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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I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join Timeless Thursdays.

Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.

This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Prague Castle

During our three day stay in the Czech Republic, we visited one of the most historic and architecturally diverse landmark in the city of Prague. Prague Castle was a very beautiful complex that shows different styles of designs and materials in buildings that dates back to centuries ago. We were not able to visit the museums inside but seeing it from a free pass across the complex is good enough to be amazed by this place of marvel, especially from a Filipino like me where castles don't exist in our country and culture.

Saint Vitus Cathedral from the Entrance

Built in the 9th century, Prague Castle is a castle complex that houses not just the historical seats of Bohemian Kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and former leaders of Czechoslovakia, but also the official office of the president of the Czech Republic or also known today as the country of Czechia. From the view of the photo I took above, there alone you can see the mix of styles on the buildings inside the Castle complex. It is simply amazing to enter such a place with different worlds living in it. 

Four Hour Tram Tickets

Just like most European cities, public transport is on a per-hour basis, unlike here in the Philippines and other Asian nations that goes by the per ride basis. We have four tickets one for each of our family members. After we crossed the bridge from our place we took a tram all the way to Pražský hrad tram station which is directly on the entrance to the castle complex. 

Entrance is free for the complex but if you wish to enter the museums that are inside, you need to pay separate entrance for each or purchase a day pass for all of it. Since our stay was limited, we thought to just see the complex area and it was a good experience. Next time though, if given a chance, I hope I can enter the museums. I would need at least a while day for it I guess.

Czech Castle Guard

I have always been amazed by national guards from different countries whenever I get to travel to different historical cities. They look very brave and still even after hours of just standing, plus I really admire their stance and with the uniforms that they wear, they look very strong and striking. Here are a few more guards from my trips who I had the chance to take a photo of.

Beijing, China                            Seoul, South Korea                         Manila, Philippines

Getting passed the guards, we then went on to a spacious courtyard fenced by multi-story buildings and centered by a beautiful fountain area. A lot of tourists were there taking pictures. I was very lucky to see new sets of guards marching over into the entrance, I guess they will change guards at that moment (You can watch it on the Video that I will share below).

At the west of the courtyard where we follow the other tourists, we were then greeted by this enormous cathedral that looks so beautiful and can be seen at the city center or at the Charles Bridge. The Saint Vitus Cathedral.

Saint Vitus Cathedral

Saint Vitus Cathedral is a very important landmark of Prague which features a very strong example of Gothic architecture. It is known as Saint Vitus Cathedral, which is it's official name until 1997 but now it is officially named as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated in honor of the Bohemian saints. 

At the end of the walk that we did, since it was already dark at around 4 in the afternoon, we alighted at a different exit where you can see a gorgeous view of the city center from the top of the hill where the castle complex is located. It did snow a little bit more but again, just flurries, but still I'm grateful! Maybe it's not yet time for me to see the real thing just yet, maybe God is saving it for a more magical moment huh? That is if we can travel again amidst this pandemic. Keeping the faith.

Gorgeous winter view of Prague

Aside from these sights that I shared from my beautiful memory, I would also like to invite you to watch my VLOG entry about Prague Castle! This is my latest post on my YouTube Channel - Steven's Queue which I would like to invite you to watch and also, to subscribe to my Channel. It's easy! Just click on the link and when you're at my YouTube Channel Page, just click on the Subscribe button. See you there!

Mother's Day

First of all, I would love to greet all of my blogging friends a Happy Mother's Day! To those who are mothers and grandmothers, to those who are not, let me extend my greetings to your mothers and wives. I on the other hand, will greet my mother all the way to heaven. Never was a day that I missed her and even if I am already 30 years old, the last 10 years of my adult life has been quite difficult without a mother to guide me. Although I do know that she lives in my heart and that she did quite a good job in making me ready for the world that she will not be part of anymore.

My mother carrying me when I was three (1993)

Me and my mom don;t have the perfect relationship. Unlike other families where the youngest is always the spoiled one, it's the other way around on my case. We always fight and clash, especially when I was growing up, we always had our differences in ways and ideas and in a lot of other things. But I do know that she loved me so much. 

When she was still alive, I thought she was playing favorites, but when she passed away, I thought, maybe not. Maybe she was the kind of mom that is different from us three brothers. She has to be the mom that matches our different personalities. And I think she knows I have a strong personality and at the same time caring, so she had to be the mother that would match those traits.

Through her, I have learned to be strong, independent, and most of all, to be able to carry yourself in a way that would respect others despite the differences. To extend that same respect to every single person I will be crossing paths with and love everybody for who they are.

Question: What is the best lesson you learned from your mother?

Since I cannot greet or embrace my mother anymore, I thought of recording a video as if she can watch and hear it. I know she does. I would love to share that with you. I know most of the speaking parts are in Tagalog, but I sang a beautiful song for her and all of you my dear friends and your mothers. It's a song by Il Divo called "Mama". If you wish to skip my emotional messages, you can go directly to the song at 2:26 mark.

You're Still The One

Me singing Shania Twain's You're Still the One

Last January 25th, my cousin who lives in California came home to marry hi High School sweetheart and I was asked to perform a song number for the newlyweds and the guests who celebrated with them. I chose Shania Twain's "You're still the one" because the song is so meaningful, especially to the newlyweds who have been together for more than 10 years now, that's almost half their lifetimes.

Here is a beautiful photo of my cousin and his wife after their beautiful church wedding. I was one of the secondary sponsors during the ceremony. Can you spot me on this photo?

Carlos + Jean

Hope you enjoy my cover, forgive me for the sound quality but still I have to thank my niece who took this video so I can share this with you all! Comments will be extremely appreciated HAHA

Stay safe everyone! Keep yourselves hydrated and never forget to pray.