Minsu (民宿) I Stayed in Taiwan

Normally, I would blog most of my travelogues in sequence (unless it required to blog urgently) but because lately I received quite numbers of emails asking about the minsu I stayed during my trip to Taiwan last year (My 2013 Year End Trip: Taiwan 台湾 - Sneak Peek), hence I decided to blog about them now.

Taiwan is well-known and popular for minshu (民宿), which is the type of accommodation that equivalent to homestay, guesthouse, B&B and some known as farmstay if there are animals within the property. The experiences of staying in minsu are completely different and unique comparing staying in a conventional hotel. Bear in mind, most of the minsu are mainly to accommodate couples, a small group of families and travellers. Therefore, if you are travelling alone, minsu might not be the best option unless you are willing to bear the cost of paying for 2 pax. One of the main reasons I chosen minsu instead of normal hotel because I love the way how majority minsu in Taiwan are decorated in varierty and colourful themes and decor to light up the atmosphere. 

NOTE: However, the main drawback I encountered with Taiwan's minsu was the owner or host replied me in Chinese when I sent all the emails in English. Therefore, you might need some help from those who know how to read and write Chinese.

Brief details of the Three Different Minsu (民宿) I Booked

 

1)  Minsu in Taichung 逢甲夜宿館 (In Chinese Name) - Check their Facebook Page

I came across this minsu from Facebook page and after inquired for the room rate (with the help from Boyfie to read, write and translate to me), I found it was so cheap and I instantly booked without second thought. Plus, no deposit or advanced payment required. However, they refused to give the map of their exact location when I requested quite number of times via email and we need to call them when we reach Taichung. Overall, the room is pretty simple, clean and convenient. 

Room Rate: NTD1,000 per night (approx. to RM113) 

Location: Less than 2 minutes walk to the famous Fengjia Night Market.

Facilities: Free WiFi access, Air-Conditioning Room attached with Private Bathroom
Advantages: Cheap, great location and you can check-in and check-out at anytime if the rooms are not being occupied. 

Drawback: Small bathroom and there was no proper place when taking a bath.

2) Sunny Room in Jiufen (九份) - http://www.sunnyroom.tw/

Our room theme - Dark Chocolate 

 

Free breakfast provided by the owner

This was eventually recommend by a friend of mine. A bit pricey and the most expensive minsu I stayed but somehow, it was one of my travel wishlist to stay around Jiufen area and successfully accomplished now. The room was so spacious, beautifully decorated and most importantly, we had our own private balcony to enjoy the magnificent and breathtaking mountain and sea view. However again, this is also exactly the same as above whereby I send so many emails in English but the owner keep replied me in Chinese. Deposit of NTD1,000 is required and it is non-refundable.

Room Rate: NTD2,600 per night (approx. to RM294)

Location: 10 minutes away from the Jiufen Old Street. It is best to stop at the station between a post office and Hi-Life convenience store when taking a bus.

Facilities: Free WiFi access, Breakfast provided, Mini Bar 

Drawback: Not located right in the heart of Jiufen Old Street and required to walk up and down of countless of staircases and extra careful needed at night due to minimal lighting. Not suitable for elderly people.

3) Fox House Hostel Taipei - Facebook Page

This hostel was shared by a Penang based lifestyle blogger, Henry Tan. This minsu is very cosy and the host, Fiona was very friendly and helpful. If you are the type that love night life activities such as pub and clubbing, it just few stones away but unfortunately, both Boyfie and I dislike those.

Room Rate: NTD1,600 on weekday and NTD1,800 on weekday

Location: 5-8 minutes walk from MTR Zhongxiao Tunhua Station

Facilities: Free WiFi access, Air-Conditioning Room attached with Private Bathroom, Free Laundry Services. 
Advantages: No deposit or advanced payment require. Family Mart is situated right outside the minsu.

Drawback: Except for nearby Family Mart, there is no restaurant and cafe nearby the surrounding area. We always had hard time and difficulty looking for breakfast. 

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with all the above three minsu but in case if going back Taiwan again in future, I will tend to choose and stay in other different minsu cause I believe there are plenty of them waiting for another truly lifestyle experience of stay. 

If you ever experienced staying in any wonderful and lovely minsu in Taiwan, feel free to share with me.

