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On our last night at Taipei, as we hurried back from our road trip to head for next plan that Tina had book this place for us a few days before it and I am looking forward for Taipei Nightlife as we usually seen in youtube or any media that its so happening. Barcode Bar

The public transportation is so convinient that we can take the MRT to the nearest station that heading to Taipei 101 then its about 10 minutes walk from there where the club is nearby the area of Taipei 101.

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Pak had took his best dress in his luggage to be the best look for the night, purpose to take many pictures…

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This is one of their latest shopping mall with its elegant classic build up.

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The busy district of Taipei City for shopping area and nightlife. We reach the area around 10.30pm and the bar is located next to the purple neon light.

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In this area they have 4-6 shopping malls link nearby that you can shop freely  . . .my next trip, I definately would want to spend more time heere and head to their club!

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As what we have been told, Barcode is one of the finest and hottest bar in the area and reservation of a table is a must as its mostly full house during weekend. Barcode is located on the 5th floor on Neo 19 Building which have a side entrance, a lift directly up to the bar.

Remark: to enter this Bar, they have pretty strict dress code, is all guys must wear collar shirt, dress smart! Do call them up to check out more detail on the dress code!

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As we were there pretty early, the bar is already all filled in . ..

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I just love the interior of the bar, a porch area, read on a few review that the bartender in Barcode served very good cocktails, or they would prepare anything that you ask for you shower you with the best drink.

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As late at night, the people already flock the whole area to full house, with many standing at the side. . .

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The DJ deck area is pretty cool and dress smart too.

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another section that they have pool table for you to chill with your friends and a big screen TV to watch your favourite football match.

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Not only that, they have another large indoor balcony area with another DJ playing in it, here is a bit warmer compare to our section and they do  have another VVIP area I would say as a big guy bouncer standing infront of the entrance and block me as I do not have another chop. Can’t peek in there too as its block with a door.

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The alcohol for the night that they order was Aberldy 12 years old Single Malt Scoth Whisky. The taste wise, I still prefer more on other brands like Glenmorangie, Highland Park and Macallen which is still my all time favourite.

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Pak is the happy man for the night with all the leng luis which is Tina and Eva’s friend joining along. . .

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Me trying to adapt with Taiwanese Culture posing in pictures…:D

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Nono and Jennifer with Eva’s Sister and Huang

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Their best friend .. . is a great and crazy guy too. . .  Met him during our 2nd night during Karaoke Session.

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cheers to all of you for upcoming Near Year 2011. . . .

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Eva and Small Huang. . .

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These 2 are seriously crazy friend . .

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let me tell you that, do not drink with Taiwanese girls, they are seriously good drinker!

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Pak, Jennier and Nono. . ..

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Pak and his best friend from Taiwan . . .

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and from all of us during the night, we had a group pic, Nono was holding the camera. . .

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All these thing could not be happening without these 2 great friends, Tina and Eva .. . Thanks for all the hosting, walking, eating and bar’ing withall of us and it was great to know both of you. . . Very sorry that didnt manage to meet up with you guys when you are in Malaysia months ago . .. .  Looking forward to see you guys soon in Taiwan . .:D

110 Taiwan台北市信義區松壽路22號5樓
Address: Song Shou Road, 22
Opening Hours: MON-THU, SUN: 20:30-2:30 FRI-SAT: 21:00-3:00
Phone: 0227253520


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As discuss on Day 7, we were offer a day ride on Day 8 as we, could not feel more privillage for this last day trip, but we felt really pai seh to Mary’s auntie and her husband as they purposely took leave then rent a car come down all the way to Taipei City to pick us up then travel to Taipei County to see the Queens Rock and introduce all the places around the area.

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As we left Taipei City very early morning 7.30 am to this place with the journey of 1 hour and 30 minutes drive. A cloudy morning could not be even better for us under this hot spell. The journey to Taipei County was a pleasent one when about to reach the area, they sure do have a beautiful scenery.

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By travelling to this area Ye Liu Geopark is a famous park and a must visit place. Is a piece of land out from the coast line with formation of the rock  form geologically and hoodoos. Admission to the park is NT 50

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Satalite view of the coastline. . ..

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It was 9am in the area and its getting burning hot. . .Expected temperature for the day was around 38 degree. . .

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We really wish to thank Mary’s Auntie and the husband for this wonderfull road trip

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The formation of stones that most of them do have bee hives holes.

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If you think abit off track then you will have another imagination which is similiar to something .. .:)

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Lets head to the main attraction of the area which is the Queen’s Head

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Its quite a walk from the main entrance to all the way to the end of the park.

