Day 5, SML to Taichung, Taipei, Thursday @ 6 November 2014
After a hearty breakfast of porridge, bread and jam, we loaded up the car for our last leg of our cross country trip to Taichung on the West Coast for our journey back to the capital by THSR, Taiwan High Speed Railway aka Keretapi Peluru.
The route eventually took us to the freeway, speed limit 100 kph, to Taichung. On the car windscreenis a microchip to tag the car as it enters the freeway. We only paid TWD20 for the stretch used to the car rental company when we returned the car with the same full tank.
Subsequently, the company dropped us off at the Taichung THSR station. Originally, our journey back to Taipei was supposed to depart at 3pm but we have it changed to 1pm since we were early. The journey from Taichung to Taipei by bullet train was 1 hour.
After we checked in to Go Sleep Xining also in Ximending, we spent the afternoon exploring the shopping area at the basement of the main Taiwan Railway Station.
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| We always make an effort to try the KFC in different countries. The girls quite like their version of Hot n Spicy. |
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| One of many restaurants found below |
From the main railway station, we took the MRT to the famous Shilin Night Market.
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| White Bitter Gourd! |
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| They are fishing for prawns. Catch them and they will grill it on the spot for you to eat. |
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| Many game stalls can be found |
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| Assorted candies to choose from |
The night market has the usual gamut of stalls.Shilin Market is not the largest but popular with the tourists.
Day 6: Wufenpu Wholesale Market, Taipei 101, Tonghua Night Market Friday @ 7 November 2014
Slept until later in the morning after 5 exciting but tiring days. On the way to Ximen station, we came across the iconic 'Red House'.
From Ximen station, we took the blue line to Houshanpi station. Wufenpu is an area best known for wholesale garment especially women fashion wear.
When we reached there at about 11 am, all the stores have yet to open. After asking some local people there, apprently it only comes to life after 2pm!
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| This stall serves one mean pau with tender pork meat and 'miu choy'. |
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| Steaming hot pau. This I've to say is simply delicious! |
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| The shops have yet to open |
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| Ready for the day's business |
After a late lunch, took the same MRT back to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall station and walked a few blocks to the famous Taipei 101. Honestly, not to be biased, I personally feel that our Petronas Twin Towers is more impressive and aesthetic tower.
