We went to Taiwan last December 2022! This was MC and my 2nd trip together. There wasn't any direct flights back then, hence we had to book transit flights. I booked Brunei > Hong Kong > Taiwan and Taiwan > Manila > Brunei -- connecting flights only and they costed us about 893 euros per person = approximately BND $1300!!
The reason why I had to go to Taiwan was to attend a dementia conference. The conference itself costed USD $450, which was kindly sponsored by Demensia Brunei (Alzheimer's disease International). I got support from the consultants and fellow dementia members, but we had to pay for the excess costs and hotels. I am grateful that MC didn't mind the price difference and went along with me (Brunei to Taiwan direct flights are about BND $500 now -- such huge price difference!)
We paid $527.83 for a total of 8 nights (BND $66 per night). The room is spacious. There's a mini fridge and basic toiletries were provided daily. They clean our room daily as well. The only issue that I would complained was the room card key kept deactivated and we had to get it replaced almost at a daily basis from the 4th day onwards. The location was great -- it's not at the main streets, nor it is at a popular area but it's less than 5 mins walk to 7-11 and Family mart and almost 5 mins walk to World Gym Taipei Chang Chun -- Mc's haven!!
We departed Brunei at 12:40pm, and reached Taipei at 6:55pm. We bought 2 simcards - one for each, and checked into our hotel. We hailed a taxi from airport straight to our hotel (approximately NTD 1400 - BND $62)
Beauty Hotels Taiper - Hotel Bchic
No. 25, Sec.2, Xinsheng N. Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei 104, Taiwan
+886225111399
The toilet has an automatic bidet which you can adjust the strength and temperature of the water and MC was so amazed with it xD
After checked in, we went to explore the surroundings -- bought dinner from 7-11 and then registered both of us to World Gym. The person who served us was Winnie -- highly recommend her. She even gave us free protein packets to try :) MC loves their protein shakes -- milk tea flavour that's not too overpowering or creamy. I think we should have explored more protein and unique asian flavours!
Day 2
We started Day 2 to Shi fen & Jiu Fen day trip
Goshhhh, we spent Half of the time traveling! We basically start our tour daily from 11am to 12pm as MC needs to gym for at least 2-3 hours per day. We pretty much woke up around 8/9 am and gym till 11am or 12pm. Showered and start the daily tours.
To go Shi fen, we used the MRT to go Taipei Main Station (pretty much the centre of everything), and then use the railway (TRA) to go Rui Fang. From there, take the Pingxi line to Shi fen station. The whole trip takes 1.5 hours.
Unfortunately, it was a rainy day.. and our main reason to go Shi fen was to fly the sky lanterns. While waiting for the rain to stopped, we had braised pork rice :3
peanut ice cream on a rainy day
One of the highlight of the trip~ we wrote down our wishes on different sides of the lantern (each colour symbolises different things:
red for health / peace
yellow for money / wealth
blue for career / promotion
pink for happiness / joy (?love)
The sky lantern costed NTD 150 (BND $6.60) and the person helped us to take photos and videos of it. The experience would be a lot nicer if it wasn't windy and raining. Nevertheless, I'm really happy we got to fly it. May all our wishes come true!!! 💕
If it wasn't raining, I would complete my shi fen trip to the waterfall but it was drizzling, hence we decided to go Jiu fen before it's too late.
Shi fen > Jiu fen
Head back to Rui fang, and catch either bus 827, 788, 825, 965 or 1062 (they cost around NTD 15-20) which you could use the easy card (can top up at any family mart or 7-11, and you can Pay for items / transportation using it as well).
A-mei teahouse
Jiufen totally gives off the Studio Gibli vibe; so Japanese feel. As it was raining, most stalls are closed (and probably because by the time we arrived there, it's nearly 6:30pm already..)
We bought the chewy taro balls and roamed around, took some pictures and left.
MC felt that jiu fen is totally unnecessary to come as there's nothing much. I felt that it was a bit rushing because Jiu fen to Shi fen is 30 mins (by car) but we spent a lot of time waiting for buses and trains. Took us almost an hour to reach Jiu fen eventually.
