Hotel: Royal Hotel Kaohsiung and Ark Hotel Taipei
Day 1
Flight reached half an hour early. We took a bus down to Taoyuan High Speed Rail station and took the train down to Kaohsiung Zuo Ying. Then it was an MRT ride down to Zhong Yang Gong Yuan. We bumped into a couple who tried to share with us in mandarin but when they realized we could speak English, they switched. They were a couple from California who were in Kaohsiung for 3 months to learn mandarin. They shared some tracks with us and then when we flipped to the back, it said "JW". Yes they were Jehovah Witnesses. There were some interesting exchanges but we quickly got on our way to the hotel.
Explored the area around the hotel a bit. We chanced upon Zheng Zong Pai Gu Fan and also Butter Lee bakery with an excellent Daifuku with yam and strawberry. Walked around a lot more and I tried to shop at a Mayuki event space but it proved to be too confusing and tiring. Came back to check in and rested for a bit before going out to Rui Feng Night Market.
Somehow, the food tasted a lot better in my memory. The Wan Guo steak is still good but not as orgasmic as I had imagined it. The Shao Shi Fu xiao longs got a bit gross and made me ill after a while cos it was a tad bit too fatty and oily. The Pork Knuckle was ok, the Fried Octopus was also nowhere near Feng Jia's. Xinjiang mutton skewers were a tad too fat for our likings.
Day 2
Breakfast was just ok. We made it down in time before they cleared the food -__-". Took the Hamasen Cultural Tour Bus from Xiziwan. Dropped off at Dai Tian Gong for food and walked to the next stop at the Fish Market before getting on the bus again to Pier 2. Would highly recommend the bus tour. 50Twd for a day's pass unlimited hop on and off! Comes with a tour guide on bus as well. Ate: Yu Wan Da Wang, Hai Zhi Bing. Should go later for more stalls to be open. Most open 2pm onwards.
At Pier 2, we viewed some free exhibitions. Including one where leaves were displayed with trails of worms on them. Chanced upon an Italian restaurant Pasedena, near Pier 2 and they have great cone ice cream for 35Twd. Tried A Lo Ha Lu Wei but decided that marinated meat isn't for us. Tried Mi Gao Cheng as well - rice with pork fats, pork floss and cucumber.
Insisted on stopping by Formosa station to take the picture of the stained glass. It was really beautiful. Prettiest train station in whole of Taiwan.
Then it was off to the new night markets - Jin Zuan and Kai Xuan Night Market. Had more luck there with good food. Had really got xiao long bao that isn't too oily and jia lat. Tobs had a really good smelly tofu as well - the best he has ever had he claims. I tried a bit too and found it quite tasty and acceptable, unlike the others we have had. Discovered tofu cubes that was quite yummy (got the ham and cheese, and mushroom one). Tried 2 Xing Bao Gu but the one at Kai Xuan (called Gu Qie Yi Shi) is better. Also had grass jelly that was crazy cheap (40Twd) only. Had to take away their green tea jelly as well cos it was just too good to miss.
Day 3
Took the Old City Bus Tour 50Twd for unlimited hop on and off as well. Took one complete round before going to Juan Cun Wen Hua Guan to learn more about Zuo Ying history. Viewed the exhibition and had a very entertaining guide give explanation. Then we had super cheap beef noodles at San Niu. The entire meal costs 260Twd only - one bowl beef noodle, one bowl beef soup, and hong you chao shou.
Walked a distance for Fen Yang Hun Tun but it wasn't worth it. We had it the last time we were in Zuo Ying as well but didn't remember cos it was unmemorable. Jing Hua Su Bing wasn't open. We popped by Mi Ge Pao Fu for their cream puffs as well. Had it the last time and it was still cheap and good (15Twd) available in flavours yam,chocolate and milk. Wanted to buy strawberries from the Hello Market but waited a little too long and the market was closed alr. 4 boxes for 100Twd is super cheap pls!
Then it was High Speed Rail back to Taipei. 1630Twd per pax (ouch!) but the cheap food and accommodation in Kaohsiung sure made up for it. It was rainy in Taipei. We checked in them popped out to have Lao Zhang (observed to be a lot more expensive than San Niu) and it was quite shiok having spicy beef noodle in cold weather. Wanted the Cong Zua Bing but the queue was crazy long. :( picked up 2 Naruko boxes from 7-11. Picked up goodies from Yi Zhi Xuan as well before grabbing drinks from the supermarket.
Am cooped up in the tiny room watching variety programmes now. It's excellent, the location of the tv in relation to the Sealy bed. But I guess if I had to choose again, I would pick Westgate. The sound proofing is not too good here and I think the space is really a squeeze!
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