On December 6, 2018, Mac and I celebrated 10 years together. And to celebrate, I wanted to go to a place where we haven't been to before.
But I wanted it to be nearby so I don't get pressured with the itinerary and all the pre-travel (i.e. visa) requirements. I wanted to relax on the trip.
I also wanted to splurge a little. And so we did (but still not so much)
Trip Report time:
Day 1
We rode Philippine Airlines because as I said, we wanted to splurge a little. So we did not take the budget, our usual Cebu Pacific flight.This time we flew the flag carrier which comes with meals, baggage allowance and a more comfortable check - in process. We even tried the mypal upgrade system which lets you bid additional money to win business class seats. We did the minimum bid, unfortunately we didn't win it. haha
Our flight arrived on time at around 10:00am. There were no time difference between the Philippines and Taiwan. The walk to the immigration was a bit far but there are walkalators. Take advantage of the dedicated lines for those with small children. When we cleared immigration, our bags were already in the carousel. Their system is so efficient.
We went outside and first bought a sim card, since we were staying for 5 days we got a Fareastone Preparid card, it was 300 TWD for unlidata already. We already have a huawei mobile wifi which we always bring on our travels and this was the best investment we have for all our trips. We don't need to go back to arrival hall before we leave a country to return a rented portable wifi. And we find that just buying a simcard is cheaper. For the 5 days we stayed in Taiwan, we consumed almost 200gig. Super sulit!
Our hotel was Hotel Midtown Richardson in Ximending. So we rode the airport express train to Taipei Main Station then transferred (this was a really long walk) to the blue (Bannan) line to go down just one stop in Ximending. There is an elevator in exit 4 and the hotel is right in front of you when you go out.
Since check-in was still at 3pm, the first item of the day was lunch! We ate buffet lunch in Mala Hotpot along Ximending. Just google Mala Hotpot. They have all types of meat balls, squid balls, their meats are delicious, they have unlimited ice cream. This was so worth it. A weekday lunch meal costs around 600 TWD. This gets full really fast so better if a reservation is made but since we were there early, around 11:50 am and it was a Wednesday, we were able to get in on the waiting list. We were able to eat around 12:15pm. So not too long a wait.
After lunch we just walked around Ximending and then checked in at the hotel. Rest (afternoon nap).
For our first night, we explored Shillin Night Market, this was a typical night market where there is plenty of food choices and souvenir shops. This gets crowded so I decided not to bring the stroller and instead put Zeke in his carrier. Since Zeke always has to have rice for his meals we couldn't eat in the different food stalls standing up so we had dinner in one of the steak restaurants along the market. Unfortunately, they also did not have rice, good thing there is a family mart just nearby and this is where I bought the rice.
Don't also miss the Shillin Market where there are perya type games.
Day 2
Lefoo Village theme park. We rode the commute going there so train then e-go bus. My tip is to time your arrival to avoid a long wait for the e-go bus. It only comes every 30 minutes. However, I do not recommend this if you don't have a lot of time because the bus took 2 hours! It had a lot of stops and I think did not pass by the expressway.
Lefoo Village is an old theme park, I don't know if its because it was a thursday that's why a lot of rides and restaurants were closed but I just found the theme park a bit sad. Although for Zeke it was still a great experience. And since there weren't too many people we didn't have to line up in any rides. We arrived at the theme park at around 12noon. We had lunch and at around 3pm we have finished with all the rides Zeke can ride on and we have gone around the entire park.
Good thing they had a buy 1 take 1 entrance fee promo going on, so I think what we paid was still worth it.
There was also a mini zoo section where we saw birds, monkeys, fed the goats. So Zeke really had a grand time here.
While we were waiting for the bus to arrive again, a taxi driver haggled with us and one other couple who were also waiting. We agreed to pay 1,000 twd for all three of us already and he will bring us straight to Taipei 101. It only took us an hour to go back to Taipei! haha. compared to the 3 hour ride going to the theme park. So I really suggest you contract a taxi. Or grab the kkday shuttle plus entrance fee package. Althoug the advantage of not taking any package is that you have control of your own time.
It was after sunset when we finally reached the top of Taipei 101. We arrived around 5:30, the person at the reception said it was foggy but we still went ahead. There were a lot of other tourists also going there. Zeke was sleeping by this time but he woke up in time for when we went to the outdoor observation deck at the 91st floor. The elevator went up to the 88th floor in just seconds. Do not forget to look up at the ceiling when you are at the elevator, there are constellations.