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The human compas. . .

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This is the famous Queen’s Head, only will get a great view if you look it at certain angel. From the front view, it just look like a normal erode rocks. What we got to know that, this rock is falling apart soon with strong sea breeze and it is just the matter of time and years  . .. Just take your chance to visit this place while its still standing tall in there.

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After the first visit of the park we head to this great park YICF 2010 which had last been organize 4 years back during the summer time. Now the new local Yilan Goverment had bring this back to life to promote on their local tourist destination area with the theme Yilan International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival. More like a family gateaway during this hot summer time!

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In Taiwan, any places is all always about walking, it really give you a good fat burning. From Carpark walk into the main area takes about 5-10 minutes at it is a very big park.

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this is the entree free for the festival.

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This is how big the park is.. . . we took about 45 minutes to walk 1 whole round and you just imagine how big it is. It covers alot of area and I sure do wish Malaysia do have something like that on seasonal. Sure going to be very fun and a great boost for our local destinations also.

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These is what the have for the park with build up a big area with pond and every 1 just get soak wet and great RnB music and dance track played all day long. IT is like a day party. Then on the 3rd picture, its a ghost house in wet version. So tempted to go in but once go in, we all are just going to be very wet coming out as we did not bring any extra clothings.

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this is what I mean a family great gateway.. . . Feels so Japan in the summer with white sea of umbrella spreading accross the area.

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Then they do have international cultural performance for the kids and parents to participate. This sure going to bond all the family members.

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A big bridge walk way for you to overlook the whole park.

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I just so love this little cafe. Simple and nicely decorated.

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Some local performance along the way.

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For kids area, they can dance around with the stage performer, take lots of picture with them. . . or

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you can let your kids sit in this section, let them sit down and do some paiting on al this cute handicraft.

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Kids zone also have alot of outdoor things to do, with mini flying fox, burst up balloon area, little moutain climbing, and many more

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Next destination is we head to one of the main fisherman village that had used to be main fisherman port for Taiwan, with lots of sea vassel park in the area and huge rock build infront of the dock to prevent on the Typhoon.

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As all of us were quite hungry, then Auntie introduce us this place which is quite pack with people, serve nice food with very reasonable price.

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Guess what is this. . . .? This is the Fish eye! and you just guess how big the fish is going to be with such a big eyeball.

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The restaurant is pack with people or I guess is because school holiday, with many people visiting the place.

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This drink is definately refreshing with my favourite apple that have a bit of the skin and nata de coco alike jelly in there. IT is not too sweet too.

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The food here is awesomely good, most of it very aromatic just that we find the noodle is quite plain. Total damage per pax is around NT300 for 8 which we find it is a pretty good deal for such a big portion.

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This squid had been steam then put in fridge for a while till its chill and the skin is so chewy by dipping with wasabi is taste sooo good!

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Done with the meal, we are heading to the temple .

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As we were told that the one of the statue is made of crystal, that overlook all the fisherman to protect them during their journey out when fishing out in the sea. That is what the locals believe.

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This is where one of the main statue is located. . . .

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Next destination, we were brought by Auntie to the local souvenir shop to make a take away back for our friends and relatives.

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As this shop is famous for the ‘Dry Duck Meat’ that you MUST buy back to eat. . . . The price is average and the whole pack is air tight that makes it last quite some time before you open it.

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This is the famous duck meat in this shop. They have duck meat, duck liver and a few more other stuff, besides that they do sell some other local products that is very reasonable in price too.

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When I saw this building at traffic light, then I thought who would want to build such a weird house up there, then the aunty answer me that, that house is a huge bird nest.. .. Then we were like woah, what a nice build up house for birds. More like to harvest bird nest I guess.

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2 blocks away from the same strech of that shop, we reach this cake shop which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you to come if you do come to YI Lan City! I guess this place is called Cake Nobel shop cuz I do not know how to reach chinese.

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What they are famous for? They are famous for their very own style of Swiss Roll which is a MUST buy item in there.

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Their Signature Item, Swiss Roll Strawberry, which have really fresh strawberry in there and the taste of it, the outerlayer of the roll cake is so soft and the cream is not too thick yet its just perfectly nice to go along with the whole awesome flavour.

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They have so many flavours and if I do stand a chance I would really want to buy back but it was meant to eat it fresh and can last 2 days. By the time I bring back to Malaysia its already spoil.

