#TitaHits: TAIWANDER Part 1

The iconic Taipei 101
Source:  Wikimedia Commons

I’m not really sure what happened but I just found myself booking a short-trip to Taipei.  Chances are, the promo made me do it.  I was able to book a round trip flight for about Php4,000.  And as I have mentioned in my previous post, I used the excess funds from my Guam trip to pay for the airfare.

Why Taiwan? Three things: WEATHER, FOOD and FOOD!

WEATHER.  The flight I booked was in the first week of December making the weather cold but not so cold.

FOOD. Seriously, do I really need to explain why?

The initial plan was for me to travel solo. But after weeks of contemplation, Auntie gave in to my nagging. Auntie was concerned that she no longer had enough leave credits for the year. It did help that the trip was scheduled on a weekend (shout-out to all weekend warriors like us) because we only had to take one day off from work. Yes, we left Friday and was back to work the following Monday.

So how did we design our trip?  We only had two full days and there are lots to experience in Taipei.  Simple.  We only had to answer this question, “What do we want to do?” And the answer was, EAT!

Screenshot of the webpage you'll see when applying for a TAC

But before we proceed with our travel plans, let’s talk about visas first. Effective 7 Oct 2016, Philippine passport holders can now apply for an e-Visa.  Further, Filipinos who possess the following documents issued by identified countries 1) valid resident or permanent resident card, 2) valid entry visa or 3) visa that has expired less than 10 years prior to visit to Taiwan, can enter the country using a Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC). Click here for more information.  US is one of the identified countries and both Auntie and I have valid US visas so we just needed to apply for the TAC online.

Same as our previous trips, I did the research.  I thought it would be easy because as mentioned earlier, all we wanted to do was EAT! But being a foodie haven, Taipei alone has loads of night markets and we only had two full days and our stomachs can only take so much.

We kept on seeing this guy all-over Ximending.
That's Auntie taking a photo

This is why we decided to stay in Ximending.  Following are the factors we considered:

Near the Metro or MRT

Accommodation (if you know where to look) is cheaper

The area is lively day or night

It has all sorts of markets (food, fashion, etc.)

Everything is within walking distance 

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation in Taipei is not cheap. The cost of a bed space in a hostel is almost the same as a hotel room in Hanoi or Bangkok. This will be your biggest expense.  Food and transportation are generally cheap.

Our apartment as shown on Google Maps. Yey, 7-11!

In our case, we opted to rent an apartment through Airbnb. The good thing about Airbnb is it lets you search places based on your set criteria. But here’s the best part, experienced hosts really do act as hosts.  If you did the right research and selection, your host will be your unofficial tour guide, even just virtually. They will go the extra mile to find you tickets for shows or theme parks, make reservations for your or simply be your “information center” especially when there’s a language barrier between you and the country you are visiting. They’re always a chat away.  Then at the end of your trip, you have gained a new friend.

Auntie and I were fortunate to get an apartment that was not only right smack in the middle of everything but it was also cheap and with an ever dependable host, Iris.

Our studio apartment was on the same street as the MRT Exit, right beside a 7-11 and Family Mart at the next corner (convenience store junkie here), near the shopping centers, food markets, restaurants and oh well, just about everything we need!

But the best part of staying in the apartment was having Iris as our host.  Finding our apartment was not a problem.  She gave us all the details including how to open the door to her apartment! When we needed to make a reservation at the “Secret Starbucks” she did not hesitate to lend her help and made the reservation for us complete with directions on how to get to the place. She was always a chat away (Whatsapp).  Not only did she answer our questions but she also made follow ups to ensure that we were okay. She made our apartment stay like staying at a five-star hotel!  Here’s the interesting part.  We never met her.  The key to her house was sent as a package at the next-door 7-11 where we picked it up.  Yes, 7-11’s in Taiwan are tops!

TRANSPORTATION

Nasaan ang tamang "Daan"?

We booked with Cebu Pacific. Surprise! Surprise! Our flight left on time. Before we arrived in Taipei, our initial plan was to take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) because it was faster and cheaper. But when we arrived at the airport, there was a long queue at the immigration. Aside from the tourists, we think there was a convention of some sorts. Feeling tired and hungry, we decided to take a taxi instead. You see if we took the THSR, we first had to take the bus to the train station. After the TSHR ride which stops at the Taipei Main Train Station we still had to take another train that will take us to Ximending and then walk to our apartment.  So even if it was a bit expensive (about Php1,700), we took the taxi. We also took the Taxi back to the airport. The comfort was worth the cost.

We were trying to tell the taxi driver the address of our apartment.  Language barrier alert!  He couldn’t understand what we were saying.  So we opted to say the next best thing, the metro station nearest to our apartment, Ximen Station.  That, he understood.

At first, we were not sure if he really did understand us.  Thanks to Google Maps, we were able to verify that he was taking us to the right direction.  I’ve mentioned this in my previous posts, Google Maps is the best partner for navigationally-challenged people like me.

