[Travel Log] Day 10 - 11 - Dihua St., More KTV & Home-bound

Click here to read from the first post of this travel log!😊

Day 10-11: Dihua St., more KTV & Home-bound

13-14 October 2023, Friday-Saturday

On our last full day in Taiwan, Bi brought me to this rice ball breakfast store - it was near our accommodation and we got there by foot at around 10 A.M. Avoiding the morning office crowd, the queue was short & quick. 

飯糰霸

Map: No. 2號, Xuchang St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

Originally, I thought ordering a pork floss rice ball would means its just pork floss & rice, but hey, its more than just that. The store has a standard set of ingredients that would be included in the rice ball (fried doughstick, vegetable & filling of choice) so its a pretty hearty & balanced breakfast. 

I was blown away at my first bite into the rice ball - the first question I had was, why SG doesn't have such a rice ball for sale (or was there?)? the fried doughstick was crispy coupled with the savory element from the pork floss and I consider it healthy because of the vegetables in there + you have the option of topping up with an egg for protein. 

Loved it. 💕 If my memory didn't fail me, I think we got another rice ball (the sweet & salty one) to share. We were so full (its like having 2 bowls of rice in a single meal). 

Beautiful sky, and just a random spot where Taipei 101 is in the background. 

Dihua Street (迪化街) - 民藝埕 ArtYard

Map: No. 67號, Section 1, Dihua St, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103

Onto our final destination for the trip, it was to Dihua St.!

This place gives me a tea, dry-market kind of vibe - there were a lot of stores specialising in dry goods (such as beans, dried fruits, etc...) as well as traditional tea houses. 

And so, we decided to have a tea experience with ArtYard. 

First, we had to pick the tea we wanted, and the selection was made through scent of 18 different types of tea leaves and a menu booklet with descriptions of each of the samples. 

After making the selection, they would prepare the pot of tea & the complimentary snacks to complete the experience. 

By this time of the trip, I think we spent our tea session just reminiscing about the places that were most memorable to us and reflecting. 😂 

After the tea experience session, we didn't explore further but rather we decided to go back & do laundry - figured that the afternoon crowd at the coin laundry would likely be lesser than at night (I think we did laundry on the 1st night we were here as well, and there were a lot of people).

Coin Laundry

Map: No. 1號, Lane 106, Section 1, Kaifeng St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

This was at a pretty convenient location (near our accommodation of course) and near a cafe as well. So after parking our laundry in the washing machine, we went off for a quick coffee/tea break. 

Settling our laundry (it was more for me, because I don't have a washing machine at home), it was time for our KTV part 2 in Taiwan - Taipei. We found this brand of KTV with pretty good google reviews which was near our vicinity and just went with it.

Holiday KTV (好樂迪KTV)

Map: No. 34, Guanqian Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

This was a game changer - the first KTV that I had ever been to (in my life) with a private bathroom in the room. The quality of this KTV is definitely much better than the one we went to in Taichung, highly recommend this chain of KTV (party food was great as well). 

3 Hours of singing our fills, and the day was already almost over (we ended the session around 18:45). Headed to Ximending to grab the spring onion pancake (with pork chop & egg) that we found on the first night (loved it), and went back to pack our baggage for the return journey home. 

The next morning, we went back to the rice ball store to grab both breakfast & lunch (the queue was much longer than the day before because it was weekend) before we headed to the airport via the Airport Express train. 

Really stuffed the last rice ball into my tummy just before our flight, it was far too filling. Sadly, perhaps its really the weekend crowd (or even dependent on luck - e.g., the person who wraps your rice ball), but the rice ball was not as memorable as the 1st one we had. 

Just before our flight, we went in search of a bakery within the terminal and we each got some bread to bring back home for our families. 

Then there's nothing much to update anymore. 

We were homebound and marked the end of a journey.  

Thinking back, we were both kind of worried since they always say that travelling together with friends is a test of friendship. Super thankful that despite some of the hiccups along the way (e.g., finding transport just to get to our hotel on the 1st day, or change of plans because of typhoon day, cutting short our Maokong day trip because we were too tired, etc... etc...), just thankful that we were both pretty flexible and open to changing our plans based on our condition each day. 💕 

P.S. woohoo made it in time before the year ends! 😂 

Previous post: [Travel Log] Day 9: A FUNtastic day in Tamsui

[Travel Log] Day 9: A FUNtastic day in Tamsui

Click here to read from the first post of this travel log!😊

Day 9: A FUNtastic day in Tamsui

12 October 2023, Thursday

Breakfast in Taipei is such a blissful thing - following Foodie Bi around Taipei has proven to me, my previous trips to Taipei were all lies. 😂 What exactly have I been eating in Taipei prior to this trip?!

Mei Er Mei (美而美)

Map: No. 33號, Huaining St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

There are so many Mei Er Mei stores around selling similar yet different things. There were ones that sold burgers, then the ones that sold soup noodles and the one we went to that sold sandwiches & egg crepes. Yet another satisfying meal in the tummy. 

