Before going into Day 3, lets spend a moment to reflect on what was acquired during day 2 of the Taiwan trip.
The Spoils of War
Over here, you can see the spoils of one day, or rather one night of intense shopping. Bags, clothes and snacks accumulate in a pile measuring about 0.8 metres high! And thats just after one night of shopping.
Breakfast
Complimentary breakfast is always worth a bite. Now keep in mind this is day 3 so this is just the second time we're having this meal. Its wholesome and filling as usual, the omelet was a nice addition with its low waiting time. The star for the day remained the cereal.
Long Shan Temple
Our first stop for the day was Long Shan Temple, we chose this as one of the first stops for the because of a few reasons. One, its near our hotel and easily accessible. Two, its along the same mrt route as our next location. Three, its rumored to answer prayers and requests pretty well.
The temple not only occupies and has an MRT named after it, there's even an entire underground shopping street named after it. The temple itself was rather crowded with lots of pious believers praying for good fortune along its interiors, as did we.
The temple not only occupies and has an MRT named after it, there's even an entire underground shopping street named after it. The temple itself was rather crowded with lots of pious believers praying for good fortune along its interiors, as did we.
Dunkin Donuts
Raspberry Fillings
Custard Fillings
Apple Filling and Lemon Filling
Chocolate and Lemon Filling
Dunkin Donuts: I've heard pretty good things about this donut shop with some insinuating that its the best donut shop in America (its not, apparently the best would fall on Krispy Kreme). So i was rather excited to find this store in Taiwan for me to finally try it out.
My conclusion? I still think Singapore's Donut Factory is better then this for one particular reason. The dough. The Singapore version is less porous and less airy.
I did like the squarish donuts that came with 2 different fillings in them. The chocolate filled ones were especially nice and i'm very much taken with its dark chocolate fillings which were bitter and mildly sweet.
My conclusion? I still think Singapore's Donut Factory is better then this for one particular reason. The dough. The Singapore version is less porous and less airy.
I did like the squarish donuts that came with 2 different fillings in them. The chocolate filled ones were especially nice and i'm very much taken with its dark chocolate fillings which were bitter and mildly sweet.
Fisherman's Wharf
This boy was adorable in his relentless chasing of pigeons. He never stopped chasing actually and he was having lots of fun....despite the horrible weather.
Lovers Bridge
Danshui Lover's Bridge: The lover's bridge is one of the main attractions at Fisherman's Wharf and a favorite spot for couple's to have their wedding photos taken due to the romantic backdrop. Now, we went in the afternoon and i'll say right now that it is not advisable to do so during the summer seasons. The shops were not opened and the weather is absolutely punishing. So if anyone is going down to this place, make it an evening destination because that's what the place is meant for.
Interesting Facts and Beliefs: Contrary to belief, this bridge is not for lovers to gather. Especially take note not to bring your girlfriend to this bridge and walking hand in hand across it. The reason for this is because the bridge is shaped like a huge knife and according to Taiwanese Feng Shui, this will cause the unwed couples to break up. Married couples will have no issue on this however.
Interesting Facts and Beliefs: Contrary to belief, this bridge is not for lovers to gather. Especially take note not to bring your girlfriend to this bridge and walking hand in hand across it. The reason for this is because the bridge is shaped like a huge knife and according to Taiwanese Feng Shui, this will cause the unwed couples to break up. Married couples will have no issue on this however.
Seats Overlooking the Lover's Bridge
Idyllic and relaxing describes the attitude of this restaurant pretty well. Simple cloth draped chairs and wooden tables take away nothing from the view of the sea and the bridge.
Live prawns with soy sauce and wasabi
When we first ordered this, we were expecting big deep sea prawns and thus was a little disappointed when these scrawny little things were put on our table. However, one bite of these little pieces of heaven immediately blew our grievances miles away.
Despite its small size, it packs a good crunch and an inherent sweetness that is hard to dislike. The real treat is how well it went with the soy sauce and wasabi. That was what had us finishing this dish to its last prawn. Absolutely worth it.
Clams Stir Fried with BasilDespite its small size, it packs a good crunch and an inherent sweetness that is hard to dislike. The real treat is how well it went with the soy sauce and wasabi. That was what had us finishing this dish to its last prawn. Absolutely worth it.
Strong and strange, the mixture of basil and chili brings out another side of this done to death dish. You get a nice spicy taste along with this absolutely fresh and sweet clams. The basil really adds another layer of taste to this and makes it a joy to go with rice.
Wok Fried Beef
If there was one item that didn't quite wow us, it would be this final dish. It pretty good in its own right, but the only thing special about it was the whitish pieces you see accompanying the beef. I've not identified what it is, but it has a texture like a mixture between brinjal and mushrooms. Taste wise, its a little sweet but that could be due to the sauce. It was an interesting ingredient in an otherwise simple dish.
My conclusion of this restaurant? Worth a visit because its actually rather cheap. After all our orders, this meal cost about SGD 20. Definitely worth it.
Bikes for RentalMy conclusion of this restaurant? Worth a visit because its actually rather cheap. After all our orders, this meal cost about SGD 20. Definitely worth it.
Bike rentals can be found in Singapore as well, so why film this? Well, that is because you can rent these bikes as easily as swiping your EZ link card on the pedestal! Its that simple and i must say, an absolutely ground breaking idea. Rent a bike, charge it to your card for the duration and return it to another pedestal further down. No hassle at all.
