15 Dec 2023
WHALE WATCHING EXPERIENCE
Early in the morning at 10 am, I set off on a boat to in hope to witness the majestic whales. You can choose between the upper and lower decks of the boat. Surprisingly, I didn’t find the ride overly rocky, but I did notice one unfortunate tourist succumbing to seasickness. For those who are prone to seasickness, you may want to take a motion sickness beforehand.
Approximately 15 minutes into the ride, the ocean gifted us a delightful surprise in the form of playful dolphins gracefully swimming alongside our boat. While the whales remained elusive, the lively dolphins became the stars of the experience.
Watch the playful dolphins go!
The guide on the boat mentioned that there is a 95% chance of spotting dolphins, while whale sightings is entirely up to luck. The whale watching boat ride concluded in about 2 hours. A word of advice: hold on to your phone or camera tightly, as the boat occasionally adds a little waltz to the journey. Also, the sun can be quite intense, so don't forget to apply sunscreen.
Booking the whale watching tour can be done via KLOOK, but I was unable to secure a spot as it was already fully booked when I attempted to make my booking. Thankfully, I managed to make a direct arrangement with Huaqi No. 296 (華棋268號), for a reasonable 800 TWD. You can WhatsApp the vendor directly to make the booking.
In the unpredictable world of marine life, a whale watching tour offers both excitement and a touch of uncertainty. While the giants of the sea remained elusive, the playful dolphins more than made up for it. For those contemplating going on a whale watching tour in Hualien, be sure to prepare for the unexpected, secure your booking in advance, and savour every moment surrounded by the soothing embrace of the open sea.
This concludes my stay in Hualien!
JIUFENG OLD STREET
From Hualien station, I took the TRA Puyuma Express Train to Ruifang station. Ruifang station has a baggage centre – perfect for a day trip to Jiufen Old Street (九份老街). From Ruifang Train Station, you can take bus 965 to arrive at Jiufen Old Street.
Ruifang Train Station > Ruifang Train Station (Civil Plaza) Bus 965 > Jiufen Old Street
For those travelling with luggage, there is space under the bus compartments for your luggage. You can communicate with the driver or, if they see you with luggage, they will likely assist in placing it under the bus. So, no need to worry about finding a place for your luggage.
The scenic beauty of Jiufen in Taipei is well-known. It is made up of alleyways lined up with small food stalls, souvenir shops, and pottery stores. Some of the must try snacks include Jiufen taro ball, peanut ice cream roll and Taiwanese sausage.
The real magic of Jiufen reveals itself as dusk falls. Lanterns illuminate the alleyways, conjuring a scene reminiscent of "Spirited Away". By the way though, Miyazaki Hayao mentioned in an interview that "Spirited Away" was not filmed in Jiufen; it just happens to look similar. If you arrive at around 3 pm and stay till evening time, you will be able to capture the views from dusk to nighttime. It's better not to arrive too early as some shops might still be closed. Most of the shops in Jiufen opens at around 10 am and closes at around 7 – 8 pm.
There are also many unique teahouses in Jiufen Old Street, and Ah Mei Tea House is one of the most picturesque spots. For 300 TWD, indulge in a solo set menu, complete with a pot of tea and an array of delectable snacks.
The teahouse staff will provide insights into the art of brewing and tea tasting as they serve your tea, which is lovely. The various snacks ordered are delicious and you can take the remaining tea leaves with you. The interior of the tea house is beautiful, and the view outside is stunning too. If you walk through the exhibition space downstairs and go up the stairs, you'll find a popular photo spot overlooking Ah Mei Tea House. There’s a small platform midway up the stairs where you can see a breathtaking sunset too. Since Jiufen Old Street ascends into the mountains, it's easy to get lost walking uphill, as every street looks similar. Consult the map for guidance.
As the day winds down, make your way back to Taipei from Jiufen Old Street by catching Bus 965 (towards Banqiao) at the bus station near Family Mart. It's a smooth journey back, allowing you to reflect on the day's adventures in this picturesque corner of Taipei.
PALAIS DE CHINE HOTEL (君品酒店)
I spent a night at the Palais de Chine Hotel, opting for the superior double room at SGD360.07, excluding breakfast. The hotel is strategically situated near Taipei Main Station, and served as my transit point for an upcoming High-Speed Rail (HSR) journey out of Taipei the next day. The main station's maze of arrows and signs was pretty confusing, and I had to seek help from a friendly shop owner. The walk to the hotel is mostly sheltered — just follow the signs towards the Y3 exit. Adjacent to the hotel lies the Q shopping mall, offering a retail therapy option that I explored the next day before my journey to Chiayi.
The hotel appears to be popular, evident from the bustling lobby area and the lift, often filled with a considerable number of tourists creating a lively yet somewhat rowdy atmosphere. This, coupled with my weariness after a day of travel, made for a less than ideal environment. The Palais de Chine Hotel boasts opulent décor that, unfortunately, did not resonate with my taste. The dark and sombre interior, coupled with the placement of the bathtub near the door only to be partitioned by a shower curtain, may not be so practical for those sharing the room with friends. In comparison to other hotels in Taiwan, the staff's warmth and friendliness here were somewhat lacking. I did like the spacious balcony though!
Morning view from the hotel room's balcony.
All in all, Palais de Chine Hotel stands out for its transit convenience. The dimly lit ambiance might appeal to some, but the overall experience left me contemplating the overall value.
Address: No. 3, Section 1, Chengde Rd, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103 (🚇 Taipei Main Station)
Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecMxCEAx4ZZuJmicA
AND THAT WRAPS UP...
Day 4 of my Taiwan adventure. Stay tuned for the next post, where I'll be sharing about my trip to Chiayi!
Love,
Shu
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