We took a HSR (High Speed Railway) from Taipei Station to Taichung.
It's really expensive, around SGD30 for just one trip.
However, it's really fast as compared to the normal train. The journey was around 40 minutes as compared to our journey back to Taipei, which was around 2 hours.
The HSR ticket.
When we reached Taichung, we had our breakfast then searched for ways to go to our next destination. Met this cab uncle and he told us that taking bus and train to certain places will take a long time.
After all, it's not like Taipei where most places have MRT.
Wanted to go further away from the city to view Sakura.
Unfortunately, sakura in Taichung bloomed earlier than I expected (because Japan sakura blooming is around 3rd week of March onwards, depending on area).
In the end, we went to this place - 心之芳庭 moncoeur.
It's a place for us to look at pretty scenery and flowers, a branch of the lavender garden (:
Entrance of 心之芳庭 moncoeur.
Of course, there is an entrance fee of NTD200 (if I remembered correctly). They can be used to buy souvenirs and food.
Walked along this beautiful pathway and enjoyed the scent of the flowers.
How graceful. XD
With my sisters and mummy.
Shops with decorations for the couple.
As what you can see in the photo above, the place is quite famous for couples to take wedding photos. After all, the place is really pretty and romantic (:
Lavender.
Having a break.
Another shop's decoration for wedding couple.
More lavender.
Very European feel.
With Bb.
Regretted to whole the jacket.
Sibei act cool. LOL.
After buying lots of souvenirs (many floral related stuff) for my friends, we went to this place which is similar to WuFenPu - 一中街商圈 (Yizhong Shopping Street).
The things are relatively cheap, especially clothes. I even saw boots with platform at the price of SGD20. Regretted for not buying 2 pairs for work.
By the way, the weather at Taichung was warmer than Taipei. It's almost similar to Singapore's weather, just that it's not as humid.
At night, we took a normal railway train back to Taipei.
Together, we went to somewhere near Ximending for dinner - STEAMBOAT.
Steamboat for dinner.
It's a good weather to eat steamboat as that night was the coldest night throughout our Taiwan trip. Imagine we shivered though most of us wearing long pants with jacket.
Lavender and rose cookies, Rose sea salt.
Bought 2 new dresses and a new wedge (:
DAY 8
Woke up early and we took a train to Ruifang station, then a bus to 九份 (Jiu Fen).
According to my research, it's a place where the anime, Spirited Away, was inspired from. Sounds interesting, isn't it?
The entrance.
Selling very old school stuff.
Actually, there's nothing much to shop there.
Most of the shops are selling souvenirs and food. But I must say it's nostalgic when you look at some of the things which are sold at the area.
Trying out Lavender ice cream.
Really love the feel of the buildings.
and now, it looks a little spirited away.
After shopping, we took a bus straight back to Zhongxiao Fuxin and then took the train back to Ximending.
We had lots of time before dinner so we ended up packing our luggage. There were many things for us to squeeze inside though I bought little stuff.
At night, we brought my 2 sisters to this Anime theme restaurant; Good Smile Cafe.
It's a cafe with lots of nendoroids and Figma. Definitely cool.
Here are some of the pictures:
Yukata Miku and Sakura Miku.
Snow Miku.
This Figma is way too pretty.
I always wanted to collect them but I couldn't think of where to display. Maybe it's time for me to rearrange my things to collect them.
Since it's a cafe, they sell food as well.
The menu.
Too bad, the food weren't that nice. It's edible though. LOL.
After that, we went back to Ximending to shop and of course, it's our last night to buy bubble tea.
Bought this earring and eyeshadow on the last night.
DAY 9 (HOME SWEET HOME!)
Woke up, packed the remaining stuff and it's time to go home!
We went to the airport to have our lunch before boarding the plane. It's like finally, after 8 nights in Taiwan, I can go back home and sleep on my comfy bed.
Best, I don't have to stress about where to go and I can have good rest.
Reached SG at around 7plus and we took a cab home.
Had pizza for dinner.
Waited for Bb's sisters to drive the car to pick us. We went to Bb's house to bring our baby Kiki back home. We miss her soooooo much.
Our cute baby girl. お帰りなさい！
Forgot about the other nightie which I bought at TW.
Resting for a few days before going back to work.
I hope that next time round, I can visit Japan again. If not, Hong Kong, Europe or United States. This means that I've to work hard and save up for myself.
Speaking about Europe......
Ok, that's all for now.
with love,
Selina ほたる
