Day 01: Taoyuan Airport to Ximen

We went to Taipei via Philippine Airlines. Our plane's touchdown in Taoyuan Airport was around 9:45 AM. However we experienced long queues for the Immigration, we were able to leave the airport around 11:00 AM.

Before leaving the Airport, we had our Philippines Peso exchanged to NTD and picked up our wifi pocket at the Unite Traveler booth.


There are many option for transportation from the Airport to the City. If you're heading to Taipei Main Station, you may either travel by Bus or by Airport MRT. The bus ride (Kuo-Kuang bus 国光客运 1819) will cost around NTD 125 and travel time will be around 1 hour. We selected the second option: the Airport MRT. The Airport MRT operated commercially last March 2, 2017 and we were lucky to avail the 50% (normal cost from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station is at NTD 160).

There are a lot of sign boards in the Arrival Hall instructing where the MRT. It's a walk, around 5 to 10 minutes, from the Arrival Hall. You will pass by the departure hall and will go down the escalator. Upon reaching the MRT entrance, you will see counters and ticket vending machine. You may buy your single entry ticket or your Easy Card at the ticket vending machine.

We bought our Easy Card since we're planning to use it around the city. Initially loaded it NTD 100 per card (paid additional NTD 100 for the card deposit). Upon entering the MRT, we went down the elevator for the platform.

The screen on the platform indicates the time of arrival of the next train and the type of train arriving: Commuter or Express. Train arrives every 15 minutes. For faster travel to the city, 35 minutes, ensure you're riding the Express Train.



How to know if it's express: (1) written on the facade of train (2) announced on the screen (3) the seat arrangement inside the train

Express Train

Commuter Train
(Credits to owner; both photos grabbed from the Internet)

The travel was comfortable but not as spacious as Hongkong Airport MRT. There were also not much view was in sight.

view from the Airport MRT

We arrived Taipei Main Station around 11:45 and transferring to Taipei Bannan Line (Blue Line). We walked around 5 to 10 minutes from Airport MRT to Blue Line Entrance. There were sign boards everywhere so you won't really get lost within the station. Not much crowded during that time. We were able to sit inside the train although we will immediately alight at the next stop (Ximen).

Our hotel, City Inn Plus Hotel in Ximending was literally few footsteps away from Ximen Station Exit #3. Our hotel was insight as soon as we exit the MRT.

Our Day 01 activities will be posted on my succeeding entries.

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Wifi Pocket in Taipei

To stay connected in Taipei, I booked our wifi pocket through Klook. Price at Klook was at Php 92 per day but if you have discount vouchers (ie. Php 65 off on first Mobile App Booking) or credits you may use it.  

Wifi Pocket case 

Ensure that your pick-up location is correct, depends on your arrival terminal. Ours was at Terminal 1. Upon exit of the arrival door turn right and go straight to United Travel booth. Present your voucher from Klook. They also requested for a credit card and let you signed into a "contract". Pick-up was fast around 5 to 10 minutes, I was fourth in line. 

Upon pick-up they will instruct you on how to connect. The username and password is written at the back of the device. Before leaving the airport, try to connect your device to the wifi. They also gave some contact number which you may call if you encounter problems with your device. Included on the wifi pocket device is the case and a charger. 

During the entire stay in Taiwan, we had no problem with the connection. It is just it takes too long to charge the device. It took more than 6 hours to fully charge it. While on the road, we had to use our powerbank  to charge our device. But for data speed, we got no problem at all. Even on trains, we had internet connection. We can also connect 3 devices at the same time (based on the website: it can connect up to 5). 

At first, I carried the wifi pocket case on my tours. However I find it so heavy, I just brought the device and put it on one of my pouches for protection. But I would recommend you to bring it with the case to ensure that the device is safe (who wants to pay for it).

On our departure, we had to return the device to the same counter where we picked it up. It's a bit long walk from the departure check-in counters to the Unite Traveler booth. The return was fast, they check the inclusion (device and charger) then scanned the bar code then signed the "contract" and gave me my copy, that's it. No customer was in the booth when I returned my device that's why I was attended immediately. 

Overall I am satisfied with the service. From pick-up, use in Taiwan and for return. Hassle-free and worth the price. 


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City Inn Hotel Plus Ximending

For our Four days-three nights vist in Taipei, we stayed in City Inn Hotel Plus Ximending branch.

Being first time in Taiwan, I read multiple blogs and hotel review to select our place to stay. My option of area to stay were either within Taipei Main Station or within Ximending. In the end, I considered Ximending area because it was closer to the shopping and food area.

