Bubba and I haven’t gone to any trip together for the longest time. I think the last time we went out of the country was in April 2010 so two years have gone by since we walked the world together. So yea, I have been alone trekking the world and the little worlds within the world for quite some time. That’s why it was such a welcoming break to travel with him again.
Departure Day
Flying to Taiwan, Cab to Hotel, Vendome Hotel
At a 12:25am scheduled flight, we arrived with our luggage at the NAIA Terminal 2 airport a little before 10pm last Friday. Since we are flying via Cebu Pac, we needed to pay first the travel tax of P1620 towards the left side of T2. With receipt in hand, we lined at the open counter for Taipei, Taiwan. Luggage checked in at 17 lbs for us both (Bubba put his big North Face backpack-duffel bag inside the even bigger Samsonite luggage) giving us 13 lbs spare for our take-home goodies from Taiwan.
Flight left near its original schedule–give take 15 minutes, which isn’t so bad. I actually feel quite fortunate that I haven’t experienced prolonged delayed flights on this airline… at most was a 25-minute delay, which was only once or twice. I fly out Cebu Pac 45% of the time. I hear horror stories about delayed flights online and I just realized that I haven’t had any personal off-putting setback. Thank goodness because I for one dislike waiting. Close friends know I like to be on time and can only handle 15-minutes delay once in a while. That’s why they’re 95-98% on time or would advise a day to 2 hours ahead if they will be late.
One of my favorite dishes during the Taiwan trip
Arriving in Taiwan, we needed to find a way to our hotel. From Alex’ tip, she said that NT 2,000 is the cab fare from airport to their hotel near Taipei Main Station. Imagine Sylvester’s eyes popping out –that was my reaction from reading Bubba’s notes. Luckily, ours was only NT 1,175. We had US dollars changed at the airport, FOREX rate at NT 48.91 and paid the female driver using their local money.
Reaching Vendome Hotel, we presented our electronic reservation copy from my iPhone, and quickly after, opened the door to our hotel room, which had suitable space, king-size bed, free WiFi and a clean spacious bathroom among other usual amenities. We booked Friday so we were able to check in at 430am without having to wait for Saturday’s check-in time at 2pm.
Photo from Vendome Hotel website
Vendome Hotel is located at the heart of Taipei, east region. Best thing about is its location. There are a lot of stores and malls within the area, including good restaurants. The building also has the most popular hip-hop dance club in Taipei. Big plus is the fact that the subway station is just 2-minute adjacent walk from the building where Vendome is located.
The building across our hotel
The Subway Station just outside the hotel
Directions: From anywhere, just ride the MRT and find your way to the Blue Line. Taipei Main Station is usually the center spot of all subway points. Get off at Zhongxiao Dunhua station and take Exit 2 (Tin Lo). Vendome Hotel is right there outside the station, marked by a Zara store and Starbucks on its ground floor.
Day 1, Saturday
Ao Ba, Dan Shui’s Fisherman’s Wharf, Lover’s Castle, Hong Mao Castle and Shi Lin Night Market
Fully rested, we grabbed the free breakfast at the hotel, showered, finalized our itinerary and set out for the day. We had USD changed first in a nearby mall, FOREX rate though was lower at NT 48.50.First stop was nourishment mid-day at Ao Ba restaurant. Right outside the mall, even if I wanted to travel via subway, Bubba said to ride the cab going to the district where Ao Ba is. This was the first and last mistake we made during the trip.It was difficult to explain to the driver where the location was despite having the general area and street name in tow. He said he knew where it was but we ended up getting lost and moving around for 15 minutes clueless. Bubba finally decided to ask the driver to let us off at the nearest MRT. He took us much farther than where we were supposed to be so we headed back to the Fuxing area, which was the next station to Dunhua –where our hotel is. We found Ao Ba without breaking much sweat and had a late lunch.
We actually arrived at 220pm and they said that they closed at 2pm and opens only at 6pm for dinner. Bubba pleaded his case that we came from far away land and really went to the location only to try Ao Ba. I would have mentioned how it was the cab driver’s fault why we were late but Bubba’s charm already worked (naks). They gave us only 20 minutes to eat but it didn’t matter since their dishes were so easy to down it being so tasty. They even gave free nutty mochi type ofdessert.
Ao Ba Restaurant
Ao Ba restaurant opened in 1964 and has been in business for more than 40 years. It’s very popular for its modern and creative Taiwanese fair and is claimed to be a must-stop if you are in Taipei, as much as the National Palace Museum is too.
On the Table (Photos from my SLR to follow)
Stir-fried Shrimp with Pine Nuts (Small) NT
I love this dish, perfectly seasoned and stir-fried shrimps that are plump satisfied, including the heat kick toned down by sweetness
Braised Pork (Small) NT
Slices of pork belly braised in soy sauce, shallots, garlic. The pork is tender and the sauce has seeped through the meat. I let Bubba finished this one as I didn’t want to finish more than one cup of rice.
