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Tantalising Taiwan
  • Narelle Car
  • Narelle Car

Tantalising Taiwan

A 17-day adventure by Narelle Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 11, 2024
  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Day 1 Taipei

    October 12, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Arrived into Taipei around 0445 in the morning. Collected our bag and after buying our MRT cards, headed on the subways to drop our bags off at the Hotel. Despite being severely jet lagged, we spent the day sightseeing at Taipei 101 & surrounding shops. Spent the evening on a guided tour with Maylei, visiting one of the local markets, sampling food & local stores. Finally got home around 9pm, totally wrecked but satisfied with what we saw and achieved in our travels around TaipeiRead more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Taipei out and about

    October 13, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Travelled to the Peace Memorial Park which has 3 beautiful and incredibly massive buildings where we watched the changing of the guard which rivalled Stripes (the movie). We then went on a walking tour and saw beautiful (Dutch) colonial buildings (incredibly they once ruled Taiwan along with Japan at another time in history). During this walk I went into a public toilet and had an old bloke stand next to me at the urinals who stared at my Willy for the whole time (must be a cultural thing 😁). We later found out this park is the local gay hook up area. We then went to Ximending markets where we enjoyed some food and checked out Longshan temple. To finish the evening off we travelled to Pier 5 where all the hipsters go (why we were there) & had dinner and a bevvyRead more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Thermal springs and markets

    October 14, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We travelled to Beitou thermal springs where we intended to go into the public baths ($3 each), however, were notified that our bathing attire was not suitable. Apparently males had to wear budgie smugglers (I had boardies) and women had to wear a one piece swimsuit (& Nelle had bikinis 👙). So we left disappointed. We past a spa and sauna at a nearby Hotel and enquired about using their facilities. We were informed that we could use them for a small fee ($30 each 😟), so Nelle begrudgingly handed over the money considering we travelled so far. We assumed that we would be going to a communal bath as per the public one, but were informed that we would be separated as it was a male and female only floor to use the thermal baths. You can imagine our delight when after we were ushered into our separate areas we were told to strip naked 😳. Okay…. Turned out that the experience was good and the baths excellent despite the droopy appendages that greeted us separately. We returned back into Taipei and after an afternoon of rest we headed out again to the Raohe street night market where we tried some delicacies- stinky tofu, abalone, giant mushrooms, some sort of sausage, Michelin star ⭐️ Black Pepper Buns, and Taiwanese Peanut Ice Cream Roll.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Sun Moon Lake

    October 15, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Travelled by HSR at speeds up to 280km/hr from Taipei to Taichung. As confused tourists (mostly how we travel) and despite language barriers we managed to then get a coach bus to Sum Moon Lake. I was glad when we got there as Nelle talked my ear off the whole way. After checking into the hotel we then took the complimentary push bikes for a spin into the nearby township. Going to have a lazy evening at the hotel and enjoy the view with one or two cold drinks. We are very excited to ride around the lake tomorrow (29kms) and see what mischief we can get into then…Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler
    Sun moon lake ride -elevation chart

    Cycling around the mighty Sun Moon Lake

    October 16, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Two people, one delusional dream. Cycle around Sun Moon lake. D Day. One big arse lake. Twenty nine kilometres to circumnavigate. Two bikes, both with only one gear, non electric assisted, powered by arguably two athletic, non performance enhanced, yet determined humans. No problem… We achieved the goal! We should have read the fine print, 1.4 kms in total elevation over the circuit. We thought it would be a leisurely ride around the perimeter. Half of it went over a mountain pass! Visited Xuanzang temple during the cycling endurance, which is dedicated to a Buddhist monk who walked from China (Mate, big deal. Do it on a pushy!). Well done us! 😀Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Tainan

    October 17, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    The travelling Gypsies went by bus (about an hour) from Sun Moon Lake to Taichung. As we were early we rearranged our HSR train to get an earlier train to Tainan. As there was only business class left we begrudgingly upgraded 😁. Jet lag has caught up on us. Had a lazy arvo walking down to the local markets then spent the rest of the arvo relaxing in the spa and room.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler
    1

    Shangri-La and Port area

    October 18, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Feeling 100% after yesterday. We had the best breakfast we’ve had on this trip so far then went our separate ways to enjoy the thermal baths and saunas. There’s something to be said about walking around in your birthday suit with similar athletic (😂) Asian body shapes. Despite that, we both really enjoyed the experience and felt rejuvenated afterwards. We then went for a walk to Shangri-La where Nelle indulged in a spa pampering session for 90 minutes while I amused myself at the lobby bar. We then went to the Port area then the food markets to round off a great day of adventure.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Kaohsiung & Cijin island

