Sadly, all good things must come to an end. So for the final day, we basically just roamed nearby Ximending. In the day, it's just too blardy warm for comfort. The temperature read 34degrees outside! Scorching!
Sights around Ximending
the grounds of the Red Playhouse
The Red Playhouse, which incidentally only opens after 2pm. It is directly opposite Ximending MRT Station. The first floor is an art gallery showcasing the artwork of local young talents.
Then we hunted down the famed Taoyuan St Beef Noodles, known to locals as Taoyuan Jie Nui Ruo Mian. Comes in Qing Tang (clear broth) or Hong Shao (spicy) versions.Locals will scoff at the Hong Shao cause I couldn't taste the spiciness at all, and it was a tad salty. Nonetheless, the rich broth screams cow murder! LONG LIVE BEEF! With succulent, marbled chucks of beef afloat in the noodles. NT150/bowl (SDG$7.50). A must try!
Directions :
Opposite Ximen Station
Walk down towards Hengyang St
Then turn in to Taoyuan St
The shop is the last on your left
It doesn't have a signboard, but you'll see large vats of soup outside
The Hong Shao Nui Ruo Mian
Then I insisted we find 85degree bakery to try their cakes. We had the grass jelly (didn't have any jelly inside though) and a piece of cake. They had an air conditioned seating area beside the shop so we could escape the heat for a while.
Inside, local ah peks flocked in, using the area as some sort of club house. The old men joked and danced, amusing me to no end. FYI, the Taiwan Govt gives senior citizens free transport on all public transportation. Cool eh?!
The cake i chose. NT45
Also, I bought some MORE food at Olympia Bakery. This local bakery even has Lu Ruo (stewed meat) and timsum inside. Yummy! I bought a few pastries back to stuff my face! But I'm still soooooooooooooo craving for Kee Wah pastries!!!
URGH! THE TORMENT!
The view of our hotel lobby, Riverview Hotel Taipei, where we spent 5 days of our lives. The breakfast area had an unblocked view of the river, though the food was nothing to rave about. Our room was no.620, in the corner of the 6th floor.
And check out what's the name of the road it is on. Er Mei Street!! Wahahhaa... Makes me feel all Kung-Fu-y!
Haaaaaaaaaaai Yaaaaaaaaaaah!
*no shadow leg (wu ying jiao)* then flies from tree to tree...
I wouldn't recommend this hotel to everyone cause it is quite far from the MRT Station. However, the hotel guests are mainly Japanese and Singaporeans, so it remains rather quiet throughout the day. Also, we didn't have the free porn channels that the other hotels in Ximen seemed to have.
Uncomplicated. Just the way I like it.
This was the place Kristabel would spend her nights watching "Ming Zhong Zhu Ding Wo Ai Ni" (Fated to Love You), a local drama series and an endless stream of "Nu Ren Wo Jiu Da", a local show showcasing makeup and skincare products.
This was where I salivated and rubbed my axillae on the pillows just to annoy Kristabel. And hogged the toilet with my nightly soaks.
And this was the place where we had this riduculous customary ring of the doorbell everytime we returned. Hahaa..
our flight on Jetstar
Due to the small nature of the aircraft, the plane becomes more prone to air turbulence. Not allowing outside food is so EVIL when the options they have on board are so pathetic. But for short distances, I am willing to compromise lah!
Budget plane. Budget service.
my loot from Taipei =)
wooohoot...
