Taiwan Trip 2013 Day 1&2

After several months of planning and anticipation, the big day has finally arrived! The plan was that Pat and I would be going to Taiwan from 12th May 2013 to 19th May 2013 and then flying straight to Hong Kong till 22th May 2013.

To avoid the taxing midnight cab fares, Pat and I decided to reach the airport before midnight, stay there and wait patiently for our check in at 5am. We took JetStar airlines and the whole journey took about 4 hours 45 minutes.

We took a similar plane to Taipei

This is the excited Pat

I told Pat that I wanted a similar photo and this is what it turns out to be ... (HAHAHAHA)                                

Tickets to the heart of Asia

Both of us got the same luggage!! 

The flight was kinda uncomfortable despite upgrading to extra leg room seating. But as the saying goes, what you pay is what you get. Since its a budget airline, we shouldn't compare the quality with other more superior airlines. 對不對~  

Upon reaching Taipei, we took the Kuo Kuang bus and arrived at Taipei Main Station. Then we took the train to Beitou and cabbed down to Royal Seasons Hotel, where we would be staying for the night. It is located within minutes of walking from  新北头 station, with several convenience stores such as Seven Eleven, Family Mart and KFC, located at the vicinity of the hotel. We stayed in the deluxe room booked through Agoda.com. Each room has a private hot spring jacuzzi, which is the reason why we chose to book this hotel as we would like to experience the hot spring bath in Taiwan. The concierges are very friendly and helpful! Since it was raining heavily when we arrived, the staff sheltered us immediately with their umbrella as we alighted from the taxi. We were glad that they passed us a map of the vicinity because we were rather unfamiliar with the place. Thumbs up for the good and efficient service! 

Then, we met Shin Jie and she joined us at the famous Shilin Market before staying at our hotel for the night. Like what guide books and the Internet proclaim, Shilin Market consists of many many food vendors, fashion stores and even game booths.

The entrance of Shilin Market (Shin Jie insists that this is the exit)

A random food stall at the basement level of Shilin Market

Cooking oyster omelette

Barbeque food

Hot spring bath after visiting Shilin Market

The next morning, Pat and I hurried to pack our luggage and prepare to check out at Royal Seasons Hotel and check in to our next hotel, FX Hotel, where we stayed for the next 2 nights.

Day 2 was quite slack as we did nothing much except to rest in the hotel and going for a massage in the evening. For a more detailed post of the trip, please read the posts for day 3, 4-7 and 8.