It has been nearly a month since my last post. I know... no excuses not to blog regularly. So I'm not going to explain how it has gotten too busy or how the moon wasn't in line with the stars. Let's get on with the post (which contributed to the lapse too)!
Being one of the countries Singaporeans frequent for vacation and that we are well exposed to their music, food and variety shows, Taiwan is a place where many Singaporeans are familiar with and require little introduction.
Having only been there twice myself (and both times to Taipei only), I know I have barely scratched the surface of the kaleidoscopic Taiwan. Clearly, I am no expert to Taiwanese culture but because I love the place so much, I thought I should share what I enjoy about Taiwan (actually Taipei only).
Weather
I'm not too sure if Taiwan's climate is considered temperate since snow is limited to the highlands but their seasons is definitely more distinct than our "hot, Hotter, HOTTEST" climate. It was about the first week of July, the first time I visited Taiwan and it was as hot and humid as Singapore. If it's the cool temperature you are after, avoid the summer months between June to about August by all means!
When I visited in early March this time; the temperature fluctuates between 16°C to 24°C. It was a slightly cold (to me) 16°C when we touched down, but it soon became hot and humid as mid day approaches. Even as the panel displayed 23°C, we had to "de-jacket" and strutted around in our singlets and T-shirts. That garnered many stares and "wah" from the warmly clothed locals. Despite the crazy mid day temperature, I still like the cool evenings so I will still choose to visit during Jan to March next time.
Things to Buy
Girls know this best, shopping is our game. Well, I do shop but I'm not crazy about it. Already contributed my fair share (to the local economy) during the first trip so didn't go to 五分埔, 師大 or other shopping areas this time.
But, if you are a Gundam fanatic or a Nendoroid collector, you will go crazy in Taipei. The products are generally 10%-20% cheaper than in Singapore. Although it might be even cheaper in Japan itself, but considering air tickets and accommodation, buying them in Taiwan is still cheaper.
They also have a lot of soft toys, accessories and knick knacks at a fraction of their prices in Singapore. If you can't resist buying small little things (like me >.<), I suggest bringing an additional luggage!
Things to Do
The number ONE thing I like to do in Taiwan now, is to visit their hot springs. 新北投 is only about 30 mins away from Taipei Main station, time well spent to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. If you are on a budget trip, the public hot spring is very affordable at NT40 (less than SGD$2). However, with a little more to spare, I will opt for privacy in a personal hot spring room.
The resorts littered around 新北投 have rooms that goes from about NT600 and up. After walking a few rounds, we wound up at 百乐汇 (Broadway) which charges NT990 (less than SGD$45) for 1.5 hours per room (can accommodate 2 persons). Slightly pricey, but I adore the Japanese setting of the room and yes, the rooms are very clean (which is very important too)!
When on vacation, it is not too often that you'll get to wake at 10am, 11am. I highly recommend you do so when visiting Taipei. Taipei is one of the "越夜越美丽" places; the shops generally don't open too early. Even at 12 noon, only a handful of shop owners started opening their shutters. So if you don't wake early, you don't sleep early too. What do you do then? Well, apart from visiting one of their many happening clubs, that is. Heehee.. You'll have to visit their famed night markets, of course! Not going to a night market, is akin to not coming to Taiwan at all!
With the 21 night markets around "new and old" Taipei district, you don't have to worry about nowhere to go at night! A few commonly visited night markets are 寧夏 (Ningxia), 師大 (Shida), 饒河 (Raohe), 樂華 (Lehua) and 淡水 (Tamsui). And of course, you can visit the famous "豪大大鸡排" at 士林 (Shilin). The different night markets are supposed to have their own distinctive food items, but as a tourist, I just can't tell what they are. They seem to sell almost about the same food items and even clothes too. Oh, I can only tell 铁蛋 is iconic to Tamsui. The ones I like most are Ningxia, Tamsui and Shilin. Ningxia is
the one famed as culinary night market, as a foodie, how can I not love it? Tamsui, mainly because it is set right next to the river with the same name, perhaps partly for the 铁蛋 too. And Shilin.... I think I like it just because it is Shilin. Hahaha!
Above all, I think it's the vacation mindset/mood which made all the differences. Take it slow, relax and don't make a too precise travelling schedule. Chill at one of the many characteristic cafés, sip on a cuppa aromatic coffee, maybe a slice of cake or some snacks while people-watching (or let your mind go totally blank). After a good rest (or stoning session), go wherever that looks interesting, turned into corners where the usual tourists wouldn't go, strutted straight into their local markets peddling fresh produce and sit down at stalls in the back alleys, slurping noodles like a local! That, in my sincere opinion, is the best way to experience Taipei!
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