The story started when I was posted to Taipei for work. I’ve been going there back and forth for few trips, on the third trip, before I depart, my darling actually say she wanted to join me there during a long weekend holidays in KL. Eventually, she booked China Airlines ticket and flying on her own from KUL to TPE and I pick her up in Tao Yuan International Airport on the 27th April 2007. That’s the starting of this trip…

Upon arrival, we took a taxi heading back to hotel and grab a dinner nearby the hotel area. We had noodles and siu loong pau.

28th April 2007
After breakfast, we started our journey by taking a cab to the nearest MRT – Jingan station. From there, we head down to S.Y.S Memorial Hall (our first stop), spend about an hour there, we managed to catch the changing of guards at 10:00am. Later, walk to the shopping district of Taipei, that is Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (SKM), this is a 4 blocks multi-storey shopping center, this is more like up market stuff. Besides, we walk to Warner’s ViewShow Village, New York New York, Neo19 and Taipei 101. After plenty of shopping (although we didn’t buy anything), we hop on to MRT from City Hall station, next stop – Ximen.

This place is more like our “Bukit Bintang” area where mostly youngsters and tourists. There is a large pedestrian area covered with shops, food and entertainment. We spend the rest of the afternoon there till about 5:00pm. My darling manage to get some souvenir for her friends.

In the evening, we went to Long Shan Temple where the famous Hwa Hsi Tourist Night Market located, had a brief walk and end up eating Pork Rib noodles in one of the road-side stall.

Our day end around 7:00pm and back to hotel. It was a tired day though!

29th April 2007
It was a warm morning. As usual, we start our day with breakfast and another memorial hall, that’s – C.K.S Memorial Hall. Surprisingly, all their famous memorial hall has a MRT station attached which make visitor absolutely hassle free. Again, we manage to catch the changing of guard at 10:00am, the style was slightly different from S.Y.S Memorial Hall but again it’s a new experience to us. Later, we wander around the historical hall of C.K.S.

It’s lunch time! We decided to visit the famous siu loong pau restaurant – Din Tai Fung. We walk along Xin Yi road and finally found the restaurant, guess what ? The waitress told us to wait 70 minutes for a seat. Obviously, we have no choice since the queue simply make us think that the food must be awesome. In the end, we waited about 90 minutes before we were given a table in the restaurant. Of course, the food is really nice!

After lunch, next stop – Dan Shui. This is the last station in the red MRT line. It tooks us about an hour to reach this place, it’s by the sea. We stroll along the seaside market with lots of food, souvenir and those “fun-fair” entertainment. At the end of the street, it lead us to the famous Dan Shui old street, a place with many shops selling all kind of so called “cheap” items. Later, we walk into their night market and eventually reach the MRT station. There is no proper dinner for us but as we go along we bought many food (not to forget the well known – MuaCi), our stomach still full by the time we reach hotel.

30th April 2007
It was a monday and I need to work. Hence, my darling spend her day in the hotel. Nothing much happen beside she walk out for a mixed-rice lunch and visit the business center in hotel to clear her email inbox and had a chat with her mate.

In the evening when I came back from work, since it’s a rainy day, we went for a shabu shabu dinner which is located near our hotel. It’s really nice to have some hot food during such a cooling weather.

01st May 2007
Our day started with a trip down to Xindian MRT station, the main purpose of this trip is to check out the suspension bridge across the Xindian river. In fact, the view on top of the bridge was really a nice one. We walk across the bridge and it lead to a small town of Xindian with a few chinese temple. Later, we decided to jump on the self-paddle swan boat to enjoy the spectacular view of Xindian river, the mountain grow straight from the water. Also we saw many little animal like tortoise, birds, etc.

After approximately an hour of boat paddling, we hop on to MRT to Taipei Main Station. First thing after getting off the station, we visit the nearby Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Departmental Store and looking for food. The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping in this 13 levels shopping mall.

Around 5:00pm, we reached Jiantan MRT station and our target is – Shilin Night Market. Apparently, this night market was not as good as what my darling expected. She didn’t manage to buy many things from here. Later, we settled at Ah Chung Rice Noodle for dinner and grab some finger food before going back to hotel. On the way out, we saw a pork rib soup stall, my dear and I went for a try. Not bad after all…

02nd May 2007
Woke up around 4:45am, she is getting ready to go airport. Flight CI 655 departing 8:20am to KUL. I remain in Taipei to complete my job assignment. Trip end!

P/S : My lovely mom was along with us thoughout the trip, she stay thru my third trip in Taipei =)