My Fairytales..

The day I've been waiting for was finally arrived!  Xinbeitou, a place that really caught my heart when I did my research on Taipei. 

How to get to Beitou :
The MRT red (Xindian-Danshui/Nanshijiao-Beitou) lines both stop at Beitou MRT station. From Beitou station a one-station branch line runs to Xin Beitou station, which is near the hot springs area.
From the Xinbeitou MRT station, you can either walk or take a bus to the nearby attractions.  We choose to walk as the weather was a bit chilly during our stay in Taipei.

Beitou Town

The guide map

The Hot Spring Museum. Free entrance and there were class going on in the hall

One of the public bath.  I can't remember how much is the entrance fee as I passed on this.

One of the beautiful building in Beitou Hot Spring Park

Left a love note

Qinshui Park was developed as a hot spring resort by the Japanese during their occupation era on 1895 - 1945 and is known as Beitou Hot Springs Park now.  You can see beautiful European-Japanese style buildings everywhere.


Beitou Thermal Valley also known as Ghost Lake

This place remind me of Owakudani in Hakone, Japan

The greens around the park

We didn't stay long at the valley as I can't really stand the sulfuric atmosphere.  The springs here have the highest temperatures of any in the Datunshan Volcano Group. Well, that's what Mr Google said :D  We stopped at the souvenirs shop inside the Thermal Valley to buy something for families and friends, had an ice-cream on our way back to Beitou Town.

Our next destination was Zhuzihu, the field of white calla lily flowers. Situated within Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei City, Zhuzihu Scenic Spot is at the intersection of Zhuzi Lake and Yangjin Highway.

How to go to Zhuzihu :
By bus :  Take bus route red 5(紅5), 109 to reach Zhuzihu directly

I never had the feeling to get a nice cup of hot latte at as much as when I saw this.  Not sure why

Would like to share a video on the journey to the mountain but I hope you guys don't get dizzy.  This one is pretty decent actually compared to others. The bus ride was quite rough and I felt like we were on a roller coaster ride. We survived the bloody murder bus ride eventually and the scenery was spectacular! Those photos didn't do them justice thought.  The real experienced was way more beautiful than what captured. I'm glad we included Zhuzihu in our itinerary.

Those shoes are only RM18!  They are definitely coming back with us

We caught the bus back to Beitou Town at the same exact bus stop we disembarked earlier.  Bought our early dinner at Family Mart and had them at Starbucks in Beitou.  We decided to head to Shilin Night Market after that for some last minutes shopping.  By this time, I will vomit blood if I see another night market. Toooooo much of night market!!

I didn't do much that morning.  Trying my best to get my body strong again so I slept till late afternoon. I think one of the important things to take note while traveling is to keep your body hydrated. Please drink enough water because the changing of environment we are experiencing and the last thing you want in the trip is to fall sick.  By the time I woke up, it was already pass my usual lunch time.  We walked to the nearest 7 Eleven to buy our fav onigiri for lunch.  I really admire how their 7 elevens are provided with table and chair so that everyone can dine in.

We spend some time at the mall next to our hotel after lunch and headed back to the room to freshen up before going to Tamsui that evening.

The journey to Tamsui from our hotel took approximately 1 hour train ride.  Upon arriving Tamsui, we took a bus to Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf.  Please remember to board the bus back to Tamsui town at the same exact place you disembark

How to go to Tamsui

Take Mrt Tamsui (Red Line) to its northern end at Tamsui Station

Didn't managed to take many photos after this as the rain decided to pour heavily the moment we crossed the bridge.  What a night!! We had nice dinner, went back to the bus stop to catch the bus back to Tamsui Mrt and took the mrt to Shilin Night Market for dessert and shopping.

I was down with slight fever on my 3rd day in Taipei so I decided to continue shopping later in the evening. Since I don't really have anything to do during the day, I offered to accompany Dina to the pool.   

That night, our friend Cheng Hui and her family decided to join us. Took a cab and we met up in front of Taipei 101.  Yeay we are going to Taipei 101!  Been waiting for this moment since we saw the photo when we booked Shangri-La.  They made this tower look so beautiful in the website.

The taxi fare was pretty cheap, TWD108 (around RM12). We had dinner at a Japanese restaurant called Momoya and discussed if we want to go up to the observatory deck.  But looking at the time, we have 2 more places to go, Wu Fenpu (again) and Raohe Night Market.  So we passed the observatory deck but I promised Ina that we will come again during the day.  Few minutes later, we were in a taxi heading to Wu Fenpu.