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My 2013 Year End Trip: Taiwan 台湾 (Sneak Peek)

I'd been to Taiwan before back in year 2010 but nothing beat the feelings of travel by our own or so-called DIY travel compare to travel with tour agency. Plus, another reason I choose to back Taiwan was because this is my birthday treat for my very best friend aka my Boyfie since he never been to Taiwan before. Besides both of us, Boyfie's best friend also tagged along for this trip and many unexpected surprised and shocking adventures happened along the way but for sure by the end of this trip, three of us indeed had a great time in Taiwan. "Whatever happened in Taiwan, stay in Taiwan!"

#1: 你好 Taiwan! I'm back again to this sweet potato shaped country and also the homeland of Asus & HTC after three years. 

#2: We started off our trip by taking high speed train to Taichung and the train resembles exactly like the Japan's bullet train - fast, quiet and comfort. Taiwan makes me miss Japan so much!

So far, I know there are three options to go Taichung from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport but we choose the fastest option which was taking the high speed train cause like Hilda Milda said, every minute is valuable.

#3: A visit to Taiwan is incomplete without visiting their night market and one of my favourite markets would be Fengjia Night Market in Taichung. We spend two nights in this market alone where for the first night, we spend more than 6 hours and by the second night, we wandered until midnight. Sounds so crazy, right?


#4: Sun Moon Lake for the second time and this time, took the ropeway to enjoy the whole scenic view.


#5: Went Shifen 十分 for the very first time just for this waterfall. Really worth it eventhough we walked more than 30 minutes just for the sake of this.

#6: Besides the waterfall, done the things I wanna do in Shifen 十分 - like walking on the railway as well as write wishes and release the lantern. Another mission accomplished!


#7: Been Jiufen 九份 but still love to return there just to search for this tea house which used as a model for Ghibli's Spirited Away animated film. No surprised to see so many Japanese tourists there for the same reason.


#8: The Red House Theater in Xi Men Ding - where you can find creative and fashionable ideas and products by the young and talented artists. My favourite place to hunt for vintage items and I went twice throughout my trip there.


#9: One of the recommended places to go in Taipei would be Beitou which is well-known to be one of the largest concentrations of hot springs and spas in the world. Apart for that, Beitou Public Library
is also notable as being constructed to be an eco-friendly green building.


#10: Damnshui, a port town to the northwest of Taipei for its mesmerising golden sunset view. 

#11: And for the final day, the birthday boy said wanna go up to this world famous skyscraper which also to be known as Taipei's well-known landmark, Taipei 101.

So, basically you can see that we skipped most of those historical places like museums, memorial halls, temples and so on cause we can spend roughly more than 5 hours in one particular place. Plus, I went most of them before during my maiden visit and thus, no point for me to do another visit, right?

#12: Last but not least, as for our accommodation, we stayed in guesthouse or hostel, which commonly known as minsu in Taiwan. Minsu is very popular in Taiwan and you must try to stay there at least once. It's cheaper, clean, convenient and even the room space is much more bigger if compare to the hotel - My Blog on: Minsu I Stayed in Taiwan

And with this, Taiwan wrapped up as my 10th and final trip for this year alone, unless out of of expectation, I have another trip to come...

"Travel to the places you really wanna go and see, not to follow other people footsteps. It's your trips anyway, you're travel for yourself, not for other people!"

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7 Days of Wonderful Winter Taiwan Trip Itinerary (2010)

Finally, my Taiwan travelogue come to an end.

Here is the compilation of my 2010 Taiwan trips which I went during X'mas with my family:

Day 1 (20 December 2010)
- First Day Arrived in Taiwan

Day 2 (21 December 2010)
- Window of China Theme Park - Part I: Miniature World
- Window of China Theme Park - Part II: Doraemon Park- Second Day in Taiwan: Tangerine & Orange Farm, Fengjia Night Market

Day 3 (22 December 2010)
- Fo Guang Shan Monastery
- Mei Non Hakka Village
- Third Day in Taiwan: Dream Mall, Shinkuchan Night Market & Kaohsiung's famous Beef Noodle

Day 4 (23 December 2010)
- Lotus Lake: Dragon and Tiger Tower & Spring and Autumn Pagodas
- Teresa Teng Memorial Museum
- Former British Consulate Residence, Love River & Liouho Night Market
Day 5 (24 December 2010)
- Sun Moon Lake & Wen Wu Temple of Taichung
- Chung Tai Chan Monastery- Taiwan Day 5: Museum of Taiwai Hinoki and Taichung Night Market
Day 6 (25 December 2010)
- 3 Historical & Cultural Heritage of Taipei City
- Floral World at Taipei Flora Expo 2010
- Taiwan Day 6: Ximending

