My Taiwan Itinerary

Posting my Taiwan Itinerary

Some tips:
1. Research on public transport schedules.  Our itinerary is flawed because we didn't know that buses start only around 5am so we had to wait.
2. Print a copy of your itinerary and add a translation for non-English speaking countries.  This helped us A LOT while we were in Taiwan.
3. Put a notes section in your schedule so you could put details like nearest bank, nearest restaurants, etc.

*Note: Day 2 is just a list of possible places to go and modes of transport to in the East Coast.

Taiwan Adventure!

Departure: 17 September 2012, 2240H

DAY 1

(September 18, 2012)

Time	Location	Notes	Translation
0040	Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1	Arrival at Taiwan	桃园国际机场
0100	Money Exchange	Bank of Taiwan (1st floor) ICBC Bank (3rd floor)	货币兑换
	Buy Taiwan Sim Card		在哪里可以买到SIM卡的手机吗？
	Sleep!		我们在哪里可以等到天亮吗？
0430	United Bus #705 Green	Airport > Taoyuan HSR Station (About 7km apart) Fare: NT$30 Drop the cash/coins into the coin box as you board the bus Travel time: 15-20mins.	是美国绿色巴士＃705吗？ 我们怎样才能获得高铁桃园火车站吗？
0650	Tao-yuan > Hua-lien Tze-Chiang Limited Express Train Code: 272 Route: Hill ETA: 1042	Tao-yuan > Hua-lien Tze-Chiang Limited Express Train Code: 274 Route: Hill ETA: 1050	自强特快列车代号272 我们需要去花莲，然后将其转移，所以我们可以去玉丽。
1042	Arrival in Hua-lien Transfer to Yuli		于立的是火车在哪里？
1105	Hua-lien > Yuli Chu-Kuang Express Train Code 52 Route: Hill ETA: 12:27	Hua-lien > Yuli Train Code: 308 (11:37) 216 (12:42)	莒光号火车代码52
1227	Arrival in Yuli Pick up by SanSenDai Homestay 三仙台海景民宿	Tel :089-871916 ,089-871 920 ,0912-072 805 Mr. Chen Fax :089-871 903 Chenggong Township into Canton Road 42-2	SanSenDai寄宿家庭
1400	Arrival at SanSenDai Homestay Check-in	1,200 x 2 + 300 + 300 TOTAL: 3000NT	多少为我们的住宿吗？谢谢！

DAY 2

(September 19, 2012)

http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002123

Time	Location	Notes	Translation
	SOUTH OF HOMESTAY
	Sanxiantai	+886-89-854-097 No. 74, Jihui Rd., Sanxian Village, Chenggong Township, Taitung County Public Tranportation: 1. TRA Hualien Station → Hualien Bus (bound for Taitung, Chenggong) to Sanxiantai stop. 2. TRA Taitung Station → Dingdong Bus (bound for Jingpu) to Sanxiantai stop. 4.2914 km	我们怎样才能到三仙台 到三仙台汽车站在哪儿？
	Xiaoyeliu	+886-89-281-136 No. 500, Songjiang Rd., Taitung City, Taitung County (Xiaoyeliu Visitor Center) Public Transportation: TRA Taitung Station → Dingdong Bus (bound for Jingpu,Chenggong, Taiyuan) to Xiaoyeliu stop.	我们如何去Xiaoyeliu的? 是总线Xiaoyeliu在哪里?
	Liji Badlands and Little Huang Mountains	+886-89-551-637 Liji Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County Public Transportation: Take a train to Taitung Railway Station.	利吉恶地及小黄山是公交车在哪里？
	East Coast National Scenic Area	+886-89-841-520 No. 25, Xincun Road, Xinyi Village, Chenggong Township, Taitung County Train & Bus: 1. Take a train to Hualien Railway Station, continue by Hualien Bus (torward Taitung) to Douli stop. 2. Take the train to Taitung Railway Station, continue by Dingdong Bus (bound for Chenggong, Changbin, Jingpu, Hualien) to Douli stop.	是公交车到东海岸国家风景区在哪里？
	EAST OF HOMESTAY
	Green Island	+886-672-510 No. 194-1, Nanliao Village, Ludao Township, Taitung County Train: 1. TRA Taitung Station → Hualien Bus (bound for Hualien) to Fugang stop. 2. TRA Taitung Station → Dingdong Bus (bound for Jingpu, Chenggong, Taiyuan) to Fugang stop. From Fugang Fishing Harbor take the ferry to Green Island. Ferry Schedule	绿岛汽车站在哪儿？？
	East Rift Valley National Scenic Area	+886-89-551-637 No.46, Gaotai Rd., Luye Township, Taitung County	花东纵谷国家风景区汽车站在哪儿？
	Dapo Pond	+886-89-551-637 Chishang Township, Taitung County Train: 1. Take a train to the Chishang Railway Station. 2. Take a train to Taitung Station, take Dingdong Bus to Chishang stop.	大坡塘汽车站在哪儿？？

