A Fruitful Trip To Taipei [22 May - 28 May] - Day 1

Finally, i get to post another blog and probably one of the most detailed i've ever done. It was such an enjoyable trip and i could not bear not to do so. It shall served as a reference as well as a wonderful memorable experience to me and i shared with everyone why. I shall blog it in 7 parts, one for each day, so keep checking back guys.

The day i've been waiting for since months ago, finally arrived. It was a hectic rush that very day as i struggled to get myself a taxi to Choa Chu Kang. Oh well, shit happens. This always happens. Some things just doesn't go your way when you most needed it. Anyway, LRT does the job, under huge reluctance on my side.

My first time travelling from Home to Airport carrying such a huge luggage. The girl and i went gaga over our luggage and apparantly, our luggage seems to be the biggest among our nice travel companions. 2nd hectic rush came when we realise we have less then 10 mins to rush to the departure gate which ultimately, turned out to be a scare actually.

We were smart enough to 'try' to satisfy our hunger before the flight, although the food turned out to be so not yummy (maybe because we were already thinking of the yummy food in Taipei already) that our hunger persist. Nevertheless, our resistence serve us well on board the flight after watching some nice drama by the coconut (a name i give to some kuku). As childish as one can be, he almost ruin our trip by almost causing our flight to be re-route back to Singapore, all of two stupid reasons. First was the emergency exit seat which cost just $30 and he was making a huge fuss over it, second was wanting the air stewardess to apologise to him for being rude. Talking about being rude, i can still remember how he was shouting out so loudly as though he was crying. One word, pathetic. Anyway, he chose to be obedient eventually and guess he expected just as much, he was escorted by the police as soon as we reach TaoYuan International Airport.

Our transfer from the Airport to FutureStar Hotel (@ XiMenDing) was awesome. Never once have i tried such service. All along, taxi or hotel transfer seems to be the only mode of transport i would like between the airport and hotel. Mr Chen changed my perception totally. He was so good in his service that i would strongly recommend for people who travel to Taipei. Simply drop him your hotel, your dates and number of passengers and oh boy, he will welcome you warmheartedly (holding your signboard with your name and flight number until you appear, so don't pang seh him)

Taipei Transfer Service
Name: Mr Ian Chen
Contact no (Taipei): 0958-396-838
Email: jazzlife838@yahoo.com.tw

The moment the van drives us pass the city lights of Taipei, we can already feel the fun we are going to have for the upcoming days. The flashing of the neon lighted signboards, the changing colour of the walking man on the traffic lights, the so unfamiliar commoners on the street etc further affirms my conscious self that i've arrived into a country thousands kilometres away from Singapore.

We arrived into XiMenDing rather fast, thanks to Mr Chen and we checked into FutureStar Hotel. Sourced by Choon Peng. Our impression was not good of it initially, all because of the things i had to put up with through experience with the receptionist. I gave them names 'affectionately' - Victoria and Secrets (after learning they both work on two different shifts). Should they both work on the same shift, you'll probably know what is going to happen.

The hotels rooms are generally clean and nice. Although it's more of a budget hotel, their room aren't lacking in any other aspect. Double sized bed, Television, Bathtub, Flask, Tea bags etc. Moreover, it cost us a cheap NT$1480 per room per night, with several days in discount even. It's definitely worth the money, and oh boy, the location of this hotel, simply superb. Right outside within minutes of walk, you could see yourself land in Exit 6 of XiMenDing MRT Station. I like this hotel and definitely i'll go back to them should i re-visit Taipei in future.

Future Star Hotel
Tel: (02) 2375-5500 / (02) 2375-5229
Website: http://www.futurestarhotel.com.tw/

And so, it was our 'first hand' in Taipei. We visitied XiMenDing in search for Modern Toilet Restaurant. Heard so much about it back in Singapore and finally, we are searching it ourselves, abit unbelievable. But, the roads in Taipei are kind of confusing given our first day there and we had a hard time finding it. Thanks sweetness for the girl to concern my tummy, and that was where i found my favourite 鸡扒 in Taipei. Probably, the nicest I've eaten in Taipei.

Not long after, our temporary reservation @ the restaurant was ready and there we hit, camwhoring with the toilet bowls and gigantic ice cream cone before hitting the menu at the 2nd floor. Food was only a so-so, disappointing quite a few of us. Probably, it's more of paying for the concept of the restaurant which was rather cool - sitting on covered toilet bowls, dining in 'toilet bowls' as well as drinking from 'urinals'. Best of all, we ate 'dung' and mine was served in a large toilet bowl where the girl managed to catch a torturous shot of that moment. However, i love that dessert.

Modern Toilet Restaurant
Address: 2F, No 7, Lane 50, XiNing South Road, Taipei City
Tel: (02) 2311-8822
Website: www.moderntoilet.com.tw
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11.30am to 10pm / Weekends 11am to 10pm

After dinner, it was just a casual walk around XiMenDing, trying to get ourselves into the mood as well as preparing for our next 6 days in Taipei. Rain came but wasn't enought o dampen our mood as we hit high anticipation to welcome the upcoming days. That night, was probably a sweet nice as i managed to sprinkle some surprise for the girl. It was a long awaited feeling as i close my eyes and fell asleep for the very first time in Taipei.