 streets to our hotel. Wrong choice...
Taipei Railway Station
City Inn
Our decent little room.
Clean and neat except lightings not sufficient.
Free Wifi, pantry services, washer and dryer FOC.
Highly recommended!
$1690NT per night
Our hotel just diagonally opposite bus station, train station and MRT.
Very central location.
Some MRT stations have underground malls, jsut like this one at Taipei Main Station.
Something like our Citylink but bigger.
One of GG favourites during our stay, 蔥抓饼 w/ Chye Poh and egg $35NT.
鸭血糕 $30NT (Dessert, coated with peanut powder)
EasyCard for MRT(捷运) is $500NT, with a $400NT value and $100NT deposit refundable.
EasyCard for MRT(捷运) is $500NT, with a $400NT value and $100NT deposit refundable.
Can be use in 7-eleven, watsons, taxis and some other outlets....
Grab some time and we quickly proceed to 五分埔 (WuFenPu)
Blue line at Houshanpi, exit 1.
Grab some time and we quickly proceed to 五分埔 (WuFenPu)
Blue line at Houshanpi, exit 1.
They closed at 11.30pm from Mon-Sat, Sunday till 9pm (Sunday morning only wholesale).
The egg cake is very nice, cripsy and soft for only $20NT for several pieces.
After Wufenpu, we walk around and saw Watson, they open for 24hrs. Bought 2 boxes of My Beauty Dairy Mask for only $376NT. Each box is 10 pieces. Alot cheaper than in Singapore and Hong Kong. We don't know that it is so popular, if not would definitely bought more:)
Another entrance of WufenPu along SongShanLu (松山路).
Diagonally opposite the entrance, we found this stall selling Braised beef noodle (红烧牛肉面) $100NT.
Soup base is thick and nice, big pieces of beef and nice handmade noodles.
After our supper, we took a cab back to our hotel.
Cost $215NT and the Taxi driver gives a discount $200NT. In Taiwan booking a taxi is cheaper than flagging one, calling one will entitled a discount of 30%.
How nice right? Wish we have discount here too for booking a cab...
***Things to remember:
Change currency in Taiwan, rates are much better than Singapore. There is no money changer in Taiwan. Some banks charge an additional adminstraion fees but some don't. Avoid Saturday and Sunday, banks are closed. Alternatively is change from Hotel which the rate is much lower.
Take 國光客運 from Airport if going to Taipei Main station. Other buses take a bigger route and longer time, For example, 大有巴士 stated they stopped at Taipei main station but we still need to walk a few street across to reach.
Remember to get a youth card in Airport. Apply with a passport, for 30 yrs old and below. There will be discount for entrance fees and train rides.