DAY 3

(September 20, 2012)

Time	Location	Notes
1100	Checkout from SanSenDai	Transfer paid upon check-in
1200	Arrival at Yuli station
1305	Yu-Li > Taipei Chu-Kuang Express Train Code: 651 Route: Hill ETA: 1856	Yu-Li > Taipei Tze-Chiang Limited Express Train Code: 231 Route: - ETA: 1907
1907	Arrival at Taipei	台北三重峇里商旅

A Hobbit Inspired Safety Video

Found this in YouTube.  It's a fun flight safety video, featuring 'em hobbits!

Enjoy!


<3 BVG

Four Furry (Taiwanese) Friends

It was a rainy morning during our trip to Sanxiantai.  We were busy looking for a nice spot to shoot, and waiting for the sun to shine when we met four furry friends by the bay.

We saw these four crazy dogs chasing around two other tourists, whom we thought were their owners.  Apparently, they were just chasing them, and when they saw us decided to chase us instead.

There were three brown ones (a father and two pups) and a big black one.  The black one was playful and friendly, one pup was as playful, while the other pup was seemingly slow-headed.  The brown mother seemed not to care much, but just wanted to hang out.

They looked healthy and well-fed, but had no collars and were obviously strays.

The four dogs followed us the whole morning.  They literally followed us everywhere!  One of the pups (the slow one) even tried to jump between slippery rocks to reach us and almost drowned!  Luckily, he was able to rock climb.  Silly fella.

Tired Pups

We crossed the Sanxiantai and trekked the other side.  The path was fantastic!  There was a wooden pathway which made the walk much much easier.  There was a small rest area in the middle, where there are benches in which you could rest.

We would stop every now and then to rest because it is a long walk.  We had but a few biscuits and cake bars for our morning trip, and we shared some with our eager beavers (harhar), and they happily devoured what little we were able to share to them.

I thought they would leave us after getting the food that they wanted.  I thought wrong.

They continued following us, only stopping to rest when we do.  We tried hiding from them and leaving them behind, but they would always find a way to catch up.

Me and my exhausted face

We found this amusing, and a bit comforting, knowing we have four friends to alert and protect us in case we encounter harm.

The nice wooden path finally ended, and we had to trek a rocky path before being able to reach the continuation of the pathway.

Our dogs got a little distracted when they caught a bird.  We thought they'd be staying to feast on their catch, but we were surprised to see them running to catch up.

The trail resumed once we reached the mountainous part.  There was a horribly horribly long stairs that led to a lighthouse at the top.  We climbed, but were exhausted and worn out from the long walk.

We were so worn out when we reached the top that we had to stay there and rest for quite some time.  The four dogs were still there and did not leave us.  I honestly felt safe with them around.  At least I know snakes won't dare attack my large pack. :)

We were so struck by the thought that they followed us all the way to another island, and all the way up a mountain.  They didn't seem to be after us for food, because we didn't have any ourselves.  They were just there.

These dogs, even though we've only known each other for a few hours, treated us and saw us as friends.

We couldn't resist taking a picture after that leg-shattering climb.  Mr. Brown dog did not seem to mind posing for the camera.

The four dogs continued following us down.  The silly pup even injured himself when he jumped from a rock (again)!  Good thing it was nothing a tough pup like him could handle.  But he was limping for some time because of that.

The walk back

The dogs were pleasant companions.  They made that long walk tolerable.  They loved running around, and jumping around the rocks.  Plus they were very easy to approach and pet.

Damn it, I knew I shouldn't, but I fell in love with them. :(

We knew that those few hours were fleeting and would be over soon, but we adored the little rascals and their funny antics, and our hearts were warmed by their waggling tails.

On our walk back, we came across a group of Japanese tourists.  The pups and the black dog became distracted and were gone in a flash, and made us wonder if these dogs really followed tourists around.

We thought that was the end of it.  I felt sad I wasn't able to say goodbye to my pups, but realized they were probably being fed by those tourists and they do deserve a nice meal after that climb.

