I Scootbiz’d over to Taipei for the weekend to see my parents.
It was supposed to be an eating extravaganza. You know what they say about best-laid plans…
My dad spent the entire trip in bed, with the cold/flu. He was at least well enough to have breakfast with me before we left for the airport. And well enough to walk a few blocks to get mom some homemade soya bean milk and sticky rice rolls with Chinese donut and preserved veggies (a Shanghainese specialty). It was her turn with the cold/flu.
My mom was really my guide and together we still saw (and ate our way through) a night market, SOGO, and Jiufen.
Travelling with my parents was actually fantastic because I didn’t have to worry about anything. I didn’t need to research hotels, for example, trying to figure out which area to stay in. I left ALL that to my parents. After all, they know the city, and they have their own preferences. I just had to book a ticket and even that my husband took care of, treating me to a business class ticket on Scoot. It was perfect as I was finishing a few projects.
We stayed in the Da-an District, at the San Want Hotel. It is VERY central – close to all the shopping and the famous Din Tai Fung is just a few blocks away. SOGO and the local MingYao department stores are both within walking distance. This is apparently the heart of Taipei’s commercial, shopping, and entertainment district. Being near the metro also meant everything else like the famous Taipei 101 is just a short ride away. (Taipei 101 was the tallest building from 2004 to 2010, when Dubai’s Burj Khalifa took the title)
The last time I was in Taipei was in 1991, when the martial law was still in effect. Yes, I was shipped off to the “Love Boat” or officially The Overseas Compatriot Youth Formosa Study Tour. This time, I couldn’t help but notice how similar the layout of the city and the building styles are to a Japanese town. And I have to say the Japanese restaurant my mom and I stumbled upon was the BEST. EVER. The cold noodle was delicious. The sesame tofu, divine. The setting, beautiful. All because Din Tai Fung had a full waiting list at 11:30 AM. Not sure if it’s still there. Check it out; it’s called Hoshina.
The highlight of the trip? Probably our day trip to Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street). The plan was to bus it out, which is what many people do. As we were waiting, a cabbie touted, looking for 2 more passengers. The extra costs were worth the much shorter drive. And sure enough, not long after being in a taxi full of Singaporeans (small world), we were already there, on the slopes of this old town.
The weather was amazing and the view with the blue sky over the blue sea was quite breathtaking from the side of the mountain where the winding streets of the town would bring us deeper. It was a popular destination, as day trippers and weekenders flooded the narrow streets, lined by stalls and shops. We spent the next several hours sampling juices, ginger teas, and dried fruits. We started and ended our day at the same shop – the first shop selling the iconic taro desserts. Either hot or cold, the taro cubes can be eaten in combo with red bean and tofu. We had ours with hot ginger soup and tofu. Just thinking about it now is making me drool.
What I do remember from my last visit is the night market. I’m not sure how many there are but the city has a mass of them. The one we went to this time was called the Tonghua Street Market, where my mom was delighted to find her Shanghainese flat breads. At a street-side table, we had our late-night snack of bread and hot soya milk, after an hour of cheap foot reflexology and a stroll through the night market where thankfully no snakes were to be found. On sale were lots of food, electronics, toys, souvenirs, and clothing.
My non-eating activities? Shopping at SOGO for a diffuser for my dad. We spent a good part of our first afternoon there, looking at incense, oils, and diffusers. I had on me some essential oils.
And the 2012 Biennale, which was a cheap $10 SGD taxi ride away. I spent the afternoon at the Taipei Art Museum, both curious and disturbed by the art that was on display. The imagery of war was jarring and all the interaction with the ideas behind each was tiring. The theme was Modern Monster/Death and Life of Fiction. And I was taken aback at how serious everything was. I guess I just wasn’t in the mood to live in the re-interpretation of history and drama, especially the darkness and suffering of humanity..
Taipei as a foodie destination is infinitely more fun and fulfilling.
