Day 7: Taichung > Kaohsiung (Formosa Boulevard 捷運美麗島站 > Dream Mall 統一夢時代購物中心> Ruifeng Night Market 瑞丰夜市 > Hanshin Departmental Store 漢神百貨 > Liuhe Night Market 六合夜市)

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Day 1: Changi Airport > Taoyuan Airport > Taipei > Hsinchu > Neiwan

Day 2: Taipei (Maokong > Taipei Main Underground Shopping Street > Qsquare)

Day 3: Taipei (Wu Fen Pu > Eslite > Taipei Main Underground Shopping Street > Ningxia Night Market)

Day 4: Taipei > Taichung (Taichung Train Station > Miyahara Ophthalmology Department > Fengjia Night Market)

 Day 5: Taichung (Rainbow Military Dependents` Village > Great Buddha of Baguashan > Lukang Old Street > Taiwan Glass Gallery & Glass Temple > Gao Mei Wetlands)

Day 6: Taichung (Stock 20 > Taichung Park > Yizhong Shopping Street)
Day 7: Taichung > Kaohsiung (Formosa Boulevard > Dream Mall > Ruifeng Night Market > Hanshin Departmental Store > Liuhe Night Market)

Day 8: Kaohsiung > Kenting 墾丁(Fu An Temple 福安宮 > Eternal Flame 出火特別景觀區(恆春出火) > Jialeshuei Scenic Area 佳樂水風景區 > Longpan Park 龍磐公園 > Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻灯塔>  ShaDao Eco-Protection Area 砂島生態保護區> Chuanfanshih 船帆石 > White Sand Bay 白沙灣)

Day 9: Kaohsiung (Cijin Island > The British Consulate at Takao > 壽山LOVE情人觀景台 > Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine > Takao Railway Museum > The Pier-2 Art Center > Love River Ai He > Lotus Pond > Kaohsiung Airport)

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Started the day with breakfast at CityInn. The basement was packed and we waited for a while before there was table for us. After a long and delicious breakfast... it was time to bid CityInn and Taichung goodbye...

Time to go Kaohsiung!
  • Took a cab from CityInn to Taichung HSR (a 20 minutes ride approx NT$200)
  • Opted for HSR ride to Zuoying (Would have costed around NT $860 each for the economy class and takes around an hour. But we took the train with non-stop stations in between Taichung to Zuoying and cost lesser (NT$775) and the travel time reduced by 10 minutes)

Taichung HSR Station While we waited for our ride

When we board the HSR, we were once met with the same situation (once again)... NO place for our luggage!! There is a place allotted for luggage on the HSR but it was already packed when we board the train. We had to squeeze our luggage at our seat's leg space (again). The HSR had a bigger leg space as compared to train. 

 Upon reaching Zuoying HSR, it was started to rain. We took a cab to our Kaohsiung accommodation and during our ride, the driver shared with us on what to do around Kaohsiung. 

 Our accommodation in Kaohsiung is at Gwawa Hotel (NT$3,376 for 3 days 2 nights). The hotel staffs were friendly and quick to share with us on their accommodation facilities and the places of interest around Kaohsiung. After we dropped our luggage with them at the counter, we headed out for lunch.

Kaohsiung Streets - Can't help notice there is a lot of bridal studios and shops selling traditional wedding items

 There were nearby eateries but we wanted to go further and decided on Dream Mall 統一夢時代購物中心. Gwawa Hotel is near to the Formosa Boulevard station and getting to Dream Mall is just a few stations away (Costed NT$20). We alighted at Kaisyuan station and it took another 10-15mins to get to the mall.

The path to the Dream Mall from the train station exit (reminded me of those romantic scenes from the movies/drama!!)

Dream Mall view

Dream Mall (closer view)

There were restaurants but we opted for food court for our lunch.

Highly recommended to try this stall at the Dream Mall food court

Their BBQ Chicken Don

Their BBQ Pork Don

The BBQ meats are really.. VERY.. NICE!! You can smell that charcoal taste and the texture is just right! It's was tender and melted in the mouth. Although it was BBQ, the sauce differentiate the meat easily. 

After our lunch, we headed for Ruifeng Night Market. From Kaisyuan Station, head for Kaohsiung Arena Station and walk to Ruifeng Night Market. With our phone's GPS, going to Ruifeng Night Market from Kaohsiung Arena Station was quite easy.

Ruifeng Night Market

It was still early when we got to the night market. Many stalls were just about to open where majority seemed to be food stalls. The food stalls had seats and tables for dine-in. 

Full from our late lunch, we didn't had much craving for food and we weren't in the gaming mode. So after a walk around the night market, off we go to Hanshin Department Store 漢神百貨. We headed towards Kaohsiung Arena Station and walked another 10 minutes to Hanshin Department Store. 

Hanshin Department Store - Miffy theme at the entrance of the shopping Mall!

Giant Miffy!

Miffy's Train

Miffy entrance/exit!

It's Xmas time!! so cute

When we reached Hanshin Department Store, it was crowded. Exhausted from all the walking and travelling, we headed for some drinks and rest at Starbucks. Fortunately, there were seats available.

Starbucks is everywhere in Taiwan!

After our rest and some shopping around, we headed back to Formosa Boulevard Station via train. Formosa Boulevard Station is known for it's lighting. A pity my picture doesn't justify them. 

Formosa Boulevard Station 1

Formosa Boulevard Station 2

Formosa Boulevard Station 3

Formosa Boulevard Station 4

Formosa Boulevard Station 5

Formosa Boulevard Station 6

Still in time for one more shopping, we headed for the nearby Liuhe Night Market which is just 10 minutes walk from Formosa Boulevard exit. 

Liuhe Night Market

The rain must have followed us because it was raining again when we reached Liuhe Night Market. Didn't eat anything because of the rain. We hurriedly head back to our hotel. We went round and round trying to find the way. But even with our GPS, we had some difficulties getting back. When we finally saw the hotel, we spotted a stall at the corner selling snacks for supper and/or breakfast!! This store seemed to open from night time to morning hours and closed in the noon.

Snack Stall

With the cold rain pouring, the hot soya bean drink and the fried fritters were the best match for supper.

Satisfied with our supper, it was time to check out our room!! We got a free upgrade from a double-bed room to a room for 3 because they were overbooked. Really thankful for that. The good thing I liked is the homely feel. But the door was a key lock system and there weren't any latch. I was constantly worried the door might be opened. (Well, I am a scaredy cat...)

Gwawa Hotel (forgot the them I had but this is gorgeous!)

With that much walking (and eating), 8600 steps were accomplished without me realizing!

Tips of the day
If you didn't plan your trip, the cab drivers are a reliable guide. Don't hesitate to ask. Probably (or most likely) they will recommend their service or another driver for your own private customized tour + transport. If you wished to engage their service, ask clearly on their package (charges and rates). Seemed like the term of 1 day = 8 hours, half a day = 5 hours and additional charges are based on every extra hour required.

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