ITINERARY
Day 1: Changi Airport > Taoyuan Airport > Sun Moon Lake
Day 3: Cingjing > Taroko National Park > Hualien
Day 4: Hualien
Day 7: Taipei (Beitou > Tamsui)
Day 8: Taipei (Shinkong Mitsukoshi > Ximending > Shilin Night Market)
Day 9: Taipei > Taoyuan Airport
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Started off the day with searching for breakfast. But laziness got to us and we settled for something familiar.. McDonald!!
After which, we headed for the train station to take the ride to Ruifang train station as our destination for the day is Jiu Fen. Revisited Jiu Fen although the last trip we been there already, but it turned dark when we reached (Click here to see the night time photos), and not to mention the downpour that force us to just make our way through without anything much.
This time round, we didn't hire a driver as we had time to do our own travelling. Going to Jiufen via public transport was a breeze. A train ride to Ruifang and a shuttle bus that goes to the entrance of Jiu Fen.
Scenaries while on the train
A fine day it was, with nice people telling us exactly the bus to board when we walked out of Ruifang train station looking lost. The bus was almost filled up but we managed to squeeze in. Stood throughout the short ride, the view was good as the bus was going uphill but bad thing was the bumpy road!
If you think you might get lost, don't be. Because majority on board alights at Jiufen station.. So just follow the crowd
The view that you will get to see when you alight at the stop.
Once I reached Jiufen, it was endless eating, drinking and eating...
See to believe!
One of the first stall when entering Jiufen is this! Went in and quickly ordered without hesitation!
Yam in Ginger Soup (综合芋圆/涼粉-姜汤)
Followed by Red Yeast Taiwanese Meatballs & Assorted Flavors Pork Ball (红糟肉圆 & 貢丸)
Thirsty?? Well. Guava Juice in Doraemon bottle!!
Think it was already the end of my food eating spree?
It was just the beginning (the food is shared between me and my hubby la)
It was just the beginning (the food is shared between me and my hubby la)
Browsing through the menu, the lady recommended Milkfish as it is one of their specialty not to be missed..
Milkfish Mee Suan (虱目魚面线)
Tasted good! the fish meat is something like cod fish (without the oil). I can go for second serving or maybe third since it tasted so light.
Wontons in chili oil sauce with Noodle (红油抄手)
Spicy but appetizing.
Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎)
I don't remember much but I think the comments from my friends are compared to our version, this is more starchy while ours are more eggy??
After lunch, it was almost the last of my food bringe at Jiufen. Bought almost everything, we headed for the stairways that will reached bus stop. At the stop, there was a time indicator on the next bus arrival at the bus stop. Seeing it was just a few minutes more to the shuttle bus, we rejected the taxi drivers who keep coming up to us and tell us how we are going to waste time under the hot sun which we could have just enjoy a nice ride back to Taipei. But after waiting for almost 20~30mins, the bus arrived with people squeezed all the way to the back. In the end, we took a cab but not to Taipei Main Station, just back to Ruifang Train Station.
View of the Train Station
As we had some stuffs to unload, we headed back to hotel. But before that, I headed to this gyoza stall which is just around the corner at Taipei Main Station towards my hotel direction. Been craving for this gyoza since the last trip.
I bought only the original and curry flavor but in the hotel room when I ate it, it just didn't taste as nice. Maybe I should have shared with my friends afterall? haha
After a short break in hotel, we headed to Gongguan to buy Porter bag. There is an outlet that we visited in our last trip and since, they gave better rebate, we revisit. (Also, it is a good place to shop for sports apparel.)
After almost an hour (or more) at the Porter store and finally DONE buying, we went around to look for a place to rest and have dinner. Everywhere the queue has formed. We found this place where their specialty is handmade noodle but a pity I didn't take any pictures of the eatery (exhausted and hungry).
Beef Handmade Noodle (Handmade Noodle is Q and the soup is just nice, not too concentrated
After dinner, the stalls at Gongguan Night Market (公館夜市) has started business. And well, when in Taipei, nothing can put a stop to my stomach. I saw this queue forming and I just joined in to order without any idea this is a very well known sponge cake with fillings. I highly recommend to anyone who like sponge cake or red bean or custard cream! This uncle makes an original snack so delicious that me and my friend queue and bought 3 times from him!!
After snacking at Gongguan, time to head back to hotel. As my friends are keen to get the cakes from Agnis B., we head to Qsquare mall again and this time round then I saw there is promotion after certain timing we the cake and beverage goes for a good price (don't ask me the price for I forgot already *sweat)
We ended the day with cake and coffee!!