However when we turned around, the big brown dog was still there, walking behind us.  My heart melted as he followed us back to Sanxiantai bridge, until we reached the park on the other side.

We promised the doggie we'd give him a nice snack if he followed us back to the food kiosks---which he did.

On our walk back, other tourists would call him out, but he ignored them, and followed only us.

"Now this is loyalty!" I thought.  I loved the other three, but I fell in love with this old dog the most.

I knew I had to say goodbye soon, because the morning was over and we're late for our trip back.  So we went to the snack area, had some snacks and gave some to Mr. Brown Dog.  He seemed content with whatever we give him, unlike other dogs who would go crazy when there's food.

He rested, and we packed our bags.  My heart broke into a thousand little pieces as we left him there.  With all those tourists eating there, I'm sure he'll be fat by the afternoon.  It was a good place to leave him, even though I didn't want to.

I almost cried as we left Taitung that day.  It felt like I was leaving home.

I miss my Taiwanese dogs.



xoxo, BVG

Chopsticks Etiquette

I'm no chopsticks guru; I'm actually an idiot when it comes to using them!

However, lest we want to make a fool of ourselves while eating, put into mind these few chopsticks etiquette rules:

1.  Do not tap your chopsticks on the edge of your bowl.  This symbolizes a beggar!

2.  You may hold the rice bowl to your mouth and use your chopsticks to push your food directly to your mouth.

3.  Do not use your chopsticks to point at other people while talking (imagine doing this with a fork!)

4.  Never ever stick your chopsticks into a bowl of rice.  This resembles how incense is burned for the dead, and symbolizes wishing death for your dining buddies.

5.  Traditionally, people use their own chopsticks to take food from platters.  But in recent practice, in formal occasions, serving chopsticks are already used.

6. When seated for a meal, it is common custom to allow elders to take up their chopsticks before anyone else.

7.  Do not dip your chopsticks in the platter and dig for what you want.

8.  Do not suck on the tip of your chopsticks (then dip it in the back in the platter... eew!)




I hope these few reminders would help you enjoy your Chinese meal! :)  Happy eating!


<3 BVG


Source:  http://www.masterchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-mandarin/business-chinese-learning/tips-on-how-to-use-chopsticks/

Chenggong Township, Taiwan

We started our Taiwan adventure with a trip to Taitung County in Eastern Taiwan.  Taitung is also known as "Houshan" (後山) by locals, and its name literally means "behind the mountains".

Taitung is a quaint town isolated from the rest of Taiwan by its huge mountains.  It boasts several scenic areas and its most famous tourist attraction--Sanxiantai.

Tao-yuan Airport

Our flight arrived a little after midnight.  The queues weren't so long because it seemed that our flight is the last flight for the day.

At the waiting area of the airport

The officer I queued in seemed happy to meet someone whose job is the same as his, and he cheerfully welcomed me to Taiwan.

According to our friend, the last trip of U-Bus can be availed to reach Taipei.  But because there were no public transportation at this time of the day to Taitung, we had to wait out until morning at the airport.  Luckily, there were nice lounges where we were able to catch some zzz's.

Some helpful tips:

1.     You can sleep at the lounge at the arrival area if you come in from a late flight. The chairs are comfy, and there are others who do the same. 2.     If you need to have your money changed to NTD, there's a bank at the arrival lobby.  You should do your banking immediately after arrival if you arrive at midnight, because they tend to close as soon as the last flight ends. 3.     There’s a convenience store downstairs if you’re up for a meal or some snacks. 4.     Opt to go for the buses if you’re not in a hurry.  A taxi ride from the airport to Taoyuan train station costs 550NTD.  A bus ride costs a little more than 50NTD.

Tao-yuan Train Station 

We needed to take the train to reach Taitung County.  You have two options, either take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR), or the regular trains (TRA).  We opted for the regular trains because we would arrive exactly at the check-in time for the bed and breakfast we will be staying in.  The TRA is also cheaper by half than the HSR, and passes a more scenic route at the east coast.

To get to the train station, we went downstairs from the arrival area to the bus station.  There are ticket booths where different bus companies sell tickets to different areas of Taiwan. 

Most of the buses started arriving around 5:00a.m.  There are hardly any buses before this time.  You can check the wall beside the ticket booths to see the bus schedule and available routes.

The bus we needed to take didn't need a ticket.  We queued up in line No. 7 for the Tao-yuan bus, and waited for bus 5059.  All we had to do was drop 50somethingNT in the box beside the driver.  I don't remember how much exactly though, because we had some translation difficulty at that point.

