Travel to Taiwan for a change

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Taipei Taiwan

When it comes to Filipinos planning its holiday vacation outside of the country, the countries that would pop out from their minds are Hongkong, Singapore, or South Korea mainly because of its proximity and familiarity to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Kpop/dramas respectively.  You would rarely hear Taiwan in their travel plans which is something to be frowned upon since Taipei, Taiwan is just 2 hours plane ride away and several airlines are offering cheap airfares going in and out the country.

I had a wonderful chance to book a plane ticket to Taipei, Taiwan due to its very cheap price. I'll be honest as well, I myself had little idea what I am going to see in Formosa ( former name of Taiwan). All I know about this little country lying in the northeast of the Philippines is its close proximity to Batanes and some of its taiwan drama hits here in the country like the Meteor Garden and Hana Kimi which are very popular years ago. Before the k-dramas (korean series) rose to fame and took a huge wave here, it was Barbie Xu as San Chai and F4 group lead by Jerry Yan as Dao Ming Xi that stole the hearts of the million Filipino fans. An incredible feat for the first Asian series that started the new trend in the Philippine television which was previously dominated by Spanish drama series. It is a developed nation and considered as a province of China hence its other name - Taiwan, Republic of China. I know they are both not in good terms as Taiwan want to separate from China but China wont simply allow it due to its several interests in this successful nation.

I also did not know that visa is required for Filipinos to go there that's why I booked instantly the moment Cebu Pacific offered their promotional sales. Now, it made sense to me why many of our country men are hesitant to go there since i myself a bit discouraged going to a country which requires visa due to the fact it is tiring and troublesome to acquire it. Luckily, Taiwan is one of the easiest country to obtain a visa for us Filipinos. For more details on how to get one, please follow this link here.

It was on November time of year that I braced myself and travel for the first time alone to this interesting country and a developed one as well - Taiwan. Similar to Hongkong, the climate of Taiwan is subtropical so they enjoyed much cooler weather during this months. You should prepare a sweater or jackets to protect your selves from the cold. My flight at that time was around 11 pm and will arrive 1 AM in Taiwan. Our country have the same time zone so you don't have to adjust your watches or cellphone clocks. I arrived at Taoyuan International Airport, their major international airport past 1 am the next day at dawn. The airport is located in another town, another 1 hour drive from the Taipei center via taxi.

Taipei 101, former world's tallest building.

Their airport is quite huge and modern and I was so excited at that time looking forward what will I see outside of it. They have free fast internet connection inside so having updated to your loved ones back to our country is not a problem.

I was supposed to get a cab until someone approached me, a taxi driver to hire him instead. I did not entertain him and insisted I will queue to a line outside in the taxi stand. Coming from Manila, I'm very much accustomed to these type of scenes and I'm very much confident of myself I will not be intimidated by any con artists who want to squeeze tourist money from me in the airport. 

Initially, I wanted to ride a bus going to the town center and ride a taxi from there to save costs. But I asked a Taiwanese passenger also waiting  in the taxi terminal in the airport if which direction going to the taxi stand. We had a short conversation and he seems nice and fluent in English language maybe because he is an expat in Hongkong. He informed that he's headed as well to Taipei center and will opt to avail a taxi pool. I was interested when I heard that since it was very late and there were no buses operating at that time so I joined him and we waited for few more minutes to wait for another two prospect passengers. Two ladies came in and all of us got inside in the car as soon as we can. On our way, there were several discussions among the Taiwanese passengers and I had no idea what were they talking about. Good thing, my new found buddy told me that they were just talking on who to drop first. He was fighting for me since the driver said I will be the last to be dropped off which would make me uncomfortable and in the loose end. After a debate I guess, the  poor guy had enough and he sacrificed himself and concede to the ladies and offered to be dropped off last. That was a very kind gesture of him and was very concerned of my welfare as a tourist with no idea and as a foreigner to their country. Two thumbs up for him, too bad I forgot his name but it made a lasting impressions on me of the good local people of Taiwan which was somehow opposite on .what was I expecting. He even got off to the car and helped me locate my hotel. I was overwhelmed by his concern and to that, he had my utmost respect. Kudos to him!

First day, I meant first dawn was a blast! Never had I thought I will experience those actions from a stranger to a foreign country. I arrived at my accommodation around 3 AM. I wasted no time anymore and decided to have a rest since the next day will be jam-packed for me and I need to wake up very early to catch a bus to my next destination and first in my itinerary- Yehliu Geopark.

Rock formations in Yehliu Geopark