We had dinner in the Taipei 101 mall food court.
Day 3
For this day, we chartered a private car from Klook. Good decision also since it was rainy this day.
The private car was so worth it. Steven our driver picked us up on time, he also had viber so communication was easy. He actually sent his details the day before.
We left at exactly 8:30 am and our first stop was Yehliu, he gave us rain coats and lent us umbrellas since it was raining. He also accompanied us to the entrance area and gave us tips on the areas we really need to take pictures of. Where to spend time on, which areas to visit first.
In Yehliu, he said we had to line up first thing in the queen's head rock formation and we did. Good thing we did because by the time we were finished the line was so long already. There were other Filipino tourists who wanted to cut in line, but we can't do that.
In Jiufen, he showed us to what we had to see. But we did not get to go around Jiufen because it was really raining hard by this point. Althoug, we had a very filling and delicious lunch in a restaurant we just passed by.
In Shifen, the lighting of the sky lantern was the higlight. Steven actually took videos and photos of us. We had pictures in the suspension bridge.
And since there was enough time, we were able to go to the waterfalls. This was a bit of a hike. around 1 hour back and forth, but the view was breathtaking.
Steven dropped us off in the Living Mall which is a really child friendly mall where baby boss and austin land is. These are the equivalent of Kidzoona and Kidzania here in the philippines. There are also toy stores including toys r us.
Rahoe Night Market is just one station away from the Living mall so this is where we headed to next. Unlike Shillin, this night market I guess is aimed for locals also, the street food had more spices and there were more food than merchandise being sold. It is also smaller than shillin.
We just bought sausages for take-out then we headed home and ate dinner in our hotel room
Day 4
Taipei Zoo day for the little boy. Here was when we saw how the Taiwanese also value their family, so many people were out this day because it was a Saturday.
Zeke was so happy seeing the turtles, when he saw it, he shouted ninja turtles! He also loved the reptiles, the brown bear, pandas.
We finished early and went back to Ximending area to shop around. I also wanted to try the Bear 1 Yakiniku which was an eat all you can korean/japanese grill. I went up around 4pm and the next available slots were already at 6:30pm.
Dinner was delicious!
Day 5
Back to Manila day. Our flight was at 6pm so we just spent the morning fixing our luggage. Checked out a bit early. Left our baggage in the lockers near the airport express train stations and went around taipei main area station.
We were at the airport 3 hours early. Suggest you spend more time in the city because unlike the philippines, you do not need that much allowance in Taipei.
We arrived at home around 11pm already, tired but happy!
Picture time!
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| Zeke has learned to appreciate things, when he saw this flowers display, he stopped and said picture! |
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| Inside the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store. The 8th floor is dedicated to kids |
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| Taipei Main Station exit towards the department store |
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| We left our luggage in these lockers in Taipei Main Station. If they are full, don't worry just keep walking there are a lot. |
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| Bear 1 Yakiniku in Ximending. This is in Google maps |
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| We loved this strawberries dipped in candy |
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| At the Taipei Zoo. He said Mama take a picture with the Iguana. Same as in the condo. Our neighbor had an Iguana in their drying cage. |
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| You can ride the tram inside the Taipei Main Station so that you skip the uphill walk. Line up at the end part so that you can load your stroller even without closing it. |
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| Entrance to the Rahoe Night Market |
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| So happy seeing a big Robocar Poli at the Living Mall or City Center Mall |
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| Flying paper lantern in Shifen |
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| Steven takes great pictures |
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| Suspension bridge in Shifen |
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| Tired from walking up those stairs with this little boy at my back |
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| But this view was worth it |
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| Walk walk walk |
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| Writing on the paper lanterns. Each color represents an aspect of your life. |
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| Random restaurant we found in Jiufen. The xiao long baos were so delicious |
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| The milk tea should not be missed. |
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| The queen's head at Yehliu |
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| Yehliu Geopark |
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| Our car charter comes with a free car seat |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Train roller coaster at Lefoo |
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| We also met Santa. Zeke told him he wanted to have a firetruck for Christmas and Nice ako no Santa. Diba? |
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| These birds attacked me! haha |
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| We fed the goats |
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| No one to bother us in Lefoo. It's like we had the theme park to ourselves |
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| In Shillin Night Market |
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| Mala Hotpot! |
