Day One of the 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip 2025

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Detailed Postings for the Day

1. The Eyes In The Sky
2. E-gates at Taoyuan International Airport 
3. Mega Hotel (鉅陞嘉義亮點旅店) 
4. Wenhua Road Night Market (文化路觀光夜市) 
5. Pin An Tofu Pudding (品安豆漿豆花) 
6. Stinky Tofu (花莲玉里臭豆腐)

Total luggage for a 11-day trip. I would deem this as excessive for two persons but I am super afraid of winter travel and winter wear isn't exactly space saving! Thicker clothing, and I don't think I can remove long pants, and covered shoes.

Celebration of Hello Kitty’s golden jubilee at Terminal 3 of Changi International Airport. This shall serve as memory since the celebration had ended on 16 February 2025.

Even though we would be travelling on a full service airline where food would be provided, it's almost customary for Alex and I to go for expensive, local fare at the airport before we depart. Local coffee and toast (from Ya Kun) would always be comfortable.

Pretty good weather! 

It's always unnerving to fly in bad weather. 

Time to fly, with a queue in front of our plane (Boeing B787-10). Time was almost noon time and based on estimation, we shall arrive about 5.00 to 6.00 pm. While I would prefer an earlier timing, I personally don't like to wake up at an ungodly hour to catch an earlier flight. So to each his/her own. 

My meal. Nowadays, I would just ask for special meal although I would prefer an option that's currently unavailable on Singapore Airlines website; starch-free meal. Correction: SQ does have a Gluten Free Meal.

I think the plane was only half full.

Thankfully, the good weather continued all the way till Taiwan! And due to our window facing (towards the east), we managed to have a breathtaking view of the central mountain range that cuts across the island, from north to south! Click here under "The Eyes In The Sky"

After registering for electronic-gates at Taoyuan International Airport and rapidly clearing immigration, we collected our luggage and take the MRT to the Taoyuan HSR station. Caught the beautiful sunset from the train! 

Awaiting for the HSR train at the barrier free platform! We didn't pre-purchase the tickets and had to make do with non-reserved seats, which means there's a risk of having to stand for the entire journey! Pricing NT$1,700 for two persons.

Alex so serious!

C'mon, chill please!

Here comes the train! 

We didn't manage to get a seat for most part of the 200-kilometer journey but well, let's continue to remain cheerful. And one hour isn't exactly a long duration to endure while standing up.

The stomach was rumbling when we arrived at Chiayi HSR station. So, we did what Alex loves most when he is overseas. A meal at a fast food restaurant; specifically, MOS Burger. 

Taking cab to our hotel.

Mega Hotel (鉅陞嘉義亮點旅店); near Chiayi train station and equipped with a gym. p.s. why mega I also don't know but review score was 4.3 from over 2,000 reviewers. 

Out on the street, in search of food, and walked past a claw machine shop! Frankly, I don't understand the craze over them and can't imagine why they could be so widespread, especially when they don't seem to have many customers. Last statement was applicable for Singapore too.

At Wenhua Road Night Market (文化路觀光夜市), which was within walking distance from Mega Hotel. Super comfortable to walk in the nice and cool temperature of only about 12 degrees celcius! 

When you see something steaming in cool weather, it's natural to crave for the food it served! No, I had to tell myself Alex wouldn't likely share it with me, and I am not wasteful enough to just eat a little and throw away.

Explore the side lanes and had desserts at Pin An Tofu Pudding (品安豆漿豆花). I don't know about you but I personally prefer the plain old local beancurd in Singapore, like the ones from Mr Bean.   

Remember this statue a man throwing a baseball; go in the direction towards the Wenhua Road Night Market (文化路觀光夜市) and you would find a nice Stinky Tofu (花莲玉里臭豆腐). My first stinky tofu in Taiwan! 

Why the pedestrian countdown for the traffic lights so cute?! Do you also know that the animated green man for the countdown first started in Taiwan back in 1999?! Yes, the first in the whole world.

Ending the night with a photograph of us in front of Chiayi train station!

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Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)