Today we officially end our elective in NCKU and leave Tainan..
We depart from Tainan Railway Station at 9.15am and headed to Jiayi (嘉义站). When we reach Jiayi station, it`s already 10.15am. We put our luggage at the Baggage Depository (行李寄托处). It`s at the right side of the exit from the station. It costs NT17 per day, but if you want to put it overnight, it will charge you for 2 days: NT17 x2= NT34. Then in front of the Baggage Depository, there is the counter to buy the bus ticket. Once again, it`s the 台湾好行公车. It`s advised to buy the 2-ways ticket (来回票) as you will get a 50% discount on the entrance ticket to the Alishan National Scenic Area. Normal price is NT200, so with the discount coupon, you only have to pay NT100. It`s a MUST-buy ticket. Because all the restaurants, shops, tourist spots and hotels are inside the Alishan National Scenic Area. So it means that you must buy the ticket and pass through the main entrance, then only you can reach your hotel and play^^
Actually we reach Jiayi railway station later than we expected, so we end up buying 11.40am bus because the 10.40am already full. ***ps. it`s better to reach Jiayi by 9am, so that you can buy the early bus.
We have an hour before we can really go up the hill, so we went to eat the famous food in Jiayi - 火鸡肉饭 (Turkey Rice) + 蚵子汤 (Oyster soup). My Taiwanese roommate told us that the restaurants all nearly the same, so we pick the one we think it`s good. The rice sauce is quite special, however we both think that the meat is not much different with the chicken. We forget to order the soup..LOL..=D
The bus actually took about 3hours to reach Alishan. So by the time we reach, it`s already 2.15pm. The temperature is 10 degree celcius. It`s very very very COLD~~~I actually wear 2 jackets+a sweater =p
We book 欣欣民宿. The boss is a middle-aged woman, who is truly very nice. We order 2-persons room (NT2000 per night), but she actually give us 4-persons room (NT2800 per night). The hotel is very clean and comfortable, and most importantly, it`s very easy to spot it out. When you came out from the bus, you will see a 7-eleven in front of you, and the hotel is actually beside it!! We called the boss before we reach, and she actually come out and fetch us =) The room is equipped with whatever-you-can-name, towel, shampoo, toothbrush+paste, hair-dryer, Wifi and a big plasma TV. Later on, she explain to us how to walk around the Alishan National Scenic Area. But we have to go to the railway station to buy the train ticket in order to see the sunrise tmr morning. Then only we officially start our ALISHAN tour =D
From the map, you might afraid that the area is too big to walk..However, all the scenes are in fact very near to each other. Just that the sunset is quite early. It`s already very dark by 5.30pm. We went to have our dinner at 7-eleven and go back hotel to rest.
Tomorrow we have to wake up at 4.30 because the train will depart at 5.30am. If you take the train back after the sunrise, you will reach by 7am. But if you decided to walk down the hill, it might take a bit longer.. From the boss, we will come down by 10am.
Train ticket: 2 ways NT150, One way NT100
Something have to bear in mind that, you must go 7-eleven to book the seats on the bus in order to go down back to Jiayi. The counter will only open at 8am. We ask the boss`s favour to help us to book the seats, because we decided to walk down from the hill. Hopefully she will remember tomorrow. Besides, I also borrow the big jacket from her so that I won`t get frozen tomorrow morning..haha
Something to share: Due to the earthquake which happened few years back, the small train that usually travel in Alishan had been stopped for all lines, except the one go up the hill to watch sunrise. Besides Alishan National Scenic Area, there is another tourist spots which is very famous here, called 奋起湖. There is only one bus available to drive the tourist from Alishan to the lake. Moreover, it`s only available on sunday and the departure time is around 1300 and will be back around 1500. We didn`t know about it and already buy the 2.16pm train. So we have to skip the lake..Besides, due to the bus need 3hours to reach Jiayi station, so if you walk down from the hill, you have to buy the train ticket after 1500. Otherwise, you might have risk to miss the train like us now..><
Luckily, the boss helped us phone the railway station and they agreed that if we cannot make it, they will change the time for us =) It`s just that we buy early so that we have the seats, if we miss it and change time, we have to stand all the way from Jiayi to Taichung..
