Day two: 27 Oct 2010: Yangmingshan, Xinbeitou, Shilin Night Market
Day two: 27 October 2010
Weather: Rain rain rainy rain
Wearing: stockings, winter jeans, singlet, long sleeve shirt, jacket, scarf.
We have breakfast at the street next to hotel
There was a large crowd of customers so it must be good >=D I was quite shy but in the end have to shout our order oTL
Pork floss rice roll (NT$50/ S$2.10) + pork chop on toasted bun (NT$45/S$1.90) + Soy bean milk (NT$35/ S$1.50), the rice roll is so yummy with a spring onion omelet, pork floss and pickled vegetables inside, hope I learn a new dish for future picnics
After breakfast, we bought some snacks and head to the busstop to take bus 260 to Yangmingshan. The journey is 1 hour to reach. I forgot to mention my kind brother and sis-in-law borrow their easy card to us, which work exactly the same as our ezlink card. Just tap on the card reader and it will auto deduct the fares. You might want to ask for smaller bus as some bus only need to tap upon entrance or only exit, don't need to tap twice.
Box my boyfriend cause he make us buy snacks at 7-11 at Ximendeng as he fear there are no stores at the mountain area but there is >=p
We wore our raincoat and head for the bus interchange (just a short walk from the alighting bus stop at YangMingShan) and wait for bus 108
- Scenery on the bus.
We alight at the busstop at Xiaoyukeng, VERY COLD! (when we return to Taipei, we realised the Temp at YMS is 13 degree) Even a kind aunt who is hiking say we seem to be underdress and ask me to wrap my head with my scarf.
Xiaoyukeng 小油坑 - please watch take one at video
This entrance marks the beginning of our hiking adventure!
- The steps are really steep and no proper handrail, the raining weather and powerful wind does not help too. We took a lot of rest no thanks to me oTL
-while climbing, I keep thinking this is how old Chinese Wuxia (pugilists) warriors travel into the mountains to train their martial arts. It's a very mystic feeling with the rolling clouds and swaying silvergrass.
After a hour plus we finally reach mount Cixing!!! watch take two of video please
After a short rest, we head for Mt. Cixing East peak
There are plently of signboard so you don't need to worry of begin lost.
Ci xing east peak, scenery almost kenna block by clouds oTL we totally choose a wrong month to go due to typhoon and north east winds to Taipei. We head for Ci xing park after this east peak.
watch take three of video please
Ci xing park is ... just like that . Offer no shelter from wind, we took a rest there
start of Lengshuikeng (冷水坑) trail when...
this dog suddenly appear from behind! I thought it's a wild dog and scare it might attack us. In my exhausted form, I also thought this is a spirit dog leading us to the other side of realm, ekk! CHAO TOUCH WOOD
We actually went up to the pavillion and it was crazy! The wind up there is so strong, I have to hug a pillar. Needless to say we bid a hasty retreat with the dog following us.
The scenery also got better now that we are at a lower level.
The dog keep following us and wait for us while we take photos. At times it might go ahead but it always return as if telling us hurry already! I feel kinda guilty we didn't feed the dog as reward as we already eaten our snacks. oTL
watch take four and five of video
Click to viewAt the end of the trail, we saw bus 108 and have to run to catch it. If we miss this bus, we might have to wait for another 30 mins for the next one. The bus took us to the bus stop in the beginning and we rest at the 7-11 there
try the 7-11 4 pcs for nt$39, yummy!
Next we took bus 230 to Xinbeitou for hot springs! (30-40 min bus ride?)
Xinbeitou and it's surroundings
- There were steam rising out from the water from this water bed! Woooo
The famous xinbeitou library, very modern, chic looking
- visit the Hot Spring museum
I hearts <3 tatami mats, it have a lovely straw / hay scent
pass by a outdoor hot spring bath at NT$40, everyone wears a swimsuit inside.
After a long walk we reach Hell's valley!
Took the train to Shilin night market! I was feeling faint because we didn't exactly eat much expect for the breakfast on top of the page
Singapore MRT, give us back the dustbin in stations already! Just look at Taiwan, they even have recycling bins!
(totally trying to push my chest out for this pic)
So cute! Too bad the last guy who try to decorate the train got arrest
They even decorate the train to be just like a hot spring bath
change train at Beitou station
A photo of my swollen hands, it must be because of the cold XD
did I mention how considerate the taiwan people are to stand on the side of escalator?
and we reach shilin market! (okay this is a bad idea to blog this on a hungry stomach)
cow tongue NT$20/ S$.80, it's not really part of a cow, it's a biscuit with peanut butter filling?
big sausage wrap small sausage NT$50/ S$2.10, we order garlic flavor =D~~ it's actually a taiwan sausage wrap in glutinous rice.
- streets of Shilin night market
Animal shaped egg biscuits 4 pcs for NT$35/ S$1.50
- meat bun, I forgot how much, NT$20?
- Ewww, I wanted to order but I don't dare...
- MY FAVOURITE CHEESE POTATO!!! NT$50/ S$2.10, it's just crazy how generous the toppings are - corn, broccoli, ham etc. The nacho cheese is not heavy but watery , however it just means we can take a huge mouthful full of chhhheessseee =D~~~~
-another recommend dish by people I know and people online, shilin big chicken chop NT$50/ S$2.10, the portion is HUGE, the skin so crispy. I wish I have taken a video of me chomping down, holding in my mouth and opening my mouth to release the piping hot steam, so fun XD
Going back to hotel, it's 17 degrees
The chaos at Taipei main station
[ Day one: 26 Oct 2010: Ximending, Longshan Temple]
[Day two: 27 Oct 2010: Yangmingshan, Xinbeitou, Shilin Night Market]
[ Day three: 28 Oct 2010: part one: Taipei Zoo, Maokong Gondola, DinTaiFung]
[ Day three: 28 Oct 2010: part two: Taipei 101, Wufenpu Garment night market]
[ Day four: 29 Oct 2010: Taipei City Hall]