Taiwan 101 - Guide to Visiting Taiwan

Taiwan is a Republic of China but has it's own government (facebook is also allowed), it is a pretty progressive country. Unlike the Phillipines (where Im from), it doesn't boast of a white powdery beach, but it does have beautiful beaches with deep-blue hues and a surfing paradise, scenic mountains and of course the ever romantic sunrises and sunsets (these are everywhere right?). According to a lady I met there, Taiwan is even more beautiful in the winter (because I can wear boots to my hearts content) and in the Spring because like Japan it has cherry blossoms.

This is one famous Tourist destination in the Northern part of Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark

Last August I visited Taiwan intially to climb a mountain but when that plan did not materialize I planned on visiting Penghu Island but then I didn't do that either because I didn't think I had enough time (and money), I took their promotional travel brochures and went to the South because I always wanted to behold sunsets and according to them the most beautiful one is in the South.

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Sunset in Kenting (South), not an excellent photo because I took it from a bus and you can see the reflections.

Here are the five things you need to know to Navigate Taiwan even if you have no idea where to go.

• Free Wifi

That's right, the city is really connected and if you are a tourist they will give you free access to the each city's Wifi. You can get the password at the Tourist Information while other Cities like Kaoshiong does not require one.

Here's a photo of me and the bike I rented in Kaoshiong along the Love River

• Bikes

One way to save up on your Taiwan trip is taking advantage of their bike rental programs. The rental process varies from every cit. In Kaoshiong Bikes are rented by the Government and the first hour is free, you do not have to buy their City's Easy Card (the one you can siwpe at train stations, buses and stores) as you can use your credit card. In Kenting, establishments rent  Bikes and they require cash while in Taipei they said that you have to use the City's issued Easy Card.

• Tourist Information

This is where you can talk to someone who can surely converse with you in English and ask for help/instructions. Their crew are really helpful and will advise you on the right thing to do if you ask them, like choosing where to go next or choosing which one to visit.

Locker differs in every Station as to the price and sizes.

• Lockers

Train stations in Taiwan have lockers at reasonable prices so if you are planning on dropping by a city and spend the night on a bus ride to another city the locker is of great help to make your journey more pleasurable. Don't worry if you are taking the bus, bus stations are located just next to a train station unless the city doesn't have trains yet - these cities are those that are on the southernmost part usually past Kashiong, like in Kenting. The key as always is ask.

Taipei Main Station, ain't it big?

• Train Stations

Train Stations are your safe haven when traveling to Taiwan, even with very few locals able to speak in English it is easy to navigate if you get help from the right place - the Train station. This is where you can access the Free Wifi and find the Tourist Information Center (they open at 9:00 and closes at 18:00) where you can find someone who can speak English and give you directions including what specific bus to ride, where and how far is the walk and where you can rent a bike. This is where you can browse for travel brochures and choose where to go if you haven't planned your trip, plus it can serve as your nearby mall to do your last minute shopping.

Here's my unsolicited advice,

There are destinations where you can only get to by either walking or riding a bike from the train/bus station unless you ride a taxi and Taxis in Taiwan are very expensive so make sure to get a detailed direction from the information center because unlike the Philippines they don't have those jeepneys and tricycles that takes to your specific destination.

When choosing whether to take the bus or the train you need to consider whether you want to be fast or save up on the fare. Always ask which is cheaper and how long the trip will be, though in some cities some destinations are only reachable by a train and at times just by the bus (southern part).

The PMS Lake of Mt. Kanlaon has taken me aback so I wrote the two paragraphs below.

Taiwan Visa Application (for Filipinos)

I was really kind of wondering about what it really takes to get a visa because I haven't gotten one in my previous Asian travels. I was afraid too, that maybe they won't let me in but thankfully they did.

I googled like crazy on how to get one because I didn't want my tickets forfeited, some say its easy, some say its not. Well, it actually depends on your situation. I'd say visit a couple of Asian countries first, if you haven't had a visa for US, Canada, Australia, UK and those other wealthier countries. Still it is not impossible to get one even though you haven't been outside the Philippines because at the end of the day it depends on the consul's judgement.

The important thing you have to establish is that you are coming back, so a stable job most likely will get you to Taiwan. Adding the permission to Leave from your company to the COE adds to your chances. If you are a student, you'r school's certificate of admission can get you a long way.  Make sure to also provide a bank certificate to show that you can afford your trip.

Taiwan Embassy is located in Makati at the RCBC plaza, the complete address is this:
41F Tower RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Below are the steps and requirements to get a Taiwan Visa.

