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Showing posts with label taiwan free and easy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taiwan free and easy. Show all posts

Thursday 12 March 2020

TAINAN FREE AND EASY: Kaoshiung Airport to Tainan Station



We landed at Kaoshiung International Airport. The airport is not really big. There is a visitor information center. There is also counter selling prepaid mobile cards and also a 7-11 for you to buy snacks and food or your youyou card( ezlink card). You can also get the easy card or also known as the youyou card from the metro station. The easy card can be use for payment for various occasions, including for bus, trains and in convenience store. There is a nt$100 (S$5) deposit, if you are staying for a short trip and intend to take a cab or hire a driver, there is not a need to get a card. If you are doing free and easy on your own, getting the card will save you the hassle of digging for coins. 
Sometimes the Taiwan Tourism Board gives away free easy card, watch out for it if you want to save on the deposit



We decided to take the HSR and change to a train to our Tainan hotel.
To reach the HSR station, you have to follow the signage and walk around 5 minutes to take the MRT. Take the train to Zuoying. It will take 13 stops and 26 minutes
You will need you Youyou card to pay the transport or buy a one-time pass. 


DIRECTIONS TO KAOSHIUNG MRT
ON THE WAY





The THSR station is much bigger than the train station with slightly more food and drink selection. We bought the one-way ticket from KLOOK as We intend to take another train to Kaoshiung.
Firstly, you need to redeem the tickets at the counters. Passport is need for verification purpose. There are seats allocated and this ticket cant be scanned at the gantry. You have to ask the staff at the control station and they will open the gate for you manually
The ride from the THSR is fast at 12 minutes. We took some time to settle down and before we know it, we reached Tainan THSR. Don't get too comfortable. Just get ready to get down.

THSR TICKET



KAOSHIUNG THSR STATION
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THSR



 After the THSR, we had to transfer to the local train. We had to walk around 5 minutes to the local train station (Shalun station) and we took the train to Tainan station










This is quite a tiring way to get to Tainan. It will take around 2 hours. The reason is because THSR is not located near Kaoshiung international airport and the main city of Tainan is also not located near Tainan THSR.
If you are travelling with elderly or very young kids, it will be a bit troublesome as you have to bring them up and down and to and fro. Although there are a lot of escalators and lifts, it will still some efforts to navigate the way and keep track of the stations.
This method is recommended if you like to take train, we took 3 different type of train. You want to try out some adventure rather than the safe way of booking a driver from point A to B. And this is cheaper, it costs less than $10 per person. There are other combinations of trains/bus to get you to Tainan. The time and pricing does not differ a lot

The more expensive but faster alternative is find a driver or taxi, it will cost around $50-$60 for 1-3 person and for a bigger car up to 8 person will be $70+. It will be worth it to take a car if you have a large group of people travelling together.  And they will send you right to the Hotel. No walking required.

I traveled with my parents who are in their 70s, they find it a bit tiring to travel via trains. However, they do like to explore the THSR and take the train and experience something different. The biggest challenge is our hotel is located 5 minutes from the Tainan Train station but the path is not smooth and even ground and some stairs, it is quite a challenge for elderly to walk on.



Friday 22 May 2015

taiwan free and easy : Taichung : random places for elderly



2nd day at Taichung.

We were up early but following any tours because we have to check out around 11am.
My parents are also more interested in local life

We went to a market near our place, 第二市場.

Too bad, We went too early and we just had breakfast in the hotel. There seems to be a lot of good food here.

For example, 林記古早味

Will suggest googling about 第二市場, lots of information but mainly in Chinese.
It is a good place to visit when is too early to go any night market and you want to have a good local taiwanese meal.
The place is quite clean even though is market. No worries.





One of the famous 太陽餅 shop, recommend by my shinshe taxi driver. 

Service there was good. No hard selling or pushy sales assistant. 

太陽餅 was not too sweet and yummy

They have 4 branches in Taichung, think they do delivery to Taipei too.

The pastries cant be kept for too long. So don't buy too much.

I walked to the shop at Minzu Road as it is only 5-10 minutes away from my hotel.




We took any bus to another market to suit my parents' interest. I will not really recommend this market as it is a bit messy. Especially if you are particular about hygience and worried about avian flu and etc. They sell fresh meat and etc.











yes, we went to a park again.

My parents' interest. The most important thing about planning the trip for my elderly parents is to go wherever that interest them.

Chungshan park (臺中公園 臺中公園)

This park is not very big. There are historical sites around. It is more than 100 years, and one of the main scenic spot of Taiwan.

Not really a young people activities but is quite a good place away from the crowd and there are some good sites for phot taking..http://travel.taichung.gov.tw/en-us/Attractions/Intro/882/Taichung-Park 


this park is quite near to Yizhong night market so we went for some early dinner before taking the HSR to the airport






Have to pay for the transfer from HSR to Taoyuan airport

The food at Yizhong was not enough. We went to 7-11 and bought prepacked food.  They heat it up for and give me a nice little bag.There is a counter with usb port so I can charge my hp while I enjoy my meal.. 





The airport is quite pretty on the inside too. Check in early and have a nice stroll.

http://mizztoee.blogspot.sg/2015/05/summary-and-itinerary-of-my-taiwan-trip.html



Sunday 17 May 2015

taiwan free and easy : Taichung Fengchia market


Some bear exhibit at Fengchia night market

Below are the various food we tried out at the night market.
What to eat is quite controversial because my family and I like different things. My personal favourite is the scallop and the big takoyaki.
Go there on empty stomach and be prepared to queue but usually is 5 to 10 mins.
There is actually two food streets and also a lot of shops to shop around. However, clothes are more suitable for the young people as it is near feng chia night market. 



















http://mizztoee.blogspot.sg/2015/05/summary-and-itinerary-of-my-taiwan-trip.html

Thursday 14 May 2015

Taiwan free and easy : Taichung RedDot Hotel ( A very cool Hotel)






First impression: A very interesting and funky hotel, with a revolving door. 
The main lobby has a slide and exotic seats.


Yes, you can take the slide. Take a seat rest from the receptionist and slide down.
Adults and kids are allowed to enjoy this interesting slide.
Too bad, I have an injured ankle so I cant slide down :(
Check out the breakfast menu at the bottom of this page. Delicious and instagram worthy.
Bicycles can be rented for free.


So far so good :D

The room is not very big but is just nice for me.  The room is clean new and very prettily designed. Just like the colorful prints on the bad.



There is universal plug and usb port so no need for a travel adaptor. Everything is nice and pretty, even the coastor.


The toilet is also nicely designed. The toilet bowl is those Japanese style with controls. The toiletries is nicely packed in luggage style. Ample space on the counter for your toiletries and makeup. 
There is no bath tub. It will better if the toilet is slightly brighter,




The view from the room. Nothing much but is good for anyone who can't stand hotel rooms with no windows.


Red Dot hotel has a zhonghua night market and a cinema nearby. 
The night market sells a lot of food and only food. It is not really lively. A bit quiet but a lot of locals are eating there.




3 main courses to choose from. Everything is served so nicely.





 if you are not full enough, can just pick things from the buffet table to eat. There are porridge, cereals, fruits, salad and a lot more at the buffet tables.








The bad thing is it is not near to Fengchia night market which a lot of people will want to visit. The taxi ride will take around 20 mins. Taking a bus is free but waiting time can range from 30 mins to an hour. It is definitely more worth it to take a cab. Yizhong night market is around 15-20mins, it will a better idea to cycle there.
They also do not allow checking in early or checking out late
http://mizztoee.blogspot.sg/2015/05/summary-and-itinerary-of-my-taiwan-trip.html