Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011: Day 2 in Jinguashi (Part 2) - The Four Joined Japanese-Style Residences

     My story is still about the Gold Ecological Museum and the attractions within the compound.  This time, I'd be taking you around some of the shooting locations of one my my favorite Taiwanese idol dramas, Corner with Love starring Show Luo and Da S, including the Four Joined Japanese-Style Residences

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Day 2: Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Part 1

You'll find this on your right coming from the Rueifang train station.  

You'll pass by Jiufen first.

     Finally, I made it to the Gold Ecological Park!  Yipee!  And guess what?  The park was still closed!  Lol!  I got there around 8:50 a.m., and the museums there opens at around 9:30 a.m.  Even the Information Office was closed.  I was hoping to join an English-guided tour later in the day.

     There is a valid reason why I wanted to visit the park so much.  A few days before coming to Taiwan, I read a blog post saying that the park was one of the shooting location for Da S and Show Luo's Corner with Love tv series.  I loved that series!  And for some reason, I really like Show Luo (I've watched 3 of his tv dramas and I kinda like some of his songs). I watched Corner with Love way back and I even memorized Show Luo's friendship song or whatever, the one he sings to Da S to cheer her up.

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Day 2: Riding the Train to Rueifang and the Bus to Jinguashi

   For this day, I planned to go to Shifen, to see the Shifen Waterfalls, which reputedly is Taiwan's little Niagara. Next would be Jinguashi, and last, to Jiufen.  I made all the necessary research on how to reach Shifen via train, the schedules, etc.  However, the night before going to Shifen, I found a blog with a photo of the waterfalls showing the way how to get there: via some sort of stairs at the side of the waterfalls.  Then I got scared.

     I have a quasi-fear of heights.  I don't have a problem going up, but I do have problems going down.  I always imagine myself tripping and falling at the stairs, which happened quite a few times already.  So, I chickened out when I saw that photo of the Shifen waterfalls.  Besides, I've read that I need to walk along the railway tracks to reach Shifen, and I was alone.  I didn't want to wander the railway tracks alone.  Perhaps, next time, when I'm with friends, I'd have the courage to go there.  Really, I was so disappointed in myself for being a sissy.

     Anyway, I got to Jinguashih by taking a regular train to Rueifang.  I bought my ticket at the Taipei Main Station and there was a car and seat number, plus the platform.  I asked the friendly Information staff the way to the platform.  Yipee.  I mean, really, its way better than trying to find the platform on your own.  Although there are screens showing which platform your train would be, it's better to be doubly cautious.

How to Check, Reserve, Buy and Cancel Taiwan Train Tickets Online [For non-Chinese]

  

      Perhaps you're wondering how I was able to buy tickets online and at the train station.  It was easy, but it took me a lot of research to be able to do it, and a lot of luck, too.  The power of Google translate made it possible for me to buy tickets online, yay!  I'm sharing the knowledge for you all, and I hope this could help you in your Taiwan travel planing.

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Sun Moon Lake, Part 5: Hanging Out at the Shueishe Pier

      I admit that I was already really, really tired that afternoon after riding the Ropeway.  I haven't slept the night before as I went straight from the airport to the hostel, then from the hostel to the train station going to Taichung and eventually, to Sun Moon Lake.  I returned to Shueishe Visitor's Center a few minutes before 3 p.m.; the Kuo Kuang bus to Taipei would leave at 4:20 p.m.  So, I still had at least 1.5 hours left before I finally depart.  I could have gone to see the Wenwu Temple, which the bus passed by going to the visitor's center, but I was really tired.  I had very little energy left.  I decided to just stroll along the Shueishe Pier and found treats along the way.

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Sun Moon Lake, Part 4: Sun Moon Lake Ropeway

     After much debate with myself (I was alone, remember?), I pushed through with my plan to ride the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, although I very much wanted to just stay at the Full House Resort and chill.  

     Finding the Ropeway is quite easy, but getting there takes a lot of steps.  650 meters seem near but quite far with the hiking/walking trail.  At least, the view is great.  Along the way, I passed by another lodging similar to the log cabin look of the Full House Resort.  It's called the Rich Forest, mere seconds from the Full House Resort.  Then, there are some food stalls and a couple of very quaint, very charming coffee shops.  Not long thereafter, I reached the start of a trail leading to the Ropeway.  The trail is well-maintained; it would be the perfect place for a great jog or walk.  It is near the water's edge but not too much.  There were not a lot of people around.  Just a couple of passersby, like me.  

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Sun Moon Lake, Part 3: Full House Resort!

     From Ita Thao Pier, the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is around 650 meters away.  There's a sign, that is how I knew how far is it.  I followed the street signs from Ita Thao Pier and no more than five minutes, I came upon this quaint lodging, very rustic and charming.  This is that something I was looking forward to discovering in Sun Moon Lake.  It's a treat waiting for me to find. It's a log cabin, and there were tables outside its garden.  I took a step closer, and I saw a fantasy land.  I almost squealed in delight!  I love gardens and everything cute, and all of these are in this place called, Full House Resort. 