Almost all comments I read about City Inn were positive; staffs are nice, close to MRT station, comfty room, etc,. The only negative thing I read was rooms were small. There were also several comments that the hotel tends to be fully booked if your late on reservation. From the reviews, I decided to book our hotel last quarter of 2016 although our trip was for March 2017. I also booked direct to the hotel because I read on blogs that hotels in Taipei are more expensive on booking sites such as Agoda.

By booking online through hotel website you will needing a credit card. Deposit is charged to secure your room. Hours after my reservation, I received an email for confirmation of my room. Then come March 2017, a day before my check-in, a staff from the hotel called me via international call to confirm my reservation including my flight details.

The hotel facade.

Upon arrival in Taipei we transport via the newly opened Taoyuan Airport MRT to proceed to our hotel. The hotel is visible from Exit 3 of Ximending Station We arrived at our hotel at 12NN (1 hour delay from my expected time of arrival). Check-in was fast. They required us to pay the remaining balance for the room. However, our room was not yet available til 3PM. They did advice us to comeback around 2PM because it might be possible that our room will be already be free by then.

While waiting, we spend our time in Ximending. We got back to the hotel at 2PM, waited at the lobby for the room key. Around 2:30, they already gave us our room, ready for occupancy.

We were too tired to take a photo of our room on our check-in, but it looks like exactly what was posted on the website.

Photo credits to cityinn.com.tw
The room and toilet exactly looks like on the photos except for the wall artwork.

Because our room was for 3, we had a single bed and a double bed. In the room, there were refrigerator, safety box, electric kettle, tea, water, snack (Doritos and cookies), slippers, hairdryerand toiletries (a lot!!), everything is free!!. You almost don't need to bring anything. The room was bigger than what I expected. (If you've been in Hongkong, the room is bigger than the standard room in HK.) 

The cable TV is worth mentioning too. For non-Mandarin speaking guest, there were Western Channel. However, personally I was not able to watch a lot because we were always out. When I am in the room, I am always on wifi. The wifi was very fast. No password for all and separate wifi connection for every floor. Inside the room, they had a lot of electric sockets for the appliances and chargers. 

                                     

What I love most on our hotel is their B1 Area (accessible from stairs in lobby and elevator). They provided Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Tea, and water on the pantry. Microwave and Oven were also in the pantry for use. They provided table for dining. They also had a room for laundry and washing machine, free of charge. Two (2) desktop computer were also installed (1 more PC on the lobby). Most of the time I went to the pantry to get drinks, their hot chocolate was so delicious. Coffee was so-so. 

The hotel does not provide breakfast but no worries Ximending is two traffic light away and KFC serves breakfast. If you love Chinese food, food carts were also on the street. In front of the hotel is Family Mart and FE21 department (Mcdo on basement but open only during department store hours).

Overall, I have a very pleasant stay, all staff I met were helpful and courteous. I definitely will stay again in the hotel when I visit Taipei. I would also recommend this place to anyone (just remember to book your room in advance!!)

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Tips for future Taipei bound travelers

(from upper left- clockwise: CKS Memorial Hall Square,
CKS Memorial Hall, Presidential Office,  Taipei 101,
Longshan Temple, Tian Yuan Gong)

Just arrived from my flight from Taipei, Taiwan and I wanted to share my experience. Here's my tip for all future Taipei bound travelers (especially first timers like me):

1. Book your flight in advance
I bought my plane tickets 7 months ago to get good rates. In addition, consider the flight schedule. I could get cheaper rates however I prefer not to arrive in Taipei at midnight. I opted to get a more expensive flight with arrival in Taipei during the day.

TIP #1: Sometimes you should consider whether you will get more expensive flight that will arrive during daytime rather than booking cheaper flight that will arrive at night which will make you spend additional night at the hotel just to sleep unless you're just staying at the airport.

2. Book your hotel in advance
The most difficult thing for visiting a country for a first time is the unfamiliarity of the places. It is hard to select which area is a good place to stay. For Taipei, I decided to stay in Ximending. Based on my research, Ximending was described as "Harajuku of Taipei" or "Shibuya of Taipei". I never been to Japan but I have been to Korea, and they compare Shibuya to Myeongdong. That means I would enjoy Ximending as I have enjoyed Myeongdong.

I search for several hotels in Ximending. Most hotels I found are located on top of the old buildings. However, I found a nice hotel with its own building and in a good location, City Inn Plus. I booked the hotel almost 6 months ago to ensure that we will get a room since other bloggers said the hotel always gets fully booked.

