RACHEL - THE TALKING POTATOE: August 2007

This is my 3rd visit to Taipei, have been going there for the past 3 consecutive years. The trip is accompanied with Cuiyi, Sharon and 3 of Cuiyi's friends. We set off on 18 Aug and came back on 22 Aug. Oh well, its really so lucky for us this round, there is a typhoon strike on the day before we set off, thanks god it was gone on the following day and the flight did not cancelled due to the poor weather condition.

Day 1 - Sat, 18 Aug

We took the flight from Jetstar, it was quite a good deal after all, it costs about $270 (round trip)at a promotional rate. This is my first time, taking budget airline, its really an experience for me. The seats seem a bit smaller and squeezy than the usual flights. But most importanly, there is no 'entertainment' ---> remember I'm a couch potatoe, I need TV!!! Really a challenge for me to sit through the 4 hours plus journey :P

We touched down at about 6pm plus, the sky was already dark by then, seem like Taiwan's day ends earlier than Singapore. It rained slightly with a bit of wind but its still not as jialat like the other states of Taiwan. We quickly checked in the hotel and head down to Xi Men Ding for makan. We are so hungry after the flight and we decide to reward ourself with a buffet meal, Taiwanese has a unique way to say buffet, they called 吃到饱, which mean eat till you really full. The 吃到饱 meal is actually their 麻辣锅, we ordered the 鸳鸯 type, which is the half spicy and half non-spicy.

麻辣锅

Day 2 - Sun, 19 Aug

I brought Cuiyi and Sharon to the famous landmark of Taiwan - 101. It was rather quiet for a Sunday's morning to go there, cos there are mostly offices there and its not open on Sunday.

Taipei 101 building

After 101, we head down to our favourite spot ----> 五份铺 , its a place that sell wholesale garments, it will be cheaper if you buy in bulks. Its a must go place if you wanna buy fashion clothings.

me @ 五份铺 with my shopping 战利品 (the black shopping bag)

Day 3 - Mon, 20 Aug

On the 3rd day, we head down to 九份, we took an hour train ride, its a standing ticket, we gotta stand throughout the whole journey wor~

九份 is an old street mostly visit by Japanese tourists. You can easily find many different types of Taiwanese's tibits and snack.

九份's view

At night, we finally head down to Taipei's most famous night market street - 士林夜市. Its something simlar to the Hong Kong's ladies street, but there have lots of street foods, we bought quite a few varieties to share among us like ah zhong mian xian, siu jian bao, bubble tea, chicken cutlet, taiwanese sausage and more... can't imagine we have eaten so much rite?

Day 4 - Tues, 21 Aug

The 4th day is really a mad rush. We started off with hot spring at 新北头 , heard that hot spring aids blood circulation, you should try it when you are at Taipei.

@ 新北头 - the hot spring hotel that we went

The hot spring water

After hot spring, we head down to 淡水, to try out their super long ice cream and bought some of their seafood tibits and 铁蛋.

@ 淡水

Later we covered wu fen pu and shilin to make up any last mintues shopping. We reached back to the hotel at almost 2am and packed till 4am.

@ shilin - enjoying my favourite mango ice

Day 5 - 22 Aug, Wed

On the last day, we only manage to get up late in the morning. As usual, we make full use of the time we have to do any last mintue shopping, we head down to 101 again follow by xi men ding. Guess what? We saw Jacky Wu and NoNo filming at one of the shop at xi men ding, its really an experience to see them in person. Espeically NoNo, he looks much better off scene.

NoNo with Jin Wen

The artists are just everywhere...

In Taipei, most products are endorsed by famous artists, you can easily find some familar faces on a soft drink can, posters at MRT stations and streets etc.

Especially S.H.E and Fei Lun Hai, seem like they are 'everywhere' in Taipei...