Taiwan 2015

I am aware that this post is much delayed but since I'm in the mood for being grateful and complaining less, I think this is a good time to re-visit my trip to Taiwan last year.

I try to travel with my family once a year, last year, it was to Taiwan.  We were able to fix a 5-day trip early-November and decided that instead of sticking to Taipei, we would take a look at Taichung as well.

Our itinerary (simplified) is as follows:-

Day 1 - Taipei, Xi Men Ding, night market at Huaxi Street

Day 2 - Visit Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Shida night market

Day 3 - Taiwan Raiways to Taichung, Yizhong night market

Day 4 - Trying out the Tai Yang Bings at Taichung, travelling to Taipei, Shuangcheng night market

Day 5 - Taipei 101 and surrounding malls, Ningxia night market

Clearly, we didn't cover a lot of ground.  That seems to be the theme whenever I travel with my family as they (i) refuse to plan; (ii) refuse to follow an itinerary; and (iii) tend to drag their feet.  I admittedly got annoyed a little but I try to control my temper because at the end of the day, the trip is for us to spend more time and experience new things together , not for me to sightsee.

I have the following things to say:
1. Taiwan (at least in November) turns dark earlier than Malaysia/Singapore so although you may think you are eating dinner at 6.30pm, it is more likely to be 5.30pm.  What that means is, supper!

2.  Please, go to some night markets.  I didnt go to the bigger/more popular ones (crowds are a huge deterrence) but from the 5 that I did go, i can see that they are each different from the other and always interesting to take a look at. Of the 5 I visited, Ningxia I believe is more well-known and for me, that was the least interesting.  It could be that we were too full to enjoy the myriad of food options but it was also way.too.crowded.

3.  If you like skincare (specifically, masks), there will be sooo much for you to choose from, and they are priced lower than Singapore!  I wasn't, however, particularly impressed with the makeup at the drugstores.

4.  (We might have missed something but) There is nothing to do at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, really.

I would totally go back, to shop (things are rather decently priced), eat and look-see.  I am already checking the price for tickets to Kaoshiung!