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Their testing plate and one thing I love about Taiwan FnB industry is that most of the retailers are very generous in giving out their item for food tasting. You see the size of it, its quite a huge chunk and they seriously do not mind you to stand there and just eat it like that a few (if you do not feel embaress la).

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One of my favourite is the Yam  . .. . .

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With lots of creamy cream yogurt base like that. ..  It wont make you ‘jelak’ and I can seriously finish this whole roll by myself without any problem!

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And I just love their packaging. . .  so Creatively design . . . Do bare in mind that their Swiss Roll are selling like hot cakes and I do even see a guy buy 20rolls.

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We just bought a few just to eat for the night.

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Other item that selling in there.

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We love their bread range too, smells so nice and the bread are creatively design which their bread size and flavours are quite unique.

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This is the map on how to get there, and its pretty near the train station. Its a shop that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you are in that area.

For more information, you can always check out on their official website: www.cakenobel.com.tw/index.php

諾貝爾食品有限公司
網路專線 TEL:03-9610388、03-9613919    FAX 03-9610959
礁溪店門市 宜蘭縣礁溪鄉礁溪路4段68號 TEL:03-9885919

Location: 宜蘭縣羅東鎮公正路212號/ Luo Dong fair Ilan County Road No.212

In our itenery, second day is to wake up early and head to Yangmingsan National Park for a sightseeing which is located in between Taipei City and Taipei Country which can be access by their MRT.

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As most of us woke up late that day, so we went to MacD to grab a quite breakfast and of course not to miss their pork burger. The only difference is that, their bread is a bit softer and there are no tomato sauce available. I just love the moment I capture on that kid which I do not know what he see open till his mouth like so soh soh.

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Our accomodation which is just a station away from Taipei Main Station under Nangang MRT line, Shandao Temple to start off with and we are heading to Shilin Night Market Station to take bus.

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Reached at Shilin Night Market station then walk down to the public bus waiting area which is just located next to the station and we have to ask around which bus to take.

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When the bus arrived, it was an empty bus and the queue is very long to the way back and most of them are old folks. So I guess we are heading the right way, with bus no.280 (if i am not mistaken).

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Journey to Yangmingsan from Shilin Night Market takes approximately 45 minutes.

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On that day it was weekend, and we were told by one old couple that usually there is full of family.

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After reaching the main area of Yanmingsan, we have to take a mini bus to tour the whole mountain as it is huge, and was told by the driver it takes about 30 – 45 minutes to round the whole 13 stops and in between, see which are the stop that you are interested in then hop off.

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The city administrative area includes Beitou District, Shihlin District, Taipei County’s Wanli, Jinshan Township and Sanchi Township. During the Japanese occupation era of Taiwan, it was known as Datun National Park(大屯国立公園). The National Park is famous for its cherry blossoms, hot springs, sulfur deposits, fumaroles, venomous snakes and hiking trails, including Taiwan’s tallest and one over the extinct volcano Seven Star Mountain (七星山, 1,120 m).

Yangmingshan was originally called Grass Mountain (草山; Taiwanese: Chháu-soaⁿ) during the Qing Dynasty, in reference to Datun Mountain. Official’s during this period were worried about thieves stealing sulfur from the rich sulfur deposits in the area so they would regulary set fire to the mountain. Thus, only grass and not trees could be seen. The first national park was established during the Japanese occupation in 1937. (source Wikipedia)

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So most of the folks living around the area selling fresh vegetable and fruits and I got scolded for shooting one of the auntie.

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One thing I like about Taiwan is that most of the people there are very well manner which the line up in all public transportation and respect the elders, pregnant ladies and family with kids that most of the people will give their seats away to allow them to seat on.

 

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One our first stop, we were quite surprise by how many people are in the area for hiking, tai chi and popular around this first stop is cycling.

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10 minutes walk from the drop off area, we reach Datun Nature Park and it was a good weather on that day, we were delighted to see how blue the sky and how green the trees are.

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Take a few snapshots around the area and at first, one of the guy ask us to trail on the jungle tracking to get a better sigh of the area, after a quick thought, he asked us to walk back how we originaly came from with a reason, scared we might get lost in there.

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One of the info and history center.

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During our bus ride to each station, there are one sight that caught very much of our attention is that the mountain looks like a small hole in and smoke keep coming out and Pak asked one of the locals, told us that, is one of a must visit place if come to this mountain.

Siaoyoukeng is the stop that we hop off and the wind was so strong that day that we cant even walk straight. One strong hit can make us sway to the left or right but it was exciting as we have never encounter such a strong wind before.

