Taiwan Itinerary 2015 - Day 11 and Day 12

Day 11 is just a day that I have as a buffer. It's for when we have nothing planned out for the day but just check out places which we've missed earlier. Turned out we stayed in hotel room most of the time and laze around... It rained which makes dampened our mood of going out.

We went to Chia Te for souvenirs and I bought a lot!

This egg tart? Nothing special...

Eeyore's Last Night in Taiwan

Boo!

My splurge - Shilin Night Market

Shilin Night Market has very nice food especially Hot Star Chicken. Superb!

Nice clothes as well!

And nice earrings!

Day 12...

The Dowager OOTD

Our last meal in Taiwan...

In summary, Taiwan is definitely a place I would go AGAIN and AGAIN! So many other places I've not been to. Kenting, Kaoshiung, Taitung, Alishan, Wulai, Miaoli etc.

I'm planning another trip December 2016 to the same places i.e. Hualien, Hehuanshan, Taipei.

I'll be going with J for the next trip. I've yet to obtain his 100% approval but we talked about it briefly and he's interested to check it out. For my next trip, I intend to stay at Song Syue Lodge for at least a night. After that, Year 2017 will most probably be Vietnam or Japan. We'll see... 

But before all these, BKK first in June next year! Whoo hoo...

Holidays are fun! It's a great time for one to relax and learn more about people from other countries!

So save up and travel! It's priceless!

Dreamy C

Taiwan Itinerary 2015 - Day 10

Day 10 is another tour... This time, our driver is Andy.

Previously in Hualien, our driver is Neil. Neil speaks good English, is never late, very thoughtful (he cleans our cutleries with tissue paper and he helps order our food), gives good suggestions (he was the one who recommended us to the delicious food cooked by an Aboriginal family near Hotel Bayview), is always ready to help take photos for us (most of the time, w/o us even asking), is flexible (even offered driving us to Hualien City for dinner when it's past after 6 PM and he hasn't even taken his dinner!), very helpful and overall, a really pleasant experience with him! He even bought us Mochi and Bubble Tea!

Now let's talk about Andy. Andy is just as nice. He's recommended by Neil in fact. I found out later that they are school friends. Andy is also just as obliging, friendly, courteous, has good knowledge, speaks good English and like Neil, he bought something for us to try which I've forgotten what it was. Bwah ha ha... If you're interested in getting their contact numbers, drop me an email. I'm happy to assist!

1st stop - Yeliu Geopark

This is what looks like a turtle here...

The infamous Queen Head

Her neck is getting thinner and thinner so come and see her soon!

Leopard?

Next stop - Theresa Teng's Grave

This was impromptu. Mommy just wants to check it out.

I found out that the grave yard there is very neat, tidy and orderly.

Nanya Rock Formations

Minerals on the rock for a long time and hence, chemical reactions I believe.

When the sun shines on it, it looks like gold

Jinguashi

No luck with sunlight. Else, the water will look like gold

Next stop - Jiufen

I love this place!

Near the entrance is this shop selling deep fried prawn ball. Very nice. 

We had another round before leaving...

Fishball, Sotong ball etc.

Very chewy

Not too bad Lu Rou Fan

Best is in Hualien. This is 2nd best. =)

Peanut Ice Cream being rolled up.

Call it Peanut Ice Cream Popiah if you want.

Nothing fantastic.

Yu Yuan

Mom preferred Fen Yuan

My splurge - Lots of stuff to brew Tea!

We didn't go to Shifen as I find it pointless in setting off sky lantern.

Not very environmentally friendly. It's just me... =D

Dreamy C

Taiwan Itinerary 2015 - Day 9

Departing from Cingjing today! If you ever want to leave Cingjing for Taipei or Taichung etc., I suggest you check out OK Bus. Convenient. We reached Taipei in about 5 hours! They stop mid-way at Puli Brewery where you can get some nice Fresh Milk Bubble Tea and it's also where The Dowager had a great time lancing lancing!

Don't say I neber share. Enjoy! Ha ha...

Another of Bo Bi before I leave!

OK Bus dropped us at Taipei Main Station. From there, we took the Metro to Ximen and checked in to Westgate! It's a really nice hotel. It even has a Bidget a.k.a. Japanese toilet! Scroll all the way down for a video on the room. I believe ours was the Grand Suite. I booked it really late you see...

Went to Mitsui Cuisine near Zhongxiao Dunhua Station for a nice dinner!

The Omakase Sets if you're interested.

I ordered the most expensive for The Dowager and the cheapest for me.

Hers

Mine

Hers

Hers?

Mine

Hers

Aiya... don't remember ler lah...

Definitely hers. She love this! Steamed, so fresh and sweet!

Overall, money well spent. If you're going, remember to make reservations and remember to request to sit where the chefs are... We were in for a treat when we sat there! Crab Roe!!!

Video on Grand Suite in Westgate Hotel in Ximen

Dreamy C

Taiwan Itinerary 2015 - Day 8

Day 8 is all about meh~meh~

But first, the view from my room

Lovely flowers everywhere!

Breakfast was good! From the Minsu. I love their grapes. Very sweet... 

Another with Bo Bi!

There! Meh~meh~

I climbed 487 steps

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downhill... *laffs*

Lunch was at Carton King where everywhere is made of carton!

Except for the fan I believe...

The meals were so-so. Once for experience is enough I say!

Go after 2 PM for more options.

We were there 12 PM. Limited options. Boo!

Small Swiss Garden

Free entry as Carton King gives free tickets after eating there...

Bought this Onigiri from 7-11

From 7-11 too... Not nice de...

My splurge for Day 8... Crafty stuff

In my humble opinion, if you have children, stay 2 x nights in Cingjing. Else, please only stay 1 x night. If you are staying in the lower region of Cingjing, you'll probably not be bored but Mommy & I stayed in Starry Minsu and it's really bored there as there's no 7-11 nearby etc. It's really peaceful and quiet. Also, my anticipation for seeing the real meh~meh~ died when I was there... Not sure why but somehow, didn't quite like it as much as I was expecting... If I were to do it all over again, I would stay 1 x night in a Minsu in Hehuanshan and 1 x night in Starry Minsu. I heard lots of good reviews on the Minsu in Hehuanshan. That's for the trip next year...

Dreamy C