    October 19, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Travelled by local train to the city of Kaohsiung (bottom of Taiwan). It is the biggest port in Taiwan and a pleasant sea change from the concrete jungle we were last in. We took the ferry to Cijin Island expecting something like Magnetic island but were shocked to see that it was virtually a packed highrise city bustling with street hawkers. We found the only beach but due to the brutal humidity we didn’t stay long even though we tried to stay hydrated with many beers. Later in the evening (next footprint) we headed down to Pier 2 where we sampled some local produce and bars.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Lotus pond & Fo Guang Shan Buddha

    October 20, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Spiritual day today. Travelled everywhere today by taxi as we needed to cover a few places over a lot of miles and the trains (subways) take too long with multiple lines. Went firstly to Lotus Pond where Nelle delighted in the myriad of shrines and temples. We then travelled in another taxi for about 30 minutes to the Buddha museum which is on an eye popping several hectares containing all sorts of buildings. Nelle got her inner monkness going and reached some spiritual enlightenment while I was just as contented sipping on a Starbucks vanilla Frappuccino. In our own ways we found our nirvana…Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Hualien

    October 21, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Travelled for about 4 hours via train to Hualien. We were treated with some glorious countryside and glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. Checked into our new ‘home’ for the next 3 nights at Lakeshore Hualien Taroka. Had a splurge on dinner so will have to go to a 7-Eleven for the next few days to make ends meet 😀Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Taroko Gorge NP earthquake

    October 22, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Since the earthquake in April which was 7.8 magnitude, Taroko national park (NP) has been closed due to the damage that occurred. Earlier this month some of the trails reopened, however, on October 16th a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Hualien region and landslips are still occurring. Therefore , we made the decision not to venture into the NP which has 95% of the trails still closed. We have been informed that the gorge trail we were going to walk is likely to take seven years to rebuild. We were able to find some photos that were taken a couple of weeks ago of what the gorge is like post the earthquake.😳 We feel for the locals as tourism is approximately 80% of the revenue in this area. It is still a spectacular area and will hopefully be able to showcase its beauty once again.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Hualien without the National Park

    October 22, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    As we couldn’t go for the trek through one of the world’s most beautiful NPs we ventured back into Hualien city. We walked equivalent to a 10km NP trail through the concrete jungle of the streets. This entailed the empty car parking allotments, closed street markets and cyclonic weather conditions along the beach. We eventually found solitude in an air conditioned Starbucks where we regained our composure and decided upon purchasing supplies for the return trip to our hotel. Upon our return we spent a lovely afternoon having a few beverages in our room overlooking the pacific ocean, then went to the pool, spa and sauna. We finished the evening watching the as advertised ‘aboriginal’ music of Taiwan which appeared to be similar to Taiwans Got Talent..Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Stuff

    October 23, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

    Went for a cycle towards the Taroko NP and checked out the landscape and land slides from a closer perspective. We cycled through the local village where we got to have a look at a few Temples. Spent the afternoon around the pool watching Taiwan fighter jets continually taking off and landing (thanks boys - keep those pesky neighbours at bay!). Headed into Hualien where we went to a lovely Japanese restaurant. Lovely relaxing day overall.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler
    1

    Back in Taipei

    October 24, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    Checked into our final digs (Grand Mayfull) for the trip. We lashed out for our last 2 nights. It is very lovely and posh (& expensive!). So much so we can’t afford to eat here! 😂. We bought our lunch from the food mart down the road and had dinner at our favourite night market at Shilin. Finished the evening off at the wine bar at Grand Mayfull where our two drinks cost more than our street food lunch and dinner combined 😳😁. There was bottles of wine for 18k on the list.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Don’t dream it’s over…

    October 25, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Last night in Taiwan. We hit a few shopping centres where we found a few locals lounging on furniture for sale at a store like they were at home. We had an interesting MOS burger, relaxed around the pool and enjoyed our last time at the night markets.Read more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Living in Allen(s)town

    October 26, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Had a ball at Pongxi, which is a small town separated by a train line that goes right through the middle of it. When you hear people blow whistles you are required to get off the track quick smart or otherwise you’ll be flattened. We picked our colour as it represents family and good health. We then got to write all over our lantern with good wishes for all the family and everyone in general. It was actually a very enjoyable experienceRead more

  • Narelle CarTantalising TaiwanTraveler

    Call me Al(len)

    October 26, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Mountain town of Juifen. Great vistas, good bustle and apparently great shopping (Nelle managed to buy a handbag!). We enjoyed a drink on the balcony of the ‘secret’ Taiwanese restaurant where Nelle had some tea presented in the traditional fashion, which was very interesting to watch the process and ceremony of having tea. 🫖Read more

    Trip end
    October 27, 2024
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