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Part 2: 6 April 2010 to 9 April 2010
6 April 2010: Woke up super early at 6am to get everyone ready for the 8am train to Hualien (Taroko Express: adult NTD794 return and child above 120cm or 6~12 years old NTD398 return). Breakfast on board with those bread bought yesterday. Seats were pre-allocated and can't choose but if you get the seats on the left of the train on the way to Hualien, you will get to see superb scenery of the coastline. They also got sell drinks and food on board and many people walking up down to try to get a seat as they bought the standing tickets. Cab driver waiting for us at the front of the station (NTD3,500 whole day) and we went to all those popular spots at Taroko including a city tour. Lunch (all dishes flat NT200) was at one of the restaurant by the river with nice scenery. At 5:30pm we took the train back to Taipei and went for dinner at the self-acclaimed second best beef noodles in Taiwan nearby hotel. After dinner, went to the JSF bookstore and bought countless stationery items which were super cheap.
7 April 2010 - 8:35am, met our cab driver to Yehliu, Pingshi, Jiufen, Jinguashi, Bitou Cape, Nanya and Keelung (NT3,500). Super windy at Yehliu Geopark (entrance NT50) and many people. Bought the Queen's Head magnet (NT20 each) and glow dust (in a bottle with Queen's Head cork) souvenir (NT50) on our way out. Then we went to Pingshi to light Sky Lantern (NT100)..different colours got different meaning. A train passed right through the small town when we were there! Can buy miniature sky lantern as gifts (NT150 to NT300), quite expensive but bought 2 (total NT230 after discount) for the fun of it. After Pingshi it was to Jiufen where we had our lunch of beef noodles (again!! NT90), fishball noodles (NT40) and Tofufa (NT50). All also not so nice. Then jalan-jalan at Jiufen, bought tea (NT900, so much at home still buy!!!), prawn balls (NT50, not nice) and grilled mushroom (NT50, nice!). After that it is to the Gold Museum at Jinguashi (free entrance on Wednesdays, normal NT100 exclude the gold tunnel at NT50), interesting but lots of walking/stairs. Then it was to the Golden Waterfall (so called coz the metal content turned it into yellow), Bitou cape (didn't want to climb up), Nanya Rocks and finally to Keelung for the night market where we tried stinky tofu (NT40m yucks!), crab meat soup (NT50, okok lor), steamed sticky rice (NT25, tasteless), Prawn dumpling (NT35, too much chives), Tako balls (NT40, their version sprinkled with crushed peppercorns, yucks!) and a grilled squid (NT60, nice but must eat when hot coz if not, will be rubbery). Bought many socks, cheap and good quality at average NT20 each pair, handbag organiser (NT500 for 3, NT 200 for 1) and a Princess bag for my little princess (NT150). Back to Taipei and bought take-aways: the 2nd famous beef noodles (very nice, just like our pan mee and the soup is slightly spicy, so made me eat it again), pork lard noodles (NT45) and giant sushi roll (NT40).
8 April 2010 - Rainy day. Woke up late and went to Longshan Temple to pray-pray (not play-play...hahaha) and then to Din Tai Fung (DTF) at Sogo Fuxing (MRT TMS to MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing, no need go out as station is linkted directly to Sogo Fuxing). Need to get number, order and then wait to be called. We had Shanghai dumplings (2 servings), prawn dumplings, wonton noodles, prawn fried rice, prawn noodles, beef noodles (2 servings) and a bottle of oolong tea all for NT1580 for 5 adults and a toddler. After DTF, we went window shopping around Sogo and then to the most stupid place of our entire trip - Danshui! Took MRT from Zhongxiao Fuxing station back to TMS and then changed line to Danshui (last stop). At Danshui station, we took bus R26 (NT15) to Fisherman Wharf. Was there about half hour only as nothing to see and do there one. Waste the time away only and bought Steel Egg (NT100 each pack) and went back to the station via Bus R26. Bought some bread/apstries and went back to hotel coz raining cats and dogs. Rested for a while and went to Everich DFS at Min Chuan East Road (Metro at TMS to Zhongxiao Fuxing and then changed to Nangang line to stop at Zhongshan Junior High School station. Outside station, turn left and walk round the block after passing a bookshop). Bought SK2 (NT7,000, super cheap compared to Malaysia) and went back to hotel to take away pork lard noodles (NT45) for hubby. Pack for home!
9 April 2010 - Woke up and went to TMS to refund our Metro card. Of the NT500 uploaded on each card, hubby got NT126 refund and I got NT99 refund coz I went to Everich DFS without him. After that, we ate in one of the restaurants at the Underground Mall - Prawn dumpling noodles (NT65) and Hakka Bantiao (NT35, this is Pan Mee Taiwan style and it is yucks!). After that back to hotel, check out and take the King bus opposite our hotel. We were smart this time to cross the roads instead of going underground. The journey to airport took like an hour and the queue to check-in was OMG long. The DFS in the airport is interesting with lots of luxury brands and bought Longchamp bags (hehehe...much cheaper than Malaysia depending on the model). They have Hello Kitty nursery for babies and free diapers are supplied. As the queue to get into the check-in area was too long, we did not have much time to walk around and were practically running to the gate. It is then Home Sweet Home.
Do I miss Taiwan? Yes, in a way but definitely not for the food. Will go back there again to visit other parts I haven't been to but not in the very near future.
To all those planning or thinking to go to Taiwan, just do it. You will like it for its scenery, friendly people and convenient DIY trips.
This post has been edited by McCabePlace: Apr 18 2010, 08:08 PM
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Apr 16 2010, 02:43 PM
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We hired a cab coz we wanted to cover more places and not spend it walking, especially with aged parents. I tell you, though you pay more at NT3,500, it is worth it and when divide by per person, not that much more you will need to spend and you get the benefit of covering more places. Then no need to worry about timing, coz you can stay as long as you like and come/go as you like. Then we also got interesting local stories from the driver ler.... 
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