Embarking on our journey - In Taiwan

2nd Day - 20 July 07

We decided to spend this day going to all the famous shopping malls that we heard of through those Taiwanese TV shows.

We woke up late and missed the breakfast buffet by the hotel. Only had toast with orange juice. By 9am plus, most of the food were finished by the other occupants in the hotel.

Wanted to walk around Ximending, however, 0 shops are opened. They only start their day after 11am.

Took some pics on our way to Ximending Stn. Btw, the stn is only 5 min walk from our hotel.

Mister Donut Shop near to the stn. There is a Dunkin Donuts Shop right opp of the hotel. Too bad, didn't take a pic of it.


You can see the cars are driving in and out beside us. In the night, the streets are closed. Unlike in Singapore, it is not easy to distinguish the difference between the road and walkways. So must be careful, as anytime the cars or scooters will zoom past you.


This is a icon beside the entrance to the stn.


Keep to the left? Nope, KEEP to the RIGHT!!!


Look like our MRT stn too?




Took this in the train. All of us wore birkenstock!!


So we went to Taipei Main Stn and went to the 3 underground shopping malls, Taipei City Mall, Zhongshan Metro Mall & Station Front Mall. Zhongshan has the least shops and nothing in particular to go to. Both Taipei City Mall & Station Front Mall have the most shoes stores... Very cheap... NT200 per pair... Of course if you are big foot like me, you won't be able to find any shoes... hehe...

A map showing the various sections of the Taipei City Mall.


Hmmm... What are all the ah peks waiting for?


The basketball game machine can be seen in alot of places in Taiwan. Px and Ping testing their skills with it.




Entrance to Zhongshan Metro Mall.


Saw a big bronze bell.


We had lunch at the underground mall. Had Jap Pork Cutlet Curry Omelette rice... Quite nice..


Saw this unique exit door. Notice it? Later we realised when there is emergency, the electronic metal door, like those shop owners pull down when closed, will close. And the exit door will allow ppl to exit from 1 section to another.


After which, we went to the high end shopping malls - Taipei 101, NYNY & others.... Taipei 101 are very tall and from far away, you will be able to get a good view... Nothing much over there as all the stuff are super ex and high end.....

Waiting for free shuttle bus to Taipei 101. The bus stop is right outside the Taipei City Hall Stn.


The sign for Taipei 101 Shuttle bus


They also have TV on their bus!


Pics that I have taken at Taipei 101. Saw the clouds design? It shows Taipei 101 is so tall that it reaches the clouds in the sky.







Saw the long stretch of yellow cabs outside the building.


Pics taken outside of New York New York. Statue of Liberty!



This red building is a cinema. Alot of youngsters are hanging out over here.


All the shopping centre there are interconnected by bridges.



We went to back to Ximending to shop around.... We wanted to have dinner at Ximending but don't which shop to choose and most of the shops are packed with ppl and we were so hungry. So we went to............ KFC! Don't shocked! We were just so HUNGRY!


The KFC is situated on the 2nd level of the building. And there are seats on the 3rd and 4th level. Took a pic of the streets of Ximending. There are alot of street sellers and every time, there is a police approaching, you will see them packed and run as fast as possible.


After dinner, we went shopping in Ximending. There have alot of youngsters shops. In my opinion, the price is about the same in Singapore. This is a shop we found on one of the alley. It is a underground shop. Px and st bought a couple of stuff there.


We saw the famous crystal ball street performer performing in front of our hotel. He was performing on Fei Ge's Zhong Yi Da Ge Da before.


Took a video clip of his performance. Paiseh, it is rotated.


We bought some food back to hotel for supper. And we tucked in for tomorrow's journey.

Reporting from Taiwan!!!

WE are here in taiwan!! Wanted to blog everyday, but the coms here are only available from 8am - 10pm.

We are now at Rainbow Hotel aka Chang Hong Fan Dian. In room 307!!!

First day - 19 Jul 07
So exciting. First time boarding an airplane.. Jetstar airplane are really SMALL!! We took the emergency seats. There was a crazy woman who kept walking around the plane when the place took off and ended up sitting right beside me. She kept talking to her wrist as though it was a walkie talkie.So uncomfortable with her throughout the whole ride. Haiz....

Some pics of the Jetstar plane...

The plane we are taking!



Looking outside of the plane while high up in the sky.


Here's px and ping reading their Harry Porter book. These are also our emergency seats. Can you imagine how cramp the normal seats are!


P.S. They said can't show pics of them. Side views should be ok bah. Hehe.

BTW I didnt know they will search our body when we checking into the flight at Changi Airport...

Plane landed in Taoyuan Airport. formerly known as Chiang Kak Shiek Airport at 5.40pm... After some delay, we were out of the customs around 6.00pm.. We went to register for the youth travel card at the counter on the right hand side. Then rushed all the way to the other end to buy bus tix to our Hotel by Freego!!!

We are all dropped tired!!! And super hungry!! nearly 5 hours flight with no food.. Took 30 mins bus ride before changing to a smaller bus to send us to the hotel.. Not directly right in front of the hotel because our hotel is right in the middle of Ximending... Here at Ximending is bustling with activity in the night..

The view I took on the bus to Hotel.


The hotel room is quite cozy and clean... Not bad!! Also has very friendly staff!! I realised I forgotten to take a pic of the Hotel from the outside. Must be really very hungry!

After which, we went to Shilin Night Market.. We took their Jie Yun aka MRT to Jiantan Stn.. Was abit lost because there are 2 Shilin Night Market, one is covered and the other is not.. We went to the uncovered one. There are alot of stalls... and alot of people!!! Bought a top together with my 2 other friends, px and ping, because 3 for NT500... In the end, each top is around SGD$7... Cheap Cheap... Bought 2 sets of clothes for my 2 cousins...

Here's a pic of the Jiantan station. Look like AMK MRT station? At least I think so.


The sheltered Shilin Night Market which has alot of food stalls. Taken from the Jiantan Stn platform.


The food are really nice!! Px, ping and st tried the Ah Zhong Mian Xian at the Shinlin Night Market. It is located at the unsheltered section.





We are eating inside the shop. Alot of seats but quite stuffy inside.


Here's the FAMOUS Ah Zhong Mian Xian!!! Initially, we thought it is oyster in it. In the end, st figured it is actually chicken skin!


The tacopachi in Shilin Night Market! Not bad. But I think Singapore's taste better. Their texture taste harder. But it is cheap. Can't remember the price though.


Went back to the hotel around 12am... and watched TV till 2am plus then went to slp....

Pics of my shopping buys for the day.

The top I bought with px & ping.


Below are 2 sets of clothing bought for my cousins.


End of First Day!

Counting Down - 2 more days before flying off to Taiwan

First Blog Entry!!

This blog is created to keep track of our trip to Taiwan - Taipei. Will try to blog everyday with pics.

Unbelievable! After waiting for about 6 months since booking of tickets, we are finally going to Taiwan.

This is my first overseas trip, excluding Batam or KL! It is the first time i am going to board an AIRPLANE. Yes, first in my 22 years. Hope no one is laughing at me now!! : )

So exciting to be able to go aboard with my buddies!!

Will try to blog on 19th - First Day in Taiwan.........