After our meal, we moved on to Tamsui. Tamsui is almost always in my itinerary when I visit Taiwan... and yet, for some reason, it always feel different every single time. 

Tamsui (淡水)

Map: Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251

The day was awesomely blue (very sunny...🌞), and when we came out of the station I just felt Tamsui changed so much. I dont remember Tamsui being so developed and well-paved?!

So. SO BEAUTIFUL. 

Must-have at Tamsui? - definitely A-gei. During my past trips, I remember I usually go to the one nearest to the station, but we decided to follow Google reviews this time, and we had to walk a little upslope to get there. 

Tamsui Agei (淡水老牌阿給 創始店)

Map: No. 6之1號, Zhenli St, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251

I loved that this was a soupy version of what I used to have. The Agei in my memory was always with a layer of sweet sauce over it, but the one here, its just flavourful on its own. 💕

I have skipped Fisherman's wharf every single trip (because of how far away it was from the station) but this time, here with Bi, we found the UBike parking spot & decided to cycle there! TBH, I was very fearful of my own biking skills, but we made it there in one-piece. 😂

We really just chilled here, with our ice-blended drinks (because it was a hot day), and just enjoying the view. 

Stopped at this bridge for a super long time... spamming all photos because there were really not much foot prints over here. I don't know if this is the aftermath of Covid but while I enjoyed the peace & quiet, the businesses located here are probably quite affected. 

We considered the option of biking back, but we realised, there was a bus back to the station - So why not (safety is important 😝)?!

Enjoy Fly-想啡咖啡-淡水中正店

Map: No. 40號, Zhongzheng Rd, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251

The bus stopped at a street of shops, and we saw this minimalistic cafe opposite (needed the restroom too, so we decided to grab a drink). 

We grabbed all the souvenirs that we needed and just look at the sunset view!!! - I love Tamsui!!!

We dropped all our shopping bags in the hotel and went to Shilin for dinner! 

Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)

Map: No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

This night market was one that I thought would be a bit more exciting, one thing I liked from there was the 'Taiwan Pizza' - that fried spring onion pancake with fillings. I'm not sure if it was because Shilin was part under renovation, but it didn't feel as straightforward as the rest of the night markets (a lot of small alleyways, a big sheltered area that felt a bit like a marketplace but also have those festival games). 

Next post: [Travel Log] Day 10 - 11 - Dihua St., More KTV & Home-bound

Previous post: [Travel Log] Day 8 - Mao Kong & Raohe Night Market

[Travel Log] Day 8 - Mao Kong & Raohe Night Market

Click here to read from the first post of this travel log!😊

Day 8: Mao Kong & Raohe Night Market

11 October 2023, Wednesday

Our first breakfast itinerary in Taipei - it was to go to the highly raved Fu Hang Soy Milk! Soy Milk Beancurd & Fried Doughsticks, the must-have breakfast in Taiwan, but have you had savoury (salty) Soy Milk Beancurd? 

Fu Hang Soy Milk (阜杭豆漿)

Map: 100, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108號2樓

It was a weekday but there was a queue at 08:30 in the morning, but it did move pretty quickly though. I think we got into the premises within 15 mins wait. 

One of the most overkill breakfast we had but so satisfying. Apart from these, we also got 2 soy milk to-go. 

Being in Taipei is just so convenient, after breakfast, we got onto the metro and travelled to our next stop - Maokong!

Maokong Gondola (貓空纜車)

Map: No. 28號, Section 2, Xinguang Rd, Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 116

It was a very cloudy day, yet hot at the same time. 

This was one of the longest cable-car ride I have ever taken in my life. I think from ground to the Maokong Station took more than 20 minutes. 😂 

The funny part about the long cable-car ride was that we were both so tired at that point in the trip, we were just drifting in and out of consciousness during the whole ride (including the one we took back down the mountain).

I love how there were random cat-related statues/figurines around the place. We originally wanted to do a hiking trail, but our physical condition that day was so bad, we walked a short stretch and decided not to go further. 😂

Stopped by Maokong Teahouse for ice-cream & got some tea as souvenir from our family/friends. 

And unexpectedly ended our Maokong itinerary because we were simply too cui that day! 😂

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped by this Gua Sha shop (in the underground mall) and got stuck for quite a while. 😂 But really, no regrets. It was my first time buying something like that and that head massager is one of those that I use so frequently - it really does alleviate my headaches when they come. 

After a good break in between, we headed out again - this time to Raohe Night Market! 

Raohe Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市)

Map: Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105

Pepper Cake Buns are the highly raved street food here at Raohe but the star for me... SAUSAGES. oh my gawd. 好到什么程度？！好到。。。 吃完了， 不够过瘾， 再排多一次队，再过个瘾。Best way to end the night... is always having a satisfying meal. 💕

Next post: [Travel Log] Day 9: A FUNtastic day in Tamsui

Previous post: [Travel Log] Day 7: Taichung to Taipei!

[Travel Log] Day 7: Taichung to Taipei!