Day 7 (26 December 2010)
- It's Time To Say Goodbye, Taiwan: Taiyuan International Airport

Extra features:
1) Taiwan's 7-Eleven
2) Taiwan's Night Markets & Food
3) Spotted Betel Nut Beauty
4) It's My Haul from Taiwan
5) Nasty Souvenirs from Taiwan

Honestly speaking, I really do love to make another trip to Taiwan again because I much prefer to do a backpacking trip rather than joined travel agency. *keeping my fingers cross*

Anyhow, I hope you guys enjoy reading my Taiwan travelogue and hopefully it would help for those who plan for a trip to Taiwan.

Hope you guys enjoy ur weekend and without realise, today is another remarkable day 20.11.2011. Have an awesome day everyone! Till then, wait for my 2011 trip around Shenzen, China; Seoul & Jeju Island, Korea and Singapore too.

Small Note: Too busy with my revision currently. But I really love to spare some time on blogging. Addicted to blogging. OMG!

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Nasty Souvenirs from Taiwan

Before I move on, I would like stress here that my post is not about those yellow minded things but it's a kinda sharing in case you run out of idea of what to buy when you plan to have a trip to Taiwan. Sharing is caring, right?

Still remember my post of It's My Haul from Taiwan? If not, it's OK cause I guess this post will be much more interesting than knowing all the details of what I bought back all the way from Taiwan.

Spot any things that fishy and catchy? Perhaps on the left hand side?



For those who has eye sight problem, here is the enlarge photo

OK, I know they do looks naught and nasty but they really caught my attention while I was venture around the candy shop to buy some sweetie candy for my friends as a gift, especially this one...

"Choco is better than sex"

You couldn't believe that I was attracted to the words on the box itself apparently and plan to buy for my crazy dearest best buddies. At first, I thought it was a normal choclate bar but not until I look into the content inside the box, my jaw almost dropping to the floor...

Look, is condom, I means chocolate but it really looks alike condom. I'm not kid. Even my bro who sat next to me while I was open this box inside the bus, asking me why did I bought this kind of thing? Seriously, he thought I bought a real condom. =_="

How about the other 2 boxes?

I think you guys can guess it by now of what's the content looks like



A dark chocolate "dick" and a white chocolate "boobs"

I much more prefer the apparent of the "boobs"

Believe me, this would be the perfect gift especially for your friends. Yes, it do really looks a bit nasty and naughty but all my friends especially my ex-colleagues keep persuade me to give to them whereas I only give limited to few of my ex-colleagues. So, next time when you make a trip to Taiwan, don't forget to make a visit to Sophisca - a candy shop which selling those above.


Small note to Lady G: You are a good observer and have a good eye sight.

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It's My Haul From Taiwan

Done with my Taiwan travelogue, now it's the time for me do a lil bit of "show off" what had I bought during my trip in Taiwan.

Some of the items in Taiwan is consider to be quite cheap and it is worthwhile to buy as compare during my trip to Japan. Most of my friends who went Taiwan especially ladies really had the craziest shopping experience, where going to Taiwan bringing just a small little tiny bag but came back with 2 big luggages.

But that's not so ME! Most of the time when I travel, I prefer to buy some unique foods that is not available in Malaysia.

Taiwan Mochi - I prefer those fruits mochi.

Seriously, this is the most delicious pineapple soft cookies I ever had. I almost finished up all the 3 boxes by myself. Gosh! I miss the taste of it now.

Peanut milk candy and it is so hard.

Taiwan famous sausage. I only happens to found these two in Taoyuan International Airport. A perfect gift for my dad because when comes to travelling, I really have no any idea what to buy for my dad, so most probably foods will be the best choice for him.

Sweets and candy - Requested from boyfie.

This is my favourite too - Biscuit stick and some tit bits which I know seriously, it is not good for health.

Chocolate and candy from Sophisca. A perfect choice for your friends (Will blog about this in later post)

Doraemon biscuit sticks from Window on China Theme Park, Taiwan.

See, I'd told you that I more interested with foods.

Hair accessories from night market. I lost one of it during my Korea trip. SAD!!!

