Taipei "Home"

Accommodation in Taipei

Banana Hostel
Address: 2F, No. 7, Sec. 2, Jinshan S. Rd. Taipei City. 台北市金山南路二段 7 號 2 樓 
TEL: +886-2-2356-8115 (In Taipei: 2356-8115 / Outside of Taipei: 02-2356-8115 ) 
Wilbur: +886-930956223 (In Taiwan: 0930-956223) 
Lexi: +886-913327763 (In Taiwan: 0913-327763)

Dormers' private abode at the third floor

Taroko Gorge

I was really anxious for our Day 3 trip in Taiwan. What with my research skills being put to an all time test. 

I was adamantly trying to put into our itinerary Taroko Gorge. But with minimal (okay, zero) Chinese-speaking skills, I was put at a disadvantage. The first time I read about Taroko Gorge, I thought you needed to fly in. Good thing that more blog-reading brought insight to my frivolous mind. And I learned that from Taipei Main Station, you can catch the TRA going to Hualein (one-way costs 440 NTD, 2 - 2.5 hours). From there, several modes of transportation are available.

I read you can rent a motorcycle. That would be a plus since you'll have to spend only 400+ NTD. BUT! There was a big BUT there. We don't own an internationally-recognized driver's license. I don't even own a Philippine license! Expired and I never got the time and will to update it.

Anyway, it was a good thing that while walking towards the Tourist Information Center in Hualein station, Mr. Wang approached us and asked if we were going to Taroko. I was hesitant at first, thinking a taxi would cost us 3,500 NTD, like a private car would. But after talking to him, he told us that we can rent his taxi for five (5) hours for 2,000 NTD, and we can visit seven (7) places. That's almost the price of the tourist bus I scoured online (NTD 600 to 850 per person). Thus, without further ado, we started with our trip to Taroko riding with Mr Wang. His details are in his calling card I posted here.
In retrospect, I should have asked if we can have an additional hour for that cost.

R quipped: Buti pa ang taxi drivers dito, may calling card.

Mr Wang apparently, has been driving cabs for 35 years. He has two kids living away from him, both grownup and living their own families. He tells us his daughter once visited a Philippine beach. We gathered it was Boracay. #ItismorefuninthePhilippines

I like him because he loves his job. And he has a keepsake in little pieces of papers, snippets of good words from his previous tourists. So cute.

That's what I wanted to say in this post. Should you want to visit Taroko Gorge, hire Mr Wang. Also ask for the best food in Hualein. He will point you to a Congwobin stall. :)

Monzenn, Reinzy, and our guide/driver

I'm blogging his details because Monzenn promised I'd make him popular.
Haha.

Taipei

Chang Kai Shek. 

It was near our accommodation - Banana Hostel in Dongmen Station. So we decided to walk towards the park.

Taiwan Itinerary

Wed	2240H (10:40 PM)	Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3	Cebu Pacific 5J 310	PhP 1,415.35 airfare, PhP 1,620 travel tax Php 550 terminal fee
Thu	0040H (0:40 AM)	Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1
	0120H (1:20 AM)	NiHao@Taipei	國光客運 Kuo-Kuang Bus No. 1819 Daily from 05:30-00:20, every 15-20 minutes, travel time 55 minutes.		No. 41, Section 1, Zhōngxiào West Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
			City Air Bus No. 1601 Daily from 05:50-01:10, every 20-30 minutes, travel time 70-90 minutes.

Palaui island

I've always wanted to go to Palaui. Ever since I saw one very picturesque profile of a friend.

Chinese New Year this time around was spent at one of the most scenic beaches in the Philippines, in Palaui Island.

I will share here some information I got from their Tourism Office.

The trip to the north

Day 0
2200H: ETD from Manila / Florida Bus to Aparri
Via Tuguegarao: From Manila, Victory Liner, Baliwag (Contact No: 524-7111, 525-1067, 525-3064, 525-6769, 525-2338, 525-2294), EMC Bus Company, Auto Bus Company (Contact No: 7358096) and Florida Liner have daily trips to Cagayan Capitol everyday almost every hour. It is around 485 kilometers north of Metro Manila; travel time is about 11 to 12 hours and fare is P600.00 (as of January 2014) to Aparri.

taiwan

I just submitted the Taiwan visa application at their embassy.
Here're the requirements for Filipino tourists as of January 2014:

1- An online Visa Application Form (please access this link to fill up the Form and print them out) 
2- Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background (taken w/in the last three (3) months)
3- Passport valid for at least six months and old passport showing previous travels [photocopy your details page]
4- Birth Certificate issued by NSO
5- Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by NSO
6- Certificate of Employment
7-  Financial statements of the applicant (Bank Book or Bank Statements)
8- BUSINESS
9- Other Supporting Documents if required.

All documents submitted to this office should be Original and with 1 photocopy
The applicant will be scheduled for an interview （if required）

Visa Fee: P2,100.00 (Single entry)/ P4,200.00 (Multiple entry)
(NON-REFUNDABLE) payable upon filing of application 
Processing Time : 3 Working days
Expedite Fee for single entry : P1,050.00 / Processing Time: 1 Working Day

Filing Time : Monday to Friday 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM

Releasing Time : Monday to Friday 1: 45 PM to 4:45 PM