I know I'm on my own when I arrived Taiwan Taoyuan Airport. I did my immigration clearance, collected my luggage, digital tour buddy, made my way to Taipei via their Airport Shuttle bus. I stood at Taipei Metro map for sometime and a man approached me. Upon seeing me with my BIG RUBY backpack, he asked in Mandarin, "Do you need help?". My 1st encounter with friendly and ever ready to help Taiwanese. I can't say all but there are always a handful of them willing to go the extra mile to make your day.
Collected my prized $$$ from Cynthia whom I liaised with in Singapore.
My 1st mission - to look for The Agency & collect my travel fund.
Buying the metro ticket.
Trying to explore around Taipei on Bus, not knowing where it is heading to...
Day 2 (9th Feb 2009) Taipei 台北 - Shifen 十分 - Jiufen 九份
After staying a night at taipei, I made my way to Shifen/Pingsi, I witnessed their Lantern Festival where the Taiwanese will release Lantern into the sky with their wishes written on it. Those floating(I won't say fly cause the speed is slow) lantern brighten up Shifen's sky and what was so memorable was the fire cracker just fire off right in front of me! I have never see that in my life! even though I heard other complained how dangerous it was.
Arrived at Rueifang for transit to Jiufen where my hostel is.
Gotta travel with a pretty japanese girl whom I met at Taipei hostel, too bad we never exchange contact. She is on an exchange and transit at Taiwan for few days before heading back home. We spilt when I'm heading to Shifen
Enjoy the train ride. It is definitely comfy and clean.
Lovely weather. It's SPRING! 新年还没过.
Arrived at Jiufen...
Jiufen old street 九份老街
Craft at Jiufen
Scenic View of 九份
Around Jiufen
Byebye to my Japanese friend
I missed the Shifen Waterfall, it was shut down during that period.
I'm at Shifen where people 放天灯. What fascinate me is the track is so near and everyone can walk on it...
Getting excited when I saw the 天灯 taking off.
I was having noodle soup and the train was passing through..
This is the trick to 放天灯(let the Lantern take off) You place some paper together to make it thick.
And light the paper...step on the lantern to let the hot air accumulated in it.
Let it off when you feel the lantern is bloated.
Let it off when you feel the lantern is bloated.
My 1st Lantern into sky....
Later at night, will be one of the highlight of my trip.
Burning Lantern
Chance upon this beautiful scene, when I alighted at the wrong station. beautiful sun-setting.
This is where I stayed for the night, with free flow of tea for you to appreciate. Wasn't prepare for the cold night
Usually had small bite along the way in the train. They do allow food on board!
Day 3 (10th Feb 2009) Jiufen 九份 - Yilan 宜兰 - Hualien 花莲
Next to Yilan, isn't much to share other than the journey took longer than expected because of the waiting time. 1 hour for the bus to come, another 1 hour more to reach the place but not the destination. Another hour spent walking to my destination. My plan was to take a look at their Lantern Festival during the day since I'm not lodging at Yilan 宜兰.
