Saturday, July 25, 2009

Day 5 : Longsan Temple/Underground malls/Home Sweet Home

Went to Longshan Temple MRT to buy the muah chee.

Longshan Temple

The fountain in front of the temple



Muah chee from the famous stall 36 rice balls was nice - groundnut was fine.
En route to the shop



But actually tasted like the ones I made at home!

Roamed around the Taipei back undergound mall and Zhongsan underground book mall

Lunch at foodcourt in the shopping centre near hotel. Quite nice food. Then it was Home sweet home.

Taiwanese are generally helpful and polite. MRT and bus frequency is very frequent at 3min interval, unlike here. Bus driver says "Thank you" at every bus stop! This is called service! They and the LCD display also announced the next bus stop and it helps alot!

Street foods are cheap. Still think food at Jiayi is nicer.

Retreating to hotel each day after a hot Summer day was heaven.

Hubby is impressed with Taiwan. Our country has a lot to catch up. Overall, a nice and an enjoyable trip though it was short and last minute.

Day 4 : CKS/Din Tai Feng/Taipei 101/Sogo/Danshui/Raohe NM

Day 4:
CKS/Din Tai Feng/Taipei 101/Sogo/Danshui/Raohe NM

Went to CKS Memorial Hall at about 9am but it was still very hot - the perspiration just keep rolling down, even with an umbrella!





















Side Gate leading to Xinyi Road


Went to a 7-11 across the road to ask for directions to Din Tai Feng YongKang St. The people were helpful. There was this elderly gentleman who did not know the way to YongKang St but he asked the bus driver on our behalf!

Reached Din Tai Feng 鼎泰蘴 after 2 stops. Not many people. We ordered only 1 set of 小籠包 since we had a full breakfast at hotel. Nice and cheap and tea is free and free flow!!! Cannot get this here! It costed NT198 including 10% tax. Value for money!

After that, took a bus to WTC and walked to Taipei 101. There were many buses going to WTC. Just look at the board at the bus stop.

Taipei 101 - bought the Hualian muah chee at NT100/packet and ginger tea at the market place. Colleagues and daughter's classmates said the muah chee is nice. I agree too.
Walked on the sheltered walkway to New York New York - nothing much. not quite the same as the one in LV! The sheltered walkway reminded me of the one in Bangkok. It connected up a few shopping centres and was a pleasant and safe walk!

Taipei 101





538
台北市松智路- New York New York on the right, WTC3 on the left

After that, took the free shuttle to Taipei City Hall MRT and went to visit Sogo Shopping Centre to take a look at lift lady. Had late lunch at Sogo before going back hotel to put down the things. Ordered Kimchi Soup and rice.

Dansui Station

Dansui - old street not bad - very colourful but 阿給, 鉄蛋, fishball so so. Gave the whole packet of eggs to hotel staff.









The other side of old street facing Keelung River


阿婆鉄蛋 - can't appreciate the hardened black egg white


阿給 quite bland; fishballs, glutinous rice - so so

Rained quite heavily before we could get to the ferry terminal. So skip the fisherman's wharf.

Visited Raohe NM in the evening but it was raining, which made the trip not so enjoyable.





Tried the Pepper bun - so so only. Look at the queue.
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End of Day4

Review of Dandy Hotel - Tianjin

We stayed 2 nights in Dandy Hotel - Tianjin in the Elite twin room since there were 3 of us (hubby, daughter and I) and this is the only room type that can accommodate an additional bed. Our theme was Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. Yes, there were 7 dwarfs and trees but no Snow White though. Room rate is NT2925/night. Extra bed with breakfast is NT800. Room is big, bright , clean and modern with 1 king size bed, french windows and balcony, overlooking Tianjin Street. There is a electronic safe, electric kettle with tea/coffee, 2 bottles of water, fridge, an open pretty funky wardrode and LCD TV in the room. Aircon is strong and can be controlled. Beds and pillows are soft and comfortable. There is also a red/white mushroom bean bag in the room!
Our room number and room key

Spacious Elite Twin Room - biggest in hotel

Our theme was Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs but no sign of Snow White

View from another angel : Long writing table and open wardrobe

Outside our room - many paper butterflies!

Stairways outside our room - As we are on the second floor, we take the stairs most of the time.


The spacious bathroom has a bathtub and shower cubicle. A packet of bath lotion is provided for soaking. I love the toilet bowl fitted with electronic features just like those in Japan. It can keep the seat warm and washing can be done while seated. The separate shower cubicle has both big rain shower as well as handle shower. All toiletries are provided, including toothbrush, dental frost and a rubber band. Forgot to take photos of the bathroom!
Breakfast is adequate and ok. There are cereals, porridge, cold cuts, cheese , white, wholemeal bread with jam/butter and another 4 dishes – noodles/rice, vegetables, sauages and scrambled eggs and 1 type of fruit. Juices, soya milk and coffee/tea are also provided. Pretty complete I would say so cannot complain. The cooking is tasty.
Breakfast Time-4-5 main courses of veges & porridge, noodles/rice & cold cuts

Beverages - Juices, tea, fresh milk, soya milk and coffee

Cornfakes, whilte and wholemeal bread wtih butter and strawberry jam

Breakfast area

Racks of magazines and newspapers at breakfast area

Hotel is not very big but very cosy, new and modern. The lobby is a little small with only 1 wooden bench – no sofa to sit – you need to sit at the breakfast area if there are other guests in the lobby. Hotel staff are ok. Was given complimentary 1hr late checkout . All in all, this hotel provides more than just basic facilities though small. 麻雀虽小,五胀齐全。
Lobby

Main entrance on left of photo

Very small reception area - No sofa - only 1 small wooden bench. Nice deco on the left.

