Taiwan {2nd-8th July 2012}

Travellers: Myself, Susan, Chair, Marmee Noodles

Duration: 5.5 days

I didn't really keep a detailed diary [for the first time] for this trip because I was just so tired from the beginning to the end, I just couldnt bring myself to pick up a pen and scribble down the day's happenings because this sort of scribbling would usually take me at least 45minutes, time I especially needed for the sleep debt. But I will record down as much as I remember here to bring back all the memories like a retired dam broken open.

Our plane touched down at 5:48am. We took a Jetstar Asia return flight direct from Singapore, which cost $386 per pax, including meal plan and excluding baggage. I wouldn't say it was the most affordable of flights but I had this great determination to go to Taiwan this 3 month summer break, thus I settled for the cheapest I could lay my hands on. A short bus ride from Taoyuan {the airport} to Taipei Central later, we arrived at our hostel, Taipei Backpackers.

The entrance is just a little slit in the wall but not too elusive that we might have missed it. Conveniently located just opposite Taipei Main Station, we certainly did have an easy time getting around from here. And although we arrived at 7:40am when the counter only opens at 8:30am, there was a little telephone where we could call for assistance and the lady on the line told us the password which allowed us to open the door and leave our luggage behind so we could carry on our travelling without the load. Be warned though! There isn't a lift so happy carrying your luggage up {in our case it was level FOUR} endless flights of narrow staircases! Much reminiscing of Paris occurred at this point.

1st stop- Jiufen 九份 

- Take TRA to Rueifang Railway Station from Taipei Main Station

This is undeniably a place that one must visit if one does decide to travel to Taiwan. As Susan had informed me before the trip, it is the place that inspired the setting of Spirited Away, one of my most well-loved movies of all time, and indeed when I stepped onto the roads here, I could think of nothing but floating spirits and stairways to mystical hidden places in the walls and the glow of lantern lights in the dark night. Of course, we didn't go in the night time so this was really all my imagination. 

Took the train from Taipei station to RuiFang Sation{Train Ticket NT$76} where a helpful old lady pointed us to the bus stop to take the bus up to JiuFen. It was across the street from the station.

Still looks exciting in the daytime no? 

Because we reached pretty early, around 10am or so, there were very few people on the streets, a very crucial part of enjoying the visit. Just an hour into our exploration, tour groups started flooding in and destroying the calm and mystery of the place. We escaped into an eating place after a few twists and turns up the path and had lunch beside a landscape of greens, blues and monopoly houses{first picture of post}.

A modest picture of not so modestly priced drinks. At S$6 each, my friends, be sure to swallow every drip of condensation.

Other colourful sights along the streets of Jiufen.

We had our first taste of interesting delicacies along these very twists and turns which included BBQ sauce corn, starch ball dessert of various flavours {because I don't actually know the name of it} and grilled snails {now this, is awesome stuff}. I would say, go for snails and starch balls {You'll know which shop it is right away because the customers are for a mile}!

Pics credits Chair

I bought a whole lot of little nonsense, little keychains and stuff because everything was just so irresistibly adorable. Beware, fellow weak of heart for cute things!

The sun was a-blazing as afternoon pranced along so it was time for us to prance away from this quaint little street. 

2nd stop - Ximending 西門町 

- Alight at Ximen Station from Taipei Main Station

Needless to say, Ximending is a very happening place. It was night when I took this photo, and the place was swarming with human beings. I guess it was like a massive bugis street, and my eyes were really shining like some kitty with a laser toy, but I didn't buy much because while I fancy the items, I don't quite fancy the prices. 

We tried the famous mee sua from shop pictured above and it was as delicious as it is famous. And mind you, the small bowl isn't small as it is named. Two of us each shared 1 small bowl with quite enough to spare. Nothing much else to say about this place except shop here if you aren't planning to save!

3rd stop - Shilin Night Market 士林夜市

 - Alight at Jiantan Station from Taipei Main Station

It seems like the only photos I have of Shilin Night Market is that of food, so you can see where the focus really lay. And Shilin Night Market did not disappoint!

Left - Cheesy Potato sprinkled with random toppings {able to choose from a whole list!} Very, very tasty for cheese-lovin' people like me, and they are so uber generous with the cheese I don't even know how they make enough cheese for everybody.

Right top to bottom - smelly tofy, crap oyster omelette, ice kachang

Smelly tofu wasn't really that smelly and actually tasted like normal tofu, just that you get to eat it hot and crispy and hot crispy tofu is always gooodd...

This oyster omelette was so meh meh sheep that we didn't even bother wasting our stomach space on it. This was found at the underground part of the market. Take the escalator and turn LEFT do not buy from the shop on the right!

The Ice Kachang was alright I guess, I don't like ice kachang in the first place so I can't comment much on this! Also, I was so incredibly full already I didn't eat much of it. Susan and I settled for ice cold drinks from next door.

 Overpriced fruit

 Games! I tried a shooting game. Failed terribly.

 Tasty fat sausages!!!

 Drink store at the underground part of the market where Susan and I got drinks from.

This is another must try! Baby ice cream balls wrapped in was it popiah wrapping? I have no clue but it had peanut shavings on it which the guy shaves off this large peanut block and it was absolutely delectable.

Credits Chair

Also, all those candy lovin' must try 'em candy-dipped strawberries! The strawberries all warm and melty under the hard crackling candy skin is just. Any Child's Dream. 

We didn't try the Shilin Chicken like we should have, because I think the queue was so long and we just didn't have the energy to wait it out. A mission for next time I guess.

And that sums up the first day in Taiwan! Yes, our trip was really stuffed with activities everyday, explaining my lack of energy despite the amount of calories we put in ourselves each meal. But it was certainly enough to get a real introductory feel to Taiwan and plan for future trips there!