Actually it`s more advisory to buy the Long-distance bus (客运), from Jiayi to Taichung. This is what they suggest in forum cause it seems like more convenience... http://www.backpackers.com.tw/forum/showthread.php?t=374633
Today is a bit messed up, just hope that tomorrow everything will go smoothly.Pls dun rain.. =)
There is no photo for today because I didn`t bring the devices up to ALISHAN =8
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Kaoshiung 2-days trip: 旗津+西子湾 (Qijin+Siziwan) ^^
Qijin is an island. You have to take ferry from Siziwan`s port to Qijin. Once we exit from the MRT, there are many shops that rent bicycle nearby. It`s only NT100 for one whole day, as long as you return the bicycle by 9pm. Although there are bicycle for rent in Qijin, but we decided to rent in Siziwan because we will be restricted in Qijin only if we rent there. We went to so many places with the bicycle and I can say that the day is the least-walking day!!! =p
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| The Maps inside MRT station which clearly shows the route to the Kushan Ferry Station from MRT Take MRT and change at R10 美丽岛站 to another line to O1 西子湾站一号出口(1st exit) |
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| 幸福99: Nice bicycle which costs NT100 per day^^ They provided us the free tour guide (by explanation) and a map They also gave us their name card and we can call them if there is smtg wrong to the bicycle even if you are in Qijin You have to leave one of your whichever identity card behind (student card also can) |
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| The ferry that carry people+bicycle IT`s free for bicycle!!! Normal ticket-NT15, student - NT12 |
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| We go according to the tour suggested by the guide 1st station: Cihou Lighthouse+Cihou Fort |
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| Halfway to the Lighthouse |
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| At the entrance of the Lighthouse |
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| The Lighthouse: It`s not very high, but we still gasp a bit after reaching the top. Feel a bit disappointed as we cannot climb up the lighthouse.. |
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| Nice?? Captured by ourselves^^ |
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| Then we went to the next station - Fort |
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| The Overall view of the FORT |
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| The entrance |
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| The next station |
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| 2nd station - Tian Hou Gong Ard the area, there is alot of stalls selling food^^ |
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| Chi Rou Geng |
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| Thumbs up >< |
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| Very special but okok nia..very sweet..>< |
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| 烤小卷-Sotong!!! My favourite^^ but xiyi`s enemy..LOL |
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| After you eat all the food along the street, you will see Cijin Beach^^ |
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| The entrance to the Star Tunnel.. Very pretty inside^^ but only small part of the tunnel has such decoration.. |
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| 星光隧道 |
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| After Star Tunnel, we cycling to our next destination - The Parks Thr are 3 parks with different themes.We actually ride through all the parks, but din really stop everytime. Love the cycling path <3 Beware of the bicycle sign - It`ll lead you to the bicycle path^^ |
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| 2nd Park- 战争与和平公园 |
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| It`s the main park out of the 3 parks. It`s very beautiful park with the shell statue. A lot of people are playing kites too^^ |
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| 五妃庙豆腐冰- Extremely NICE!!!^^ It`s actually a branch from Tainan. We din go thr to eat, but concidentally see its branch in Kaoshiung. Very very nice!! But have to add NT50 for condense milk =) |
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| Siziwan 观海平台- They say it`s a great spot to see sunset view. However, we couldn`t wait for too long, so we decided to move on.. |
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| Banana and Fisherman`s Wharf - They are just beside each other Banana Wharf - souvenir shop~Zhiling will love this place!! =p Fisherman`s Wharf - Restaurants We just drop by to take picture^^ |
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| Another cycling path which leads us to our next destination - Love Pier |
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| On the way to Love Pier... Very artistic place. BEST place for taking pictures and...see lengzaisss =p Even the worker who take care of the dustbin also handsome..>< |
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| Finally..Love Pier Ntg to see actually. It`s a place for the tourists to take the boat tour around Kaoshiung city.. |
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| Sunset...It`s time to go PASAR MALAM^^ 六合夜市 MRT R10 美丽岛站 It`s actually crowded with foreign tourists. I think nicer than 瑞丰夜市.. At least you can walk comfortable..>< |
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| Very nice^^ Too bad it will be expired within one month. Wan to bring all back to Malaysia!! |
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| The most famous Papaya Milk. Still Papaya Milk lo..but it has more papaya taste^^ |
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| 鳝鱼意面 - The fish taste like scorched fish. Very special. I like the noodle. taste very nice. Smtg you cannot find in Malaysia. |
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| Looks GOOD^^ |
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| Ehemmm...Not really like the taste.. But very famous also. |
We actually went to 新崛江商圈 to shop..It`s same like pasar malam, just that pasar malam sell food, but they sell clothes mainly.Alot of nice clothes with reasonable price^^
Take MRT and come out from R9 中央公园站.