1. Wallet cost NT$100 (approx. RM10) from night market in Taichung.
2. Polka dot umbrella (recently addicted to those things in polka dot) which is really high tech. You just press the button and the umbrella will automatically open but only last for 9 months.
3. Earphone from Ximending cost NT$75 for each
4. Taiwan's famous mask - Beauty Diaries which bought from 7-Eleven. My girlfriends told me that this brand of mask selling in Taiwan is extremely cheaper than Malaysia but I just bought 2 packs. Some more, 1 pack contains 2 masks only. =_=

Bought a few pieces of clothes. Because the time I went is winter season, so 99% of the clothes are in long sleeve. Not really prefer long sleeve because can't wear in Malaysia.

Finally, my travel collection - keychain & fridge magnets. If I didn't bought it, I will feel like I never visit that country/city.

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It's Time To Say Goodbye, Taiwan!

Finally, it comes to the end. Gosh! Initially, I thought that my Taiwan post will only be around like 7-8 posts but ends up to almost 20 posts. What to do? If I choose to cramp everything in few post, there will be a consequences where I might end up got nothing to update for my blog. Therefore, I prefer to divide into few post and by doing that too, I can even share more photo!

Now, let's back to the topic. On the final day, we woke up as early in the morning to catch our flight around 10 am. At least 3 hours required in order to check in for international flight and the journey from our hotel to Taoyuan International Airport was almost 1 hour. Oh my! I was damn sleepy while doing my last minute packing.

There even a flora exhibition in the airport.

Although Taoyuan International Airport being listed as Taiwan's largest airport, I don't think it is bigger enough if compare to Osaka International Airport, Japan and Hong Kong International Airport. Guess you can cover almost all the area in less than an hour.

In order to kill the time because we reached too early, my bros and I plan to do last visit of Taiwan's 7-Eleven. I really kind adored most of East Asia's 7-Eleven except for the outlet located in China. Sometimes, it makes you wander around this small tiny little shop for hundred times. Unlike the Malaysia one, Taiwan's 7-Eleven got so many things to see and buy especially when comes to their foods and beverages. My two lil bros almost visited all the 7-Eleven they came across.

Onigiri taste so much better than Malaysia one.

Spotted #1: Taipei International Flora Expo iconic - so cute and I love the purple one.

Spotted #2: A damn tall Christmas tree

Spotted #3: A 6 feet tall Gundam. Anyone love Gundam? My bros are huge fans of Gundam.

It's the time to bid goodbye to Taiwan and luckily by the time that the plane to take-off, the rain stopped. Before this, it was rain cats and dogs for almost 2 days once we reached Taipei. The journey from Taipei, Taiwan to Kota Kinabalu took almost 3 hours and eveytime when I on board, I would specifically request for window seat. The reason why is because of this especially going back Kota Kinabalu on the day time.

Aerial view of Kota Kinabalu - What a wonderful city! Don't you think so?

And if you happen to notice my blog header, yes! This is the photo I used for the background.

So, that's the final epic of my Taiwan travelogue. Guess most of you also bored with my same old travel tales. Ok, now it comes to the end by the way. Anyway, I would like to thanks for those who drop by and most importantly thanks so much for those who continuously leave by a comment or two. Seriously, I am so touching. Might some gift for you all at the end of the year (you know who you are).

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Taiwan Day 6

Date of Visited: 25th December 2010

My never ending Taiwan tales almost comes to the end on the 6th day because on the 7th day, we gonna depart back to Kota Kinabalu in the early morning. Now, let's recap my 6th day itinerary in the big city of Taiwan, Taipei.

Kicking our day by visiting the most recommended and famous of the 3 historical and cultural heritage in Taipei; National CKS Memorial Hall, Martyr Shrine Taipei and National Palace Museum. Shouldn't miss out these places if you plan your trip to Taiwan.

By the time we're in Taiwan, the biggest internationally garden festival were still going on and here we are visiting the Taipei International Flora Exposition 2010. My first ever experience to visit the world's international exposition and you know what, its definitely an eye-opening adventure.

While waiting for the other before move on to the next destination, we spotted small Japanese shop but packed with variety of sushi. Most of it cost NT$100 (approximately RM10), how could you won't resist this?

This will be the last and final night market before going back home - Ximending, Taipei. One of the most famous night market and bustling shopping district situated in the heart of Taipei and from what I observed, most those visitors around this area are teenagers. However, based on my own experience and also from my friends too, we agreed to most of the items sold here are quite expensive and not affordable to buy. Recommended you to shop other place before come here for shopping.

End the final night in Taiwan by having supper, SUSHI! My favourite sushi - Inari and Maki, which bought from the shop located outside of the Taipei Flora Expo. Cheap, fresh and taste good! Yummy yummy~

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