South Korea & Taiwan Blog 13: Kaohsiung to Taipei to Home
Day 26 – Tuesday, 2 May Kaohsiung to Taipei
Fine, hazy, 30ºC
Up at 7:30am, downstairs for breakfast again then packed bags etc and left at 8:45am for the MRT.
The Hotel Kindness was a great place to stay, handy to transport and quite quiet; would definitely stay here again.
Took the MRT to Zouying MRT Station then up to Zouying HSR station.
We waited for out train to appear on the departure board ( we tried to go through the gate line before it appeared and it wouldn’t let us through ), then headed through the gate line and down to Platform 1A at ground level at 10:00am, and waited for our train. It pulled in at 10:25am ( Zouying is the end of the line ) and we watched the cleaning crew swarm over the train; this is a well rehearsed drill even down to the crew standing in formation while waiting for the train. We were allowed on board at 10:35am.
This train covers the 325kms to Taipei in 1 hour 35 min ( we were on the most non-stop version of the journey; other trains made more stops ) for $75 ea. A bargain. The normal train takes about 5 hours.
The Train left on time at 10:55am, and after a few minutes weaving our way out of the outskirts of Kaohsiung we picked up speed and headed across the plains north of Kaohsiung at 300kph. We stopped at Taichung at 11:30am ( about 180kms from Zouying ), then on through hills ( lots of tunnels ) and into Taipei Main Station at 12:30pm ( on time ).
We headed upstairs ( back in a place we knew well ) to have lunch in the station food court ( beef and rice and dumplings ) then headed out and walked across the road to our hotel ( Hotel Relax 1, T$9000 / $450 for 2 nights triple room). This hotel was a bit different to what we expected; it occupied 2 floors of a building with other hotels, hostels, offices, and dentists in it. We booked it mainly for the location so we were happy enough. We checked in but we were too early for the room, so we went for a walk around the area and into some shops. This part of Taipei feels very busy/bustly with lots of shops and banks, quite different to Daan Park. We stopped in at Starbuck for a cold drink on another hot, humid day ( this time a week ago we left Taipei and it was only 23ºC.
Back to hotel to get our room ( 1103 ) and relaxed. Our room was massive, but a little odd. The bathroom was against the outside wall, but the window was below the level of the parapet which ran around the building; so we could see the sky and the tall buildings around, but not the buildings across the road.
We headed out at 5:45pm and walked to the Peace Park nearby, took some photos, then back to hotel to drop off cameras etc. then walked across to the station for tea ( T$1150/$60 for 2 big pork/chicken cutlets ), then walked back to the hotel at 8:00pm.
Day 27 – Wednesday, 3 May Taipei
Fine, hazy, 32ºC
We had a quiet day planned for our last full day in Taiwan so we got up at 8:30am, grabbed our breakfast tray from reception at 9:30 and sat in the lounge ( the hotel had no restaurant so provided a breakfast tray instead; we didn’t eat much of the fruit, sweet potato, big dumpling, and peanut milk provided in the tray). Back to the room at 10:00am and out at 11am.
We walked west from our hotel then north to North Gate ( which we had seen on day 17 of our trip from the north side, and south towards Ximen Station. We headed west into the shopping area we went to a week ago ( at night ); there were a few shops open but most of them opened at 12.
We walked west towards the river then back through Ximen, looking for a lunch spot, but only found Starbucks. Lunch at 12pm (sandwiches drink and coffees ). Carried on walking to the Red House ( a theatre ) then walked back to the hotel past Peace Park at 1pm.
We relaxed for the afternoon. Out again at 4:45pm, took the Red line metro north to Jiantan Station, and walked to Shilan Night market. Through the market and wandered around many back streets. Bought some small cases for camera batteries etc then walked back to Jiantan Station at 6pm and MRT back to Taipei Main Station. Up to food court again for tea ( 1 pork cutlet curry dish, 1 dumpling soup dish and 2 beers T$440 / $22 ). Walked back to hotel at 8pm.
Thoughts of Taiwan:
We really enjoyed Taiwan, but more so once we had left Taipei. Our thought was that Taiwan was almost just 1 big city and the whole island would be crowded, but once we got out of Taipei it was very open and rural. The decision to go to Hualien and Kaohsiung was a good one and allowed use to see more of the countryside and the people. Speaking of people we found the locals to be friendly and helpful. If comparing Taiwan to Korea ( probably not fair but… ) we saw more poverty and homelessness in Taiwan, and didn’t feel as super safe as we did in Korea; we didn’t feel unsafe but we were more aware of who was around us especially in crowded places. The Taroko Gorge was a must see, and 3 days in Kaohsiung was well worth the effort.
Thoughts on Taipei:
Taipei reminded us of Hong Kong; very Chinese influenced with a scattering of Western Culture over the top. It was good for a few days, but we felt like we had seen all we wanted to. Next time we would probably try to fly into Kaohsiung.
Day 28 – Thursday, 4 May / Friday 5 May
Taipei to Auckland to Napier
Fine, hazy, 32ºC in Taipei
Rain, 20ºC in Auckland
Cloudy, 23ºC in Napier
Up at 9am, downstairs for breakfast at McDonalds ( T$300/$15 ) then back upstairs to pack. Checked out at 11:15am, walked to Taipei Main Station, then to Airport MRT station ( a 10 minute walk through the basement), then down to the express MRT to Taoyuan Airport ( T$140 / $7 ea, using our Ipass ).
Next train left at 12:00, arrived at airport Terminal 2 at 12:40pm
Found check in desk ( not open yet ) so upstairs for lunch and relax
Down to check in at 3:15 ( just opening ) and checked in for flight ( NZ78 Taipei to Auckland, 6:35pm ), and got boarding passes for Auckland Napier as well.
Through immigration etc ( used egate ) then walked around the mall. Liz bough Jo Malone perfume pack $160 and some lollies for work.
Went to gate C3 and waited, plane arrived at 5:30pm
Boarded plane at 6:30, left at 7pm. Full plane.
Bumpy flight all the way, didn’t get much sleep
Arrived Auckland at 9am ( 10 hour flight )
Through immigration etc, dropped bags at drop off for domestic flight at 10:00am
Free bus to Domestic and waited for 11:45 flight to Napier.
Poured with rain as we went to board, took off at 12:00, bumpy through the storm hitting Auckland, landed in Napier 12:45, taxi home.