There we end our Kaoshiung 2-days Trip^^
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Kaoshiung 2-days trip: Ciaotou Sugar Refinery Factory
Once we get off from the MRT, first thing that we see is the bicyles. There are various bicycles for rental. We didn`t rent one as the area is still within walking distance.
The website which teach us how to cruise Kaoshiung by MRT^^
http://www.krtco.com.tw/en/travel/travel-1_2_detail.aspx?ID=e52fc747-49a1-489e-8649-15144760d165
Here we reach our 1st station - The ICE SHOP
It`s famous with its special red bean mixed with yeast ice. The yeast ice taste weird, but it can be covered by the red bean. They say that you MUST try the ice-cream, orelse, you will be considered never been thr..=p I like the shop.There are still many flavor inside the refrigerator!! The weather is so hot that day.So we buy another ice-cream before we proceed to our next destinations^^
2nd station - The REAL Ciaotou Sugar Refinery Factory
It is an area which formed by different compartments. There are museum, temple etc for us to visit. The most important thing is there are many trains for us to take good pictures ^o^
This was the first sugar refinery in Taiwan and was built during the Japanese Colonial Period. At the time, it made a great contribution to the economy. The spacious sugar refinery is home to many elegant historical buildings that are well worth visiting. As the refinery is still in operation, tourists should book in advance for a tour.~
3rd stations - The DINING Village
I called it myself as there are many beautifully-decorated restaurant in that compound. It`s not far from the Ice shop. It`s another good spot for photo-taking session XD
4th station - The Art Gallery
It`s free for entrance, so we decided to go in to enhance our sense of art >.-
IT`s our first time entering such gallery and we find out that we don`t know how to appreciate the drawing..=.=:::
But we definitely have a good time in photo-shooting ><
Before we say goodbye, we leave our MOST -artistic drawing behind...LOL
5th station - Flower centre
There is quite a distance walking from the Art Gallery to the Flower centre. And USUALLY people will take the Wufen-cart as transport. The Wufen-cart is a small train which is used to carry sugar cane before it is transformed into transporting the tourists.However, due to the lack of knowledge to this great design, we walk by ourselves and it took 30minutes!!! ><
We were so tired when we reach the flower centre. There are few places which are quite interesting. One of them that draw our attention is the barbeque square. There are tools and food prepared. You just need to book beforehand.It`s very convenient for both friends gathering and family outing.^^
And surely, we won`t walk back again. So we just rushing around our last destinations so that we din miss the Wufen-Cart again..
Later on, we went to their most famous hypermarket - 梦时代广场. On the rooftop, there is a theme park called HaPpy 100. It`s crowded with parents and kids... And Xiyi had her very first JUMP^^ haha..
We just shopped for a while as the prices there very expensive.
We quickly went to our beloved dining place - Pasar Malam. This time we went to 瑞丰夜市!!!
From my roommate, she said that it`s famous because it`s new. But the places are too crowded and the space between the stall is too narrow until it`s hard to walk..We just wish to quickly buy our food and get out of this place..esp it`s raining that time..
