Trip to Taiwan (December Holidays)

My family and I went to Taiwan last year, during the december holidays. Overall, it was a fun and tiring 8-day trip. On the first day of the trip, we visited Taipei 101, which was an eye candy to tourists. Although i didn't get to take the lift up to the 88th floor (which costs quite a lot of money), I could tell that my ears would hurt due to air pressure when I reach the top, just by looking at the height of the building. Later that day, we went to a place famous for its delicious local delicacies. The most famous shop there was "Ah Zhong Mian Xian". The shop is famous for its noodles that were sold in a bowl. Funny thing is, there is no tables and chairs!! Everyone was standing while they were enjoying their food in the small shop. When we are done eating the noodles, we are supposed to place the bowls into a basket outside the shop. Soon we took the tour bus to a hotel. This hotel was no ordinary one. It was a herbal spa resort with a jacuzzi in every room!! Furthermore, the view of the night sky was brilliant, and the bed was very comfy. Something funny also happened when i was trying the jacuzzi. I didn't read the operation manual properly and accidentally set the power of the water jets at MAX. The moment i switched it on, the toilet became a water-works show!! Water BLASTED in all directions, making the mirror, window, door, and not forgeting myself, wet.
After a few hours of sleep, the sun rosed high in the sky. I woke up fresh in the morning and had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. we then begin our travel around Taiwan.
THIS IS THE MAP OF TAIWAN. THE RED LINES AND CIRCLES IS THE ROUTE THE TOUR BUS TOOK US AROUND TAIWAN.




The 2nd day we did not had much activity, instead, it was more of travelling than fun. We were in the bus for about half of the day, as we went through the mountain roads and tunnels. At night, we reached our 2nd destination, Hualien. We went to a night market there. More local delicacies. Changed hotel again.
3rd day, we went further up into the mountains, to watch mountain sceneries. I also went to drink the water in the mountains. Somehow it is very refreshing, more refreshing than any other type of water I have drunk in my life. The cool water could be felt flowing down my gullet, cooling my inner body. It was SENSATIONAL. More travelling as we went down the mountains, heading to our next stop. Later that night, we reached a farm resort, and had our dinner there, we then joined a short party on a field, singing and dancing in a circle formed by tourists. We then use a big wooden hammer to hit sticky rice until it becomes a type of thick paste. The hosts then used the paste to quickly make many Mochi Balls, also known as "Mua Zi" with a large plate of smashed nuts beside it. I ate a few and then we slept in the farm resort.
4th day, woke up rather sleepy from the activities during the previous night. Walked around the farm to see what animals they rear and what plants their plant. We found many animals, like pigs, chickens, and a large bamboo plantation.



HERES A PICTURE OF ME WITH THE PIGS.


We soon left the farm and continued with our journey. We reached Tainan in the late afternoon. (Tainan is the lowest circle in the map shown earlier) We visited a seaside with a amazing view of the sea. But we did not have much time to explore, and quickly moved on to the next attraction. A mountain made out of ROCKS and SALT. I managed to capture a sunset at the summit of the small hill.



After buying some herb and spices from the shop at the foot of the hill, we went for dinner, and then, travelled to the next hotel to get some sleep. Oh and i almost forgot! The sky gets dark at 4.30pm in Taiwan, even though it has the same time as Singapore. The sunset was taken around 4.36pm.

The start of the fifth day soon came. Had breakfast, then drove up the mountains again. We went to Ah Li Shan, where they sold some royal jelly, made from bee's honey and other stuff, and were sold as tonics to improve immunity levels of a person and help cure diseases. We walked a pretty long distance, and reached a small port built on Sun Moon Lake (A lake on a dormant volcano). Although it has been dormant for many years, but it still has a risk of erupting!! Took a ferry around for sightseeing.



After alighting the ferry, we proceeded to our next destination, Taichung. On the way, we were guided to a crowded street with MORE LOCAL DELICACIES (MORE FRIED SQUIDS, MORE CAKE SHOPS) . Taiwan sure is full of local delicacies. We managed to walk the entire street before it was time for us to meet the tour guide. Had dinner, went to another night market, and finally, sleep.
Sixth day is more on temples and History of Taiwan, in which I learnt about World War 2's invasion to Taiwan. The Kamikaze Airplane Base was actually in Hualien!! We also visited a museum during the late afternoon and that pretty much made the day.
Seventh day, went to another temple in the morning. To think the temple was 2 times taller than Victoria School!! Check this out:

I wasn't even halfway up the temple!! After this we went to more historical sites and travelled all the way back to Taipei again. After we were left at the hotel entrance, we called a cab via the hotel counter and made our way to Ah Zhong Mian Xian stall!! Delicious noodles for the last night in Taiwan!!
Eighth day, packed up, ate breakfast, proceeded to airport. Left for Singapore at 2pm.