Solo Trip to Taiwan: Taichung . Day 1 . 24 Jun 2013

Why are you flying to Taiwan alone? Seriously alone?! Those were the questions my friends/relatives asked when they found out about it. Some said that I'm crazy, some said it's cool and some were impressed with my 'bravery'. Yup, I booked the air ticket and hotels, planned the itinerary etc, everything on Saturday morning (22 Jun 2013) when the haze condition was really terrible (PSI > 300) in Singapore due to the slash and burn activity in Indonesia. I could not stand breathing in the contaminated air and my throat was so sore that I just want to get out of Singapore. HOWEVER, the haze condition got SO MUCH BETTER in the afternoon and persisted till today (hailing in the west lol, 25 Jun). Oh well, I've already booked and I've been wanting to travel alone for a different experience. So Taiwan here I come!!

I couldn't sleep the night before the flight on Monday (24 Jun) as I was feeling very nervous about flying alone, afraid of all the possible unforeseen circumstances and I'm going off for not just a few days, but almost a week (6 days), ALONE. =( With a heavy heart, I boarded the plane in the morning at 8.55am, Changi Airport Terminal 2, to Taipei. 

TR2994: SIN-TPE 8.55am Flight

I was sitting next to an old couple who were going to Taipei to visit their daughter. The grandmother next to me spoke to me and touched my hand, asking me to be careful in Taiwan alone. =') Felt so touched that I wanted to cry. The flight was around 4.5h and it was a smooth touch down, 20min ahead of schedule. (Y)

Taoyuan Internation Airport

The most important thing when one is travelling alone - Handphone, to remain contactable. If you land at Terminal 1, exit immigration, turn left and walk straight all the way, turn left again upon seeing Subway, and you will see Chunghwa Telecom. I bought their SIM card at NT 300, including 5 days unlimited data usage and NT50 call value (NT 8.80 per min to Singapore). 

Lunch, NT 49 set I bought from Hi.Life

There're lots of electricity plugs in the airport, around the bus terminal

There are a few buses going straight from Taoyuan Internation Airport to Taichung, however I only chose between  KuoKuang Bus 1860 and UBus 1623 as these are the only two buses that will stop at Taichung Railway Station (台中火车站). It was already 2.20pm, KuoKuang 1860 schedule was 2.25pm, 3.25pm; UBus schedule was 2.25pm, 2.55pm, so I took UBus 1623, NT240. 

Ubus 1623 - NT240 from Taoyuan International Airport to Taichung Railway Station

Bus Interior: Very comfy seats!

Can holder on the bus for you to put your drinks! Oh look at the beautiful sky :)

This was really very picturesque - many blocks of buildings and a long bridge

You can never see this in Singapore

The bus ride was supposed to be 2h10min, but it's near 2.5h when I reached my destination. Throughout the ride, I was very emotional when I looked out of the window. The sky was really gorgeous, blue sky with many white clouds. I didn't see this in Singapore for a week due to haze and finally I'm seeing it. Of course, the sky in Taiwan is nicer than Singapore at all times, given the best conditions. I couldn't control my tears as I realized how blessed we were and how a negative change in weather condition could affect everyone's life. I really do appreciate all the good weathers now. Please stop the fire in Sumatra and hopefully our neighbour will stop this culture once and for all. It's affecting both Singapore and Malaysia on a yearly basis - health deterioration, economy costs, to a huge extent. Health is always more important than money. 

Cityinn Plus Taichung Branch is situated behind Taichung Railway Station. One has to walk through the underground pass to the rear of the station. Once you've exited the station, walk straight and turn right, you'll see the hotel (orange panels). 

Main Entrance of CityInn Hotel Plus Taichung Station Branch

The staffs were very friendly and the checking in process was pretty fast. After 8h of traveling from Singapore to Taichung, I was really exhausted... The hotel room was so welcoming, clean and nice! The snacks and drinks in the room (Dorito, Tea, Coffee & Mineral Water) are all free of charge. =)

Carpet and leveled wood flooring

Queen sized double bed

Bathroom

FOC (Except the cups and boiler of course)

The view out of my room's window was quite nice too, overseeing the railway station and the buildings behind. 

View from hotel room

Not forgetting the nice corridors of the hotel!! I stayed at level 10, the highest level. 

My Room

Cute Ukuleles

My initial plan was to go Feng Chia Night Market on the first day, but the bus journey to the night market will take approx. 1h and it's already 7pm+. Thus I changed my plan and headed off to Yizhong Street. There're many buses going to Yizhong street from Taichung Train Station. Took bus 55 and dropped off at National Taichung University of Science and Technology (國立台中科技大學), NT20. 

Moving off to Yizhong Street, OOTD

Yizhong Street

Long queue

Singaporean mind set: long queue = nice. Thus I joined in the queue and got myself one packet of chicken chop, NT 55.

Yummy chicken chop

原味烙饼 NT 25

Fried Mushrooms!!! NT 35 <3

Lemon with Jelly NT40? (don't really rmb the price)

One bad thing about night markets in Taiwan is that it isn't easy to locate a toilet. I went into Chungyo Mall, the only atas shopping mall in Yizhong Street and the toilet was so well designed!

Ladies' in Chungyo Mall

I didn't buy anything and was really tired so I've decided to call it a day. Took a bus back to Taichung Train Station at National Taichung University of Science and Technology (國立台中科技大學). 

National Taichung University of Science and Technology (國立台中科技大學)

Bus ride back to hotel

Day 1 alone was not so bad. Was very emotional at the start but it gets better after awhile. Wish me luck for the rest of my journey!!! =)


More on Solo Trip to Taiwan:
Day 2: Taichung 
Day 3: Taichung to Taipei
Day 4: Taipei
Day 5 & 6: Taipei