Our day started off very very early in the morning, as our flight was scheduled at 7am from Singapore to Taipei.
We decided to have breakfast at Changi Airport first before boarding our plane. As we are flying Jetstar, there will be no free meals on board. If you want of course you can buy your food on the plane, but they are so overpriced.
We ate at RuYi, some fast food chain by Tung Lok. It was quite tasty surprisingly.
I remember we paid SGD$1300 for the both of us. Was a little shock at first to see this price as it is a budget airplane, i didn't expect it to be so expensive. We checked all the other airlines, SIA will actually cost us about SGD$1000 plus plus each!!!! So at least I don't feel so ripped off. :)
The journey there is approximately 4 hrs 20 mins. After snapping some photos, we took the opportunity to catch some rest as we were so tired.
Before we touch down, we were required to fill in this disembarkation card.
Once we got off the plane, just follow wherever the people goes, you wont be lost. Luckily, there is still English words around. But beware, once you step out of the airport, don't keep your hopes too high. You don't get to see much English words, they are all traditional Chinese characters.
Both of us can speak and read Chinese, thought not exactly the best. We can still manged simplified Chinese but not the traditional ones!!!
Those who cant speak or read Chinese, good luck! Better not DIY your own trip then. Follow a tour group or something, it will be better.
Once you get out of the Baggage Claim Area, turn right to the Tourist Service counter. This is where you will apply the Youth Travel Card (青年旅遊卡).
Taiwanese or international youth who is for age 15-30 will be qualified for applying for the Youth Travel Card. You need to bring along a valid ID. No fee will be charged. The card will be issued immediately after the application is complete. This card will provide you discounts to many places of interests and also food!
For more information you may visit: http://tour.youthtravel.tw/travel2009/1120.php
This is our DIY itinerary book which we took about 6 months to plan. Of course we took our time to plan every single details to ensure that we wont be lost. So lucky you, we are here to share.
For those who wants to get a local Sim card for your handphone, the booth is just located near to the Tourist Service Counter. The cheapest one will cost you NT$345(SGD$15), you may also add in any unlimited data plans at NT$100(SGD$4.30) a day. Prices are all stated there anyway.
Our initial plan was to cab all the way to our hotel which was located near Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) at JianTan Station (劍潭站). But from Taoyuan Airport to our hotel will cost us NT$1100(SGD$47) which is rather expensive.
So, we changed our mind. After you leave the Baggage Claim Area, turn left to the bus station where you will purchase your bus tickets. There is no direct bus to our hotel. So we bought the tickets to go to YuanShan Station (圓山站) and from there, we will cab over to our hotel. Bus tickets will only cost us NT$90(SGD$3.90) each and the cab ride will not exceed NT$100(SGD$4.30). Total journey time is roughly 45 minutes.
Look for the counter that states Air Bus or 大有巴士.
This is a picture which I got from the internet. It is how Star Beauty Hotel (新美饭店) looks like from the outside.
Hotel Address: No.38-1, Ciangang St, Shihlin District Taipei City, 111
Hotel Contact: (02)28828080
We paid for the smallest room which is known as the standard room. Wasn't expecting so much as we read some reviews online, all said that the standard room was very small.
However to our surprise, our room was big! There was even a bathtub and 3 big big windows. What more can you ask for, judging that we only paid about SGD$70 to SGD$80 a night. Every morning breakfast included okay? The drinks in the fridge are free too, and they will refill every time!
Once we dropped off our stuffs, we headed out to the night market. It was around 4pm then. Here is a map for your convenience. It states the location of JianTan Station (劍潭站), Star Beauty hotel (新美饭店) and the Shilin night market (士林夜市).
A: Star Beauty Resort (新美饭店) , B:Jian Tan Station (劍潭站)
I found this map online which actually shows you where the local shops and where the tourists shop. So maybe you guys can try going in deeper for better deals! Personally, I didnt see any difference. Their deals are all damn good!
About 3 minutes walk down from our hotel, we saw this pet shop! I was so happy! We actually bought quite a bit for stuffs here for our doggie. And the shop owner was very friendly and generous! If you guys have pets too, no harm just swinging by the shop!
Once you are in Shilin Night Market, you will realize that there are many many small streets. Be more adventurous and walk into them.
I have a map which I got it online from some other blogger. It shows you all the good food in the night market. Actually we didn't really follow the map too, we just eat what we see!
I just have to try this Bin Tang Hu Lu (冰 糖葫芦). Saw it on TV so many times. For those who doesn't know what this it. It is actually fruits coated with sugar. Its quite cheap anyway. NT$50(SGD$0.40).
Had our early dinner there and tried the local delicacies! Stinky Tofu(臭豆腐), Oyster Omelette(蚵仔煎) and Tian Bu La (甜不辣) , all going for $50(SGD $2.10) each.
We were shopping like crazy. BF didn't bring any cold wear so the first night in Taipei was to shop for his clothes! We were carrying so many things and then we decided to walk back to the hotel, drop off all the stuffs and go out again. After all, it is so near!
Guy stuffs were surprisingly more expensive. BF bought his wind breaker for NT$1400(SGD$60), his high cut sneakers for NT$1100(SGD$47). And that is roughly the standards for males stuffs there. However, being females has it perks too. Bras are going for NT$150(SGD$6.50) a set, tops or outerwear are normally around NT$400(SGD$17) for two! So good being female!!
We left the hotel shortly. This is a shop selling all doggie clothings! So CUTEEEE!!!!
In Taiwan, all you ever need is to shop and eat and shop and eat and shop and eat!
So supper time! We had Mee Sua(麵線). It was exceptionally nice and warming as the weather that night was around 14 degrees!
Anyway, a small bowl is going for NT$35(SGD$1.50), and a big bowl is NT$50(SGD$2.10).
Finally, we are back in our hotel room! This is our combined purchases for Day 1. Day 1 only hor! And we bought so much already! Hohohoho! Don't you wish that you are there already!
Day 2: XinBeiTou Hot Spring, Danshui, Fishermanwhrafs, Lover Bridge!
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