• Visit their form on this link: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_MRVWeb/subroot/MRVWeb0_form.jsp

The embassy's main website however is this : http://www.roc-taiwan.org/mp.asp?mp=1

• Fill-out the application form thoroughly, keep in mind that you have to put something on the address for Taiwan box even if you haven't booked a hotel yet, put in the address of the hotel/hostels that you want to book (there are a lot at Hostelworld.com). They only have a box for the given name, but be warned, it should also include your middle name that your application form will have your name exactly as it is shown on your passport.
• After submitting the form it will inform you of the time frame where you can still use the form as it expires.
• Prepare all your requirements as stated below from their website and submit.

1. An online Visa Application Form.
2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background (taken w/in the last three (3) months)
3. Passport valid for at least six months and old passport showing previous travels
4. Birth Certificate issued by NSO
5. Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by NSO
6. Certificate of Employment
8. Financial statements of the applicant (Bank Book or Bank Statements)
9. Other Supporting Documents if required (You can show your Ticket if you already have one).
10. All documents submitted to this office should be Original and with 1 photocopy.

• Releasing of the visa is after three working days. 

Tips:

• If you made a mistake on your first attempt at fillig-out out the form but you have already submitted it online, it is ok do apply and fill-out another form. 
• Never forget your bank certificate, I read a blog online of a couple denied of a visa because of the lack of this.
• The Permissin to Leave is a letter from your company stating that you were allowed to leave on specific dates and in my case they even state the place I'm visiting.
• Photocopy everything except the application form that you filled-out online.
• Paste one of the passport size photos on the box on the upper left side of the application form you filled-out and place the other on a transparent plastic or just simply place it on top of all requirements when you give it to the embassy.
• You will pay for the Visa fee (2100 PHP) upon application.
• Most of the time there is no need for an interview/appearance at the embassy though sometimes they might, you will know this if they'd contact you, hopefully not.
• If you have no other government ID aside from your passport, you will need to have an extra 1000PHP that you can leave at the reception along with any other ID that you can get back after your visit of course. The reception is right at the entrance of the building (RCBC Tower 1) and the guard will point you towards it after you say where you are headed.
• Visa is valid for three months you can apply earlier than you scheduled flight.

If you are on of the below however, you won't need to apply for a visa according to their site.
Effective August 08, 2013, Philippine passport holders are exempted from visa and are allowed to stay in the Republic of China (Taiwan) for thirty (30) days provided that they have never worked in Taiwan as blue-collar workers and are currently holding valid visas or permanent resident cards of U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., EU Schengen, Australia and New Zealand.
Qualified applicants may register for approval at https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase . Upon obtaining approval, please print out the Authorization Certificate and present it to the airline staff upon checking in at counter. For those who fail to show valid visas or permanent resident cards of the above-mentioned countries, ENTRY TO TAIWAN IS PROHIBITED.

I'll probably visit Taiwan again soon as I have unfinished business there. :)

Burot Beach

Burot beach is an inexpensive getaway just hours away from metro manila. Located in Calatagan Batanggas it is a 3 to 4-hour bus/van ride from Pasay. I have read in a blog that they have a bus terminal at the back of Mcdonalds (Pasay Rotonda) but as of July 2014 (the time of our visit) there is no longer a terminal there, there is however a terminal for Vans, near Mcdonalds, at the back of Kabayan Hotel. If for any reason you can't take the van there is a terminal in Coastal Mall but you have to wait for the bus for an indefinite time since there are very limited buses going to Calatagan.

This was taken near our camp, those little trees from afar are along the breakwater.

At our arrival I have to say that I was not amazed by the place (but it wasn't bad for the budget either) I considered it to be on  scale of 4 out of 10 but I did enjoy our boat ride to "Puting Buhangin" a small islet just 10-15 minutes away from the beach. Puting Buhangin dissapears at low tide and the boatman will advice you of the time, I'd say ask right away when you arrive so you can plan accordingly. The caretakers are in the store, you will easily identify it once you're there.

At Puting Buhangin, there are small islets surrounding it with private amenities, really cool.

 After we explored the remote places however on the next day I'd give it a 6/10. Behind the small hummock on the left side when you are facing the sea there is a trail (not so visible, but you'd figure it out) that leads you to another hidden beach area with a green facade at it's back resembling what seems to me as little (forced) Batanes.

This is the hidden view for the little (forced) batanes. 

and here's from another angle

On the far right side of the beach they have placed a concrete to break the water so you'd have a shallow sandy part on one side and a deep water on the other side so just don't cross the line if you can't swim (that's common sense, I just want to verbalize it). At the other end of the breakwater there are a couple of mangroves which makes it unique because it looks like trees are growing in the middle of the sea made possible by the barrier, a spot to take those beautiful photos (most probably better than ours).

the breakwater

How to get there (Public Transpo):

• Ride a bus/van bound to Calatagan. I personally recomend the van located in Zamora St. at the back of Kabayan Hotel. If worse comes to worst there are buses from Coastal Mall terminal but you have to wait for a very long time (or not if you arrive in a very opportune time) since there a few. Either rides will cost you 180PHP as of writing.
• The bus/van's last stop would be the terminal in Calatagan just in front of the market.
• Tricycle drivers will come to you at the terminal, if not look for one to take you to Burot beach. I say get the trike driver's number and ask him to pick you up on your ETD because there are no public transpo available from the beach. 150PHP per trip - 3Pax.