The buses have schedule and each bus stations has numbers on them so it can be quite confusing at first. We eventually took the 1062 bus back to Zhong Xiao Fu Xing MRT, and from there back to our station (Zhong Shan). ** Note: the last bus back from jiu fen is 8:30pm
Our MRT station is ~10 to 15mins walk to our hotel though. I didn't mind the walk as it was always breezy and chill, but when it's raining, can be quite annoying. MC and I almost had some disputes re: this trip. He felt that it was too tiring for him and he didn't get to 'enjoy' the day as we were just rushing and traveling. 😞
Day 3
After gym session, we headed to Din Tai Fung for lunch
I'm so amazed at their queuing system. They asked us to scan their QR code -- menu appeared, we basically choose what we want to order, submit order and they'll give us a queue number. 10 minutes later, we got our seat, and our dishes were already on the way. Super fast and efficient! The truffle XLBs and the classic XLBs yummmm
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
National Theatre and Concert Hall
Ended the day with my belated birthday dinner - I chose IMPROMPTU By Paul Lee
Awarded Michelin Star ⭐)
I actually like their presentation and creativity. We went all out -- I chose mine with cocktail pairing, and MC one with full set of non alcoholic beverages.
Mine was NTD 3600 + full cocktail pairing (NTD 1580) = NTD 5,180
MC's was NTD 3600 + non alcohol pairing (NTD 980) = NTD 4,580
They also have a 10% service charge
The dinner was about SGD $472 (thank u babe 😚); I also got a brand new iPhone 14 pro for my birthday present which we used it to take all our Taiwan trip pictures heheh 💗
Tasting Menu:
Langoustine tart, vinegar jelly, sea grape, shies
Mussel croquette, iberico ham, comte
bread & butter
L'orangerie egg caviar
Bonito, pomegranate, grapefruit, sumac
crab, kohlrabi, apple, chill sabayon
veal sweetbread, sun choke, porcini, almond milk
Red croaker en papillote, matsutake consommé
duck, beet, crepinette, wild greens
duck wonton, chili oil
Kiwi, shies, yogurt, tapioca
caramelised apple, sake lee ice cream, hazelnut, pop rock
cookie, raspberry semifreddo
rose garden tea
free gift to take home: noodle & lard + coffee black tea
Servers were attentive. they explained every single dish and drinks pairings to us. I enjoyed the experience, but had to say the food was so-so for it to be Michelin star. I've tasted better; and for the price we've paid, I certainly expected more.
Day 4
Woke up late, went to gym late. Eventually started our day to Taichung late!! I pre-booked bullet train (high speed rail) from look as they have 20% discount (paid approximately $50 ; $25 each for single journey from Taipei to Taichung). I remembered changing the timing twice (which I should have stick to the later timing as we procrastinate a lot!!)
MC ended up paying for a new ticket for us. This always happened to me T_____T bad time management.
When we reached Tai Chung, we were lost as well.. tried to get the bus to reach Zhong she flower garden and we gave up and hailed a taxi! Charged us quite expensive but we can't do anything as the place is difficult to get to via public transport.
Zhongshe Flower Market Taichung
Thank you MC for being super patient with me and take nice photos of me (my friends said they look like we're filming some music videos xD)
As we started the day late, and the places that I wanted to go are actually far apart..and I booked 7pm train back to Taipei (so we can rest for the next day).
We went to Lihpao outlet mall -- and I bought MC a Jordan basketball jersey (as his anniversary gift!!) Wanted to get him shoes but nothing was of his liking.
If I were given the chance to re-plan, I would probably start the day earlier, and spend perhaps 2 days at Tai Chung. Places that I want to visit, but didn't get to -- Miyahara souvenir shop, YuLin pine garden, Feng Jia night market
Day 5
One of the more relaxing day from our itineraries. Today is onset day at BeiTou!! I've actually researched a lot on this and decided to go beitou. Other popular onsen spots are Yang Ming Shan and Wu Lai.
Beitou thermal valley, also known as Hell valley -- due to its pungent sulphuric odour, scalding hot water (up to 100C!!), and misty environment
The thermal valley, is just 2 mins walk from the hot spring that I've booked. This was also part of MC's anniversary gift to let him relax and chill.