TIP #2: You can use websites to book your hotels such as Agoda, Booking and Hotel Combined. But remember to compare the rates indicated directly on the hotel's website (if they have). Personally, I have used Agoda in Hongkong, Thailand, Bohol and Manila and Hotels Combined in Manila and I got good rates. Also in Agoda they have "book now and pay later" option, you can select that if you're still unsure of the hotel or still finding better deals.

TIP #3: In choosing hotels, I always check how close is the hotel to the nearest MRT station. In addition, I check how convenient to go to the hotel from the Airport via public transport.

3. Book your Wifi Pocket 
It is always good to stay connected while in abroad. Not only you can update real time but you can use your connection to operate Google Maps and use MRT Apps. For Taipei, I decided to rent a Wifi pocket and I found a very good deal at Klook. It was only USD $6 for four days rent. Not only it was cheap but also it was easy to pick up at the Airport. You may also purchase sim cards at the airport but the long line was such a hassle.

For Filipinos, Smart has a new offering, Travel Wifi for rent. You just need to book the wifi at the website and they will deliver the item at your place. You may check it here

TIP #4: Undecided whether to get sim or rent a Wifi pocket? My tip: If you're alone, get a sim but if you're with a group, Wifi pocket is a better option (for one device, it connects up to five (5) devices meaning divided cost among you)

4. Plan your Itinerary
I am not getting to any details in here since I will be sharing my trip on my next few post.

TIP #5: Read websites, blogs, news articles to plan your activities.

TIP #6: Consider a list of places, additional or alternative, that you can visit if you have free time or for sudden changes on schedule.

5. MRT
Before your trip, try to understand the railway system. Taipei has several lines and per station there are several exits. Make sure to include on your itinerary on how you will transfer lines during your trip and which exit door is closest to your destination.

TIP #7: Consider checking how much and how long the MRT ride will be to know what time you need to leave your hotel and estimate your expenses. Consider purchasing Easy Card, save time and have discount on your every ride. Check Taipei MRT Website

FAQ:

Question: How many days should I stay in Taiwan?
Answer: It depends whether you want to go to Kaohsiung and/or other provinces, maybe a week at least. But for my 4 days trip, I covered most tourist spots in Taipei including Tamsui. 

Question: Where do I change my money?
Answer: I brought Philippines Peso (PHP) and US Dollars with me. In Taoyuan Airport, they accepted PHP. However on FE21 department store they only accepted four (4) currencies and one is USD.

TIP #8: Always bring USD whenever you travel abroad, since USD are 99.99% accepted at any money changer. Unlike in Hongkong and Singapore where you can always spot money changer on the streets, Money Changers are limited in Taiwan. Be sure to change enough local currency when you see one.

Question: How much should I bring?
Answer: Most of the tourist spots in Taipei does not charge entrance fee, consider the amount of money to bring with your estimated computed cost for MRT, balance payment for the Hotel, estimated amount to spend on Food and Drinks, Shopping money, Pasalubong money, etc. 

Question: What clothes and shoes should I wear?
Answer: Monitor weather through Google, it was accurate during my stay but there are sudden changes so be sure to monitor everyday. For my travel (March 2017), most of the time I wore turtle neck long sleeves plus jacket. I brought a scarf, bonnet, gloves just in case it gets cooler. I wore rubbers shoes cause I expected that we will be walking a lot. 

Question: Do I need to bring Plug Adapter for my charger?
Answer: For Filipinos, No. We have the same socket in Taiwan. Just make sure your chargers are capable for 110 volts.

Question: How to check the volts?
Answer: Check the label of your charger. The volts is written as input and usually 100-240 volts. 

Question: Do I need to book hotel transfer from the airport?
Answer: There are a lot of alternatives to go from the airport to the city. You may either ride the bus and or the train to Taipei Main Station. From Taipei Main Station, you can transfer to local MRT line, city buses or taxi to go to your hotel. For convenience but more expensive, book your hotel transfer and/or ride taxi from airport. For public transportation, reaching the city is faster for train rather than the bus.


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2017: my first travel

Photo taken on one of my previous flight. View from plane. 

It's 2017 and my first travel will be this month. Visiting that place for the first time. Currently, 90% done with my itinerary (yay!). Hopefully I got all right. 

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hello: my first post

This is my first ever blog post. I don't know where to start. I have been thinking of opening a blog way back years ago but I was too lazy to start. Now is the right time.

Here in my blog, I am planning to share my previous and upcoming trips. Expect to see some of the itineraries I personally made for my last trips. In addition, I am planning to share photos I took on my past travels and some personal experiences.

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