DAY 03 - 龙山寺, 西门町, 士林

Yesterday Eugene and I missed the hotel breakfast and today, we the cheapo duo were really punctual for it haha. Even the staff greeted us warmly when they saw us as compared to the horrified face yesterday haha.

Even though it was a simple fare of porridge and toast, it tasted really good! We were glad that we woke up early for it *yummy*.

A hearty breakfast really marked the start of a good day and we went back to 台北101 to pass our famous Bee Cheng Hiang bak kwa to Eugene’s Taiwanese colleagues. Bee Cheng Hiang has branches in Taiwan too but somehow, Singapore’s Bee Cheng Hiang bak kwa is tastier and less oily. No wonder Eugene’s colleagues were crazy for it haha ..

As a visitor pass is required to access the office hence I waited for Eugene and his colleagues at the lobby and shot around the vicinity.

台北101 is really TALL and I almost sprained my neck to take the following shot even though I was already kneeling down (not to forget my legs are short in the first place haha).

Eugene’s colleagues are a bunch of friendly folks. They even treated us to lunch at 鼎泰丰. We went to the first branch of 鼎泰丰 at around 12pm and there were already hordes of locals and Japanese tourists queuing up outside the restaurant. Even though Eugene’s colleagues had made reservations, we still have to wait for about ½ hour before we got to get in *sweat*.

But the wait was worthwhile! Lunch was great and plus the hospitality of Eugene’s colleagues, it was a very pleasant dining experience. Really appreciative .. =)

After lunch, we bid farewell to Eugene’s colleagues and adjourned to the infamous Long Shan Temple (龙山寺). 龙山寺 was founded in 1738 and is dedicated to 观音. Today is a Monday but there were a lot of devotees and you would have thought it is a weekend.

Direction to 龙山寺:
o http://www.lungshan.org.tw/ (yes, this temple has its own website, keeping up with times)
o Taipei Main Station → 龙山寺站
o Operating hours: 5am – 10pm

Look at the offerings and flowers on the table and you would have guessed the status of 龙山寺 in the people’s hearts.

Regardless their prayers, let’s wish for all their wishes to come true hehe ..

Our next stop was the Red House Theatre at 西门町. Red House Theatre was built in 1908 during the Japanese Rule which means it is already 101 years old! I would never expect to find such old architecture in the hippy 西门町 and indeed, Red House Theatre does not seem to blend into the surroundings. However, it is a pleasant sight to have and it oozes a nostalgic charm that other shopping malls in 西门町 lack of.

Direction to Red House Theatre:
o Taipei Main Station →西门站→ Exit 6
o 1st level = cafes and history exhibition
o 2nd level = theatre

There are pubs around the theatre and for folks who like to chill out, you can rest your legs at the pubs after your shopping spree at 西门町 .. =)

We shopped around and the streets were really quiet. Perhaps because it was a Monday and it was office hours so only a handful of locals were seen. Sigh, not everyone gets to shop, eat and shop like us at such hour haha .. *evil grin*

To my pleasant surprise, I found the ezylink card sticker that I wanted to buy !! Taiwan’s ezylink card stickers are so cuteeeeee and cheap as compared to that of Singapore and I can’t resist and bought 10 pieces even though I have 1 ezylink card only haha. 5 pieces cost NT$100 which is less than S$1 per piece, cheap ya .. =)

After a while, our legs started to ache. Sigh, age is really catching up and I really envy those 西门町 youngsters who can shop shop shop till they drop =(

Looked around for a rest stop and there it is, we found it !!

Haha, Eugene came here for his haircut during the last trip and the stylist’s skill was really magical. Rates are very reasonable too, wash and cut cost NT$300, wash, cut and dye cost NT$1500 and rebonding for long hair costs NT$2000 which is around S$90 only. If Ximending is Singapore’s Orchard Road, can you imagine a rebonding service for long hair to cost merely S$90 in Orchard Road? IMPOSSIBLE !!

Too bad I did not have the spare time to do rebonding else I would definitely go for it and come back home with a fresh new look haha ..

Eugene decided to dye his hair and that would take 1.5 hour. I did a wash and cut and the stylist blew a new style for me, NICE! At least with a new style, I would not feel so inferior standing next to those Taiwan Mei Mei haha ..

Loitered around while waiting for Eugene and the crowds started to appear. Bet it will be super crowded and happening at night.

Finally, the satisfied customer appeared !! Look at his satisfied smile, IS Hair Studio did it again !! *applause* =)

Next we proceeded to Miramar Entertainment Park. This shopping mall is a MUST GO place on my itinerary. All thanks to the Taiwanese drama serial 换换爱 starred by 贺军翔、杨丞琳 and 王传一. Most of the scenes were shot here and being a die-hard fan of this drama serial, how could I give this place a miss? =P

Direction to Miramar Entertainment Park:
o http://www.miramar.com.tw/main.php
o Taipei Main Station → 剑潭站→ Exit 1 turn right → Miramar Shuttle Bus
o Operating hours of the last shuttle bus:  剑潭 to Miramar: 915pm; Miramar to 剑潭: 1030pm
o Operating hours of Miramar: 11am – 10pm
o Large Ferris Wheel

• Operating hours of Ferris Wheel: 11am – 12am
• Cost: NT$150 (weekdays); NT$200 (weekends and PH)

Miramar Entertainment Park is a typical shopping mall and if you are looking for cheap bargains, I would recommend the nearby 士林夜市. The main attraction is the large ferris wheel which is located outside the shopping mall. Even though we stayed for a short ½ hour, I was really happy to come here *HAPPY* !!

Did you see the ferris wheel peeping out from the corner ?? =P

Presenting, an overview of Miramar and its famous ferris wheel *applause*.

Lastly, we went to Taiwan’s King of Night Markets - 士林夜市. Look at the rich array of snacks, 士林夜市 is truly a mecca for all gluttons haha ..

Direction to 士林夜市:

o  Taipei Main Station → 剑潭站

o  5mins walk opposite the MRT station

o  Operating hours: 5pm – 12am

We ate the 士林豪大大鸡排 (NT$50) and it still tasted as good as before. And of course the queue was super long as ever but it was worth it hehe ..

I wanted to try other snacks such as the delicious 棺材板 and Peanut 刨冰 but again, my tummy had already raised white flag *burp*.

However, there is this particular stall which I must STRONGLY recommend. The 超好吃cheese potato which costs NT$45 (NT$60 for mixed filing). This stall is located in the centre of the shopping lane near the 士林夜市 and despite a bloated tummy, I still bought a packet of mixed filing and finished it within ½ hour after we returned to the hotel. Really nice and satisfying!!

I hope I do not dream of food tonight haha ..