Pheonix Pavilion Hot Spring Hotel Beitou
I booked it via klook - 2 hours partial open air with a bed to rest (BND $86)
I think MC wasn't used to the temperature; after the first 15 minutes of the onsen, he felt super dizzy and headed to rest 😂
If we had enough time, I would go to Lover's bridge, Tamsui old streets and fisherman's wharf. However, after the soak, it's almost dinner time -- so we decided to go Shilin night market for some street food. We had the XXL chicken chop (deep fried zomg), oyster pancakes, escargot (but they totally overcooked it and it's too chewy). Again, it was raining so our experience was affected slightly by it.
Surprisingly, we didn't have any bubble milk tea up till this point; considering the fact that we are at Taiwan -- the OG of BBT. I think throughout our whole trip, I only had one - yam shake with pearl from milksha (and it was sooooo good). I've wanted MC to try Chun shui tang as they're the OG (claimed to be the first ever bubble milk tea shop) but we just don't have enough time to try everything -- also trying our best not to ruin our diet despite on vacation. "indulge, but not to over"
Day 6
First day of my dementia conference!
The poster presentation wasn't what I've expected it to be, as they only have 3 monitors with loads of slides in it. I attended the full day conferences for both days, which ended around 6pm. MC get to have his me time (aka gym time) till 5pm+
We went to Xi Men Ding and shopped around there.
Xi Men Ding
Day 7
Sneaked out during lunch to Taipei 101 - so majestic as ever!
Met up MC after conference -- he was late as he went to have hair cut ; he met up with his old friend King from UNDER hair ; got some tips on hair blowing and styling, and there it begins -- the start of his Jackson Wang alike hairstyle journey (PS: he improved in blowing his hair a lot better now; he actually dislike how his hair was after being blown by the assistant stylist). The haircut costed about NTD 900 (BND $40) which is reasonable as King styles for Taiwan celebrities!!
We went to a Christmas food fair and took lots of Christmas lighting pics. It's so nice to travel in December -- Christmas decorations and vibes everywhere!!
Wearing the new beret I bought from Shilin market + MC wearing his Jordan jersey that I bought~
Day 8
Last day of my conference -- it was only Half the day, we went to have team lunch at a Moroccan restaurant. Roamed around Dong Qu with MC -- apparently the new hipster hangout place for youngsters. It was really windy -- the weather has been cold (16 degrees mostly ; air conditioned) or raining most of the times. Ended the final night in Taiwan with our advanced anniversary dinner at BaHo Yakiniku -- also my gift to MC :)
BaHo Yakiniku
No.4, Lane 102, Section 1, Anhe road, Taipei, Taiwan
Classic Menu:
Homemade Japanese style pickle
Chef's salad of the day
Baho Beef Tartare Hand rolls
Beef tongue with spring onions (really good!!)
Wagyu beed selection of the day
Specialty Golden Yakiniku (omg can we have 2 of these pls!)
BAHO Beef Tartare Spring onion pancake
Scallop
Half-done wagyu beef soup
Beef lard rice OR Morioka cold noodles (can only choose one, and both persons have to be the same)
Black sesame pudding
Apparently, if you're celebrating a special occasion, you need to let them know and they'll free you their signature burnt cheesecake. I was expecting it as we're celebrating our anniversary there --- but I might have forgotten to state it, and so, no cheesecake. I was sooooo disappointed. T__________T Still am now. Can someone get me a slice so I know how it tastes like?! It has really good reviews on IG :((
I really enjoyed it and would go back! MC was initially hesitant and he felt the price was too steep and he probably won't be full. He totally changed his mind after this experience. I have unlocked his taste bud to a new level hehehe
Day 8
Boarded our flight on 1:35pm to Manila;
We pre-booked airport transfer via hotel (charged us NTD 1000 - slightly cheaper than ordering taxi ourselves) and head to the airport around 8am to reach 3 hours before our flight. Had Starbucks in the airport, chill and bought souvenirs (snacks!!) home.
The itinerary was lacking on some days and we certainly didn't see eye to eye to everything. It was our 2nd overseas trip together and there's a lot of things to work on -- I understood his gym timings and patterns more, and he certainly take better pictures of me + us now.
It's all a process of getting to know each other more. Thank you for tolerating and being patient with me, as always.
Can't wait for our next trip together already! 💕
