Sunday, September 17, 2017

7D6N Taiwan Travelogue: Yehliu - Ximending

This is the last post of my Taiwan travelogue. I’m so glad i managed to complete it before my Japan trip! (Japan is gonna be a 2 weeks trip and i have no idea how am i going to finish writing about it, LOL) I know my Taiwan trip is 7D6N and with this post, there is only a total of 5 post. Well… that’s because there was one day i didn’t do much except for going to the hot spring (Beitou i think) and for the last day, it was just basically checking out of Orange Hotel and flying back to SG, which leaves a good 5 days to blog about!  
For the last full day at Taiwan, i planned a trip to Yeliu Geopark (野柳地質公園) since i have not visit the place before. Did my prior research and realised the place isn’t exactly very near to main Taipei. Most people go there to see the natural rock formations including the iconic "Queen's Head" (女王頭) 
The easiest way to get to Yeliu Geopark would be to go to Taipei West bus station Terminal A, go to Kuokuang window and purchase a ticket to Yehliu Geopark OR via ZhongXiao DunHua MRT station exit 4, take bus 1815 to Yehliu. The whole journey will take about 1.5 hours and cost around NT96 (S$4.30) per pax. 
Entrance ticket into the park will cost you NT80 (S$3.50) 
As Yeliu geopark is a famous tourist attraction, there are 2 things you will see when you enter the park - people and rock formations. It’s almost impossible to take a photo without any tourist in it so you either have to wait patiently for the right opportunity to get your golden shot or live with having people in your photo. 
Managed to get a shot, heng. LOL  
The iconic "Queen's Head" (女王頭) which we have to queue to take a photo with it. There is even a security guard there to manage the queue. Remember what i say earlier about having tourist in your shot? This is one good example, LOL There is also another synthetic "Queen's Head" at the entrance of the park for those who just wants a photo with it, HAHAHA We spent a good 2 hours exploring the park, enjoying the scenery and sea breeze. Not really my kind of thing but it’s good to at least visit once to know what’s the hype all about this place. Guess it’s more for the older folks and tour groups who enjoys nature. 
Yeliu Geopark is actually located at northern Taiwan which explained the long bus journey. Right beside the park is the Yehliu Ocean World (野柳海洋世界), an oceanarium which you can consider visiting after the geopark to make your trip more worth it. Took the return bus back to Taipei and continue to explore ximending area since it’s our last night here. Time to do some last minute shopping and also to visit the toilet themed restaurant! 
My favourite street muah chee which i mentioned a few times throughout this travelogue! This is the cart where you have to hunt for it because it’s not stationary and can be anywhere. Super soft and delicious. Just go for the original peanut one, good enough! One portion cost NT30 (S$1.30) or you can get a bigger portion in a box for NT50 (S$2.20).
Definitely a must try and it makes a really good street snack. I think some of them even put a bit of the peanut shavings in the middle of each muah chee, so it’s double the goodness! 
Modern Toilet Restaurant 
2F, No 7,Ln 50,Xining S. Rd., Taipei City  

It’s actually my second time here (i came during my first Taiwan trip) but since it’s kelvin first time to Taipei, i thought it would be nice to bring him to a themed restaurant.
In case for whatever reason you have not heard about this modern toilet restaurant, it’s basically a toilet themed restaurant where everything is modelled like a toilet. The seats are toilet bowl, the drinks are served in urinal shaped flask etc. It’s quite a novelty if you haven’t been to a place like this. The price of the food is quite reasonable, taste wise not amazing but it’s best to get a set which comes with the soup, drink and dessert for the whole experience. 
Even the dessert is a chocolate soft serve ice cream in a shape of a poop, LOL  
Spent the rest of the night exploring Ximending. The feel of ximending is like myeondong in Korea. A lot of food, fashion, facial products and people. For souvenirs, most people usually get snacks like pineapple tarts and nougat biscuit or products like face masks which can be really cheap if you get it in bulk. 
Don’t forget to try the famous Ay Chung Rice Noodles 阿宗麵線 which is apparently the no.1 must have street food in ximending. I’m not gonna elaborate on what this mee sua is about because you probably know or heard about it. Good to at least try once. Not my kind of food though. 
That’s all i have for my 7D6N Taiwan travelogue! Phew. I finally finished it. I went Taiwan in January and now is already September, LOL BUT i’m still glad i completed it. Oh no, i still have my Yogyakarta trip to write about and i’m heading to Japan next month! Did i mentioned i bought tickets to Hong Kong for next march because there’s an SQ 2-to-go promo ongoing right now? My blog is seriously becoming like a travel blog, LOL For those who have been following or chanced upon this travelogue while planning for your trip, hope this post helped! Once again, hope you enjoyed this Taiwan travelogue and do follow my adventures on instagram @andystorm for updates! :)

Signing off,