Welcome to Taiwan ! (Part 2) Totally Random

This post serve no meaning at all and it is solely for my own entertainment.

I have always wanted to try “Travel Solo”. I want to experience the freedom and enjoy the time i had to myself. I don’t have any schedule to follow, i don’t have any opinion to seek. Can i overcome the fear?

This was one of my (many) resolution for the year –> Travel Solo ! Although it was only a day, i am SOOOOOO proud of myself. I have taken the first step and i think i like it. I will do it again

I admit that there were “lonley” situations especially when it comes to dinning . I still need more practice on that area.

 冲动用完 又在有。。。

Updates Coming Soon!

I know that many people came across my blog because of Stone House Minsu.

I stayed there again for my recent trip. Stay tuned for reviews fresh out from the stove!

(Please give me some time as i just landed this morning) If you have any urgent questions feel free to email me at: travelnblog @ ymail.com

What to buy in Taiwan ?

 

  A lot of people will ask this question before they travel to the country. It is like the typical kiasu Singaporean question (because you just want to make sure that you got all the good buys)

  * The recommendation here are based on my own point of view, i hope that it can serve as a guide when you are doing your shopping ^^  

1. Instant Noodle

Don’t laugh. Mind you. Taiwan has the most oishi instant noodle i have ever ate. I regret till this day that i did not bring back a carton and swear that i will do so on my next trip. It is that good.

To be precise, the brand i am referring to is  維力， 一度赞

I shall shut up and let the photos do the talking.

 

一度赞泡面

 

Generous servings of seasoning

 

Real chuncks of meat!

Photos courtesy from http://blog.yam.com/maikof/article/15654688  I

 

I’ve also tried the Pork Ribs (排骨）口味. I Like. The Beef 口味 is highly raved about too (but i don’t take beef). The noodle was the Qest it can get. The soup was so thick and in flavour as if it has been cooked under the fire for 2 hours.It was real meat that you are looking at. Not some rubber meat-looking thing. You may think that it must be a joke to eat instant noodle in Taiwan when snacks are so easily available. This is one delicacy you have to try.  

 

Price: about $3 ? 

 

**3/4 of my entry just suddenly decided to vanish. W.H.Y !!! 

 

 

2. Pantene Clinicare Hair  

 

This is an award-winning & best selling haircare from Taiwan & Japan. Highly raved by Taiwanese superstars and stylists, the Hair Time Renewal range promises to renew your hair with luster, moisture & incredible softness with regular use. I wonder WHY is this product not in Singapore (however you can get it online at jerked-up-sky-high prices) This product is endorsed by 大S. Da S

 

Da S

I don’t know about you… but i would use anything that will give me hair like that. 

 

 

 

 

I bought the shampoo and conditional. There are only 2 types… erm, can’t give details on what types because i hardly can remember. But i bought the one that is shown on the picture. It is called “Hair time renewal”

Verdict: I don’t feel magically transformed nor is my hair anything near Da S. But well… as long as it is not available in Singapore. It must be a good buy.

 

Price: about $13 ?

 

3. My Beauty Diary Mask

 

These masks are very popular (in Singapore). Along with a few other brands such as Hokkiado Lover, Xin Ji Mei Ren….etc. They are easily available in their drug store such as Cosmo.

There are many different “flavour” to suit the different skin types. For example, there is Red wine which can birghten up the skin, Lavender can calm the skin and relieve stress.

 

 There are also Pearl, Sake Yeast, Rice, Yogurt, Apple, Aloe Vera, Natto…etc. It is amazing what which each type can do for your skin! You simpily need each and every one of them ^^

 

My Beauty Diary mask

In each box is 10 pieces of mask. There may be different promo in different drug store..so do compare a bit before you start going crazy on the masks.

 

Price: $10 ?

 

 

4. 阿婆铁蛋

 

This was my personal favourite. I was in love with these little black eggs. Add 1 into your instant noodle and it becomes a perfect meal. *Beware of the cholesterol hidden in the egg*~

It was called 铁蛋because it was as hard as metal. Not for the weak teeth obviously. It taste like 鲁蛋 (braised egg). Oh, the brand i specific here is 阿婆铁蛋

 

You can find many shops selling Tie Dan of other brands, many flavours. You will even be offered to try before you buy. But not for 阿婆铁蛋. There are no sample for you to try and there is only 1 original flavour.

Because it does not contain preservatives. Look out for the expiry date (they can’t be kept forever). 阿婆铁蛋 can be bought in 淡水. It is slighly expensive than the “other brands”.. and i am not quite sure if it is the best

 

But i like

 

    

 

Price: NT100 per pack (choice of chicken egg or quill egg)

 

 

 

 

Taiwan Hotel Reviews

  Spring City Hotel（春天酒店）

 As there are 6 of us, we booked 2 rooms. The girls got a room for 4 (they call it Japanese Room) the guys got a room for 2 (Vista/Romantic twin room)

We intend to take the 2:30pm hotel shuttle bus @ Bei Tou station. We reached at 2:20pm and waited… and waited… we confirm with the station staff that we are at the right waiting spot (Turn RIGHT after you get off the station)

At about 2:40pm, i called the hotel and was told that the bus has left (wth @#$%^ !!!) Ok, we can only take a cab up because the next bus will only come at 3:30pm. The taxi ride cost 100NT. 