Raohe Night Market is reachable by foot from Wu Fenpu so we walked there when we were done with our shopping.  

What else can I say?  All we did so far was eating, drinking and shopping.  We went to Tamsui and the fisherman wharf the day after.  Beitou was in our list too. Can't wait to share the beautiful photos of Beitou with you guys.  We went go to Keelung City which is 1 hour away from Taipei city on our 6th day.  I'm glad because beside shopping, we are able to experienced the beautiful side of Taiwan.. Till the next post!

It'a a beautiful Tuesday morning and I'm just starting my day with a cup of milk tea.  I suddenly realized that I haven't been blogging for almost a month now.  I thought that maybe I've been quite busy lately but hello??? who doesn't? Honestly, I lost track on how I spend my day, everyday.  I don't know where all my time is gone.  24 hours in a day doesn't seem enough anymore and life seems to be moving too quickly.  Anywho.. I should stop blabbering and get to the business..

Woke up quite late on my 2nd day and had cup noodle and some biscuits for brunch.  I didn't plan to go out early because according to the locals shopping party in Taipei will only start around 12.00 noon!  I will to go to Xi Mending for lunch and milk tea before heading to Wu Fen Pu.  I also need to buy Bourjois foundation for Rachel and myself from SASA or Watson in Xi Mending

My outfit on that day

Fried quail eggs

At Xi Mending.  People call this place "Shibuya" Taipei.  No offense ya, but to me, this is not even close to the real Shibuya in Tokyo. Tempted to buy so many things here but I have to stay calm and relax. Always remember recommendation from the bloggers and locals.  Buy shoes only in Shilin Night Market and clothes from Wu Fen Pu because there are the places that will give you the cheapest price. Ok, ok! Shoes in Shilin Night Market, clothes from Wu Fen Pu, Shoes in Shilin Night Market, clothes from Wu Fen Pu, fuh fah fuh fah... I ended up buying nothing except a few skin care product from Watson that are not available in Malaysia. The Bourjois hunting was a total fail too as they are out of stock both in SASA and Watson. Malaysia, why you don't have Bourjois one??? Even Vietnam carry that brand in their department store.   How to get to Wu Fen Pu Get to Houshanpi Station. Exit 4.   It can be quite tricky and confusing after the exit.  I can't recall the exact direction to the Fashion Area. All I can remember is to go straight and cross the road upon exiting.  I followed bunch of people who I believe going to the same spot and I was totally right!  But not to worry, you won't get lost as there are signage to the Fashion Area. This was the only picture taken on my first visit to Wu Fen Pu as I went crazy, jumping with joy and crying my eyes ball out the moment I saw this place.. Ok drama sangat!!  This place is sooooo amazeballsss..... Can't describe how suffered I was trying my level best to be rational.  Keep on reminding myself  "Today is only the second day and you have another 5 days to go. Money doesn't spurting out from the water tap. Shop wisely, you have a long to buy list."   But... hekkk ya!! I'm contributing to the economy and there is HSBC just across across our hotel!  *DIE* It is 200% recommended to shop your clothes here in Wu Fen Pu.  The price is dirt cheap and even thought this is a wholesaler, customer are allowed to buy 1 piece at a time.  You will get even cheaper price if you purchase in bulk.  I found the shoes here are quite expensive. You can find the same design at much cheaper price in Shilin Night Market. Went back to the hotel to keep our things and straighten our legs LOL!  We headed out to Xi Mending again to have our dinner.  I never knew that the street in Xi Mending will transform to a night market.  Lucky us! First time trying the stinky tofu.  It wasn't bad at all.  In fact the tofu is very tasty and yummmeehhhh!!!!!!!! I don't mind to try it again but the smell was so unpleasant.   We bought this dessert because they were so cute and colourful.  It made from rice flour with red bean paste as the filling.  I don't fancy it so much though. We left Xi Mending around 10 pm as there were nothing else to do except eating and  drinking. Try to avoid buying anything as I told earlier, they are more expensive compare to other places.  Looking forward to tomorrow because Taipei 101 is in the schedule! I received few emails asking about the language used in Taipei.  I think it is best I shared it here.  I don't have any problem with the communication here in Taiwan or during my trip to China because our Dina speaks Mandarin. Dina is the interpreter and the one who do the talking everytime. But not to worry because the young Taiwanese do speak English very well.  Problem only with the elderly. Language or translator applications on your smart phone might be a help I think if you can't speak Mandarin.