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!!!

4th day and our last full day in Taipei, Taiwan.

We decided to go for a relaxing and chilling day, exploring some art/youngsters area.

First stop: Lunch!

Having some extra cash, we decided to be extravagant and get Japanese!

Actually, their lunch menu is quite affordable.

Pork Katsu

Ramen

Teriyaki Chicken

mummy pig and baby pig

Along the way as we tried to find our way to the Songshan Culture & Creative Park, but we found out that it is closed for construction. So we went towards Huashan 1914 Creative Park instead, which is nearby.

The second creativity Park.

Second Stop: 华山1914 Creative Park

Gotta stop for cake and coffee!

At Fab Cafe

They have good coffee!

Chocolate cake

Cheese cake.

Classic cant go wrong in a good cafe.

New local artist, playing for everyone.

:)

We got lost along the way, and stumble onto places.

I like the tiled art pieces along the walls towards the metro station.

Third Stop: 淡水

Initial plan was to go and enjoy the sunset at 渔人码头,

but, it was a public holiday on Friday due to the long weekend for 清明 and it is a long way to squeeze on the bus, so we decided to just stay at the beach near the metro.

Snacks along the way at 淡水老街.

Finally tried the 鸡翅包饭,山猪肉香肠.

its now or never!

and my Favourite鸟蛋 and 柳橙汁!

We enjoyed a quiet moment looking at the beautiful sunset.

Local artist painting. Its quite cool!

He even painted a tourist that was sitting and watching him.

He painted this upside down!

We then bid farewell to 淡水老街... and off we go to 士林夜市!

OVERCROWDED much?

but, gotta get the 士林嚎大鸡扒!

finally managed to find it just beside the main road.

After filling our bellies, 

We were all set to go home. It was quite a relaxing day for us compared to the previous few days.. but the weather was extremely warm (30 degrees I think) and it gave me a headache in the afternoon. 

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.