We reached the beautiful hotel at about 3:15pm. It was obviously the grandest hotel in Bei Tou. The check in time was 3pm. We wasted no time and i proceed to check in. We waited and waited…   (wth @#$%^ !!!)   The guys got their room at about 3:40pm..our “Japanese room” was not ready yet! So all of us just “Nua” (laze around) in that room.  We were Tired, restless, hungry…and have every reason to be angry (right?) So the nasty someone in the group decided to go bang some tables. The girls room was finally ready (4:15pm) That did not cool off the nasty someone.  Away from home, the nasty someone displayed the true singapore spirit..he complained feedback about how the bus has left before the designated time and how they have wasted our “precious” time. The hotel, out of good will offered to send us to Bei Tou station right away(They had free transfer to Bei Tou station every hour, guest must register with the recept). Ok, better than nothing.. it did please the nasty someone and all of us. 

The Room

Vista room for twin sharing.I don’t know the extact difference between Romantic or Vista. But the room TOTALLY blow me away. It was really COZY and the decoration in the room was nicely done, almost like a, Art Museum. There were antique vases and some master art work displayed on the shelves in the room. The toilet…….. i can never forget the toilet  . The toilet is huge and the decoration is as meticulous as the bedroom~ Everything is made of black marble. There was a marble tub……it is deep enough for you to swim in it (if you are 130cm tall). Quoted from the website “The hot spring fountain in the bathroom is specially designed to add more bathing fun. You will be captivated by the hot spring flowing into the bathtub”  (indeed) The tab run hot spring water ! If you don’t want to burn yourself, you can mix it with cold running tab. I can still remember the feeling of soaking in it.

I forgot all about the previous unhappiness, immediately. This was all worthwhile. 

Japanese room.I have really high expection for the Japanese room. This was meant to be the hightlight of my trip. We paid a lot ($400+) so of course we expect a lot lah.

So you can imagine my face when i saw the room. When expectation reaches disappointment. Our room was directly opposit the guys and there was a door (in the corridoor) to pull and block all the other rooms so that we have the whole “area” to oursleves (you probaly don’t know what i’m talking about) Anyway, we have booked Japanese room with GARDEN VIEW (at additional cost). It was Tatami style. We were surprised because there was no bed, only a sitting area. Later, we learnt that we have to call the housekeeping to help us to lay out the mattress. Oh well…. japanese room mah.. Thanks God, the toilet was just as fabulous. The “garden view” was rather pathetic and we choose to pull down the curtains because we were afraid of peeping Tom. It was rather good experience, really.

Bathrobes and toiletries were provided. The toiletries looks really “high class” (read: you might want to take them home )     

Experience

You know what, thinking about it now…this Hot Spring experience was indeed the highlightof our trip. Everyone left the hotel cheerful, happy, contented, relaxed. Do try to use your time wisely (read: soak until your skin shed). Expensive but money well spend. I mean this is something you can never get in Singapore, so go on and splurge it if you have the budget. At night, you can go to Dan Shui (1 MRT stop) for a walk. It is my favourite place in Taiwan o~   

Breakfast was included. This was a 5* Hotel (i believe) so you can expect to have a variety of choices. 

 *Please do check out the free bus pick-up schedule from Bei Tou or Xin Bei Tou*

http://www.springresort.com.tw

地址：112台北市北投區幽雅路18號　聯絡信箱：sales@springresort.com.tw
訂房中心:(02)2897-2345　服務專線:(02)2897-5555 　傳真:(02)2897-7245

 

getting ready for bed~

Galerie Room (picture taken from the website)

Photo taken by me. Oh, room has nice LCD TV

corny, touristy photo that we simply have to take

Antiques display in the Vista room

Our Japanese room. This was what we saw when we entered.

The bathroom. Spring water flowing !

 

Okie, my post is getting lengthy and I still have 3  accommodations to write on ! I am sorry if it is starting to bore you because i want to make sure that i am detailed in my reviews.

 

The Galerie Hotel  (拓程商旅) @ Taichung

 

This was a nice boutique hotel with a modern feel. I liked the decoration of the hotel… looking around, this hotel really stands out. From the bus stop where our bus drop us, we took a cab there. It cost about NT85 (the metre did not jump) very near but impossible to walk. Again, we booked a room for 4 (

 

拓 程 客 房, Galerie room ) and a room for 2 (精 緻 客 房, Deluxe room). The room for 4 consist of a living room with a sofa set, a bar counter and a writing desk. There are 2 bedrooms. 1 room with a big double bed..the other room………………. TATAMI style again ! 

Breakfast has limited choices. Mostly “chinese food”. Feng Jia Night Market was within walking distance (but we don’t know how to walk back). Staff were extremely friendly~ There were computers downstair available for use.

Bathroom has all the necessaries, but there was no bathtub. Shower head is powerful..like a massage kind.

 

Galerie Room (picture taken from the website)

 

 I must say that the lighning really makes wonder..

 

Photo taken by me. Oh, room has nice LCD TV

 (The closed door was the first bed room…if you look closely at picture 1, you can actually see Tatami. my bad for not staring hard enough. )

You can book online @ https://www.ezhotel.com.tw/thegaleriehotel/

I choose to book over the phone.

Rates are stated in the above website as well..

Hotel Website: http://www.thegaleriehotel.com