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Sun Moon Lake, Part 2: Shueishe and Ita Thao Piers

Shueishe Pier

     So, I bought my Sun Moon Lake Pass for NTD 299.00 and I asked where I could board the ferry going to Ita Thao.  I was given directions going to the Shueishe Pier and was told to look for the Sun Moon Lake Pass booth and for the staff wearing a vest.  Apparently, the next ferry will be departing in a few minutes.  So, I rushed to the Shueishe Pier and I immediately found the booth.  It was located just below the steps, to the right, in front of a coffee shop.  I gave my pass, the staff tore my shuttle voucher and I was led to the boat which was about to depart.  I was among the last to get in.

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Day 1: Sun Moon Lake, Part I

* Read Parts 2, 3, and 4.

     I took the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus at the Taichung Railway Station bus stop.  I paid NTD 180.00 for a one-way ride to Sun Moon Lake.  I was able to catch the 9:00 a.m. bus, which was almost full when I got in.  A man was telling passengers that there's another bus going to Sun Moon Lake for NTD 200.00, in case we don't find a seat in the shuttle bus.  He looks kinda creepy but I think he's a liaison for a bus company that services Taichung and Sun Moon Lake because I see him directing passengers to a bus in Sun Moon Lake going to Taichung later in the day.

     The one and a half hour ride from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake was quite relaxing.  The scenery was awesome!  It was green everywhere.  The mountains are quite beautiful and the foliage, lush.  I was still sleepy but I managed to stay awake because I just could not resist the beauty laid before my eyes.  I got a seat in front, behind the driver.  I noticed in Taiwan that people don't usually seat behind the driver; it's one of the last seats to be taken, unlike here in the Philippines where people love to seat in front (is it a reserved seat?)

Baguio Travel Adventures - Sunrise at The Manor, Camp John Hay

     I'm at The Manor in Camp John Hay, a neighbor of the Baguio Country Club.  We came here yesterday and we'll be staying until tomorrow.

     I woke up early today; I don't know why my mind told me to get out of bed.  When I opened my eyes, dawn was here!  I got excited and took out my camera and took pictures outside our room's balcony.  I waited for the sunrise and it did not disappoint me.  Sunrise and morning light are awesome!

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Day 1: Hostel Frenzy and Train Ride to Taichung

     

 

     In my last post, I said that I contemplated on whether to pursue with my Sun Moon Lake plans or not.  I decided to finally just go for it.  But first things first, I had to find my hostel and leave my luggage.

     It took  me at least 15 minutes on foot to reach the hostel because I was taking my time.  On the way, I passed by a mini-mart (I forgot the name) and a lot of shops.  One of my markers was a police station, and when I saw it, I thought to myself, "Yay!  I'm near!"  But passing by a lot of closed shops, it seemed like a rather long walk.  Good thing that the establishments there are numbered; when I saw No. 132, I almost leapt for joy.  However, I still had to find the keys, enter the hostel, and climb up to the 3rd floor.

Thoughts: Delayed Flight to Taiwan and Missing the Last Bus to Taipei

     I was fortunate to snag tickets bound for Taiwan for the Holy Week.  Filipinos have a four-day break during this time of the year and well, it's a peak-season for travelling in and out of the country.  So, I knew that there would be quite a line at the check-in counters so I decided to buy my seats in advance.  I forgot to utilize the web check-in procedure of Cebu Pacific and that would have made my life loads easier since I already have pre-booked seats.  When I arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3, all counters were open, and fully-packed with people.  The web check-in counter, on the other hand, intermittently had one or two passengers lined-up.  So, there, you should all avail of the web check-in counter.  It's faster, and you don't have to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight.

Vietnam Travel Adventures: Ho Chi Minh DIY City Tour

   

     I was pretty honest when I said before that there was not much planning for our trip to Vietnam. Although we booked tickets way ahead, like more than 2 months before our trip, I just booked our tours quite late; 2 days before we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.  It was so late that the Sinh Tourist Office had to send me a payment link for the Cu Chi Tunnel tour because it cannot be booked anymore via their website.  Oh well.  The beauty of taking tours - you can just sit back and relax after booking one.

     On the other hand, DIY tours are more flexible when it comes to time management.  You can take all the pictures you want; there's no need to rush, unless your travel companions are impatient.  Heehee.  However, DIY tours are quite taxing; you need to research, research and research.  And despite making all the preparations beforehand, you'll probably still end up asking locals for directions.  For  lazy people like me, DIY tours are a welcome challenge.  But, there are still times that I just get so busy with no time to spare for planning a tour.  And, that is what precisely happened in Vietnam!