Taipei 101
Taipei 101: When you get here, the first choice is to consider if you would want to go to the top. It costs Ntd 400 for a ride in their excellently fast yet stable lift. There'll even be a commentary as you ascend and descend.
Your Companion
So i guess, the one question you should ask yourself in the end is: " Was it worth it?" My answer to this? "Hell yeah!" The view is magnificent. At that height, you can see pretty much the whole of Taipei and at that height, its incredible to believe the Taiwan is subjected to frequent earthquakes while this superb infrastructure is able to withstand all but the worst Earthquakes. Go for the view and nothing else though, shopping here is pretty much throwing your wallet into the sea. You were warned.
Another note, its in your best interest to visit Taipei 101 during the transition hours so that you can see the sunset. It would look awesome.
After the view, its time to return to our hotel and have dinner before ending the day. It had been a tiring day to say the least and it was time for a rest.
Another note, its in your best interest to visit Taipei 101 during the transition hours so that you can see the sunset. It would look awesome.
After the view, its time to return to our hotel and have dinner before ending the day. It had been a tiring day to say the least and it was time for a rest.
Bubble Tea again
Cong Zua Bing (Onion Pancake)
Its oily, fragrant and crispy hot but the one thing you can't do is to stop chewing and eating it. Its quite interesting because it tastes and has a texture not unlike our usual "Roti Prata" but it comes with additional taste and ultimately, is an improvement from our Indian counterpart. Will i have this again? Most definitely! Oh, did i mention it was cheap as well? Costing a measly SGD 1-2 bucks.
Dong Dong Braised Beef Noodles
Hong Shao Niu Rou Mian (Spicy Beef Brisket Noodles)
Beef Noodles
Free Snacks!!!
Free Snacks!!!
Beef Noodles
Must Try Noodles: This is the best beef noodles i've ever had. And it doesn't come from a restaurant nor did it win an awards. Located at the underground shopping street near our hotel, it is convenient and simply a hidden gem not to be missed!
I'll start raving about the noodles for a start, it has a texture that is simply not found in Singapore. Imagine udon-like thickness and looks but more firm in its bite. The magic doesn't end there, its also surprisingly light. Imagine finishing an entire large bowl of noodles but still feeling as though there's space to spare? This accomplishes that.
Next, its the absolutely tasty soup that will have you finishing up every drop. I suspect the soup base has never been replaced and this simply taste like years of taste kept in one pot. Its just perfectly balanced with the taste of beef permeating every drop of it. Simply perfect.
The downside you'll probably find here is the hygiene. Its not the cleanest shop in Taiwan for sure but its definitely worth risking to eat here. I recommend the Hong Shao Nui Rou Mian which happens to be their chef's recommendation as well. Enough said, eat here at least once. You must try it.
Free Snacks!!!I'll start raving about the noodles for a start, it has a texture that is simply not found in Singapore. Imagine udon-like thickness and looks but more firm in its bite. The magic doesn't end there, its also surprisingly light. Imagine finishing an entire large bowl of noodles but still feeling as though there's space to spare? This accomplishes that.
Next, its the absolutely tasty soup that will have you finishing up every drop. I suspect the soup base has never been replaced and this simply taste like years of taste kept in one pot. Its just perfectly balanced with the taste of beef permeating every drop of it. Simply perfect.
The downside you'll probably find here is the hygiene. Its not the cleanest shop in Taiwan for sure but its definitely worth risking to eat here. I recommend the Hong Shao Nui Rou Mian which happens to be their chef's recommendation as well. Enough said, eat here at least once. You must try it.
Free Snacks!!!
Free Snacks!!!
Along the same underground passage is a pastry shop selling absolutely tasty chinese pastry. Its called Li Yi Bing Dian (Li Yi Pastry shop). I'd recommend trying out their pastry as well and chances are, you will buy some back after trying. Everything is good but there's something i learned about the pastry. Eat it in Taiwan when you can.
We bought about SGD 250 worth of pastries to bring back to Singapore and the problem is, it doesn't taste as good as it did when its baked fresh and eaten on the spot. It also has a rather short shelf life so its something you should eat on the spot for the best results.
If you do decide to bring some back, get the Taiyang Bing (Sun Biscuit) which has so far yielded the best taste and results from the pastries bought back.
And that ends our Day 3 in Taiwan.
This day is filled with some adventure in finding the locations, taking public transport and buses and some nice food finds. We visited areas we should have visited at a different time of the day though, so take note again here. Fisherman's Wharf should be done between evening to night. Taipei 101 should also be done at around evening to catch the sunset.
Hope this helps you guys enjoy it further. Cheers.
We bought about SGD 250 worth of pastries to bring back to Singapore and the problem is, it doesn't taste as good as it did when its baked fresh and eaten on the spot. It also has a rather short shelf life so its something you should eat on the spot for the best results.
If you do decide to bring some back, get the Taiyang Bing (Sun Biscuit) which has so far yielded the best taste and results from the pastries bought back.
And that ends our Day 3 in Taiwan.
This day is filled with some adventure in finding the locations, taking public transport and buses and some nice food finds. We visited areas we should have visited at a different time of the day though, so take note again here. Fisherman's Wharf should be done between evening to night. Taipei 101 should also be done at around evening to catch the sunset.
Hope this helps you guys enjoy it further. Cheers.
