When I was invited to go Taiwan, I didn’t think twice as I am always enthusiastic about travel opportunities, specially to places I have never been to. I have heard good things about Taiwan, and was told that it’s a foodie and shopper’s haven so… ding ding ding! To discover a new place then eat and shop? Why not? After all, Taiwan is the purveyor of bubble tea to the world so how could the experience not be anything but sweet and fun?
Jeron Travel & Tours Corporation, #727 VM Tower Roxas Boulevard corner Airport Rd. Paranaque City, Metro Manila; Contact nos.: (632) 854.1813, (632) 851.8991, (632) 854.7128, (632) 854.7131, (632) 854.7130; Email: info@jerontravel.com
I was delighted that Jeron Travel & Tours arranged the trip for me and my companions. The services they offer are varied from airline and hotel booking, transfer services, immigration assistance, documentation services to travel consultancy. Since 1993, they have been providing clients with excellent and personal travel services, and have established themselves both locally and internationally with great expertise in Taiwan, the Philippines, and other neighboring Asian countries.
A travel tip to the wanderlusts out there: it pays to avail of the services of travel agencies as they facilitate everything for you. For busy people and working mothers like me, this travel assistance makes traveling worry-free and a walk in the park.
Eva Air Manila, 23rd Fl., LKG Tower 6801 Ayala Avenue, Makati Citty; Telephone: +632 7531380 – 82, Reservation Number: +632 864-3800, Airport Telephone: +632 879-6250 – 1; Website: www.evaair.com
It was my first time to fly with Eva Air but I’ve always known it’s famous for Hello Kitty Jets whereby Eva Air teamed up with Sanrio to make specially designed airplanes.
Hello Kitty fans out there will surely have a ball in Eva Air’s Hello Kitty Jet as everything from the food, to the plates and utensils is adorned with Hello Kitty
The token arroz caldo shot inside the Eva Air Lounge at NAIA.
Boarding time!
The Premium Economy of Eva Air is the shiz! Best in leg room!
I super like the banana leaf mural on the Eva Air cockpit wall! It reminds me of my favorite Marinique – Beverly Hills Hotel wallpaper.
I love airplane food!
Eva Air truly has comfort of passengers in mind as their premium economy class exceeded my expectations. It was so spacious! Its legroom is not a far cry in comparison to business class of other airlines.
Pimp my Eva Air ride!
Day 1 & 2
The flight from Manila to Taiwan took only 2 hours. Disembark agad-agad!
We took the bus from the airport to our hotel.
Time for Taiwan!!!
Palais de Chine Hotel, Taipei, No. 3 Sec. 1 Chengde Road Taipei 103 Taiwan, R.O.C.; Telephone: +886 2 2181-9999; Email: palais@lhoteldechine.com
We were billeted at Palais de Chine Hotel. The splendor and elegance of French interior are showcased in this five-star hotel. You’ll be welcomed by a life-size bronze horse sculpture upon entry, with a velvet curtain backdrop and a grand crystal chandelier for illumination, no less. Talk about ambiance lighting as this hotel is exactly what it is all about.
Our first day was all about late night shopping as we arrived in Taipei late in the afternoon, so soon after we checked in, off we went to dinner at Shan Shan Cha.
Everything we ordered in Shan Shan Cha restaurant was delicious. The dishes are not overly seasoned and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients.
Ximending Shopping District is a go to place for street food hits and bargain shopping for the hip, young and young at hearts. You will likewise find local street artists exhibiting their skills and talents here.
Street food
Street performers
Shopping for street style
I scored this Vans X Rollicking sneakers at the Vans store in Ximending. I love anything limited edition.
What a fun first day we had in Taiwan!
The “bagong gising” crew (LOL): (from left) Chal Lontoc-del Rosario, GM of Jeron Travel; writer Ivan Man Dy; Klara Anonuevo, Travel Now Magazine; Maricel Diosana,Travelife Magazine, TV personality Daphne Oseña-Paez, Lara Lubi, Eva Air Sales & Marketing and Anton Diaz, www.ourawesomeplanet.com
On the second day of our trip, the group woke up super early. We had a full day of schedule and I was excited!
We took an hour train ride to visit the Fulong Sand Culture Festival— an annual event drawing visitors and sand sculptors alike from local and abroad. Taiwan boasts of this sand art and happens to be rated by the World Sand Sculpting Academy as the best in Taiwan.
Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park is a representation of the gold mining culture and lifestyle during the Japanese occupation. It had its heydays during the gold and copper mining era of Taiwan where it thrived and flourished, but unfortunately ceased to be after the minerals were exhausted. It was only in 2000 that this town was given a new lease on life as it was revived into a historical museum.
The journey is about an hour but it was a pleasant ride especially up the hill. The view is breathtaking!
The park itself includes a number of renovated buildings dating from the Japanese Colonial Era, as well as the gold museum and the Crown Prince Chalet.
Lunch at the park
The softest and tastiest tonkastsu
We all loved the sosy “binalot”! Everyone got to bring home the stainless lunch box and Japanese handkerchief. Yay!
Ubusan na ng gold ito!!
The gold displayed weighs 220lbs. According to our museum guide, if you’re strong enough to lift it with one hand, the gold bar is yours. Parang Exculiber lang ang peg! LOL. We also got to visit a real mine shed at the Gold Park. Ang dilim.
Sorry Chal, marami ka pang bigas na kakainin haha!
Outfit of the day #OOTD 🙂
Jiufen is a charmingly old mining town located in the northeast mountain in New Taipei City where you will find old world authentic tea houses and artisan shops.
Those who are familiar with the famous Oscar awarded Japanese anime movie Spirited Away will surely be enchanted by this place.
It was an umbrella-ella-ella day!
Transforming old industrial sites into cultural destinations has become a trend in Taiwan. The former Japanese-built coal power station which closed in 1981 was renovated into the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. The museum is located in Keelung, north of Taipei and is accessible by train with ease. It is worth visiting this museum as it will also allow you to explore the coast, watch an iMax movie, go hiking and learn something about the ocean.
Super cute cards and letter from kids who visited the museum.
The day was capped off by having dinner at Have Hot Pot.
We had Taiwanese hotpot using charcoal and the freshest ingredients and the best fried chicken I’ve had (sorry, no photos because I devoured it agad-agad!)
Photos by Anton Diaz of www.ourawesomeplanet.com. For awesome food & travel posts, visit his site.
Thank you, Anton!!! I couldn’t have done this travel post without your amazing pictures! I’m super grateful!