This year, I decided to do a solo trip to Taiwan in May. Planning was pretty easy, no discussion needed with anyone, just pick and go. I redeemed my krisflyer miles and got discounted air tickets. May is a low season in Taiwan and the weather is cool, but it rained almost every day when I was there and the sky was always grey. The highlight of the trip was meeting up with my Taiwan colleague for a girls’ night out. We had fun catching up and going the same stuff we did when I visited her 4 years ago. Below was my itinerary to share with anyone interested.
Day 1: Singapore to Taipei
Checked in Amba Ximending (意舍), a new hotel that was bright, clean and friendly . Loved the free ginger shampoo and bath set. The daily breakfast was delicious with肉燥飯 and fresh soya milk which you can have in sweet or salty versions. Staffs were nice and helpful too.
Shopped around Ximending but end up snacking most of the time. I do miss Taiwan food so much. I can only stop my cravings after I had my Ah Zhong mee sua and Taoyuan beef noodles. Got some local snacks to bring back like Vigor Kobo 維格餅家 for sun cake, nougats, pineapple tart, Kong Kee 港記酥皇店 for mung bean cake, 3Q president cake, Emperor Qin Cake.
Was going Danshui in the evening but since it was raining the whole day, plan need to ne cancelled. So I went back to the hotel intending for early rest but end up channel surfing the whole night. There were just too many channels on Taiwan TV and I went into a trance mode trying to watch as many programs at 1 go.
Day 2: Taipei
Woke up late and went shopping around Zhongxiao East Road. Everything was just too expensive here and I only manage to get 2 tops and some shoes.
Met my Taiwan colleague for dinner at Keelung Night market in the evening. We ate营养三文治, which was not all healthy but really delicious, one bite sausages with raw garlic, oyster omelette, pork rib soup with minced pork rice滷肉飯, glutinous rice ball soup桂花酒酿汤圆 and beancurd dessert with lemon juice at 三兄弟豆花. Yum x 3! Then we drove up Keelung hill for some night scenery and followed by Yonghe for supper on油條, sao bing and豆漿. What a sinfully fat day!
Day 3: Taipei
Woke up late again and went shopping at Zhongxiao Dunhua and got lots of pump shoes. Tried Du Hsiao Yueh 度小月 which is famous for Dan Zai Mian but I find it so~so only.
Went for a afternoon tea at Taipei 101. It was really nice having tea alone, people watching and letting time slip by. I felt totally rejuvenated after that. Got a tote bag from Tods and a pink shoulder bag from Samantha Thavasa as a reward for myself for being such a hardworking independent lady. Cost me a bomb but really make my day.
Took the train to Shilin Night Market for my dose of Hao Da Da Ji Pai and Prince Cheese potatoes. It was raining again and the outdoor area was full of poking umbrellas and too dangerous for me. Checked out the new underground night market but didn’t like eating there. It was too cramped and the smell of thousand different food all mix to one was overwhelming.
Day 4: Taipei to Chiayi
Woke up early to catch the HSR train to Chiayi from Taipei Main Station. This was my first time on HSR and the whole system is about efficiency. Station was clean, train was clean and staffs were informative. I arrived early in the station and bought a bento set to eat in the train. That is what I like about Taiwan; you can eat practically everywhere, on the bus and in the train. The trip took only 1.5hr, after which I took a minibus right outside the Chiayi HSR station up Alishan.
The bus journey took 3hrs (longer than the train) but it was all scenic views of mountain and green. The rain have let down so the mountains are cover with passing clouds as we climb higher giving the whole place a serene feeling.
I chose Alishan House阿里山賓館 for my 1 night stay. Based on the reviews on tripadvisor, it was supposed to be the most luxurious hotel on the mountain. However I arrived into a grime old hotel room which had no air condition and with rusty window sills that were unable to open. I was left with no air circulation and I could not sleep the whole night.
I spent the day mostly out of the hotel room. Took the walking trails along the wooden platforms into the Alishan forest. Since it was a low season, I had the whole place almost to myself. It was just after a rain, the whole forest was green and mystically peaceful with the occasional clouds that drift pass and sheds of soft sunlight shining through the tree canopy. Magical is the word and I felt really happy breathing and living in this wonderful world call earth. I felt like a forest elf under the protection of these tall ancient cypress trees which were majestic looking and each had a story to share with me.
Alishan - walk in the cloud
Day 5: Chiayi to Taichung
I got up at 4am to catch the sunrise over Jhushan祝山. It was freezing cold outside but my room was hot and stuffy, neither which I enjoyed. One thing I liked about this hotel though was that they provide free shuttles between tourist spots.
The special train up 祝山 was crowded by early risers like me, all ready to get a glimpse of the new born sun. Scene at the top of the mountain can be describe as chaotic yet spectacular. Chaotic due to the chinese tourists and their guides yakking away. Really, what was there to explain about a sunrise? You should just enjoy it with your eyes, feel it in your heart and get attune with nature. But no, yak yak yak away the peacefulness around. Then there were hawkers selling gloves and sunglass at the top of their voice. I would like to buy some ear plugs here please…
The sunrise itself was spectacular. The soft raising light out of dark mountainous landscape, slowly clearing away thick fogs. My advice would be to arrive early so that you could see the transformation from total darkness to a new dawn (but you must be able to withstand the cold). Due to an eclipse on the day itself, there is a black spot in the rising sun. I am lucky to see such phenomenon and quickly make a wish for happiness and health for my family.
Train ride up Zhushan for the sunrise
After the sunrise, I took to the forest walking trails again but this time round, it was not very enjoyable. The rain had stopped and the sun had dried up the platforms. So all the tourists and guides came out and yak yak yak around the forest.
My plan was to take the員林客運 Yuanlin bus from Alishan direct to Sun Moon lake in the afternoon. The route was supposed to be very scenic and will be passing through another mountain. But guess what? Due to heavy rains in the past few days which created soil erosion leaving a stretch of road closed to traffic. So no bus for me then but the old way back by bus and HSR to Taichung. From Taichung HSR station, I took a bus to Sun Moon Lake. It took less than 1.5hrs.
I chose SPA Home Sun Moon Lake Luxury Lakeside Hotel for my 1 night stay here. The hotel was perfectly located by the lake; just a short walk from the bus which stopped opposite the visitor centre. The room I had was facing directly to the lake and you can take a dip in the bath tub while enjoying the lake view from the large window beside. I was so tired since I did not sleep well the night before. Felled back to bed early and thank god the room was clean and bed was comfy.
Day 6: Taichung to Taipei
Woke up early to take a stroll on the raised wooden platforms along the lake. The lake was wonderfully green with a blue backdrop of mountain range on a clear white sky. Along the way, I heard birds calling and fishes swimming in the water. I think I had just turned into Pocahontas here.
After a long walk, I arrived back to the hotel for breakfast. The breakfast was yummy and I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone. In the afternoon, I took the HSR back to Taipei to get the rest of my luggage with my戰利品 to the airport. It was sad leaving but I had fun and feel totally re-energized. So it was back to hard work and planning for my next trip. Stay tuned…
Total spent.................................................SGD1850
- Air Tickets............................................$350
- Airport transfer.....................................$100
- Amba Ximenting (意舍) for 3 nights.....$403
- HSR & Bus to Alishan..................$59
- Alishan House阿里山賓館 for 1 night...$299
- HSR & Bus to Sun Moon Lake.....$46
- SPA Home Sun Moon Lake hotel.........$203
- HSR & Bus to Taipei.....................$40
- Food & Souvenirs.........................$300
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