Tai-wandering in Taipei

You don’t need magic to disappear. All you need is a destination and a great hostel!

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Remembering the days when I used to play the rebel, I once told my parents that I was going to Taiwan all by myself. I was afraid of the reaction I would get from my strict, Filipino parents if I told them the truth – that I was actually going with my then-boyfriend.

But why Taiwan, you ask? Oh, it’s a silly story. We just wanted to try out the famous Modern Toilet Restaurant, a quirky eatery with a bathroom theme. That’s right, you heard it – a restaurant all about toilets and poop jokes! The food was served in mini toilets, the decor was straight out of a bathroom, and the puns, well, they were just poo-rific!

We had everything all set and ready to go, tickets booked and all, but then we found out that the Modern Toilet Restaurant was closed for renovations during our trip to Taiwan. Talk about a major #bummer.

We found other wild and wacky-themed cafes in Taipei. Ninjas, hospitals, pets, cartoons – it was like a never-ending carnival of craziness. And let’s not forget the drinks served in syringes

But don’t just think of Taipei as a city of themed cafes. It’s so much more than that! From mouth-watering street food, to bubble tea, incredible architecture, and awe-inspiring temples, Taiwan has something for everyone.

Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, visitors are greeted with a visually appealing display of wall art. This charming collection of artwork can be seen as soon as you exit the plane and offers a peaceful and pleasing welcome to the city. So, get ready to snap some photos and take in all the cuteness!

Ni hao 👋☺️

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After landing in Taipei, our first stop was the charming and colourful Colormix Hostel. Our room was a compact loft-style space, perfect for a cosy and comfortable stay. Conveniently located in an alley near the bustling Ximending area, the hostel was the perfect base for our adventures in Taipei.

On our first night in Taipei, we decided to explore the vibrant streets of Ximending, indulging in tasty street food and browsing the colourful shop windows. The area was bustling with activity from early evening to late at night, with locals flocking to the neighbourhood to enjoy a night out with their pets by their side.

Lazy s$s cats we met on our way

The following day, we took a short 10-minute train ride from our hotel to visit the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. It was a convenient and effortless journey that allowed us to see this historic and beautiful landmark without any hassle.

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a renowned landmark and a highly sought-after tourist destination. It was built to honour the memory of the former President of the Republic of China and continues to attract visitors from all over the world.

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From the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, we made our way to the serene Peace Memorial Park, a historic park known for its calming atmosphere.

Our next destination was the Hello Kitty Sweets Cafe, and on our way there, we passed through the charming Zhongzian Fuxing MRT Station. It might just be the most adorbs train station you will see your entire life!

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Side story: Growing up, I was a huge fan of Hello Kitty. I would set my alarm for 7am just so I wouldn’t miss a single episode of Sanrio and Friends on TV. My parents went above and beyond for my birthday one year, treating me to a visit to a Hello Kitty Cafe, even though it was a bit far from home and not the most budget-friendly option back then. Ah, those were the days!

Excuse me for being such a girly-girl here 😋

The atmosphere at the Hello Kitty Sweets Cafe was lovely, however, the food was meh.

Before capping the night off, we made a stop at Taipei 101, the towering 101-story structure that stands tall as the tallest building in Taipei. This architectural wonder boasts two lightning-fast elevators, whisking visitors from the 5th floor to the 89th floor in just 37 seconds.

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  Beer mango float

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  Source: Wikipedia

We learned a valuable lesson on this trip: observatory decks are often not worth the cost. It’s always better to find a free viewpoint to enjoy the scenery. That’s why we skipped the deck when we visited Tokyo.

To finish off the day, we headed to Shilin Night Market for a foodie adventure and some souvenir shopping.

The next day, we kept our promise and visited the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. This church is definitely one-of-a-kind and truly unique.

Our journey then led us to Yeh Liu Geopark, a famous tourist destination known for its impressive rock formations, fossil displays and breathtaking scenery. It’s a popular spot for photography enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful natural environment.

Yes naman… #FollowMeTo

Our plans to visit Pingxi and see the famous flying lanterns hit a roadblock when we got lost on the way.

Despite buying tickets and taking the train, we got lost and ended up spending three hours at the empty and creepy Sandiaoling Railway Station. With no way out and the language barrier making communication difficult, we were relieved when a kind monk appeared and helped guide us back to where we needed to be.

Something like in the movies

After surviving our trip to nowhere, we ended the night with a late-night dinner at a local food stall in Ximen.

The next morning, we embarked on a tour of Yangminshan National Park, a beautiful and lush natural reserve located near Taipei. Our goal was to try our luck at catching a glimpse of the cherry blossom trees that were rumoured to be in full bloom and Beitou Thermal Valley for its unique geological features and sulphurous hot springs. Although the valley had a distinct odour, which mildly smells like fart 😂 We couldn’t help but find the situation amusing and couldn’t help but giggle about it as we explored the area.

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  Cherry blossoms? What cherry blossoms?

On the same day, we made a pitstop at a public hot spring, but the heat was too much for us to handle and we only lasted 15 minutes.

As the night approached, we stumbled upon the Barbie Cafe, a fun and playful dining spot perfect for those who love all things pink and girly.

Sorry ka, B… birthday ko eh 😂

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At the Barbie Cafe, the food may not have been the highlight of the experience, but we had a blast playing with Barbie and Ken dolls! Despite not being blown away by the cuisine, we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the cafe and had a great time.
Napatunayan kong tunay nga akong mahal ng jowa ko! HAHAHAHA

After the Barbie dinner experience, we made a pit stop at a Michael Jordan store, which was a treat for him. It was a funny moment as we joked about Iking regaining his “masculinity” by visiting the store 😂

We were surprised by how big the market is for basketball in Taiwan. Everywhere we looked, there were Nike stores and basketball shoes for sale.

Overall, it was a 5-day trip filled with delicious food and lots of walking, but it was all worth it. It was truly a great adventure exploring the vibrant city of Taipei. From the delicious street food to the exciting tourist destinations, every moment was packed with endless fun and excitement.

We returned to Singapore feeling rejuvenated and with so many unforgettable memories.