The driver handed us a card each, indicating that we've paid already.  After the ride, we had to hand back the cards to him.

After around 45minutes, we reached the Train Station.  We already knew what train we wanted to ride on, thanks to pre-planning and the Taiwan Railways Administration website.

It took us a while to understand the concept of their train system.  But once we understood, everything was a breeze!  The website gives information about the time and the price of each train route.

Understanding the TRA 1.     Select where you’ll be coming from.  In our case, it is Tao-yuan.  The options are Taipei, Tao-yuan, Hsin-chu, etc.  These are the major train stations. 2.     Select the substation.  The second drop down menu are the sub-stations under the major stations.  We picked Tao-yuan also. 3.     Select where you’re going to.  We chose Hua-lien.  Here, we opted to transfer trains, and bought a separate ticket from Hua-lien to Yuli, because there is a train that would be leaving earlier.  You may split your booking to find earlier train schedules, or book all the way for less hassle. 4.     Buy your ticket.  You may opt to buy your ticket online but we suggest that you buy your tickets at the train station.  There are no lines, and it would be easier for you to adjust your schedules that way

We were able to plot the fastest route to Taitung through the website (just because it arrived earlier doesn't mean it is faster)!

We bought our tickets, and boarded the train.  The train ride took around 3 hours, then the transfer from Hua-lien to Yuli took about another two.

Inside the train

Huge legroom for a comfy ride

The train was surprisingly comfy, with a huge legroom and restrooms.  Some train attendants pass by every now and then to sell hot meals, snacks and drinks.

The train station was organized and had signs everywhere, which made it easy for non-Chinese-speaking tourists like us.


Accommodation

We were picked up by Mr. Chen, our friend from SanSenDai Homestay.  The drive from the train station to the homestay was quite long, but the mountainous view was amazing.

We were quite impressed when we saw SanSenDai.  It was waaaay better than what we expected, plus it was affordable too!  Mr. Chen speaks good English, and guided us all throughout our stay in Chenggong Township.

SanSenDai Homestay boasts several beautiful rooms that made our three day stay comfortable.  We chose their elegant mountain-view room, which gave us a nice view of the mountain range right in front of the homestay.  It cost us only 1,200NT/night!  Such a great value for our money!


Mr. Chen however, recommends the sea-view room for our next stay there.  He showed us the room, and from the balcony you could actually see the Santiansai glistening proudly under the hot midday sun.





Getting Around

There aren't many transportation options in the area, and it's best to rent a service to get to go to the scenic places in the area.

Mr. Chen's homestay also offers these services, and he'd be happy to assist you in your transportation needs.  Can I reiterate that Mr. Chen is such a nice guy?


Food

There are a few meal options in the area.  Most are a few minutes away by car, and we were fortunate enough to have Mr. Chen accompany us whenever we go out.  There is one fast food right outside the homestay that serves really great noodles and grilled meat.

The fastfood was divided into several booths or kiosks, and in each booth was a menu for a certain meal type.  Kiosk 1 had noodles, kiosk 2 had barbecue, and so on.  We've seen something like this in Singapore, and I guess it's probably common in Chinese countries.

If you happen to stay in SanSenDai, try eating out in this fastfood right beside them.  Try ordering the spicy fried noodles!  It was so spicy that I thought my tongue would bleed.  Just the way I wanted it!  Their grilled pork and fruit shakes are yummy too!  Most of the food range from 50NT to 90NT.

For dinner, we ate at a fancy restaurant that serves steak.  Mr. Chen also owns the restaurant, and assured us of a nice discount for being guests at his homestay.


The food was extraordinarily good!  And the ambiance was quite nice.  We ordered steak and prawns, and were blown away by the meat quality and the freshness of the prawns.

The food was a little more expensive there than in other places, but it was all worth it!  Our dinner wasn't too pricey thanks to Mr. Chen's discount!

The steak and prawns cost us around 800NT, but was already inclusive of soup, salad, and drinks.  It got me so full that I'm planning to visit again once I go back to Taitung.

We also had dinner at another seafood restaurant with Mr. Chen where you'd pick your dish and they'd cook it for you.  It challenged my chopsticks skills (and I terribly terribly suck at it).  The dishes were equally good, and we paid only around 1,200NT for a hefty meal for three.

Chenggong Township's main attraction is the Santiansai bridge.  I will detail more about this scenic wonder in my next post.

As of now, tah tah!



<3 BVG