Ps..Taiwan put tourism in a very important places as source of income. They really made every tourist spot easier to be assessed by the tourists. Whenever you went, as long as you don`t leave the MRT, it`s hard for you to get lost. There will be map and clear sign board which will guide you to the exact exit to your destination. A station might have 11exits, but luckily they really leave the instruction very well. Then after you come out from the exit, you just follow the crowd, you will definitely reach the destination within 5minutes walking. The tourist spots are usually very near to the MRT station. If the places are far, they would arrange the free shuttle bus to pick you up at the exit of MRT. It`s very convenience as the shuttle bus come once in 10-15minutes and it`s totally FOC!!! I think public transport is what Malaysia lack of!!! ><
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| The Map of whole Ciaotou Good Guide^^ |
http://www.krtco.com.tw/en/travel/travel-1_2_detail.aspx?ID=e52fc747-49a1-489e-8649-15144760d165
Here we reach our 1st station - The ICE SHOP
It`s famous with its special red bean mixed with yeast ice. The yeast ice taste weird, but it can be covered by the red bean. They say that you MUST try the ice-cream, orelse, you will be considered never been thr..=p I like the shop.There are still many flavor inside the refrigerator!! The weather is so hot that day.So we buy another ice-cream before we proceed to our next destinations^^
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| Nice during hot day^^ |
2nd station - The REAL Ciaotou Sugar Refinery Factory
It is an area which formed by different compartments. There are museum, temple etc for us to visit. The most important thing is there are many trains for us to take good pictures ^o^
This was the first sugar refinery in Taiwan and was built during the Japanese Colonial Period. At the time, it made a great contribution to the economy. The spacious sugar refinery is home to many elegant historical buildings that are well worth visiting. As the refinery is still in operation, tourists should book in advance for a tour.~
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| Various places inside the factory |
3rd stations - The DINING Village
I called it myself as there are many beautifully-decorated restaurant in that compound. It`s not far from the Ice shop. It`s another good spot for photo-taking session XD
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| Nice decoration |
It`s free for entrance, so we decided to go in to enhance our sense of art >.-
IT`s our first time entering such gallery and we find out that we don`t know how to appreciate the drawing..=.=:::
But we definitely have a good time in photo-shooting ><
Before we say goodbye, we leave our MOST -artistic drawing behind...LOL
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| We are vy artistic =p |
5th station - Flower centre
There is quite a distance walking from the Art Gallery to the Flower centre. And USUALLY people will take the Wufen-cart as transport. The Wufen-cart is a small train which is used to carry sugar cane before it is transformed into transporting the tourists.However, due to the lack of knowledge to this great design, we walk by ourselves and it took 30minutes!!! ><
We were so tired when we reach the flower centre. There are few places which are quite interesting. One of them that draw our attention is the barbeque square. There are tools and food prepared. You just need to book beforehand.It`s very convenient for both friends gathering and family outing.^^
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| Nice place equipped with tools |
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And surely, we won`t walk back again. So we just rushing around our last destinations so that we din miss the Wufen-Cart again..
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| Wufen-Cart |
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| They used it to carry sugar-cane previously |
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| SS+ing.. |
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| The ticket: One-way NT50, 2-ways NT80 |
Later on, we went to their most famous hypermarket - 梦时代广场. On the rooftop, there is a theme park called HaPpy 100. It`s crowded with parents and kids... And Xiyi had her very first JUMP^^ haha..
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| The free shuttle bus which fetch us from MRT to Dream Mall.Superb convenient!!! The Hello Kitty Farris Wheel^^ |
We quickly went to our beloved dining place - Pasar Malam. This time we went to 瑞丰夜市!!!
From my roommate, she said that it`s famous because it`s new. But the places are too crowded and the space between the stall is too narrow until it`s hard to walk..We just wish to quickly buy our food and get out of this place..esp it`s raining that time..
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| 1. 阿东烤肉-Eastern BBQ Meat 2. The biscuit with roasted duck inside - It`s vy special but I dun really taste the duck. 3. The Papaya Milk shake (Lau 刘 Papaya Milk Shake)- you cannot believe that we queue up long time just to buy the papaya milk shake. It taste like usual lo..the milk is tasted heavier than the papaya..I prefer the 六合夜市 more.. |
Ps..Taiwan put tourism in a very important places as source of income. They really made every tourist spot easier to be assessed by the tourists. Whenever you went, as long as you don`t leave the MRT, it`s hard for you to get lost. There will be map and clear sign board which will guide you to the exact exit to your destination. A station might have 11exits, but luckily they really leave the instruction very well. Then after you come out from the exit, you just follow the crowd, you will definitely reach the destination within 5minutes walking. The tourist spots are usually very near to the MRT station. If the places are far, they would arrange the free shuttle bus to pick you up at the exit of MRT. It`s very convenience as the shuttle bus come once in 10-15minutes and it`s totally FOC!!! I think public transport is what Malaysia lack of!!! ><
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