AirBnB in Taipei

In Taipei, we rented an Airbnb from Kim & Louis. It was conveniently located across the street from the Taipei Main Station. Cost was $850 for 4 nights, including cleaning and fees.

We were on the 13th floor--in Asia, 13 is not unlucky but 4 is. Hence, you will have the 13th floor in buildings but you won't find a 4th floor.

The Airbnb had only 1 bathroom but it was well set up in having 2 sinks, a separate toilet and a separate shower.

The Airbnb had 3 bedrooms, each with a queen bed.

We also had a small kitchen, complete with a washer and dryer. The problem with dryers in Asia is that they don't dry well and it takes over 3 hours to get clothes close to dry.

2019 01 16

TPE

From Singapore, we flew to Taipei to spend a few days. The Taipei airport was not as efficient and the line to clear customs was much longer.

There are kiosks selling SIM cards at the airport. We got one with unlimited data for 5 days (plus 1 free day for a total of 6 days) and 15 minutes of calls for NT$250 ($8.10). The added bonus was that the phone with the SIM card became a WiFi hotspot and we were able to connect 3 additional phones to it. What a bargain!

The MRT is an easy way to get from the airport to the city center. From the Terminal 2 station, take the Jichange Line (purple line) to the Taipei Main Station. There is an express train that takes 35 minutes--NT$150 ($4.85). 

We were staying near the Taipei Main Station and we followed the directions to get to our Airbnb address. We found out later, we could've done a lot less walking if we exited at K12 and walked across the street. 

One benefit of walking through the Taipei Main Station was finding food to eat. We picked up entree (pork over rice, sticky rice and vermicelli noodles) with soup and vegetable for NT$115 ($3.75)-NT$120 ($3.80) and NT$2 ($0.05) for a carry-out bag. I love how inexpensive it is to eat in Taiwan.

2019 01 16

Lau Pa Sat

Another popular hawker center is Lau Pa Sat.

Lau Pa Sat was built in the 19th century but it was recently renovated. It's known for satay at night.

It's airy and light inside.

From one of the stalls, we ordered Set A--kaya toast, eggs and coffee for S$2.80 ($2). 

Kaya is coconut jam served on toast. Pour a little soy sauce over the soft boiled egg. Dip your toast into it. I must say it was nothing exciting.

Next up was Sio Good.

Soy Sauce Chicken over Noodles with Vegetable and Soup--S$4.50 ($3.30). Most may consider this lunch but many Singaporeans eat it for breakfast. I prefer savory over sweet so I liked this for breakfast. The chicken was moist and the sauce was delicious.

At the Lai Heng stall, I watched them make carrot cake and it looked good.

Black Carrot Cake--S$3.50 ($2.60). Remember that carrot cake in Singapore is actually made with turnips. This was much better than the one at Maxwell Center.

Kway Teow-- S$4 ($2.60). This also had a lot more flavor than the one from Maxwell Center.

2019 01 16

Ion Orchard

Orchard Road is lined with malls.

Our hotel was across the street from Ion Orchard Mall, a futuristic mall considered to be the cream of the crop.

Since we were there in January, there were many displays celebrating the Year of the Pig.

Take the escalator to the lower level to find the Ion Food Hall.

At the BBQ Chicken Wings stall, we had to get the chicken wings--S$1.90 ($1.40)/wing. This was the entire wing so it wasn't a bad price. 

We also ordered satay--S$0.80 ($0.60) per stick, minimum of 10 sticks. You have a choice of pork, chicken or mutton. All were good.

We saw everyone get Popiah--S$2.80 ($2.05). This burrito-like roll was stuffed with bean sprouts, fried tofu skin and lettuce. It was just okay. 

Our next dish was laksa--S$6.90 ($5.10). This was very good, maybe even better than East Coast Lagoon's. The prawns weren't as large but it was half the price.

We also tried Fish Ball Noodle Soup--S$5.50 ($4.05). The fish balls were bouncy and delicious but the soup needed a little more flavor.

My husband ordered the Gula Melaka Eight Treasure Ice--S$3.80 ($2.80). Gula melaka is palm sugar and this was quite tasty.

I ordered Mango & Grass Jelly Ice--S$2.80. It wasn't very sweet and the grass jelly didn't have much flavor.

2019 01 14

Gong cha Bubble Tea

Back on Orchard Road, we found Gong cha Bubble Tea in the Takashimaya Store.

Lychee Oolong with Pearl--S$3.50 ($2.60); Plum Green Tea with Pearl--S$3.60 ($2.65) and Taro with Pearl--S$5.10 ($3.75). The Lychee was the best. The Plum was slightly salty.

2019 01 15

Marina Bay Sands

From the Gardens By the Bay, it's a short walk to Marina Bay Sands.

Marina Bay Sands is a hotel/casino housed in 3 buildings with a cruise ship topping it. There is an Infinity Pool on the roof--entry is limited to hotel guests.

Next door is the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. You can find high-end stores and restaurants.

In the mall, water swirls above then dumps into the fountain.

You can have High Tea at TWG. They make 1837 Tea--the smoothest black tea with caramel flavor.

In the lower level, you'll find the Food Court. We ate at East Coast Lagoon.

Laksa with Prawns--S$12.80 ($9.50). This was very good spicy noodle soup with great lemongrass flavor.

2019 01 15

Gardens By the Bay

Billed as the botanic gardens of the future, Gardens By the Bay is a 101 hectare park with high-tech Supertrees and bio-domes. Entry to the park is free.

From the Bayfront MRT Station, it is an easy walk to the Gardens.

The Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest Dome are expensive to visit but worth it. Entry to both domes is S$28 ($20.70). I didn't see an option to visit only one done although on the day of our visit, the Flower Dome was closed for maintenance so we only paid S$14 ($10.35).

You can take a 25-minute Audio Tour in a 22-seat cruiser for S$8 ($5.90). The tour takes you around the trails so it saves you from walking.

There are 18 Supertrees in the garden. Each steel-clad concrete structure is actually an exhaust for the  Gardens' turbines. Each tree is decorated with plants. Six of the Supertrees are connected by the OCBC Skyway. Entry to the skyway costs S$8 ($5.90) and the skyway is closed if there is inclement weather, which includes dark clouds.

At night, there is a free light and sound show at 7:45 & 8:45 pm.

The tour takes you past manicured shrubs. See the gorilla?

"Planet" by Mark Quinn--a giant 7-month old infant floating above the ground is in the park.

The park has 2 bio-domes: the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest Dome. Each is cooled so it's a nice respite from the Singapore heat.

The Bio-domes are massive.

The Cloud Forest Dome has a 35-m high waterfall.

Orchid display inside the Cloud Forest Dome.

Exhibit of carnivorous plants.

Tree-top walk.

Nice view from inside the dome.

View of the Singapore Flyer.

2019 01 15