Day 5 Backpack Taipei, Taiwan Trip (台湾台北行）

Thinking that my post for taiwan will be numerous post but I still can't shorten my post. Because every detail and moment is memorable for me to jot it down. You can find my Day 4 post of Hualien & Jiufen here.

Day 5 was a great day, we went to 13 places in 13 hours. That's really an amazing journey with our great driver Mr Meeky Yang. He only drive Malaysians and Singaporeans, because he mentioned that M'sians and Singaporeans are fast and steady people, which makes us smile within our hearts. Maybe we got the "KIASU" spirit which someway bring benefits.

Mr Meeky is a great tour guide that drives us around with his steady driving skills and has great knowledge about places he brings us to. Mr Meeky pick us up from our Minsu in Jiufen and started our journey for the day. Below are the list of places we went.

1. 九份 (jiu fen) - I will also count this in because we started off here.
2. 金瓜石 (jing gua shi)
3. 黄金瀑布 (huang jin pu bu)
4. 阴阳海 (ying yang hai)
5. 十三椅 (shi san yi)
6. 基隆山 (ji long shan)
7. 鼻头角 (bi tou jiao)
8. 南雅奇石 (nan ya qi shi)
9. 十份老街 (shi fen lao jie)
10. 野柳公园 (ye liu geopark)
11. 小油坑， 阳明山 (xiao you keng @ yang ming shan)
12. 竹子湖(海芋圆)，阳明山 (zhu zi hu @ yang ming shan)
13. 师大夜市 (shi da ye shi @ taipei)

Day 4 Backpack Taipei, Taiwan Trip (台湾台北行）

The Hualien & Jiufen day - Beautiful beach scenery and old streets with greenery 

Continuing from my Day 3 post of the Hualien City

If you are keen to watch sunrise, remember to ask the reception the sunrise time.
They track it for their customer. How thoughtful! The sunrise was at 5.30 am the day we stayed in.
But I couldn't get to watch sunrise due to tiredness. My friend got to video the whole process for us thou. We woke up at 8am, after the complimentary breakfast and set off for cycling by the beach.

The hotel provide free bicycles for their guest. I shall not say much, let the pictures amaze you, enjoy!

Day 3 Backpack Taipei, Taiwan Trip (台湾台北行）

Day 3 (Tuesday) - 12 May 2014, Hualien, Taiwan

Continuing with my 2nd day post,

Hualien was part of my plan because I saw too many beautiful pictures of Hualien online. We bought the TRA ticket online because the tickets will sold out according to some websites.You can buy the tickets from here.

Day 2 Backpack Taipei, Taiwan Trip (台湾台北行）

Day 2 (Monday) - 12 May 2014,

Morning: Ximeding street

Afternoon: Taipei 101

Evening: Ximending street

View from Taipei 101

Continuing from my 1st day post in taiwan,

The initial plan was to go to get a prepaid card with data, Taipei 101, elephant mountain for sunset view and to Ximending night market.

We woke up early at 7am, because we were used to our physical alarm clock waking up at 7am. Plan changes with weather, and of course we need to be flexible. So we set off at 9am walking towards Ximen station (西门站). Along the way there was too much delicious food that we stopped to eat almost every 5 minute. By the time we reach the station, we are well fed. Haha! There are more to these, but I didnt get to capture pictures on time.

Day 1 Backpack Taipei, Taiwan Trip (台湾台北行）

Here we go with our trip. We touchdown in Taipei on Sunday @ 10.30pm.

Normally cheap flight tickets will schedule flights at odd hours. So we took Airasia and arrive at Taoyuan airport. Before continuing my schedule, the new airport for all Airasia flight had been moved to KLIA 2 instead of the usual LCCT.

Make sure that you arrive an hour earlier at the boarding area before the boarding time, this is because the distance from the departure hall to the boarding area, will take up to 20 - 30 min walk. We were running like mad fellows from the inspection area to the boarding area when we were being inform that our flight was on " last call". The run took us 10 minutes - 15 minutes. It was really an "awesome" experience.

What to prepare for Backpack Taipei, Taiwan Trip (台湾台北行?

What to prepare for a trip? I often asked myself this question. Below are the list that I listed after I went to Taiwan (based on personal experience)

1. Weather 

Check the weather before selecting your flight dates. I heard from the taxi drive that in July there is a higher possibilities to meet with Tai Fung (台风). And people spent 2-3 days in hotel as all operation are closed even public transport. of course, Taiwan celebrates chinese new year, and most of the restaurants are either closed or fully booked. You would want to avoid that. You can always check the seasons & weather here.