The Wandering Bear

It was our last day to explore Taipei before we have to head to the airport.

We decided to just stroll around the Main Station area where we stay so we can catch our train to the airport station.

Not much shops are open till 10-11, so we just picked what we got. We found this Italian restaurant, AlleyCat, and decided to try our luck. Honestly, it is not bad, although we prefer our Italian restaurant, Casa Roma, back in sg. 

Pesto Bruschetta

Smoked Salmon in Toast

And finally the pizza!

Flying home to Singapore

cute little clouds

It was a wonderful trip so many beautiful memories and experiences to take home with me. I cannot believed that we had explored so many places in Taiwan in just a week's time. I liked the time spend in Hualien. Of course, I have to give myself a pat on the back for finding such a enjoyable b&b there. I felt that we should spend one more day there so that we could have time to cycle down south and explore beyond the farm. Ah.. already looking forward for my next vacation!!!

Starting our 3rd day in Taipei at the railway station.

Plans for Day 3: 九份/瑞芳/十份

We took a bus from 瑞芳 station to 九份. Before we left for 九份, we bought a 瑞芳day ticket so we can take the 平溪线 all day. If you are only going for one/2 stops, you can just use your 悠遊卡.

You should buy your express train ticket to and fro 瑞芳 to Taipei Main Station (about 45mins train ride using the express) earlier. We got ours the day we arrived Taiwan in case of the crowd.

First Stop: 九份

The bus stop to 九份 is a bit of distance from the station. walk out of the station, cross the pavillion and the road, then turn left (following the direction of the cars.) There are few buses to 九份, just check with the drivers. Some are express buses.

The View from 九份。

The main entrance of 九份旧道

The view from the end of the street

Ocean View

阿信的店: Souvenirs!

From ginger tea to muachi! Mango pudding, this shop is the one to go. We bought all our souvenirs from here, cheap and taste good. then you can leave your things in the shop and come back to collect after you finish exploring.

Eating time! First food stop: 芋圆

Second food Stop: Fishball 鱼丸

Honestly, I am not the biggest fan of this. The fishball has a more floury starchy texture and flavour to the norm.

We were filled after a few food stops, we decided to start exploring along 平溪线.

Back at the railway station.

Please be reminded that you should check the train schedule ahead of time because the frequency is about 1 train every hour.

At every station, you can check the train timing for the next train up and down from the station.

Second Stop: 十份老街

Its a nice experience because the railway pass through the town, and the town revolves around it.

Sky lantern 纸灯笼 is a must do activity here.

十份瀑布

It's quite a distance from the station. Be prepared to walk 40-60 mins to and fro. So plan your time well.

But the waterfall is definitely worth the walk.

The water is green and the waterfall is magific!

Third Stop: 平溪

We keep seeing the Peanut Ice-Cream popiah roll. And P had to try some.

It taste alright, quite bland.

平溪山泉豆花

This is one of the few recommended food to try here.

Its quite good. You get to choose your own ingredients to suit your own taste.

The town is very small, we finished walking in less than an hour.

Because of the tight schedule, since we have already gotten our express train ticket back to Taipei Main Station, we had to be back in  瑞芳 by 7. And, the only train we can take is the one at 5 plus to make it back in time with alot of time to spare.

We were exhausted by the time we were back in Taipei Main Station.

Some tips:

Recommended amount of time to explore 平溪线 is 1 full day.

We did a mistake and went to 十份 first. you can go down to 青铜first, there are more things to see there according to the brochure. We couldn't make it in time.

Start your day as early as possible, and maybe go to 九份 on another day.

But overall, it is still an awesome day, P and I enjoyed it very much. 

But maybe we wont go back to 十份 and 平溪 a second time. We might just go ahead and explore 青铜.

Starting our 2nd day in Taipei at a nearby Louisa Coffee to get some breakfast and coffee.

Our advice for those who are planning to make a trip/explore 阳明山,

remember to bring abundance of water and some food, because it is difficult to find food up there! 

Can't go wrong with Ham and cheese

Our first stop of 阳明山is to get to the visitor's info centre.

We got some brochures and advice from the ranger there, then off we go!

With our 悠遊卡, we can take the bus from one stop to the other.

2nd Stop: 竹子湖

Cherry Blossom was not in season, the 海芋 was.

There were no clear cut directions around the place, we went in and out, and honestly, I would not recommend you guys to bother stopping here.

the 海芋 was not what i expected. Flower to small to see in the mass of green and water. I guess the white colour is not prominent enough.

Plus, it's not ponds filled with them, there were gaps in between and it is farmed by locals.

we did managed to find beautiful trees along the way though

you can see what i meant about the white not being significant enough in the vast of green.

But since we were already there, we paid NT$50 for both of us to enter this farm to take some photos.

P was exploring with our camera, managed to get a nice effect. :)

3rd stop: 小油坑

The crater was still giving out pungent smell of Sulphur, which if you took Chem, you will know it smells like rotten eggs. 

Note: there is a shop that sells snacks, drinks and souvenirs. Grab food while you can.

we took a short path to a higher point to get a better shot of the view.

Ta-dah!

The path were fenced up by tall bamboo plants. I think there are bamboos if im not mistaken.

The weather was so hot, we ate some popsicles.

4th Stop: 冷水坑

Honestly, there is not much here unless you want to soak your feet in the ice-spa.

There are a few trails though. 

We are unsure whether we misunderstood the ranger, we thought there was a shop that sells some food here. but we couldn't find any.

But he recommended the walk to 擎天岗. Or the other way round.

We saw this, and decided to detour and hike to the 绢丝瀑布. It was a mistake.

5th Stop: 绢丝瀑布

The waterfall looked frail and small. 

Definitely not worth the walk/hike there, the weather was too warm.

6th Stop: 擎天岗

finally made it there from the trail. A vast land filled with greens.

Note: there's a little shop that sells some light snacks and drinks.

Little boy was chasing after the kite. Great place for family picnics and photos.

Wild bulls/cows were minding their own business, munching up the grass.

We took the bus from 擎天岗to士林车站.

7th Stop: Mr. J Restaurant -腾原豆腐店

my little hotpot with milk

P's pork cutlet set

If you're a Mr.J or Initial D fan, its worth the trip there to take a few photos and have a nice meal. :)

The price is alright, not too expensive.

8th Stop: 公官夜市

The famous 水煎包. Definitely worth the try.

青蛙下蛋

Their version of Bubble Milk Tea.

9th Stop: 西门町

Since is only 4 metro stops away from 公官, we decided to strike it off our list that night too.

Alot of people shopping, eating and exploring. :)