Things started off brilliantly with a surprise upgrading. Living it up in business class we though this was a sign of things to come and our vacation was going to be awesome!!!
So the first day of vacation was filled with travel. Bus to Incheon, flight to Taipei, fast train to Kaohsiung, and finally bus to Kenting... It was a busy day but it was worth it to be near the beaches.
We got off the bus and had no idea where our hostel was. We walked around completely lost so headed into the police station to get directions. After being told how to get there the cops just decided to give us a lift. We jumped into the back of the police car and away we go. (and it was a mighty Corona)
We decided to grab food so walked around and found a place where we got amazing burgers... So much for eating the local food.... but tomorrow we will get amongst it.
We wake up on Sunday get on the go but not before the all important coffee and food and headed for the beach. We jumped on the bus and headed to Kenting town... Walked around for a while then waited for what seemed like forever for another bus and headed for Eluanbi Park. Had a nice walk around the park and checked things out...We headed back to where our hostel was and grabbed food and headed to bed.
Monday we went to the beach, We decided to head to Beisha Beach, which is considered the nicest of the beaches... The day was overcast but we thought to hell with it... When we arrived it was a typical Asian beach. Umbrellas everywhere and people swimming fully clothed. The water was beautiful and clear, however this is where the weather packed up. We headed back and got a beef noodle dinner that was amazing!
Tuesday we woke up early to head to Taipei feeling little more refreshed after a beach day. Opened the blinds and holy rain Batman! So we got out our umbrellas and headed to the bus station and looking forward to our next adventure... A little bit of rain can't dampen our spirits. So good-bye BlueHi, hello Taipei Hostel.
So after our bus ride we had a lunch of duck then fast train we arrived in Taipei. We were greeted but heavier rain... Oh well we are on vacation and it won't last the whole time.... Right?
So that night we headed to Shinlin Night Market and walked around. It was not what I was expecting but it was fine, however the food was awesome.
Wednesday....LAME SAUCE!!!!
Typhoon hit. So we found out that the weather has completely packed in and is meant to be like this the rest of the time...Yippee.
What the hell let's get out into it anyway. We headed to Longsin Temple... It was pretty cool.
After this we thought what the hell we are wet anyway let's just toughen the hell up and get amongst it.
So next stop Chaing Kai Shek Memorial. It kind of made up for the crappy weather... it was really nice... and I saw a squirrel and a turtle... It's all coming up Fitzgerald!!
With the weather completely packed up we were struggling to see the best in Taiwan but we gave it our best... so instead of staying in our hostel we ventured out to go to another night market... We jumped on the subway and off we go. We struck up a conversation with a local who had amazing English. She asked where we were off to and after hearing our reply she basically told us not to bother. Meh we are not letting anything stand in our way. We left the station only to have the rain coming in sideways... after five minutes of walking in this... it had us beaten so we turned around and moved as fast as we could in jandels and slippery footpaths and headed back grumpy and beaten.
Thursday we had plans to go to the Toroko Gorge and it was the only thing Lush was looking forward to. So we headed to the train station only for it to be empty... something was definitely wrong. We asked for our train ticket and found out all trains were cancelled due to the weather... we were beaten again.
So plan B we will do museums and temples and stuff... nope try again they were all closed due to...you guessed it weather... Plan C we will just walk around the mall.... closed... What the hell? Turned out everything shuts due to bad weather.... well and truly had our asses kicked... dejected we played cards.
Friday we are heading home...AWESOME!!! It just doesn't seem right to be thinking that on vacation... it should be I want to stay but not this time.
Well today was overcast wanting to rain but it wasn't for once.... So we headed to the tallest building in the world..Taipei 101. So when we got there we found out that we could not go to the outdoor viewing platform as a result of the weather.... one bug final get stuffed to Blair and Lush.
Well we headed to the bus station to get the hell out of here and guess what? Yip, more flippen rain.
We hit Korean soil and our mood improved... we are home.
So let me end this by saying I don't really have an opinion on Taiwan as we didn't see the best of it. The people we amazing...polite and not rude at all...even the old women were nice... Not an ajuma in sight.
So the highlights were upgraded on the way there, the beach for a day, and ending with finding salt and vinegar chips and marmite.
So the weather sucked, which made our vacation super mega lame but the thing that really got to me was the everything closed, which made it near impossible to do anything besides staying in our hostel.
Oh well onto bigger and better things.... Hopefully, Iowa for a white Christmas with some luck.
