#Taiwan2017: Taipei + Meteor Garden Odyssey

I've been obsessing going to Taiwan since I saw AC's video on his journey to Meteor Garden mecca in Chiayi - and back when Chico & Gino stayed in Hotel Papa Whale (only rushers might guess the reference) on their own Taipei trip #kaliwaliTyphoonTalim HEHEHE

In fairness, bad weather came only on our last day in Puerto Princesa. We didn't even feel signs of it in Palawan although we saw on the news classes being cancelled and flights postponed left and right (our own return flight on the 14th was cancelled as well) that we were positive that we won't be going to Taiwan anymore.

We were just waiting for official cancellation news from the airline so we can do a legit refund and we're outta there - which didn't come (fortunately) because my heart and soul was so set on fangirling in Chiayi.

Day 0 (with heavy rains):

11:00 PM MLA-TPE flight via Air Asia

3:00  AM Slept at the airport while waiting for the morning bus to Taipei Main Station

6:00 AM Collected my wifi device 

6:30 AM Bus to Taipei Main Station

8:00 AM Breakfast 

9:00 AM Taipei Big Bus Tour

3:00 PM Checked in at Hotel Papa Whale

Crazy hectic day ~ we were so wiped out by check-in time that we slept till late night. Around 9PM, we had dinner at 7-11 (that you can find at every corner). 

Day 1 (still with heavy rains, in Taipei that is):

Typhoon was shifting from Taiwan to Japan by this time.

8:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM High speed train from Taipei Main Station to Chiayi

12:00PM Bus from Chiayi THSR to National Chung Cheng University (aka YingDe University)

I watched AC's Taipei tour again before our Chiayi trip and it made me remember how head over heels in like I was with Dao Ming Si and how memorable watching Meteor Garden was for me back in the day. It left such a big impact that I knew I'll be going to Taiwan myself to find and fangirl over their filming locations as soon as I was able to do so.

Buti nalang a fellow kabayan who I think is working in Taiwan had mapped out the way for us. I used his guide to know exactly where to go and what bus to take since we only bought a one-way train ticket to Chiayi.

And it was sunny! and hot! Completely opposite in Taipei where it's like signal no. 1 everyday.

From the train station, it will be 1 45-minute to 1 hour bus trip to the university. To check out the complete stops, click on the link above.

The students did not mind us going around the grounds, even the security. We drank our fill of San Cai and F4 vibes, and stayed at the building above to people-watch.

I so love the college-y atmosphere of the place. Here, they can go to class wearing even their most threadbare clothes and slippers while in Manila you have to be dressed properly just so the security will let you in. University feels talaga, even if the students look like they should still be in high school.

We allotted a whole day just for Chiayi since it's a 4 hour trip (per way) even for a high speed train. On our trip back it was around 5 hours since it's only a regular one, though the tickets were far cheaper. You just have to wait & ask patiently for the right bus to the train station though, so there was a mini-fight before going back.

Day 3: Uwian na! 

Over-all it was such a treat going to Taiwan! I would really love to come back now that it's totally visa-free for Pinoys. However, since we're also preparing for our wedding in late 2019, we have to plan our expenses smartly.

Still, 2 days are not enough to enjoy the place. Kapos! I'll definitely make sure we factor Taipei again in our honeymoon plans para maka-hoard ulit ng black milk tea from 7-11 and enjoy Taiwan in a more leisurely pace. Excited! :)