Heading to 白米木履村 took me more than the expected time taken. There isn't any bus coming after waited for 30min outside the Lantern Festival location to head back to the Yilan train station. Not even the cab stopped for me, a BUS finally came and I waved anyway to stop and asked. Boarded when the driver confirmed the destination- Yilan Train station. Alighting near Yilan Train station then I took the train to Suao 蘇澳火車站, guess my homework wasn't done enough, I followed the sign to 白米木履村 thinking that it will be faster by walking in... while walking in, I asked an aunty saw inside an industry factory in Hokkien "Am I in the right direction?" and have never see a BUS drove in until I arrived at 白米木履村. An hours passed, I finally see what I'm looking for :)
Heading to 白米木履村 took me more than the expected time taken. There isn't any bus coming after waited for 30min outside the Lantern Festival location to head back to the Yilan train station. Not even the cab stopped for me, a BUS finally came and I waved anyway to stop and asked. Boarded when the driver confirmed the destination- Yilan Train station. Alighting near Yilan Train station then I took the train to Suao 蘇澳火車站, guess my homework wasn't done enough, I followed the sign to 白米木履村 thinking that it will be faster by walking in... while walking in, I asked an aunty saw inside an industry factory in Hokkien "Am I in the right direction?" and have never see a BUS drove in until I arrived at 白米木履村. An hours passed, I finally see what I'm looking for :)
Phew. I was relieved to leave my ruby at the train station else I would have give up. Hitch ride? I never try here. My skin still haven't grow thick yet! I felt mission accomplished when I finally reached the Woodclog museum though it isn't any great place but somehow the community spirit is something to CHEER about. The community set up the museum to save their environment from air pollution! This is something we can learn from them. From Suao to Yilan, these was where I overslept and missed Yilan stop. I wasn't upset nor worry, I just waited for the next train to Yilan. =)
Upon reaching Hualien, I rushed to Visitor Information centre to check out on Cheap Hostels. The friendly staffs helped me made phonecalls to different hostel to check on the rate and I finally decided to try out the Police Academy Hostel which is only NT$400 per night on weekday. I boarded on a mini bus and met a friendly driver whom let me down at the road nearest to the Police Academy Hostel! I was told there is a daily Amis dance performance put up at this 石艺大街. I was lost again but a kind uncle on a scooter leaded me to the place. =) The singing and dance performance was worth all the walking.
Day 4 (11th Feb 2009) Around Hualien - Taroko Gorge 太鲁阁国家公园 & 七星潭
On my Taroko trip, I met a Taipei & Taitung couple when I signed up for Taroko tour. So we helped each other to take photo along the way. =). I decided to head back early to hostel cause my next day itinerary began at 450am! I was abit scare that I might overslept the next day cause I have been spending my time unpacking and packing my backpack rather than resting.
The Police Academy hostel I stayed provide packed Breakfast!!!! Heading off to Taroko Gorge, well this was my 2nd time here! Still enjoy myself.
Day 5 (12th Feb 2009) Hualien - Taitung Southeast of Taiwan 台東 - 3 Immortal 三仙台 - Little Yeliu 小野柳
=) I woke up at 4am reluctantly and made my cup noodle which I bought the day before. I realised I wasn't hungry but still I forced the delicious pork noodle down my throat! I placed my keys at the lobby counter and walked out of the hostel lobby. The coldness & the empty quiet street doesn't daunt me at all. Luckily, I had went through the route to the bus stop and I used the shorter time to reach there. At 0445, I waited patiently, there were a couple of motorbikes passed by me, an old man is exercising around the water fountain. Finally at 0500, a bus came and I waved for it to stop. I asked and boarded the bus, there were already 5 passengers on board.
I had learnt my lesson, no sleeping on bus or train trip cause I don't want to miss my stop again. =) There were stops along the way for toilet break or smoking. I went down to take some photos & chit chat with the driver. The bus trip begin from Hualien and end at Taitung which will take more than 4hours. By the time I reached Sansiantai stop was already 0745 close to 2hr plus of travelling. The kind driver let me alighted at the road junction closest to the entrance to Sansiantai. With just a road signage, I began walking, I saw a lady who stopped her motorbike and pick up rubbish along the way. I asked her to confirm I'm on the right track. Nope my skin still isn't that thick yet! I never ask her for a ride. I saw the bridges to Sansiantai, it began to drizzle and I felt amazed at myself for finding my way here. I have never been so far away from home, carrying 12.5kg Ruby and walked all the way here. I wondered should I carry Ruby across the bridge to Sansiantai or should I wait for the Visitor Centre to open at 8am where I can leave my bag? A challenge I set for myself? Guess it isn't wise for me to take up the challenge, simple reason, I won't want to tire myself, I still have a long way to go. It is a wise choice. I carried only my sling bag and began Sansiantai island discovery. The lady at the visitor centre informed me I needed around 2 hours to finish the island exploration. She never informed me half way through the laidout path I will need to walk along rocky, stony area to reach the other side of the stairs that lead to the lighthouse at the top of the mountain.
