Day One of The 8 Days 7 Nights See Iconic Taiwan Anew Tour Package via Chan Brothers

<<< Summary

Detailed Postings for Day One

• Shabu Shabu Dinner @ 稻之屋鍋物
• Tao Garden Hotel (桃花園飯店)
• Daifukumochis by King's Handmade Treasure (大王千金)

With the continuous drive for self automation, I was stuck when I attempted the baggage tag printing after managing to check in at the automated kiosk! Turned out I still had to get them printed at the manual counters. Why!? 

The line was so long! According to the service staff of Chan Brothers, who met us at the airport, tour groups would usually have to go through the manual counters and since we were flying Scoot, not a full service airline, we can't have group check in as well.

Nonetheless, smiling would be a great way to manage the frustration! 

We cleared the line in 45 minutes and before stepping into the departure hall; a photograph of my dad who hadn't been on a flight since the trip to Guizhou in 2019! 

Greeting us after clearing immigration would be the eye-catching Louis Vuitton store at Changi International Airport Terminal 1. Thankfully I am not brand conscious and I think the most expensive branded in my wardrobe would be the Braun Duffel cross shoulder sling bag. 

Thought of checking out the Cactus Garden but it was drizzling! Quite a start to day one of our trip and I was hoping weather would be better in Taiwan, although I was aware of a cold spell just a few days earlier.

Proceeding to Gate D49; the furthest gate!

Interestingly, it's like a rainforest themed section with three combined gates; allowing for reduction of manpower and deployment of lesser luggage scanners. 

Don't think these were giraffes even though their placement enlivened the otherwise boring space. It's the things like this that made Singaporeans very proud of their airport. 

Dad again; be prepared for many photographs of him! 

The construction right ahead was for the upcoming Terminal 5. It would take a few years for completion and based on news report, around the mid 2030s. That's like ten years away! 

Getting ready to queue up to board the plane for flight TR896. Usually, you would see Alex and I being the last to board as we don't see the point of getting seated earlier in the tiny airplane seat, without the use of free Airport Wi-Fi. 

Readying our red passports; knowing how absent minded I am (some of you would remember I lost my DSLR in China back in 2019), I had to double and triple remind myself whenever I took the passports out of my bag! 

Seated and waiting for takeoff! Since it's been a while since my dad took the plane, I guess I would have to give up my window seat for him. Being his son, I guess I inherited quite a bit of his interests, like in photography, scenery, bird's eye view on the plane etc.  

The Boeing 787 plane took off after a short delay of about 20 minutes.

Meal was included as part of our tour package. Well, presentation wasn't to be expected for non-full-service airline but the oyako don was really a disappointment; there just wasn't enough eggs and onions! Accompanying cheesecake was surprisingly not bad though.

Problem with window seats; the sun! I just read recently of a heightened risk for cosmic radiation and UV exposure for air crew. Thankfully, we don't fly much.

Finally flying over the Land of Taiwan! 

5pm and the set was setting!? This reminded me of my visit to Hokkaido but it was more the opposite, when the sun rises at about 4-5am! That's disturbing for a person who wakes up when the sun is up, regardless of the time. 

Taoyuan International Airport! Although it was my second trip, I couldn't remember much of the airport as I don't remember really exploring it on our last trip back in 2014. I only remember our excess baggage of 20 kilograms! 

We were the last to meet up with the rest of our tour mates; numbering 19 in total, consisting of a family of five, two families of three, two families of two (including my dad and I), and a family of four sisters! 

Coach that would accompany us for the next few days. It's like a double decker bus but the ground level had no seat except for the driver's and tour guide. 

Since it was Christmas Day when we arrived, the local tour agency prepared a heart-shaped box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for each of us! That's so sweet right?!

Given the sorry lunch we had at the plane, I was famished and the food stalls the coach drove past all looked so enticing. It didn't help that temperature was quite low and my tummy was looking forward for some warmth! 