Because I have studied the Ximending area using Google Maps Street View, it was not difficult for us to find our apartment.  Recognizing the language barrier, our host Iris, also sent us a screenshot of the message we need to show to the 7-11 attendants so we could get our package.

Easy indeed

For the areas we visited which were not in the Ximending area, we used the MRT. I love their MRT system! It was easy to understand and it was cheap.  We got our Easy Card for NTD300 (100 deposit and 200 consumable). Though we won’t be able to refund for the card deposit, it was a better option than having to line-up each time to get a single pass ticket. Whatever we weren’t able to consume using the MRT, we used to pay our purchases at 7-11 and Family Mart.

I’ve tried the metro system in SG and HK, but for me, that of Taiwan is the best. While using the MRT system, I couldn’t help but wish that someday, the Philippines will have the same system. Yes, their technology and infrastructure are more advanced but I believe, it is the discipline of the people that actually make it work. There was one stop where loads of passengers alighted and all are heading to the escalator. It was such an inspiring sight.  They observed the stand on your right, walk on your left. So no matter how long the line was on the right side, it didn’t take us that long to get to where we needed to go.  Again, I repeat:  Stand on your right, walk on your left!!!

We took a taxi back to the airport.  Given our language barrier experience, we downloaded the name of Taoyuan International Airport in Mandarin and just showed it to the driver.  Using his hand, he did a flying plane motion and the number 1.  Translate:  Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1. And we nodded, yes!

THE SIGHTS

I did a lot of research and wanted to go to so many places like Jiufen and Shifen or at least the Creative Park.  But I had to face reality that we didn’t have much time (we tend to sleep and rest a lot) to visit all those places without stressing ourselves so we instead opted to go to two iconic landmarks within the city limits:  Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

For our first morning, we went to Taipei 101.  Unless you are going to the observatory or have scheduled business dealings in the financial center, you can only reach as high as the 5^th floor of Taipei 101. 

Our best attempt - Taipei 101
Photo by Auntie

But upon learning that it would cost each of us (NTD 600 or about Php1,000), we opted to research on alternative ways and stumbled upon the “Secret Starbucks”. 

The Secret Starbucks is the usual franchise café but with a view of the city from the 35^th floor.  Why is it a secret?  Well, you cannot simply walk-in the café, let alone go up the 35^th floor.  You need to make a reservation at least a day before.  They will then give you a control number and 15 minutes before your “appointment” you need to be at the designated area where their barista will meet you and take you to the café.  The reservation should be done in Mandarin.  Thankfully, our host Iris, took care of the reservation for us.

Breakfast with a view

So you might ask, why Starbucks when it’s dime a dozen especially in Taipei (there’s one in almost every street in Ximending)? It was the most practical option compared to paying the NTD600 each to go up the observatory.  At the Secret Starbucks, we get to go up beyond publicly accessible floors for only NTD200 each, consumable at that! So not only were we able to go get a good view of the city but we were also able to have breakfast.

After several attempts of taking photos with the iconic tower without much success, we decided to head to the Chiang-kai Shek Memorial Hall.

One of the best things about the Taipei MRT is that one need not memorize much in terms of how to get to a famous site.  Most of the train stops are named after these must-visit places. 

As we emerged from the train station exit, we were awed by the grandeur of the Liberty Square.  We just stood there trying to take in the sight.  And the weather was perfect. Though there are other tourists, there was something “zen-like” about the place.

View of the Liberty Square from the top of CSMH

The square is flanked by the National Concert Hall and the National Theater. And across the main gate is the Chiang-kai Shek Memorial Hall (CSMH).

We actually walked a stretch from the MRT exit to the bottom of the stairs of the CSMH.  The national monument was built in honor of Chiang-kai Shek, former President of the Republic of China.  I’ll leave it to you to read more about the place’s history.

This monument is well, er, monumental!

I knew there was an elevator somewhere but Auntie and I decided to climb the stairs, all 89 steps (the President’s age at the time of his death). And boy, it was worth it.  In the main chamber, you will see the statue of the President.

Their version of the Lincoln Memorial

Below the hall is a museum documenting the President’s life and career.  Yes, we finally discovered the elevator. We also discovered something else.  Part of the museum’s exhibits is a 1955 Cadillac donated by overseas Chinese in the Philippines!

Used only once. No wonder it's still in mint condition

It was already lunchtime when we finished touring the place.  We decided to head back to Ximending to have lunch and well, you guessed it right, take a rest.  Hey, we walked a lot. And don’t forget, we climbed 89 steps!

Incense, fruits, offerings

On our last day, we decided to visit a temple and we opted for Longshan Temple which is just a station away from Ximen. Because it was a Sunday, the temple was full with worshippers and tourists alike. It was quite amazing to observe the different traditions being practiced in the temple.  After going around the area for a while, we headed back to Ximending for last minute pasalubong shopping. Oh yes, and to eat lunch!

There’s that magic word again, EAT!  I’m dedicating another post for that part!