29 November 2017

Yehliu Geopark 野柳地質公園 (Taipei)

Memorable day spent with Ah Hiong (老妈) visiting Yehliu Geopark on a raining day.
We took bus no. 1815 from the bus terminal located outside of Taipei Main Station (Door East 1).
The journey took about an hour plus to reach the bus stop along Gangxi Road and from there, we walked to the Yehliu Geopark.
It was windy and raining as we walked along Gangdong Road. Ah Hiong's NT100 umbrella was blown inside out and we broke into laughter. But she continued to use her broken umbrella.
Spotted a number of seafood restaurants along Gangdong Road.
Reaching Yehliu Geopark
We bought the adult ticket at NT80 per person.
Geological and Landscape map found at the Visitor Center.
Cute Princess II
Strong wind and raining! Most of us were wearing raincoat and carrying an umbrella but getting drenched was unavoidable. Advisable to visit Yehliu Geopark during the summer time.
How to get there?
Address: No. 167-1 Gangdong Road, Wanli District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 20744
20744 臺灣新北市萬里區野柳里港東路167-1號
Tel: +886 2 24922016
Website: www.ylgeopark.org.tw

Nearest MRT Station: Taipei Main

From bus terminal located at Taipei Main (Exit M2 Elevator)/outside of Taipei Main (Exit East 1), take Kuo Kuang bus no. 1815 (國光客運1815號).

Alternatively, take Keelung bus no. 1068 (基隆客運1068號) from National Taiwan University (台灣大學).

Opening hours
Daily from 8am to 5pm

Entrance fee for Adult (NT80) and Children aged between 6 and 12 (NT40).

We walked back to the same bus stop that we alighted along Gangxi Road and took bus no. 862 to Tamsui.

22 November 2017

Lungshan Temple 龍山寺 (Taipei)

Built in the year of 1738 by Fujian settlers, Mengjia Longshan Temple is one of the popular temples worship by Chinese devotees. It stood the test of time during natural disasters and wars.
Check out the worship procedure on the guide map that is located next to the counter.
It also states how to draw lots and toss the Jiao.
You can buy the candles and get the incense sticks from the counter.
After lighting the incense sticks, face the censer in front of the Main Hall and worship. Introduce your name, address, birth date and ask for their blessing and protection. After worshiping all Main Hall gods, place the incense sticks at the Guan-Yin Censer.
How to get there?
Address: No. 211 Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
臺北市萬華區廣州街211號
Tel: +886 2 2302-5162
Website: www.lungshan.org.tw

Nearest MRT Station: Longshan Temple (Exit 4)

Opening hours
Daily from 6am to 10pm

15 November 2017

Ximen Jin Feng 西門金峰 (Taipei)

Recommended by @Peamamaaa so I brought Ah Hiong (老妈) to Ximen Jin Feng for dinner.
A short walk for about 10 minutes from Ximen Station.
Place your order on the slip and pass to the staff
We ordered the Stewed Pork Rice (焢肉饭), Braised Pork Rice with Mushrooms (魯肉饭) (small), Clams Chicken soup (蛤仔鸡汤) and Stewed egg (滷蛋). The stewed pork and braised pork are both tender and savoury. The soup tastes flavourful, the ginger and clams add piquancy to the nourishing soup.
Not having enough, we went back for lunch before we make our move to the airport.
This time, we ordered the marinated milkfish's belly (魯虱目鱼肚).
How to get there?
Address: No. 89 Kunming Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
台北市萬華區昆明街89號
Tel: +886 2 2381 2561
Ximen Jin Feng Facebook

Nearest MRT Station: Ximen (Exit 1 or 6)

Opening hours
Daily from 10am to 10pm

08 November 2017

Fu Hang Dou Jiang 阜杭豆漿 (Taipei)

Breakfast at Fu Hang Dou Jiang with Ah Hiong (老妈) before we head off to the airport. We took bus no. 262 from Taipei Main Station (Zhongxiao) bus stop, in front of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei Main Store and after 2 stops, we reached Hua Shan Cultural and Creative Industry (華山文創園區) bus stop.

We arrived at about 9.15am and our queue commenced at level 1 near to the stairs to level 2. The queue wasn't that long so within 20 minutes, we could place our orders.
Be ready with your order as they take the orders fast!
Order the drink (浆), then the food (饼).
Salty Soy Bean Milk (鹹豆漿)
You can also order vegetarian salty soy bean milk. The bean curd milk tastes like the steamed egg and is savoury with the fried dough fritters (油条).
Thin Shao Bing with Egg (薄饼夹蛋). Tastes like our crispy egg prata.
Egg crepe with fried dough fritter (蛋饼夹油条)
How to get there?
Address: No. 108 Section 1 Zhongxiao East Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100.
Hua Shan Market building, Level 2.
台北市中正區忠孝東路一段108號2樓 (華山市場二樓)
Tel: +886 (02) 2392 2175 / +886 (02) 2392 4053

Nearest MRT Station: Shandao Temple Station (Exit 5)

Opening hours
Tuesday to Sundays: 5.30am to 12.30pm
Closed on Mondays

01 November 2017

Jianguo Holiday Flower Market 台北市建國假日花市 (Taipei)

It was raining cats and dogs on the day that we intended to take the train to Shifen so we changed our itinerary. Ah Hiong (老妈) was quite excited about the change of plan to visit Jianguo Holiday Flower Market.
A vast array of plants, flowers, trees and gardening supplies are found here at affordable prices.
Ah Hiong (老妈) was looking for 紫苏 (Zi Su) but she couldn't bring back the plant.
Variety of seed packets at NT20 each.
Mini flower pots and cactus plants.
Sweet pleasant floral scent from the lilies
Different types of lily bulbs
Dried food such as the dried lady fingers, dried yam, etc
Located near Daan Forest Park, along Section 3 Xinyi Road and right opposite of the Flower Market is the Artist's Corner.
If you are interested in Jade and accessories, visit the Jianguo Holiday Jade Market which is right opposite of the other end of Flower Market.
How to get there?
Address: Section 1, Jianguo South Road, Da'an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
建國高架橋下橋段-信義路與仁愛路間
Tel: +886 (02) 2702-6493 / +886 (02) 2325-6995
Website: www.fafa.org.tw

Nearest MRT Station: Daan Park (Exit 6, turn left)
A 15 minutes walk from Daan Park MRT Station.

Opening hours

9am to 6pm (Only on Saturdays and Sundays)