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Then we saw this trail which looks very interesting but what stopped us was the distance, 1.6KM to the peak. . . is somehow too far and not for us to do it, if we were to stay there for a night, we sure will do it and we believe it will be one of a breath taking view if we were to reach to the peak.

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This is the stop whereby Taiwan one of the tallest and extinct volcano which name as Seven Star Moutain (七星山) that stand 1,120m above sea level.

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Head over to the observation deck to take a peek. There were a strong scent of sulfur and we knew we could be there for long, so we took quick picture around the area.

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Ian with the idea of this . . . . .

 

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clear blue sky. . .

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There is a mini trail right next to it with small holes blowing smoke and sulfur.

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To see how windy it was on that day, click on the short clip . . ..

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I just love this landscape which capture by Pak.

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While waiting for the mini bus to come, we had too much free time and camwhore a little, with a few jump shots added in.

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It was a long day stroll on top of the mountain, upon setting down to the main area, we had a quick lunch with Taiwan Mee Sua made by one of a old lady, taste wise, never to mention.

Here I am, getting all excited and been waiting for the past 9 months been very torturing as I bought my flight ticket on Airasia during zero fair promo some year year 2009 end of the year, and I was very jealous those who make their journey to one of the food paradise Taiwan by capturing a lot of nice scenery too. Hence me and my friends feeling good travelling there as there are some pre-arrangements. 😉

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Our flight there was the AirAsia-x which I thought that it was their smaller flight with those compact places and I was so worrying that what will happen to me after my 4 hours flight in that cramp seat. To my surprise that, the seats are eventually bigger and something similar to MAS economy class seats which I am happy off. The only difference is that there are no cabin crews serving us with free flow of beverage and in flight entertainment. The only thing is that, we need to pay what you want to eat including water. So be prepared to bring some Malaysia currencies and also it is advisable to bring your own gadgets like i-phone with games app, PSP or anything to keep you entertain during the journey. If not will be like us, growing mushroom and BORED to death! I guess this is one way of Budget airline goes.

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my window view while the air plane is flying at 30,000 feet above sea level.

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Finally, after 4 hours of bored to death journey and I cant sleep, we had reach our destination.

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Please TAKE NOTE All travelers below 30 years old, are entitle to apply for the ‘youthtravel card’ which benefits most of us that do free and easy tour or especially to a group of friends to entitle us greater savings on mode of transportation or entry to a park.

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It was a long queue under international travel lane but it took less than 5 mins to clear us off at the immigration, as this show efficiency.

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Currency Changes is RM1 –> NT 10

As travelling from airport to Taipei city, we only have to choices that we known on that day, either you take a public bus which takes about 70-90 minutes depending on traffic and by Taxi is about half that time. We were in the hurry that day, so we opted to take Taxi and trust me, it doesn’t comes cheap as 1 taxi to our destination is NT1200 = RM120. 3 of us in a car so it was 2 taxi.

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This trip we were on budget so, the arrangement that my friend had arrange was home stay that a lot of my friends say that we can go for Motel, which is cheap, nice and clean. Home stay would be like a risk to go after. What can I say, that home stay would be a good experience as this is our first time staying in this option.

Taipei Home Stay was the choice as it was recommend by one of the friend there, with its convenience to a subway LRT 1 minutes walk away, 7-11 3 mins walk away and 1 train stop away from Taipei Main Station.

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Upon our arrival there, we were surprise to be greeted by the landlord herself and with her friendly character had make us feel that we had made the right choice.

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When I see my room, I was astonish to see how nice my room and how cozy it feels like. It feels exactly like home with a mini kitchen, filled with a queen size bed and 2 optional sofas cum bed. Actually our room is to accommodate 4 pax and my brother and housemate last minutes cancel their trip due to work, so we are occupying the whole place for ourselves.

The room all the rooms are equip with cable TV with more than 80 channels to watch, wireless connection and basic necessities in the toilet. It cost us NT1100 per night, as extra pax will charge NT 200 each, therefore is NT 1300 per night. I cannot remember what is the TYPE of my room and advisable to copy and paste to let the onwer see.

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Our Cosy bed to ly on as what we were told by the landlord lady, our room is quite brand new that just newly renovated by her compare with other rooms, this would be one of the good ones.

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Toilet with basic necessity (soap and shampoo), please take note that they DO NOT PROVIDE TOWELS. Therefore you have to bring your own towels or buy it at the night market.

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After we had settle down and take a quite bath, she asked us are we hungry and she insisted to bring us to one of the best Fried Chicken around the area which is definitely much better than the one in Shilin Night Market. When it comes to food, I was the first one to agree.


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