Leaving Taipei

Today is our last hurrah here in Taiwan, as later past midnight we will be leaving for Manila. We've been sleeping in the room for 4 nights already but most of the time we are out, so it was a bit surprising to see that the view from our window is actually this. LOL, but it was okay. Nothing seriously really. I just thought of some shady areas back in Manila.

 

Ethan had his last dip at the bath tub too this morning. For sure he will miss the twice a day bathing in a tub.

 

After breakfast, we began to pack our stuffs and rest for a while as we plan to check-out early, leave our things at the front desk, and explore the city more. As we were doing this, Ethan is happily entertaining himself although this is dangerous.

 

At last, we said goodbye to the hotel which served as our home this week. For those reading I really recommend Yomi Hotel as I find their prices value for money and for travelers, very accessible to get around the city.

 

entrance façade of Yomi Hotel

 

We first went to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The place is accessible via MRT station of the same name.

 

Sun Yat-sen Memorial hall with Taipei 101 at the backdrop

 

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is dedicated to the founding father of the Republic of Taiwan.

 

view of the skyline from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

 

Taipei 101

 

There is a large monument of Sun Yat-sen inside the building and we came just on time for their changing of guards ceremony.

 

inside the building

 

details of the architecture of the building

 

From the memorial hall, we took the MRT again, this time to Longshan Temple station. We plan to visit the temple but decided to stop for lunch first as soon as we arrived. We explored around the area first and found old buildings like these that must have seen history unfold.

 

Due to time constraints, we just bought food at a nearby 7-Eleven convenience store and added some chicken we saw on the way being sold at an alley. Yum yum!

 

After lunch, then we proceeded to Longshan Temple. This Mengjia Longshan Temple was built in 1738, has been destroyed and restored due to different factors. It is considered the grandest among the temples in the city.

 

inside the temple

 

fountain across the temple on the way back to the MRT station

 

We then rode an MRT to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to visit the place of its namesake. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is dedicated to the former president of the Republic of China.

 

National Theater Hall, leading to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial hall and National Concert Hall

 

The Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness

 

I've been to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall two years ago and even went inside the hall. Unfortunately after seeing the steps, my companions begged off to climb the stairs leading to the entrance.

 

me and Ethan

 

Then we went back afterwards to Shilin Night Market to do some last minute shopping and had our dinner in the food stalls there before heading back to the hotel. Right now, we're waiting for our car pick-up going to the airport which will be done by the same person who picked us up from the airport to this hotel too (this time costing TWD900).

 

Taiwan is a place I'm curious about with all the shows and TV commercials going around about the country. Next time, I plan to explore the other side and cities of Taiwan if I get a chance to be back.

Around Taipei

Breakfast is included in our room rate in Yomi Hotel. The restaurant is located at the basement level and is quite small so expect to share tables during peak time. Breakfast served was just enough to keep our stomachs filled like salad, a few selections of hot meat, rice and some vegetables. They also serve fruits and some sweets sometimes with free flowing coffee, hot tea, iced tea or juices. I know this is not the usual fare we had in high-end hotels but since this is a leisure stay and for the price we paid, then it's just as expected or actually a bit above as I expected worse to have my meal plated with small portions.

 

After breakfast we walked over MRT Shuanglian station bound for Taipei City Hall station. From Taipei City Hall station, we followed the signs leading to the exit where we waited for a free shuttle bus that took us to Taipei 101.

 

Taipei 101 is an iconic skyscraper of Taiwan. It previously held the title of being the tallest building in the world when it was completed but was surpassed recently by Burj Dubai. In my visit 2 years ago with my mom, we went up to the observatory level of the tower.

 

LOVE sculpture outside Taipei 101

 

with Ethan and Roshie

 

We went inside the Taipei 101. There were shops, albeit upscale, inside the mall leading to the ticket office going to the observatory level.

 

Honestly, when some of us saw the prices of the ticket to go up (TWD450), they felt it wasn't worth it. For me it was okay, but since I've been up there before, then I went with the group not to go up the observatory level anymore.

 

me Ethan and the Damper Baby

 

We then instead went to Modern Toilet to have lunch, by taking the same route back to MRT and getting on the train again on the way to Ximen station. From there we tried to follow the path we did 2 years back to reach the place.

 

We were seated at the third floor this time. As the name implies, the restaurant is themed after, ehrr, a toilet. Dining seats were actually toilet seats modified for comfort and the table is actually a bathtub with a glass top, and there is a shower head on the wall.

 

Food were served in different containers reminding us of the place - toilet. Roshie had an order of beef curry served in a bowl mimicking a toilet bowl.

 

my order - seafood hotpot

 

me

 

breaded chicken, the most normal-looking served to us today in a sink-looking dish 

 

another dish served in a small bath-tub shape bowl

 

my drink was served in a urinal!

 

Ethan amazed by all these big things at the table

 

okay, that is a bit foul! :P

 

All of our meals included soft-ice cream served in what look like a floor toilet bowl.

 

Roshie enjoying her ice cream

 

Even Ethan had his own set of likings. He went inside a toilet bowl and began to drink his milk!

 

I sure hope he's not doing it, is he?

 

inside Modern Toilet

 

By the way, my mom, Jairus and Quin will be leaving for Manila past midnight tonight so they are enjoying the fullest of their last hours here in Taipei. After lunch, we went to Wufenpu, a clothing wholesale market, by taking the MRT to Houshanpi station and walking towards the market.

 

My mom, Jairus and Quin just left as I write this blog. It's our turn tomorrow night to go head back to the airport for our flight back to Manila, but before then, we'll take some rest tonight for another packed journey in the city tomorrow.