The crowd begin at 0830. Tour groups from taipei, tainan began to stomp in. A pity they don't have the time to slowly explore the island. I discovered a Dog statue which is looking upward to the sky! =)
To depart for my next destination I had to walk to the main road to wait for the public bus to come, it took more than an hour. I had tried to hitch a ride but no car willing to stop except for a motorbike but the uncle only chatted with me cause he doesn't have extra helmet. I decided to make a stop at water running up since it is along a way to Siaoyeliu. I had spoken to a few of Taitung 台東原住民. There was this old man who told me he was 75 years old and we began chatting away and the whole journey I heard most is 原住民 language, trying really hard to understand him but he still go on and on. =)
From water running up, I tried my luck on hitch riding to Siaoyeliu 小野柳. A van which went past me earlier had turned back to fetch me! I didn't expect such a luck. After hoping on to the van, we began chatting and this man asked me whether the design of the van look strange? I guessed I was too tired to react to the his answer(Answer: He liaise with Taitung hospital to send corpse back to their home, so the van I'm sitting had actually sent alot of corpse.). The kind soul passed me his namecard, anything in Taitung can give him a call even for a ride back.
I stoned at Siaoyeliou for more than 2 hours before heading to Taitung 台東 via their public bus.
I have never make plans for my Taitung overnight. So I decided to head to Taitung visitor centre for help! Pls take note Taitung visitor centre is not located at new train station. It is at Taitung old train station! It was empty at the counter but as I approached this lady who happened to pass by, she began to provide me with all the info she knows. They were so friendly, they offered me one of their snack-炸年糕, a souvenir-wooden postcard. I rode a bicycle to their beach to catch 炸寒單. The heavy rain had not dampen their mood too. It was my 1st encounter with fire cracker threw on a human body, it looked so painful to me.
Till now, I still keep in contact with one of the ladies (Yi-Hsiang via email/fb) whom had helped me at Taitung Visitor centre.
Since it was an impromptu trip, the Visitor centre ladies suggested I took up the hostel nearby and they had helped me to call to confirm available lodging. Without any hesitation and was getting late, I made my way to the hostel. Disgusted to see this rather plump uncle with his legs lying high on a tv console watching mtv showing ladies in swimwears. :( He brought me up to a dorm with 4 bunk beds all to myself with attached toilet/bathroom. He told me since I'm the only girl in the dorm, he don't think it was nice/safe to stay with another dorm with boys. Guess what before entering the dorm, he knocked on the door before unlocked the room for me.
After unpacking a few stuff and exploring the room, I headed out renting the bicycle from the hostel for NT100. As usual, I got lost in the city, circling around the same area, crossed a few traffic looking for the 炸寒單爺 venue. Asked a few locals and followed some cyclists, I finally reached.
Right after the celebration ended, I went to search for the bus terminal to check out tomorrow bus timing. This had slowly become my must do thing at each location. I think it is a good habit especially for budget travellers who take public transport regardless bus/train/taxi.
Day 6 (13th Feb 2009) Taitung Southeast of Taiwan 台東 - Kenting 垦丁I was looking forward to Kenting because of Cape No. 7 but somehow I never set my foot at any related to Cape No. 7 movie. The public transport is a nightmare to me cause it was my 1st time felt so lost, helpless & tired! Lucky for me the minsu Joan willing to take me in upon my last min call to check in. At Joan's place, I got to know Taipei's friend-Niko who is willing to let me stay over at her place in Taipei. Alone in Kenting is a torture cause you can't take part in most of the water activities like Banana boat, snokeling(cheaper in group). So I choose to explore the beach myself and decided to take public transport to the tourist scenic. I made the wrong move, after walking for more than 2 hours I gave up and choose to take a cab to bring me around kenting. My friends know that I can't negotiate price hence I acted pitiful but still no use. However, this kind cabby still bring me to most of the tourist scenic and explain to me slowly. =) When I'm back to minsu, another girl-Niko who stay there began to chat and shared with me her experience while travelling around Kenting. That was when she suggested "adopted" me to her place. I nodded and agreed! Thou I'm not sure about my journey.
Day 7 & 8 (14th & 15th Feb 2009) Kenting 垦丁 - Kaohsiung 高雄 - Qijin 旗津
I headed to Kaohsiung taking a cab-sharing service. Along the ways, the driver pickup 2 Singapore Army guys too bad they were too quiet to even start small chat with me. Well, I was the last to alight. Upon reaching kaohsiung, I felt I'm so much a CITY person cause the metro line & frequent bus schedule made me feel so relief.
