Volunteering - ASEAN Para Games 2015

Volunteered for the para games! This shall be the last event I am volunteering for in 2015! Super happening this year with Sea Games and Para Games!

Had so much fun with the sea games "gang" as well as new people we met at para games along the way. The experience with para games is different from that of sea games. Of course there's some chaotic incidents that arise especially the day when it rained heavily. But overall, I find that it's more meaningful and fulfilling and we did enjoy ourselves more.

Shag but happy faces :P

Day 5 Taiwan Trip (Feb/Mar 2015) - Taipei Cityhall Station (Taipei 101 + LINE Store + Drip Cafe + Dazzling Cafe) | Shilin Night Market

So the plan for the day is to head for Taipei 101! Based on our research, it mentioned that there's shuttle bus service available from Taipei Cityhall Station and the first service is at 11am. So we decided to reach there earlier to catch the first bus.

It was much colder as compared to other days due to the strong winds. Temperature was at 14 degrees. It's the wind that is making us shiver. Initially we were standing outdoors in the cold waiting for the bus, in case we missed it. But it became so unbearably cold that we starting jumping around and finally decided to quickly grab something hot to keep ourselves warm. And thereafter continuing our wait.....

After waiting until after 11am, we started to question why there isn't any shuttle bus. End up, we decided to take a public bus instead since we saw that there are public buses heading for Taipei 101. Might as well pay rather than continuing waiting aimlessly outside in the cold for the shuttle bus that we don't even know if it's coming or not. HAH!

Taipei 101

My friend have came here before but she was okay to come again since I have not been to Taipei 101 before, considering this was my first trip ever to Taiwan:) But of course, we did not pay to go up Taipei 101. Just to pop by to take some pictures and shop around a bit since our next plan is just near near only.

While walking, we got a complete view of Taipei 101. Thus the shots with it below:

Next time, if I got the chance to visit Taiwan again, I would like to see Taipei 101 in a new light - at Elephant Mountain! I have seen from Taiwan dramas that there's a place with Taipei 101 as part of the nice view. Think should be from this place:)

LINE Store

Taking the bus back to Taipei Cityhall Station, we then proceeded our way to the LINE Store which is just around 10 mins walk from Taipei Cityhall Station (Exit 3).

Drip Cafe

Lunch was settled at Drip Cafe which is also near to Taipei Cityhall Station. Do choose to make a reservation beforehand since the place is quite crowded. There's a requirement that each person to get a drink. Think this is rather standard for the cafe in Taiwan. All the cafe we went actually require us to get a drink per pax.

Drip Coffee - NT130
Since I have never tried this before so gave this a try since recommended by the staff:) Not too bad!

My friend went for the Mocha instead - NT140

Cheesy Beef Sandwich - NT220

Strawberry Cronut - NT210
Recommended to try!!
It's actually a donut-shaped croissant topped with custard and strawberries! 

After lunch, we went walking around Zhongxiao Fuzing. Nothing much there to shop unless you are looking for those atas stores. It's like shopping at ION Orchard basically. After walking and exploring the area, we then made our way to Dazzling Cafe.

Dazzling Cafe

No 11, Alley 7, Lane 205, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road 

Nearest Station: Taipei Cityhall Station

This cafe is pretty popular - great for girls' catchup sessions especially. Seems like it's a well-liked place for ladies. 

Truffle Fries - NT290

Mont Blanc Honey Toast - NT320
Their recommended! We were so excited when it was served. But we find the toasts too sweet for our liking. Even for someone who like sweet stuffs cannot tahan this! Sugar overload!! But some of my friends actually do find the toasts nice. So I guess it depends on individuals' tastes? But for us, we will not go back here again since it's very sweet and quite pricey.

Dazzling Pink - NT140
Refreshing drink actually! :)

Last stop for the day would be to Shilin Night Market! This was our last visit to Shilin Night Market for our trip to Taiwan. So since we did not have the stomach previously for the food previously when we were there, this time round no matter how full we were, we just have to grab the night market food! 

Taiwan Sausages!!!! <3

Just can't get enough of their Taiwan sausages! My friend even made fun of me saying that when I see taiwan sausage, it's like my face will light up. If never get to eat, then my face will be black. LOLOL. Where got lor~ haha.

Day 4 Taiwan Trip (Feb/Mar 2015) - Taipei Main Station | YongKangStreet| Wu Fen Pu | Raohe Night Market | Ximending

So an overview of the places we will be going on Day 4 would be:
- Taipei Main Station
- Yong Kang Street (MRT: Dongmen Station)
- Wu Fen Pu (MRT: Houshanpi Station)
- Raohe Night Market
- Ximending


Our morning started with us heading towards Taipei Main Station. One of the purpose other than shopping around, would be to get TRA tickets heading towards Ruifang Station in advance for Day 6 which is to explore Shifen and Jiufen. Yes, you may wish to get your tickets early if you intend to go towards Ruifang Station.  Recommended if you could at least get one day in advance if possible, just in case. Will share more in my post for Day 6. That aside, after purchasing the tickets, we then walk around Taipei Main Station.

