Hey everyone, as there wasn’t so much to tell about the early morning flight out on the 14th, I will do the final day as a single entry. After a simple breakfast in the apartment which Haowen had gone out to pick up while I was packing, at 11:09 AM we headed out towards the bus stop where we arrived at 11:28 AM.
It didn’t take long, and at 11:35 AM we were already in the bus, using our metro cards to swipe in for only 15 NTD ($0.51 USD). It was a 35-minute comfortable bus ride, and when we got off it was still lightly drizzling. However, I think though that even without our mini umbrellas, it would have been fine, since it was only a four-minute walk to Breeze, where we arrived at 12:14 PM.
We went up to the i-ride Taipei place. There were several different options available, but we chose the Taipei one. Our tickets were 400 NTD ($13.50 USD) each, but we had to wait around for a bit.
The “experience” started with an introduction done all in Chinese from 1:00 to 1:14 PM, with the actual 5-D theatre show from 1:15 to 1:25 PM. As part of the whole intro, I think since there were two of us, there was a free green screen, cardboard framed photo which was actually quite nice. I know that for only 10 minutes, this seems like it was a bit expensive, but it actually did feel longer, and it was certainly enjoyable. Whether or not it is “worth it” probably partially corresponds both to your own personal interests and disposable income.
We exited the mall at 1:38 PM and headed over to the nearby Taipei 101 shopping center. I had some nice food there in the food court for a cost of 339 NTD ($11.44 USD).
As Haowen was a bit pressed for time, when we left there from there at 2:45 PM, we immediately grabbed a taxi, arriving back to the apartment at 3:05 PM. I wasn’t sure, but I think that Haowen paid 215 NTD ($7.26 USD).
I took a bit of time to finish getting packed, and then Haowen went walking with me from the apartment at 3:49 PM, with us arriving to Nangang station where I paid 190 NTD ($6.41 USD) for an unreserved THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail) to Taoyuan. The train departed at 4:00 PM sharp, and once again, was clean, comfortable and uncrowded.
When I arrived at 4:32 PM, as had been projected, it was easy to make my way outside of the train. The train did have a few stops before mine, but there were easy to see scrolling announcements as well as a pleasant, recorded voice in both Chinese and English which announced the upcoming stops.
When I went outside the terminal at 4:37 PM, it wasn’t raining, and it was an easy and pleasant walk to Bluewater Hotel, which I had previously reserved and paid for on Agoda. Note, it is worth comparing prices when reserving hotels, as I paid $10 USD less by booking on Agoda vs. the next cheapest option. The room itself was very small, but certainly more than adequate for a single night. I had paid 3590 INR ($41.44 USD) for the tiny single room with shared bathroom. To have a convenient place to stay near the airport, it was fine . . . and certainly clean.
I wasted a bit of time in the room checking some online needs and then left headed walking towards Gloria Outlets at 6:26 PM, arriving there at 6:39 PM. If you have ever been to an outlet mall anywhere in the United States, it was exactly the same.
I however was not particularly interested in that sort of scene, so I bought my own brand-new easy card at a 7 eleven and charged it with 100 NTD for a total of 215 NTD ($2.48 USD) and then took the subway across the street to the area near Zhongli night market. Upon exiting the metro, I had bought some delicious convenience store sushi for 370 NTD ($12.50 USD) which I ate on a bench just outside.
I then walked over to the market area, really enjoying the different evening views.
I arrived at the market at 8:28 PM, enjoyed wandering around, and spent 150 NTD ($5.07 USD) more on another fried squid (100) and a sausage on a stick (50). I was tempted to buy and eat many other food items, but I was actually already rather full, so I headed back to the Laoije River station at 9:13 PM, arriving there at 9:22 PM.
I arrived back at the hotel room at 10:02 PM, showered, and was in bed going to sleep at 10:36 PM. Despite the other guests trying to be very considerate, it was extremely easy to hear people in several other rooms and in the hallway. Had I not needed to hear the alarm to get up early in the morning, I definitely would have used the free earplugs which had been offered at the front desk.
At 5:23 AM the next morning I exited from my room headed towards the nearby commuter station, catching the first train of the morning at 6:02 AM sharp. With the three rides I had used, there was only 5 NTD left on my transit card, but I will save it as a souvenir and/or to use on a future trip.
I arrived at the airport at 6:18 AM and was already through immigration and security at 6:43 AM. Checking the reviews, I decided to head over to the Oriental Club lounge and was not disappointed. I didn’t pay anything here, as I still had free spots left on my Priority Pass which comes with my HDFC credit card. In particular, the beef noodles were great!
Noting that the plane had already started boarding, I went down at 9:12 AM and had just enough time to buy 1 kg of mochi snacks for only 470 NTD ($15.88 USD) with almost all of my remaining cash, leaving only 12 NTD in coins.
At 9:22 AM I was already on the plane, getting a “special edition” pair of Delta 100th Anniversary edition free earbuds! And that was pretty much it for the trip. In particular for those of you who have been following along since day 1, what do you think? Are you now interested in visiting Taipei?
Travels with Jay 