Family Taiwan Trip - Day 5

Sun Moon Lake - Taichung (Miyahara, Rainbow Village) - Taipei (City Inn Hotel, Shilin Night Market)


With much reluctance, it's time to bid farewell to the beautiful Doris Home. Thank you for making me and my family feel so at home. We hope we will have the chance to visit again.

I love the natural lighting

Breakfast - child portion which proves to be disastrous later

Breakfast - adult portion

A cosy corner to chill

 

After breakfast, our chartered car drivers arrived on time to start our journey to Taipei via Taichung. It was supposed to be a relatively easy drive (mainly on highways) especially after conquering the mountainous Cingjing terrain. However, the princess fell really sick during the ride from Sun Moon Lake to Taichung (she threw up multiple times - no idea why) until Mummy has no choice but to feed her motion sickness medication that really knocked her out completely from Taichung to Taipei. Though hesitant, it was the last resort so as to let her rest well before we reach Taipei. So a major part of my Taichung visit was spent fussing over the princess, so much so that I literally had no mood for anything else. Not even food sampling at a pastry shop that our driver brought us to. Sigh ~~~~~ What to do right? Mummy's priority is always on the child.

So to all mummies travelling, please do not be complacent and take things for granted like me. There is no such thing as "he/she was ok previously, should be ok now". Always be prepared for unexpected events and stay calm. I know it's not easy travelling with a child. So the next best thing we can do is smile and hope everything will be ok soon (fingers crossed).

Our driver recommended us this place for lunch in Taichung. I forgot to take a picture of the shop name and address as I was more interested in the food. Haha.

After lunch, we proceeded to Miyahara for ice cream. Miyahara used to be an eye hospital founded by Master Takekuma Miyahara (thus explaining the name of the building). Now, it has been bought over by Dawn Cakes which specialise in pineapple cakes and cheesecakes. They also sells chocolates, candies and ice cream. The interior of the premise is pretty impressive, so is the price tag of the gifts that are sold there. We did not buy anything from the pastry section as it's overpriced and overrated.

Beautiful ribbons used to wrap your gifts

Chocolates ~~~~~~~~

Just check out the number of chocolate ice cream selection

Shorbet selection

Tea flavoured ice cream

The names of the ice cream are so interesting!

Ice cream toppings

More ice cream toppings!

My ice cream - lychee and chocolate topped with
pineapple pastry and bear biscuit

So happy!

After ice cream, we drove over to Rainbow Village. You can read about the history of this place in the link provided. In short, it's a story about a man (Rainbow Grandpa) drawing on the walls/floor to retaliate the demolition of this village. Till this day, Rainbow Village is still the home of Rainbow Grandpa, so please respect this place when you visit. He will be more than happy to take a photo with you for donation - they are welcomed but not solicited. If you are in the area, do drop by to visit  this colourful place.

Rainbow Grandpa

After Rainbow Village, our driver brought us to a pastry gift shop. Unfortunately, the princess threw up again and I was focused on her well-being until I forgot to take down the name, address or even photos of the place. The following was the only picture that I took en route to the restroom.

The scene at the kitchen

I fed the princess motion sickness medication at the pastry shop and thankfully she slept all the way from Taichung to Taipei. I took the opportunity to take a nap too as more adventures await us at Taipei.

We arrived at City Inn Hotel amid heavy rain in Taipei City. We chose this hotel for its close proximity to Taipei train station, reasonable room rates and clean rooms (from online reviews). The rooms are of a comfortable size and very clean. There is a theme on different floors and rooms - we requested for a soothing and relaxing "feel" to our rooms.
On the second floor, there is a 24 hour coffee/tea making facilities and laundry/dryer service. There is a convenience store next door and a foot massage shop just a stone's throw away (perfect after a long day of walking).

The princess feeling much better

On the second floor beverage corner

Our room mural

My sister-in-law room mural

A weighing scale to weigh your luggage to see if
it's too heavy

We then made our way to Shilin Night Market. As the hired hours for the chartered car has ended, we took the train known as 捷运.

The train system in Taipei is efficient and reliable. It's not complicated to find your way in the station as there are clearly marked signs. Different lines are coloured-coded accordingly. You buy your tickets at a self-help machine and a chip will be dispensed. Tap the chip at the gantry as you enter and drop the chip into the gantry upon your exit.

Do note that to go to Shilin Night Market, the station to alight is Jian Tan Station. If you alight at Shilin station, it will be a long walk to the night market.

Taipei 捷运 map

Buying train tickets

Look! I've got a chip!

It's the same system in Taipei where stationary passenger stands on the left
and moving passenger on the right

Almost there ~~~~~~

The familiar street

Checking out the stall

This potato is to die for ~~~~~~~~~~

This sucking pig burger is so yummy!

You can choose the dressing you like on your fries

She finished the whole bowl of mee sua by herself
Must be starving after all the vomiting earlier

I didn't know this shop is famous until I came back
And there is no queue!
<slap forehead>

Still crowded on a Monday night

Lost in the world of marshmallows

The evil grin

It was a long day having travelled from Sun Moon Lake to Taichung and then to Taipei. Though it was raining continuously, it didn't dampen our mood at all. Certainly feels good to be back to this city that I'm familiar with.

Looking forward to our Taiwan North-Eastern Tour tomorrow!



<---- Family Taiwan Trip - Day 4                                    Family Taiwan Trip - Day 6 ---->