Taiwan and Korea 2024

Had breakfast at Tim Ho Wan. They didn't have any sauces for the dim sums, and gave us chop chillies.
Took the bus from Taipei direct to Jiufen.
Walked Jiufen Old Street, and had peanut ice cream roll (yum) and taro balls in ice (no taste, weirdddd). Bought some souvenirs, an Taiwanese ocarina being the more interesting one. Passed by A-MEI Teahouse which is the famous one. Nothing to write home about but took a few photos la.
Tried to look for the kite museum but could not locate.
Had a coffee at Hima Cafe which is a Cafe that had high clear windows looking out towards Youxin and Fanzhou coast which was minimalistic but very nice and cool to get out of the mad heat.
Was supposed to go to houtong Cat Village but did not, went to shifen instead so we save a day later on.
On the way to shifen we had to pass through ruifeng which is like the hub for going from Taipei to juifen and shifen. Had Lu Rou fan (25ntd only, small bowl but still, so cheap!) at a small side stall that reminded me of klang old town curry mee. Simple food but satisfying for a snack.
Had a sarsaparilla at family mart, sat overlooking the ruifeng old street.
In shifen we went to the waterfall (man made, nothing to write home about) walked shifen Old Street which is where the train literally runs through next to the street. Interesting and must go la, but very touristy, plenty of people sending big lanterns (with their wishes written on them) into the sky when evening comes, only for them to end up in the surrounding hills and rivers. Beautiful pictures, and commercially winning for the locals, but a big sad for the environment.
On the way back from the waterfall had a bit of time til the train to Taipei (via ruifeng), had fried small crabs and tap beer.
Arrived back in Taipei and felt tired and maybe a bit tired of eating, but we walked Taipei Main Station underground malls and found a Taiwanese Orissic hot pot restaurant for dinner. Choose a soup, choose a meat, and each person's soup is served individually. All veges and sides, drinks and dessetts are free. The lemon and winter melon slushie was the bomb. After the last few days of mainly snacking and not having a proper balanced meal, this one felt so satisfying. Had the milk cheese soup which was interesting and the winter melon lemon slushie was super.もっと詳しく