Birthday Weekend: Missed Trains, Long Walks, and All The Fun in Taiwan

My trip to Taiwan was in December 2023 - my annual birthday travel gift to myself, so this is a long-overdue post. I didn't think I would still write it especially that it's been two years. It was my 35th birthday that year and I consider that trip unforgettable, that's why I still wanted to write about it for memories' sake. I loved every single bit of it - yes, including the long walks, freezing weather, and leg cramps from all the walking. 

My friend/long-time travel buddy (also a December baby) was with me during this trip and we shared a hotel room, but there were times when we went solo to explore places we wanted. I love solo trips, but it's also nice to share the time and sentiments with a friend. 

We arrived in Taipei at past midnight and our last stop was at Taipei Main Station to get to our hotel - which was a bit hard to find considering it was already dark and all shops were already closed. The train station was also already quiet that time. Our exit was soooo far. It took a bit of walking with all the luggage and bags we had, plus we had to climb so many flights of stairs to reach the ground. 

Spoiler alert: there was an elevator but we only realized it at the end of our trip. In short, we've been climbing stairs everyday even though we could have been using the elevator. Oh well - guess it was meant to be our daily exercise. 

On our first day, my friend Pearl and I headed to Taichung to visit the famous flower farm. We stepped out of the hotel a bit later than we planned and so we had to wait for the next train to Taichung which was scheduled at 2:11 PM. That would leave us with only an hour or so left at the flower farm. LOL. But as they say, sometimes it's not about the destination but the journey too. 

We were just happy to try the High-Speed Rail (HSR) since we don't have that back in the Philippines. Yeah I know - third world problems, eh? Without the HSR, the trip would have been around 3 hours. Taking the HSR only took us about an hour. 

After the HSR journey, we still had to ride a regular train to the nearest station where we would alight to then ride a taxi to the flower farm. I didn't expect that it would be such a long journey from Taipei. I felt that we were already heading to the province with all the mountains and forests we passed by. Not to mention the train system in Taiwan is very expansive - although it's easy to get around, it's also quite complicated to navigate when you're a first-timer. Luckily, we found our way. 

Our taxi driver played Julie Ann San Jose on YouTube on our way to the flower farm. He probably already noticed or knew we're Filipinos. Haha. It was such a cute encounter! 

We arrived one hour before closing time and the wind was crazzyyy strong. Honestly, we only took photos and didn't really have the chance or the time anymore to go around a bit longer. We also had to catch our train back to Taipei. 

And with a stroke of luck (or not), WE MISSED OUR TRAIN - only because we waited on the wrong platform. We only had 5 minutes to run to the other platform to catch the right train but we didn't make it on time. We were breathless - haha! But that's how it is when you travel. Unexpected things like that do happen. In our case, we had to wait for the next train and since we already missed our schedule, we didn't have the original seats anymore. So we had to stand at the back for almost 45 minutes. 

WHAT A CRAZY FIRST DAY. But we enjoyed it. 

This was heading to the Flower Farm via a regular train.

The next day, I went on a solo trip to the north of Taiwan - well, actually, they call it New Taipei. I was alone, but not really since I joined a group tour from Klook. I felt quite proud of myself for successfully navigating the underworld of Taipei. It took a while to get to the exit point where I would meet the group from Klook. 

I arrived just in time. It was also super cold - like 10 degrees cold. While lining up to get to our tourist bus, a Singaporean couple (husband and wife) started a conversation with me and from then on, they were like my parents during the trip. Haha. They found out I was alone and so they looked after me like I was their child.

We headed to Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, and Shifen. 

First stop: Yehliu - It drizzled all the way so it was so cold and my hands were freezing. There were many people lining up to take photos of the rock formations which were absolutely an amazing work of art from nature, but I settled with selfie shots so that I didn't have to line up anymore. 

Yehliu is a cape on the north coast of Taiwan. It’s known for Yehliu Geopark, a landscape of honeycomb and mushroom rocks eroded by the sea. Well-known formations named for their shapes include the Queen’s Head and Dragon’s Head. The park is also home to birds such as ospreys and little egrets. In the village of Yehliu, the elaborate, 19th-century Baoan Temple was built using materials from an abandoned boat. - Google

Second stop: Jiufen - I wished we had a bit more time here. I really wanted to try lots of food but we only had I think an hour to go around and it wasn't enough at all. I should go back next time. 

Jiufen is a mountain town in northeastern Taiwan, east of Taipei. It's known for the narrow alleyways of its old town, packed with teahouses, street-food shacks and souvenir shops. Near central Old Street is the Shengping Theater, established in the 1900s and since restored. Close by, the Gold Mine Museum traces the town's history as a mining hub during the Japanese-era gold rush. - Google

Third stop: Shifen - Lantern, food market, and waterfalls 

Shifen Old Street, located in Pingxi District of New Taipei City, Taiwan, is a charming and historic destination that invites travelers to step back in time. Famous for its picturesque railway tracks and sky lanterns, this quaint street offers a nostalgic glimpse into Taiwan's cultural heritage and traditions. - Klook

After the trip, I met with my friend somewhere in the subway then we went to Ximending, Shilin, and Raohe Night Market to shop and eat. What's funny was while I was chatting with my friend about the Singaporean couple I met, we saw them at Raohe that same night! Haha it was a cute little moment. 

Then on the way home, the train station was already dark and about to close. It was like a ghost town and we had to exit at a different exit because ours was already closed that time. 

Let me just say that it was a whole day filled with walking on my boots and although it was super comfortable, my legs just gave up by the time we arrived at the hotel. My legs were so sore that night that I didn't think I could still walk the next day. Thanks to my trusty Katinko - I got up on two feet just fine the next day. 

Our last day was spent at Taipei 101 - went around shopping, eating and drinking overpriced food and drinks (which were discounted from the voucher we got from Klook by the way). I made the mistake of ordering Guatemalan specialty coffee when I knew for a fact I'd get palpitations just with regular 3-n-1 coffee. It was an expensive coffee but when I tasted it, I knew I couldn't. I didn't wanna risk tummy issues and palpitations on our way home or worse, while on the plane. 

We headed back to the airport at night and arrived to Cebu at dawn. It was only a weekend away but it actually felt longer. We left Cebu on a Friday night then went back home on a Monday night, so we only really had two and a half days. Nonetheless, it was a weekend well-spent and I'm hoping to explore more of Taiwan next time because I really loved it there. 

See you again soon, Taiwan!