By the way, the hotel also provides 2 washers/dryers. There is also 1 PC and printer at the breakfast area. WIFI is available FOC in the hotel.

Lift

Deco in Lobby

The hotel is about 4mins walk to Zhongshan MRT and the sheltered corridor under the various buildings and shopping centres makes the walk a pleasant and short one, especially during Summer!
Night View of Dandy Hotel

Hotel in the day


中山北路三段135巷 just outside the hotel

There are 3 新光三越 shopping centres with foodcourts in the area. There is also a Daiso. As it was summer, did not manage to explore the eateries in the various lanes. Many Japanese restaurants in the area too! There is a cart right outside the lobby selling dumpling and 小龙包 for NT50 for 10pieces. Also,there was an auntie selling 鲁味 along the corrridor.
From airport, take 国光 airbus to Taipei bus station. The cab to hotel only costs NT70!
I enjoyed the stay in this hotel and I’m sure you will love it too! It is a gem! Will be going back this December and this time, will book 2 rooms for 6 nights since my 2 bigger boys are coming too!
You might be iterested in Dec's itinerary or other hotel reviews:

Day 1 - Lunch at Airport,Flight to Taipei, Check in Dandy Hotel, Dinner in Taipei at 肥前屋

Day 2 – Breakfast at Dandy, Martyrs' Shrine 忠烈祠, Shinlin Residence 士林官邸
Yangminshan,Beitou Sulphur Valley, 烏來内洞囯家森林 Wulai Old Street

Day 3 – Breakfast at Dandy, Journey to Hualian, Review of Quality Inn Hualian, Hualian Town - Food Sampling, Dinner at Hualian

Day 4 - Breakfast at Quality Inn, 清水斷崖,池上便當,Lunch outside Tourist Centre, Taroko Gorge,七星譚, Hualian Town/蔥油餅/Dinner, Review of Hotel Bayview Qixingtan

Day 5 - Breakfast at Hotel Bayview, Qixingtan area around hotel, Journey Back to Taipei, Lunch at囯賓大腸煎, Check in Dandy Hotel(Review), XiMenTing, Dinner at Shilin Night Market

Day 6 - Breakfast at Dandy, 野柳 Yeliu GeoPark, Shifen 十份放天燈, 九份老街, 金瓜石, 陰陽海, 黃金瀑布, 鼻头角, 南雅rock formation, 基隆廟口夜市

Day 7 - Breakfast at Dandy, National Palace Museum, 天母, Lunch at Beitou, Danshui, Fisherman’s Wharf, Dinner at 梅江韓溝囯淡水店

Day 8 - Breakfast at Dandy, Experience HSR to Taichung, Shopping at 新光三越 Taipei Station,
Taipei Underground Front Station
, Pass by CKS, Lunch at 高記, Taipei 101, Dinner at foodcourt

Day 9 - Breakfast at Dandy, Daiso, Lunch at Taipei Breeze Centre, Taipei Milk King, Home Sweet Home

Review of Dandy Hotel – Dec 6-7
Review of Quality Inn Hualian Dec 8
Review of Hotel Bayview Hualian Dec 9
Review of Dandy Hotel – Dec 10-13

Day 3 : Jiayi/Taipei/XMD/Tianmu/Shilin NM

Day3:
Jiayi/Taipei/XMD/Tianmu/Shilin NM

Had good buffet breakfast at hotel before checking out. The variety was widespread and it was tasty. With a full tummy, Went to buy 新生早餐 (recommended by bloggers) near hotel. 峰炸豬排蛋餅 was very yummy。鏝頭燒 so so only.
Outer Packaging


Hotel shuttle fetched us to BRT bus stop 后火車站。 From here took the free BRT to Jiayi HSR.


Around the bus stop



Colourful BRT Bus Stop outside Jiayi Station



Signboard showing arrival and departure time

Inside Jiayi HSR Station



Outside Jiayi HSR Station


HSR Train will arrive 3 min before departure time and will leave actually on the departure time. Train attendants will stand at almost each door before departure



Looking outside thehe platform



Train tickets

HSR Train Platform - our train was at 1036am

Here comes our train!

Time to board our train. Bye Bye! Jiayi!

After 1.5hrs, we reached Taipei HSR Station. Took a picture outside the station.

Next, took a cab from Taipei station to Dandy Hotel. It costed NT70. See separate review on hotel.
Went to XMD using the complimentary MRT tickets given by Taiwan Tourist Promotion Board
Free MRT tickets from Taiwan Tourist Promotion Board

1st stop was Red Theatre.

From station to Pretty colourful road - 西寧南路 on the way to 王記府城肉粽


王記府城肉粽 - Thumbs up! Nice!

On the way to Ah Zhong Mian xian

Ah Chong mian xian shop front and the mian xian - a little over rated!


Looks like a walking street but watch out for vehicles and motorbikes!

Desert at 三兄妹 - Ice Red Bean - OK

On the way to Toilet Restaurant


Toilet Restaurant

Our Toilet Ice cream - so so only


Outside Toilet Restaurant

Next, visted Tianmu. It was raining. Bus 220's final stop is not Tianmu - it is now extended beyond Tianmu. Luckily I checked the route before leaving for Taipei. Bought 2 Ralph Lauren polo-T, 1 Nautica polo T and 1 Timberland business shirt for S$95 total. Good buy. However, only 1 shop - Banana Jeans & Co. had these brands. Only took 1 photo of Tianmu

Next, Shilin NM- The chicken chop 豪大大雞排 - cheap and nice at only NT50 and wanton are nice.




Tried the coffin bread -so so





Ai Yu desert

Forgot to try the 大腸包小腸



Competition pretty stiff at Shilin NM. End of Day3