My Taiwan Experience..so far (with pics)
Reached Taiyuan Airport at 5.30 am as scheduled on Thu 4 Dec. It was cold and rainy..could see raindrops on the plane windows and see the wet ground as you walk from the plane towards the immigration checkpt. Fortunately there were not many flights arriving at that time, so queue time was super short and I collected my luggage and exited at about 6.04 am.
Immediately as you walk out from the belt area, you could see two bank exchange counters but only one was opened. I changed my spore cash at a rate of S$1 to NT23.21 less NT30 charge. Much better than the rate at Marina of NT22.95.
Walked out and it was still raining. Went down to Ubus booth and got my bus 705 tickets at NT30 for HSR Taiyuan. Still cold and drizzling, but no need for umbrella as all the routes were under shelter. Waited to take HSR to Taichung at NT380 booked one month earlier with 35% discount.
Was early, so sat outside 7-11 and had their special hot soup with fish cake and tofu etc. Not sure how to describe them but they tasted nice on a super cold morning. Also ate their tea eggs. I booked the 8.09am train and could have have exchanged for an earlier timing but was not particular about rushing all over the place so I took my time. Also topped up my Easy card collected free from the Taiwan Tourism in Spore. Put in about NT400. (Tip: NT 800 -1000 would be better).
Reached Taichung at 8.47 am exactly. Walked to Xinwuri TRA station in about 8 min but not before taking pictures of Cardboard King's creations on display. Place was quiet and deserted so had a nice time.
Tickets to Taichung TRA cost NT15.
My hotel is about 10 mins walk from the TRA and so left my luggage there and went back to the Taichung station. It was still cold and wet. Decided to take bus to SML and took it from the bus stop near the Taichung station. If you are coming out from the station, walk to your left and cross the road using the zebra pesdestrain crossing. Look for the bus sign post for the tourist shuttle. You can buy a package for SML which includes bus, boat and ropeway (cable car). However this package is not available on the bus. I used my Easy card to pay for my bus ride only. It was still drizzling and at times stopped or came down a bit heavier. My umbrella came in handy. The good point about the rain was that the tourist groups that come in waves, will leave earlier so there is more peace and quiet. You can browse around the area with less interruptions. Later in the afternoon, the rain stopped and the sun came out. The tour coaches have left and you are left with the place to yourself.
Used the easy card to pay for my trip back to Taichung. Journey was long as the bus stopped at the HSR first before heading for Taichung TRA. Tip: You can use your HSR ticket to get a free ride to Fengjie Night market. Unfortunately I dropped mine so I headed back to Taichung TRA to take my bus 35 to the night market. Alight at Fenjie University bus stop and you will have the whole night to spend feasting at all the wonderful but sinful street market food.
Note that the buses in Taichung have different operating hours and you may end up standing at a bus stop waiting for a bus that may never come. Tip : other buses that go back the station are 25 and 45. If all fails, get a cab.
Reached Taiyuan Airport at 5.30 am as scheduled on Thu 4 Dec. It was cold and rainy..could see raindrops on the plane windows and see the wet ground as you walk from the plane towards the immigration checkpt. Fortunately there were not many flights arriving at that time, so queue time was super short and I collected my luggage and exited at about 6.04 am.
Immediately as you walk out from the belt area, you could see two bank exchange counters but only one was opened. I changed my spore cash at a rate of S$1 to NT23.21 less NT30 charge. Much better than the rate at Marina of NT22.95.
Walked out and it was still raining. Went down to Ubus booth and got my bus 705 tickets at NT30 for HSR Taiyuan. Still cold and drizzling, but no need for umbrella as all the routes were under shelter. Waited to take HSR to Taichung at NT380 booked one month earlier with 35% discount.
Was early, so sat outside 7-11 and had their special hot soup with fish cake and tofu etc. Not sure how to describe them but they tasted nice on a super cold morning. Also ate their tea eggs. I booked the 8.09am train and could have have exchanged for an earlier timing but was not particular about rushing all over the place so I took my time. Also topped up my Easy card collected free from the Taiwan Tourism in Spore. Put in about NT400. (Tip: NT 800 -1000 would be better).
Reached Taichung at 8.47 am exactly. Walked to Xinwuri TRA station in about 8 min but not before taking pictures of Cardboard King's creations on display. Place was quiet and deserted so had a nice time.
Tickets to Taichung TRA cost NT15.
My hotel is about 10 mins walk from the TRA and so left my luggage there and went back to the Taichung station. It was still cold and wet. Decided to take bus to SML and took it from the bus stop near the Taichung station. If you are coming out from the station, walk to your left and cross the road using the zebra pesdestrain crossing. Look for the bus sign post for the tourist shuttle. You can buy a package for SML which includes bus, boat and ropeway (cable car). However this package is not available on the bus. I used my Easy card to pay for my bus ride only. It was still drizzling and at times stopped or came down a bit heavier. My umbrella came in handy. The good point about the rain was that the tourist groups that come in waves, will leave earlier so there is more peace and quiet. You can browse around the area with less interruptions. Later in the afternoon, the rain stopped and the sun came out. The tour coaches have left and you are left with the place to yourself.
Used the easy card to pay for my trip back to Taichung. Journey was long as the bus stopped at the HSR first before heading for Taichung TRA. Tip: You can use your HSR ticket to get a free ride to Fengjie Night market. Unfortunately I dropped mine so I headed back to Taichung TRA to take my bus 35 to the night market. Alight at Fenjie University bus stop and you will have the whole night to spend feasting at all the wonderful but sinful street market food.
Note that the buses in Taichung have different operating hours and you may end up standing at a bus stop waiting for a bus that may never come. Tip : other buses that go back the station are 25 and 45. If all fails, get a cab.
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