Grilled Oyster Cake with Shallots NT
This was an eye-opener, probably the best oyster cake I have ever tasted. I don’t know how this was made if it’s only pan-grilled but man, the grill smoky taste was obvious and adds a lot of depth to what we simply know as oyster cake with shallots. It was a big plate but we finished it alright.
Address: Breeze Center, Basement 1, No 39, Fuxing South Road, Da-an District, Taipei, Taiwan (02-8772-1109)
Tam Sui (Dan Shui)
After the delicious lunch, we headed to Dan Shui station. Dan Shui or Tam Sui is the last northbound stop of the subway along the Red line. It is approx. 30 minutes from Taipei Main Station. If you like Malacca in Malaysia, where it’s like an old city that has more personality than just being the city, Dan Shui is the same. It is rich in history with at least 3-4 sites to visit. You can even go mountain-gliding if you are the adventurous type. Or swim at a beach near the Danshui harbor.
Directions: Take MRT Station, and use the Red Line going to Tamsui. Depart at Tam Sui (a.k.a Dan Shui) station, which is last stop of Red Line, northbound.
Fisherman’s Wharf and Lover’s Bridge
Fisherman’s Wharf is a tourist attraction that is located downstream (take Red Bus 26 from the subway station) and offers a boardwalk as well as a departure point for boat dinners that traverse along Taiwan’s northeast coast.Nearby is The Lover’s Bridge, which is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the harbor and illuminates varying colors at night.
Foreigners like taking photos by the word Love before the walk across the harbor, while local couples watch outdoor concerts held in the amphitheater.
Bubba wanted to have either a boat dinner or dine at their slightly pricey seafood restaurant since it’s supposedly good around this area but since he doesn’t like seafood and it’s only me who will enjoy, I suggested grabbing a dinner somewhere else. Besides I wanted to catch Fort San Domingo before it closes at 5pm since we missed the stop at Fort San Domingo where the Red Castle or Hongmao can be found.
Fort San Domingo, Hong Mao Castle (Hong Mao or Red Hair Castle)
After a quick tour around Fort San Domingo, we walked across the street, where the bus stop is and lingered near a shoreline. We watched the sunset and photographers taking photos of it, where the sun seemed so huge and within reach, burning beautifully with red and orange colors.
We grabbed a 630pm merienda cena at a chic Italian coffee shop called Consulate across Fort San Domingo’s gate.I ordered a Mocha Latte while Bubba had a tuna panini and coffee with ice cream. While there, we asked if we could use the phone and called our hotel’s front desk to assist us in booking a half-day tour to Yehlou Park the next day.
Directions: Fisherman’s Wharf & Lover’s Bridge, Fort San Domingo, Back to MRT Station (Take Red Bus 26)
Taking the train again, we headed to Shi Lin night market. It’s so convenient that we bought the 3-day Metro pass for NT 290 (P440). Both can be used for the Metro Subway Train and the Metro Bus, unlimited rides so no worries if you get lost or missed a stop –no additional cost. That sums to only P115 per day per head to and from wherever you want.
Shih Lin Night Market
Taiwan is well known for its night markets. It has several but the one that started it all is Shih Lin night market. There are dozens of street foods to try and products sold here, whether retail or food, are really cheap. The streets also have carnival games like the ring-a-bottle, dart or shooting games among others.
This is where Bubba and I tried the Pork Chop, the Cheesy Ham Pineapple Potato Mash, Barbecued Bacon Stuffed with Onion Leeks, and fresh strawberries.
This was an awesome find. Rice cakes that are like prawn crackers! They have different interesting flavors too. I bought many packs to give as pasalubong back home.
The circular crackers popped out of the machine and surprised me with a booming sound. They give discounts for 5 or more purchases.
We also dined in one supposedly popular restaurant (it was packed and they had a photo wall of celebrities who have dined there) where they serve pork ribs among other broths and stews. It wasn’t hard to miss as they had HUGE black clay pots in front of the store simmering.
Directions: Take MRT to Jiantan Station (Red Line). There is a Shi Lin station but when you depart from that station, it’s actually a farther walk to where the Shi Lin night market is. Jiantan Station is nearer the Shih Lin night market, approx. 5-min walk. From Taipei Main Station, which is central, Jiantan is 5 stops. At Jiantan station, just follow wherever the big crowd is walking and you’ll see Shih Lin night market. It’s across the station, 2 pedestrian lanes away (specifically, end of Wenlin Rd, Jihe Rd. & Zhongshan N. Rd).
TO BE CONTINUED… The Tie that is Taiwan Part 2 of 3, coming up! 🙂
I love the photos! looking forward to parts 2 and 3 😀