Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>VP</strong> travel<br />
Urban and Countryside Adventure in<br />
Taiwan!<br />
Get the thrill out of it and experience the beyond compare scenic<br />
view while understanding the culture and laidback lifestyle of Taiwan!<br />
Written by: Danica Gumera Photos: Danica Gumera & Faye Bohol<br />
The art of patiently waiting to visit the beautiful city of Taipei— one of my dream<br />
countries to explore with a friend—was finally over. My friend, Faye, and I had<br />
sleepless nights with over-excitement in our hearts by counting the days for our<br />
trip together. Taiwan is known to be the 3rd safest country because people are<br />
united in achieving discipline even in small ways. Other agenda for traveling to<br />
this country: to understand, witness and testify the truth behind their culture,<br />
lifestyle and beliefs based on the reports; to see before our very own eyes the so<br />
called, “Shibuya” of Taipei; to experience the countryside adventures of each tourist<br />
spot; and to fulfill our inner high school fondness, as we were still fangirling<br />
over Meteor Garden by seeing few of the actual shooting locations.<br />
Would you believe that we got our round trip tickets for only Php 3500/pax? We<br />
had been wakeful all night to grab the much-awaited seat sale! It saves you from<br />
paying high and questionable rates. Just keep your mobile apps alerted every<br />
time seat sale is coming — get a beauty rest ahead before the selling period!<br />
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall<br />
Transportation<br />
Traveling time to Taipei, Taiwan via Air Asia<br />
from NAIA Terminal 3 is only 2 hours away –<br />
considered as one of the closest countries to the<br />
Philippines. It’s just like fighting the traffic jam<br />
from Antipolo to Makati City. Upon arrival at<br />
Taoyaon Airport Terminal 1 at 1:00 am, our tired<br />
body was replaced by extreme exhilaration as we<br />
finally set our foot in the dream city. The flight<br />
attendants, house keeping personnel, security,<br />
and even immigration have shown their warm<br />
welcome toward us.<br />
Beforehand, we were reminded to be mindful<br />
once we get there and to cautiously observe<br />
our expenses. We opted not to charter a private<br />
car to pick us up at the airport. There’s a booth<br />
selling bus tickets to Taipei Main station at late<br />
midnight for only NT 115 (PHP 201.25) and easy<br />
cards can be purchased at the MRT station or<br />
7/11 branches. Before leaving the airport, we<br />
ensured ourselves by heading straight to the<br />
airport’s money changer and leasing a pocket<br />
Wi-Fi that costs NT 750 (PHP 1,312) for 4dN3N<br />
to lead us to the magical places we have never<br />
been; use the Google translator in case we get<br />
lost in the middle of our tour. Riding a bus to<br />
Taipei main station is very easy. Outside the<br />
airport, you’ll see the bus terminal and above<br />
are signboards of your chosen destination. The<br />
waiting period for the bus to arrive is not that<br />
long; we had the chance to chitchat with some<br />
tourists before we hopped in.<br />
Jiufen town<br />
Taiwan's MRT<br />
Getting to the Taipei Main Station is only 45<br />
minutes with zero traffic at all. Next ride is<br />
modern cab (based fare is NT 75 = Php 131.25)<br />
and we have only spent 5 mins to finally reach<br />
Shinshin Hotel in Kunming Street (Wanhua<br />
district).<br />
As we wander through the city, we couldn’t<br />
contain our joy, as we never felt the hustle and<br />
bustle in riding MRT. I never felt any sweat on<br />
my neck or forehead because the subway was<br />
built underground, which has 4 levels down<br />
below and fully air-conditioned just like the<br />
airport. Nationals are very blessed for having a<br />
convenient conveyance. It is unchallenging to<br />
shift from one station to another by just following<br />
the route map divided into four lines that were<br />
connected to one another. Each line has the<br />
following stations ahead and represented with<br />
distinctive color as symbols to easily track the<br />
route. People are disciplined in taking MRT or<br />
shuttle bus. They are knowledgeable in lining up<br />
properly; pushing against one another just to hop<br />
in, was never a practice.<br />
When riding a bus, there are stand-alone maps<br />
on the bus stop that you’ll roll over to see the<br />
connecting streets. Never be ashamed of asking<br />
directions incase things went off the road. The<br />
universal language is not common to them,<br />
though; they’re courteous to entertain your<br />
whereabouts and will never leave you clueless<br />
until you get it. The much awaited provincial<br />
tour called as the mountain town Jiufen that has<br />
200 steps going up was packed with teahouses,<br />
souvenir shops and street foods while looking<br />
down at the amazing oceanic and forestry view<br />
from above. Meanwhile, Shifen is known for<br />
sky lantern activity and has the only waterfalls<br />
in Pingxi district, which has a trail going down<br />
and required to cross the long bridge. These<br />
locations and activities we’ve got from Klook: an<br />
application that offer tours, activities and shuttle<br />
bus that will make your vacation more relaxed<br />
and complete. And hey! Traffic is not usual in<br />
Taipei even in the central business district. How<br />
cool was that?<br />
Taiwan's MRT<br />
4 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
Change language