Fees:

• Admission Fee - 130PHP/Pax
• Tent Fee (Own Tent) - 20PHP/Pax
• Boat Ride to Puting Buhangin (Optional) - 500PHP/Trip (Max of 5 pax, but depends on the boat)

Travel Tips

• Leave early from Manila so you will have more time to enjoy the beach, contact the number below to know the timetable of the Vans leaving from Manila. 
• To enjoy the place, stay overnight. They have tents for rent (500PHP if I remember it correctly) but you can also bring your own but you have to pay 30PHP/pax aside from your 130PHP entrance fee.
• There are no ready to eat foods for sale so bring your own cookset and the whole paraphernalia for cooking unless you want to eat bread the whole time (though there is an option to let the caretakers cook your food for a fee).
• Buy all your ingredients from the market or from Manila, the store there have a very limited supply. Early in the morning there are fishermen selling their catch at a considerably lower price compared to the prices in Manila but this is not a guarantee as you never know if they are going to catch anything or who knows what else so this should only be a side dish plan (its main course but you get the idea), not the main menu. 
• You can rent a grill but you can also bring your own, who knows if everything else is rented.
• Bring flashlights and camplights if you are staying overnight, there is no electricity.
• Bring potable water enough for the duration of your stay.
• Those who can't live without bathrooms can celebrate, they have those in place. 

Prices may vary and is not guaranteed, this info is as of July 2014.

Mt. Balagbag traverse to Maranat Falls

Jump Off, Brgy Hall

Mt. Balagbag in Tanay Rizal is another mountain close to Metro Manila which can be done on a dayhike or an overnight stay, whichever you prefer. Standing at 777 MASL (source:Pinoy Mountaineer) it gives you a view of Metro Manila's skyscrapers which can probably be more beautiful at night with the evenig city lights. We did a dayhike which took us around 2.5 hours to Balagbag's summit.

At the back of Mt Balagbag is Mt. Maranat which is mostly visited because of the falls just at the foot of the mountain, there are those who prefer to go up at the campsite and the summit but as per Noli who is an expert (he lives near the area and been there multiple times) there is not much difference of what you see there from what you see at Mt. Balagbag so we opted to only visit the falls.

left: on our way down to Maranat falls, right: Balagbag's summit

There are many confusing and intersecting trails since the locals are passing by the area transporting coals they made from logging, even little kids are carrying their share with loads in proportion to their size, which reminds me of me, except back then we sold firewood so we basically brought the actual trees or branches in my case to make into firewood.Yeah, if you were doing some charity works back when I was a kid in my hometown you probably would have to give me some of those pencils. So much for a flashback, but you have to understand, I have the most wonderdul childhood in those circumstances.

left: the ;bottom of the falls, rigtt: the third layer, it has many layers

It is better or a must that you go with someone who have been to the falls if you want a traverese from Mt. Balagbag, even with Noli with us we got lost of the hikers trail and went by a local's trail that ends in a hut and a dried riverway so we were on for a bouldering but to us it added excitement. Otherwise, the safest option would be to go back down from Mt. Balagbag and ask for the trail from the same jump off to the falls, it is actually the first left turn option after the Brgy. Hall but to be safe, ask.


How to get there:

• Ride a bus going to tungko (they pass by Cubao, not sure of oher parts in EDSA) and tell the conductor/driver to drop you off at Jollibee Tungko.
• Go to the street on the opposite side of Jollibee and you will find jeeps going to Licao-Licao.
• At Licao-Licao you can rent a tricycle to bring you to the Balagbag's registration, the brgy. hall in Sitio Balagbag, or you can walk for about 15-20 minutes.
• It took us around 2.5 hours to Balagbag's summit and 1.5 hours taversing to Maranat falls and another 2.5 hours back to the jump off.

Travel Tips:

• The trail is mostly bald so ready your sunscreen, hats and/or umbrellas, yes, umbrella is an option, see my picture?
• If you are going by a private vehicle with a tough 4*4 engine then yes, the car can go straight to the mountain's summit, but if you're like me you'd probably have more fun walking.

Conern/s:
After the registration in the Brgy. Hall (20PHP) there is another one at a hut (another 20PHP) just a few minutes before the summit, saying that it is a private area. I hate this part but I guess you just have to comply if you don't want to get into trouble or can we report this to anyone?