March 4, 2021

Just Around Taipei

This pandemic, as much as I can, I always travel through my past post and look at my old timeless pictures and adventures whether it be on my phone, on my blog, or on YouTube. This week, let me take you to an island nation on top of our archipelago, Taiwan!

It was my 15th country/territory, Taiwan was. Since the island nation above the Philippines has opened its doors to Filipinos last 2017 and imposing a temporary visa-free policy for a year which was then extended to another year from July 2018 to July 2019, many Filipinos, including myself, made plans to visit and see what Taiwan has to offer. 

UPDATE: Taiwan faces calls to extend visa-free entry for Filipinos before the temporary visa-free program ends this July 2019.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, Taipei

Officially the Republic of China, Taiwan is the place where the nationalist leader Chiang Kai Shek fled to exile and established the Chinese republic when the communist party led by Mao Zedong took over the mainland. through the years, Taiwan went nowhere but up and the success of its industry and finance has fortified the nation into being one of the richest countries not just in Asia but in the whole world.

WATCH: Steven's Queue VLOG#39 - Ni Hao Taiwan!

Me and my cousin Ate Judy flew to Taipei last November 2018 and we spent the first day looking around the capital city of Taipei. We flew in via Cebu Pacific Air on their earliest flight from Manila.

Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

From our place at Minquan Station (we stayed here for 4 days at a private room at a condo via AirBnB), we took the Subway all the way to our first destination which is the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial. via the Red Subway Line, it took us just 5 stations to reach the memorial hall which is one of the major landmarks of Taiwan.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Station is a junction for both the Red Line and Green Line of MRT.

(L) Me inside the Taipei Metro                    (R) Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Complex            

The complex was vast! Aside from the memorial hall, there are two halls that are built in traditional Chinese style, the National Concert Hall and the National Theater Hall. They were not open when we visited so we were not able to explore whats inside both halls.

WATCH: Steven's Queue VLOG#40 - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

When me and my cousin continued walking through the entrance to the complex from the station, we saw our high school classmate and friend April who has been living and working in Taiwan for 7 years now. She is accompanied by her boyfriend Roilan and it was a happy moment to see her after so long. She went all the way to Taipei from Hsinchu just to see us that afternoon.

There is no entrance fee to pay when visiting the Memorial complex, even through the Memorial Hall and the museum that is located at its base. I think it is a must to visit this place which is why it is also the very first landmark we visited not just for its beauty but to give respect to Taiwan's leader Chiang Kai Shek. 

Ate Judy, Me, April, and Roilan - Groupfie Time!

Climbing through the stairs at the Memorial Hall, it led us to the tomb of the Nationalist leader wherein a changing of the guards ceremony is taking place. Everyone was quiet and solemn as we all silently watch the ceremony. Travelers from different nation were present during that afternoon's program.

(L) Changing of the Guards                     (R) Intricate design of the Tomb's ceiling         

After the ceremony, we decided to go down and visit the museum that is housed right below the tomb, at the hall's ground floor. It has an exhibit of photographs and memorabilla related to the life and legacy of Chiang Kai Shek. I really did enjoy the exhibit that shows his garments and clothing that showed a fusion of both traditional Chinese clothing and modern day attires.

     
(L) Chiang Kai Shek's Coat                       (R) Me and Chiang Kai Shek

Bethelites Batch 2006 at Taipei

We then said our goodbyes to April and Roilan and me and my Ate continued on our adventure around the city. We then went to Taipei Central Station where we are about to ride the Taipei Sightseeing Tour - Hop On, Hop Off Bus. We got our tickets at Klook.com. They have a 4-hour ticket which costs Php 450 while a 24-hour unlimited pass costs Php 899. We purchased the  24-hour unlimited ride with stops at major tourist attractions in the city.

WATCH: Steven's Queue VLOG#41 - HOP ON - HOP OFF TAIWAN

Our first stop is Ximen Junction wherein we visited the famous and historical theater called The Red House. It was constructed by a team led by a Japanese architect Kondo Juro which was originally made to become a public market. It was then turned into a theater and now, a museum and cafe.

Me and my Ate Judy at The Red House

Ximending District is very busy and I can even compare it as a quainter version of Tokyo's Shibuya Junction. Shops and restaurants lined up the streets and smaller alleys led to a lot of other stores and establishments. It was full of life, especially at that time of the afternoon which was about just an hour before sunset.

     
(L) Selfie Time with the 'Locals' of Ximen   (R) Loved this little alley across Ximen

To be honest, we were not able to maximize the 24 hour ticket that we purchased because we started the bus ride late at around 5 pm and the last round trip is at 7:30 in the evening. But nonetheless, we can say it was worth it because we did a round trip sightseeing on it's final trip and we were able to see the sights of Taipei during nighttime, it was beautiful!

The last full round-trip that we did was on the Taipei Sightseeing Tour Bus's Red Line. It starts and ends its route at Taipei Main Station and passes through important locations such as the Ximending District, Taipei 101, and the Sun Yat Set Memorial Hall.


(L) Me taking videos at the Taipei Sightseeing Bus                    (R) Taipei 101 at Night 

Just like any other East Asian country, Taiwan is a well developed nation and truly one with the first world. Its infrastructures and efficient public transport makes it not just a good place to visit and travel to, but also a perfect place to live and work in. 

Locals are very nice and disciplined and a barrier I did experience was language as to not all locals are fluent in the English Language but if you are lost, it's not hard to find a younger generation Taiwanese which can help you find your way.