Same for Kaohsiung, I never made any plan, it was another impromptu stopover trip. I did some last minutre research online about Meinong village. Taiwan Tourist Visiitor Centre is my favourite haunt once I arrived at every city. They are resourceful and helpful. However the one at Kaohsiung had 1 staff when I stepped in followed by an ABC teenager who speak English. She decided to assist him instead. So I made my way to look for MOTEL lol, no harm trying since I saw my friends's photo those theme motel look clean and huge! I was wrong about this and hahaha the room wasn't as clean as it is and at night there were alot of ladies getting in-and-out through the backdoor of the motel. I knew it cause there is only wifi at level 1 and I'm the only person using it till late night 3am. I couldn't help but sneaked at all the ladies who came in and out within 30min.
Day 9 - 10(16th - 17th Feb 2009)
Kaohsiung 高雄 - Chiayi 嘉义 - Alishan 阿里山
From Kaohsiung to Chiayi was another gamble for me. Because I choose to get Alishan Train ticket on the actual day from the counter. I guess Monday played a part cause there were less tourists heading to Alishan. I hopped on the train which took 4 hours and manage to experience the way the train travel uphill. Hahaha, settled my lodging when I was booking my train ticket. The 4 hours ride to Alishan is not all smooth, we were asked to walk 500m to the next rail track to continue our train journey. Imagine carrying my ruby and sling bag!!! Took every step with caution.
The train is rather small, that is only 1-2 seaters and each cabin can accomodate around 30pax. Along the way to Alishan, there was this elderly japanese man in his 70s who began walking around and passed around his snack. I took 1 packet from him then a taiwanese couple began to chat with me too. :) Stayed overnight at Alishan to catch sunrise on the next day just joined the tour arranged by the Hotel and I did negotiated with the lady :) but failed. Didn't know is so cold at night and discovered their electric bed warmer, oh I didn't have my dinner cos all there is only restaurant not fastfood except for starbuck, I ate a packet of taiwan mamee while checking out my next destination at the lobby cos there is only wifi at the lobby. The lady at the counter actually offered me cheese sandwiches even though I said I'm fine with maamee. She made my day!
Another highlight from Alishan is the popular train bento 奋起湖便当.
After bidding goodbye to my Alishan's friends at Chiayi train station, I took the next earliest train to Taichung which was already 5pm.
Lucky, I settled my lodging at this Minsu - Mo Ji Fang. A lady picked me up near at Taichung Station.
I had decided to spend a little more since I have some spare fund and is only for a night. The room was really clean and provide self laundry service.
After washing up, I set off to 逢甲夜市 immediately by BUS!!!
Didn't manage to catch their last bus! Took a cab back to minsu after my dinner!
Lucky, I settled my lodging at this Minsu - Mo Ji Fang. A lady picked me up near at Taichung Station.
I had decided to spend a little more since I have some spare fund and is only for a night. The room was really clean and provide self laundry service.
After washing up, I set off to 逢甲夜市 immediately by BUS!!!
Didn't manage to catch their last bus! Took a cab back to minsu after my dinner!
Day 11 (18th Feb 2009) Taichung 台中 - Changhua 彰化
Taichung, Changhua & Lugang are full of temples discovery. I manage to find Changhua -baguashan with the help of friendly taiwaneses. I moved on to 鹿港 九曲港，天后宫. Another accomplishment for the day!
Day 13 (20th Feb 2009) Taichung 台中 - Taipei 台北 - Tamsui
The speed train in Taichung to Taipei took around an hours to reach. You can only go to the platform 25 minutes before train arrival. I reached Taipei and headed to my new Taiwanese friend's (Niko)place right in the centre of city area .
Day 16 (23rd Feb 2009) Home Sweet Home
Overall, I felt blissed for I met alot of kind souls in Taiwan and the 2 words that I most said in Taiwan is "谢谢 & 请问...?" Everytime, I begin a sentence with "请问...." and end the sentence with "谢谢". It was amazing when I communicated with Japanese friends using Universal sign language and simple japanese and chinese characters.
Thank Taiwan Youth Travel for giving me a chance to explore Taiwan.
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