Eslite Stationery Store

Eslite Bookstore. A great place if you are a book lover :)

While walking around, came across a shop selling Hello Kitty wine and glass set. My mum's favourite. So in the end got both for her. But the problem is that since we might not have time to come back, I have to carry these around with me throughout the day:( It might seem okay at the start, but as you carry the whole day, it gets heavier and heavier. Heavy die me~

Yong Kang Street
Next stop is to Yong Kang Street for lunch and desserts! There's lots of cafes over here. So take your pick and maybe you can explore the area. But there's so much we wanna try but we just can't stomach everything. Have to filter which to prioritize. 


Din Tai Fung 
No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road
Mon-Fri: 10am - 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am - 9pm

Lunch is decided to have Din Tai Fung since the original outlet is located here. Only thing is the queue. Craziness. To save time, we took a queue number first at the same time asking the estimated waiting time, thereafter went off to walk walk around. Smart move since the waiting time is around 30-45 mins! 

Back to Din Tai Fung....

Something epic happened during our visit here. 

The staff when serving us the Xiao Long Bao, asked whether we would like her to do an introduction. Thinking that since we had Din Tai Fung before, so do not need an introduction, I rejected her, saying that it's okay. LOL. 

It was not until we wanted to pour vinegar that we realized. Cuz their vinegar is white in colour, different from Singapore. So end up, we asked the staff for assistance. And she went on to explain that we need to mix the vinegar and soy sauce together. The ratio of soy sauce to vinegar is 1:3.

Paiseh to the max! But at least we learnt something. 

Up till now, we are still reminded of this incident and will still laugh about it. Next time, don't reject people so soon! :P

Xiao Long Bao!! 

Noodles with Minced Pork Sauce

Steamed Shrimp and Pork Dumplings

After lunch, we went on for dessert at Smoothie House.

Smoothie House

Yong Kang 15 @ Yong Kang Street

Mon-Sun: 10am - 11pm

    

Mango Shaved Ice! The ice is super fine! Shiok and freezing cold!

Remaining time was spent walking around exploring Yong Kang Street before making our way to Wu Fen Pu at 4pm. Since the shops only open at around 3pm, we decided that making our way there at 4pm will be just nice:) 


Wu Fen Pu (MRT: Houshanpi Station)

This place is known for great bargains for clothing and accessories shopping! But we didn't managed to buy anything much since most of the clothing is for winter, considering the weather is cold. So not pretty suitable for buying back to Singapore. However, we did got some accessories though.

After shopping around Wu Fen Pu, we can then proceed to Raohe Night Market. It's a 600m long night market, shaped as a "U". You will never get lost inside this night market! LOL.

Directions from Wu Fen Pu to Raohe Night Market:

Wu Fen Pu -> Walk to Songshan Railway Station (not Metro), there is a red bridge and you can see the sign pointing to Raohe Night Market -> Cross over to the other side

Tadah! Here we are~

Children having fun catching fishes

Didn't take much photos since it's very very crowded that you have to squeeze your way through. We didn't even have the space to stop and look at the things they are selling. Just briefly glance through. Maybe it's a Saturday that's why it's even crowded than normal? But personally, I would never go for this night market another time on a weekend. You can't even have breathing space. LOL. So after pushing through our way, we were finally out in the open. Phew~ Now back to Ximending!

By then, my feet is hurting very very much in the heels. And my friend's feet is also hurting from blisters from the boots she was wearing. But the strange thing is, both of us didn't tell each other. It was not until my friend asked if we could take a cab back to Ximending instead. Which of course I agreed without hesitation! Then both of us only to know the reasons was that our feets are hurting so badly. HAHA! 

So finally back to hotel, we changed off our boots, with me choosing slippers before heading down to shopping at Ximending:) Slippers are so much comfortable! 

My first time trying White Bitter Gourd Juice! It didn't taste that bitter since we ordered it with Honey :)

 阿宗 Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (Pork Intestine Mee Sua)
No.8-1, Emei St., Wanhua District, Taipei City
Nearest MRT: Ximen (Exit 6)

People gathering outside the shop savoring their bowl of Mee Sua

Aftermath of carrying the 2 sets of wine - aching arms. Have to put Salonpas to ease the pain 

That's all for the updates of our 4th day in Taiwan!