Visit Taiwan, and experience 'The Heart of Asia'


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27 comments:

  1. You have been to so many places I know I will never visit, so I thank you for sending me on a trip around the world, to enjoy lovely places and spaces through the eyes of you and your friends. Indeed, wonderful traveling companions!

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    1. It is my pleasure dearest Jeanie as you also bring me to places and experiences I have never ever been to or will ever be at especially in the uncertainty of this pandemic. Sending you hugs and can't wait to travel more through your blog :)

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  2. Wow Taiwan is on my list to visit. It looks amazing :-D And great memories :-D

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    1. Oh thank you so so much dearest Ananka! You would love Taiwan!

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  3. When I lived in Southern California we befriended a couple from Taiwan, who would start a fight with you, reading your first sentence, lol. According to them Taiwan is not (yet) China, although the latter are trying hard to do that.Was neat to hear your voice on your vlog. Sound much younger than I thought:) Hope I can find an image for your link list.

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    1. Oh I very much understand what you mean dearest Jesh! Hahaha and on the other hand, the other party would kill me too when I say that it is not part of the bigger country.

      Awwwww thank you so much dear Jesh! I always hated my speaking voice, I always feel like it's very cartoonish! I once had a phone call made to somewhere in California from our office and when I said my name is Steve, the man said "I didn't know a lady can be named Steve" ughhh judged me by my voice hahaha

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  4. What another fun adventure, Stevenson, and how nice to have met up with your high school friend and her boyfriend. The hop-on and hop-off fare is very popular (or was) before the pandemic in many major cities and we did in in Boston a couple of years ago. The temple looks magnificent and not being charged admission was a plus too.

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    1. I certainly agree with what you pointed out on admission fees dearest Beatrice! It's truly a treat fro budget travelers like me :) Oh I really hope to visit Boston someday because I am hoping that someday I can meet my boss in Rhode Island :)

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  5. Hello there Stevenson. a lovely post and look back.
    I did like all the photographs, especially the one of you taking videos at the Taipei Sightseeing Bus :)

    Sending my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Oh thank you so much Jan! I can still vividly remember the feeling while I was taking that :) I was doing a lot of balancing through the moving bus and at the same time, savoring the beauty of night-time Taipei! Good wishes and hugs on your way too!

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  6. I hope we get to go there at some point - we're made for the dumplings!! That selfie statue is cute!

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    1. Oh Yas! The dumplings! Back when there was no pandemic, we really tried to see as many Taiwanese restaurants here in the PH for dumplings :) Thank you, love that statue :)

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  7. Fascinating post Stevenson. It looks like a great place to visit. And it has a connection to the town next to where I live. In that town Madame Chiang Kai Shek had a summer home. I believe she went to school for a time as child in this area, and then she and Chiang Kai Shek summered here, at some point. And good for you to get to visit all these countries. I hope covid ends soon because I am ready to add some more to my list! Have a great start to March. Hugs-Erika

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    1. Oh dearest Erika! I thank you so so much for giving me that trivia about Madame Chiang Kai Shek. That is a very beautiful piece of history and literally close to your home :) Oh and I am excited for you to travel soon as well because I really love your destinations, especially around the US as you take all of us with your posts :)

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  8. Thank you, dearest Stevenson, for another history lesson!
    Impressive architecture, sad the Halls were closed... But yay for meeting friends and big wow on the Tomb's ceiling. Hop on - hop off is a cool idea, thank you for the VLOGs :-)
    Certainly the pic of the two of you at The Red House is my fav!
    Thank you for taking us along, oh, one hardly can imagine anymore to be so close to other people, to be among so many people, to hop on a bus...
    Glad we can still travel like this!

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    1. Oh it is all my pleasure dearest sis Iris! I am so happy you loved a lot about this post, I agree it is pretty loaded haha. Meeting my and my cousin's high school classmate was such a treat! And thank you so much for watching the VLOGs too, I usually do them lately since I can't travel.

      Oh Yes! As much as we can crowds are now a thing of horror now! True, thankful for Timeless memories like these :)

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  9. It looks as though you had a wonderful time in Taiwan Stevenson - I do enjoy your posts and enjoy traveling vicariously through them
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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    1. And it is always a pleasure to have you on my virtual trips around the world or in memory lane dear Maxine! Greetings and hugs to NZ!

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  10. You've sure taken some amazing trips, Stevenson. Taipei looks like a really interesting place.

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    1. It does! And perfect for foodies Susie :) Thank you so much!

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  11. So here you are. I thought you had gone missing since Cavite Daily Photo. Taiwan is an interesting, and it seems, a rich country, but I didn't know it belongs to China. I am keeping my eye on my investment in your country, a gold mine in the North of Philippines, in Nueva Viscaya. I hope you are looking after it?

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  12. Wonderful tour of Taipei, it looks like you had lots of fun. Having friends with you adds to the pleasure. I love those kind of tours that you can hop on and hop off. We have them in the big cities. Thanks for sharing thos videos, fun watching them. Have a wonderful rest of the week and take care, Stevenson.

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  13. bom dia meu querido e grande amigo, parabéns pelas fotos maravilhosa.

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  14. Oh my gosh Stevenson what a wonderful trip, enjoyed all the videos and felt like I was right there with you, merci beaucoup for taking us along.

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  15. A very beautiful city. The might view must have been spectacular. The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial is really impressive.

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  16. 2018, Those Were The Days Brother - What Beautiful Photos - Be Well

    Cheers

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  17. This is not a place we Kiwis hear very much about so I enjoyed your post. :) xx

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