I`m not sure why I`ve never really had Taiwan in my mind when it comes to choosing a holiday destination. So, when the hubby suggested it, well, okay I said, why not, kids & I have never been and I heard it`s a great place for kids.
We decided to go during the Japanese long Golden Week holiday since the kiddos had a week long holiday then. This was a good good trip, I think because Lucas is older now and much more independent. Travel was a breeze with him. He ate and slept and watched the in-flight TV. Gabe was getting much better too, you just need to prepare some toys for him to occupy himself.
Taiwan Day 1: Taipei
We arrived in Taipei early at 10am. Got our rental car and made our way to lunch. it was too early to check-in to the hotel anyway. where did we go for lunch? The very famous Din Tai Fung at Taipei 101!!! Darn good choice for lunch if I must say so. The food here is so so so good! Tokyo`s outlet cannot even compare to this. I had my pork chop soup noodle. Slurping good! And I had the chilli oil dumpling too! So fantastic I cannot even describe how good it was.
After lunch we walked around abit, and made our way to the Hotel. Nope, not 5 star, just a very normal hotel, clean and comfy, near the Songshan area.
Dinner was equally exciting, I had read that Taiwan`s night market food was beyond awesome, so I made it a priority to eat at night markets whenever we could. Our first night here we went to Ningxia Night Market, more known amongst the locals. Not disappointed at all. Surprisingly the kids loved the food. I thought they`d be whining n all. Nope, they were pretty much cool with it. They had the famous Minced meat rice and both enjoyed it.
After that we had dessert, peanut rice balls in peanut soup. Delicious, Dad you would love this!!
Before coming on this trip, I made a huge mistake. I told Lucas that Paw Patrol, his current fave toy, was available here and cheap. Big big mistake. Once landed, he just kept bugging us about the toy and said he wanted to got Toys R Us, so, no choice, we searched for the nearest one and it wasn`t far from our hotel. Made a pit stop after dinner.
See the 2 happy faces????
Day 2: Sun Moon Lake
No one goes to Taiwan without going to Sun Moon Lake...right?
We didn@t opt for breakfast at the hotel, not with so many yummy food! So, once we checked-out, we walked nearby to a local shop serving noodles. Sorry, obviously this mean ain`t everyone`s fave. I know my BILs would balk.
Yeah, pig intestines and the noodle was pretty good, though Gabe liked it more than Lucas who was very reluctant. Oh well, can`t please everyone.
Sun Moon Lake was beautiful, very very picturesque. Weather was fantastic, not too hot not too cold. Our hotel was just right infront of the jetty. since it wasn@t time to check-in, we walked around looking for food. Before we went up to the room, we decided we`d just take out some food since it was a hassle to come back down.Had their famous rice stuffed in chicken wings, kids ate the minced meat rice again, got the famous meat stuffed in bread. Hmm, to me it was all so-so only, nothing to rave about.
By the way, if you like mirrors, this hotel is perfect for you. The bathroom sliding doors all have mirrors, so when u close everything, you get to see yourself in every angle...
Day 3: Taichung
Hubby kept saying there ain`t much in Taichung. Yes I know, but I had 1 mission, and 1 only. To go to the Miyahara building where the famous Dawn Cake pineapple cakes were. And our hotel Hotel 53 was a great hotel directly opposite. Gabe & Terry wanted to rest, so Lucas & I decided to roam around not wanting to waster precious time. Once we got there we headed up to the restaurant to get a taste of that delicious ice cream everyone raves about. It was a 5 scoop one, with 5 toppings...obviously we couldn`t finish it, but what the heck, we had to have it.
Of course, you don`t leave without buying the pineapple cakes. I tell you best decision I ever made was to get 5 boxes. Gave it to my friends they were drooling. And I have to say yes, worthwhile to stuff your face. Hit the gym later.
Our hotel by the way was cozy and clean, nothing fancy for a short night stay
Taichung has night markets too and we went to Fengjia Night Market a huge one packed packed with many people. But again, fantastic experience and food. I tell you, I think the hubby obviously got into the holiday mood too, coz out of the blue, we passed by a toy stall, Lucas JUST requested to see a toy. The father, came and told him Paw Patrol was there! I mean, we didn@t even see it. Then, amazingly like a man possessed,the dad offered to buy each a toy! I mean even Lucas was stunned, he actually hesitated and I told him daddy says yes, can choose one! haahaha win lottery. So, in the end, Lucas chose Paw Patrol and Gabe chose his Peppa Pig (more on this Peppa Pig next post).
Day 4: Leofoo Resort
This was to be the highlight for the kids. We booked a room at the resort where you had a direct view of the animals all day. We visited the theme park first. Okay, this ain`t Disney or USJ. It`s just a small theme park to please the kids a little.
Day 5: Jiufen & Taipei
This was another highlight I was anticipating. I had read online how fabulous Jiufen was, the food especially. And yes, I enjoyed it. Such a delightful street. It wasn`t too crowded when we got there, so walking was easy and the kids were well behaved. Okay the food, totally awesome. I went for the taro balls and peanut ice cream wrap....so so so good!! My dad would have loved it here!
The cuttlefish! So good, it was spicy and so so flavorful. Japan has it too, just that it`s so hard and tough to eat. I should have ordered like double the amount..damned.
After Jiufen we made our way to Taipei and stayed at the same hotel previously. Tonight, we went to Ximending. Who goes to Taipei without going to Ximending? Definetely not me for sure. Verdict? Worth it. Not crowded at all, weather great for a stroll, awesome street performance. But the highlight?? The famous Hot Star Fried Chicken! OMG, I so miss it. even the kids were asking for seconds.
Dinner wasn@t so good...
That sauce on my peidan killed it...tasted yucky
Day 6: Taipei last day
Okay this day was disappointing, and according to my sisters it was because I was a bimbo for choosing to visit the famous Shilin Night market....at 3pm.......
Okay okay, yes dumb choice, but after visiting the Chang Kai Shek hall, we went driving around to Yangmingshan mountain, by the time we got back to Taipei city, we figured we`d be too tired to come back out, and besides I read that some stalls open at 3pm.
Soooo, off we went. We didn`t entirely come back empty handed. We tapaued dinner. Fried chicken, peanut roll, minced meat rice (again) for the kids, oyster omelette, Korean fried chicken thingys....hmm...honestly none of it was anything to rave about. I can`t understand why they like to put that starchy yucky sauce on the oyster omelette, it just made it taste so bad!!! sigh, I was really disappointed about Shilin, it seemed to be nothing I read about in all the blogs.
And with that our trip came to an end, next day our flight was early at 9am.
Will I go back to Taiwan again??? Big YES. But this time I`d want to go to Yilan and Khaoshiung. And stay in those lovely Minshus....wait for me Taiwan, I`ll be back and this time I`ll get 10 of those Hot Stars.