I did get my wish granted as we had a satisfying shabu shabu dinner at 稻之屋鍋物, with free flow drinks and ice cream. 

Chanced upon this food truck selling custard apples and pumpkins and I kid you not; a basket of custard apples cost just 150 Taiwan dollars! That's like S$7 for about 6-7 custard apples! Did I buy? I didn't as I was skeptical of such great deals. :(

Boarding the coach again.

Checking in to our comfort twin room at Tao Garden Hotel (桃花園飯店). Among the six hotels that we stayed for the entire trip, this was, in my opinion, the least favorite. Breakfast was not the worst though but I am not that picky when it comes to breakfast. 

Dragged my dad out to explore the surroundings as it was only about 9pm, and I am not known to be an early sleeper. Temperature was a tad too cold for my dad; and as some of you are aware, I prefer the heat than the cold. Best temperature would be around 15 degrees celcius.

Random photos.

An anime club that seemed quite new. In my teenage years, I am into comic books but it's been a while since I last read any comic books. Honestly, I don't have the patience nowadays. 

Seemed like the Japanese Pachinko games parlor where users can partake in collection of little steel balls to exchange for gifts. Back in Japan, although gambling is illegal, pachinko is "an exception and considered as an amusement activity".  

Ending the night with the daifukumochis we purchased from a popup store under the brand: King's Handmade Treasure (大王千金). A sweet conclusion to our first night in Taiwan. 

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Click HERE for the Summarized Itinerary for Our 8 Days 7 Nights See Iconic Taiwan Anew Tour Package via Chan Brothers

Tao Garden Hotel (桃花園飯店) @ Taoyuan City in Taiwan

It was already 8.30 pm when we arrived at our first accommodation for the 8 Days 7 Nights See Iconic Taiwan Anew Tour Package by Chan Brothers; Tao Garden Hotel (桃花園飯店), a four-star hotel.

I wonder what four-star means in the Taiwan context as it seemed to deviate from international standards; there wasn't any swimming pool although I was more disappointed to hear that the gym was closed for renovations! 

Room 605 - a Comfort Twin Room that's about 25 square meters big. The hotel itself was built in 2013 and had a total of 240 rooms. Key attraction, apparently, was its proximity to Taoyuan Station. p.s. not the HSR station.

For your reference; typical hotel setup with carpet flooring. As always, I am not very particular with hotels so long it is clean, has ensuite toilet and windows. Nevertheless, I did feel that the television was a tad too small, given that my house is equipped with an 85-inch one. 

Rest of the room - I love hotels that provide in-room safe that was open from the top! Similar to what I encountered at ibis Melaka. Hotels should make this the norm! 

Unimpressive view from the hotel window.

Note: this was taken the next morning.

Bathroom - simple, no rainfall shower. I did take issue with the thinness of the towels. One of our travel mates also complained that the hair dryer had a weak airflow, and kaput on her after a short while of usage.

Dated looking toilet amenities; would you take any home? For me, I would bring back the shower cap and pack of toothbrush and toothpaste. What do I do with them? Shower cap is a great protection for the shoes you are putting into your luggage!

Breakfast venue the next morning! Typical for tour packages, hotel breakfast would be included and this would be beneficial if I am travelling with my parents, who require breakfast to kick start the day.

Spread for your reference; quite a reasonable spread with local Taiwanese options. Sadly, I am not big on breakfast and given the guilt of not being able to exercise the night before; I was even less motivated to stuff my tummy. 

Just grabbing a little of those dishes that caught my attention. There's luroufan too although in my opinion, it's more minced meat than fats. Taste wise - average. 

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Address

No. 151, Fuxing Rd, Taoyuan District, 

Taoyuan City, Taiwan 

Website

http://www.taogarden.com.tw/en/

Click HERE for the Summarized Itinerary for Our 8 Days 7 Nights See Iconic Taiwan Anew Tour Package via Chan Brothers