Click here to read from the first post of this travel log!😊

Day 7: Taichung to Taipei!

10 October 2023, Tuesday

10.10... Taiwan's National Day, and also the day we head to Taipei! 

Back to the city/Japan vibes (because their underground shopping streets are so similar 😂)!

We were too early for check-in, so we left our baggage with the reception and headed to find lunch. 

Saw the same machine that I tried to get Pawmi from (in Taroko Mall) and decided to try my luck at it again. AND BOOM, Pawmi on the first try! 💕

We saw Katsuya and decided to just go with it - though Japanese cuisine, but they use Taiwanese Pork so... valid choice right?! 😂 If you leave them a google review, they give you a side dish for free! 

After a very fulfilling meal, we headed back to the hotel to rest up a little.

Ximen Le Room Hotel Kai Feng Taipei 綺樂文旅 開封館

Map: No. 35號, Section 1, Kaifeng St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

Extremely convenient location, but not a place I would stay at again. Self note: Taipei probably requires a higher accommodation budget than the rest of the country.

The room size was fine for me, I just had an issue with the very small toilet where I would bump into the wall or the toilet seat if I was getting dressed and that was dreadful for me 😂.  

After a short break, we headed back out to Ximending, to grab dinner, which was within walkable distance from the hotel. 

Ximending Night Market 

Map: No. 127, Hanzhong St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

Bi has an accessory shop located in The Red House (store name: "New Noise") that she would visit every time she came here. So our very first stop was exactly that. 

"New Noise" is an accessories store run by a pair of siblings, selling their own designs which are all related to music. I was drawn to one of the bracelets as I felt the colour blended with my skin very well and I just had to get it. 😂

Wasn't feeling particularly hungry that night (probably because we had quite a filling late lunch), so Bi went ahead to get her staple - Ah Zhong Mian Xian, while I got some snack from adjacent store. Along the way, I saw something similar to 手抓饼 which I really missed (Shanghai OIP memories), and got that too. 

Next post: [Travel Log] Day 8 - Mao Kong & Raohe Night Market

Previous post: [Travel Log] Day 6 - Leisure & Shopping in Taichung

[Travel Log] Day 6 - Leisure & Shopping in Taichung

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Day 6: Leisure & Shopping in Taichung

9 October 2023, Monday

Prior to the trip, Bi & I already decided that we were going to plan KTV sessions into this trip because the industry is much bigger than in Singapore (and pricing was expected to be a lot more affordable). So we did!

We found this KTV chain within walkable distance from our hotel and went with it since we could also walk to Lalaport after that. 

銀櫃ktv一廣店

Map: 400, Taiwan, Taichung City, Central District, Section 1, Taiwan Blvd, 100號A棟11樓

Apart from the fact that the location was very lok (a.k.a. rundown), the place itself looked pretty modern. Perhaps this is just my peeve, but I didn't like the cigarette smoke-smell when I entered the reception of this place. 

It was 460 TWD per person for 3 hours with free-flow buffet (whatever they have available - we went really early before 10:00 so they were still preparing all the finger food and stuff).

The sound/mic quality etc. was so-so, but for the price there is really nothing to complain about. Its a spacious room with the basics. 

Nonetheless, quite a shiok first-KTV session in Taiwan. 

We then headed to Lalaport which was again, within walkable distance from the KTV. The view walking there was so serene and just calming (would be perfect if the weather was just slightly cooler...😂). 

Even though it was a Monday, the place was super crowded because it was their double public holiday!! Every dining place had a queue which instantly brought me back to *SG vibes*.

We decided to treat ourselves with some Gyukaku as we actually saved quite a bit of cash during our Sun Moon Lake leg of the trip. 

Lalaport 台中 天幕空橋

Map: 401, Taiwan, Taichung City, East District, Jinde Rd, 600號二 樓

Were we too hungry? or perhaps just lazy, I realised I don't have much photos of lunch 😂 - but at least I was intrigued enough with the marshmallow beef to take a picture of it (very sweet though, as expected). 

Totoro store!!!

As with any crowded shopping centers, I got tired really quick. So we decided take a slow walk back to the hotel and take a break before we head out to grab dinner while we start to pack (our luggage) since we were leaving Taichung the next day. 

Zhongxiao Road Night Market 忠孝路觀光夜市

Map: Zhongxiao Rd, South District, Taichung City, Taiwan 402

I don't remember what we did prior to leaving to grab dinner at the nearby night market, but we did leave really late (like around ~20:30). [Were we watching the TV, I vaguely remember we caught some singing show and were kind of discussing about the techniques and stuff 😂]. 

We really overdid this one - ordered a bunch of stuff, got back to the hotel, and was too full (& tired) to finish everything. I remember I was still finishing the crepe at 12 midnight and by then, Bi was already asleep (she finished the sweet potato balls the next morning & was amazed that they were still crispy despite everything). Taichung Sweet Potato balls...💕 

Next post: [Travel Log] Day 7: Taichung to Taipei!

Previous post: [Travel Log] Day 5: Touring around Taichung town