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).

Riding Siargao's Waves

Siargao, the surfing capital of the Philippines and my first impression was, how lonely can this place get? I mean sure there were hundreds of people at the port who boarded with me on the fast jet (ferry), but when I arrived at cloud nine (where everyone surfs) I can count the people I see with the fingers in my hands and the air was just oh so lonely, you know the feeling of homesickness because I’m at a province but of course it’s not my province and my being alone is slapped in my face. Well, that was until I was riding my perfect waves.

This was after my trip to Tinuy-an falls and Hinatuan river last October 12, right after my visit to tinuy-an I went back to Butuan only to ride another van to get me to Surigao city so I can get a ferry to Siargao the next morning(Sunday). At Surigao City I was able to get a decent enough room at 350PHP with a bathroom but I am not recommending it because I don’t feel that the place is safe, I locked myself in right after I paid and vowed to never open the door unless I’m all packed and ready to go. The only reason I took it was I was already tired and needed sleep.

Early the next morning (around 6:00) I hired a tricycle to get me to  the port but the earliest boat had already left and the next ferry is scheduled to leave at 11:30 at a different port, which is the official one, if you want to ride the earliest boat you have to be at that other pier at 5:00 – this is what the locals usually ride, just ask around and I’m sure they’ll tell you where it is or just ride a tricycle. I decided to buy a ticket first to make sure, and then went on to have my breakfast, and you won’t guess where it was, at Jollibee. Yes, I was trying something different and then went on to Gaizano and made my way back just in time for boarding.

I slept on the fast jet (for three hours) and I envy the ones riding the cargo ship enjoying the open air,  I made sure to take that one for my return trip. At the port drivers were asking me where I was headed so I said I’m okay and when everyone seemed to calm down I asked one driver to take me to Cloud Nine. I asked if he knew a safe but not costly place to stay and he said no, so I said okay, we’ll go on an asking adventure, I told him to just take me to where surfer’s meet and I’ll ask around.

I found Patrick’s on Cloud Nine  with only 400PHP per night, so I left my things and headed to the beach. The huge waves looked really powerful that when an instructor asked me if I would want to surf I asked if I could only ride the smaller waves. I agreed to have my one hour surfing lesson for 500PHP which comes with a shoes for safety because the shore had sharp reefs.  

I was surfing until sundown (I think I had more than an hour, *grin*) and looking at the sunset was like God telling me I answered your prayers. I was praying even long before this trip because I am going alone and all I can say is God made it perfect. Riding the waves while looking at the sunset felt so romantic it feels like Jesus was asking for my heart. After surfing the instructor told me “Perfect yung waves mo maam (you had perfect waves)”, then I realized that I never missed a wave, primarily because we had enough distance from the shore that I always find my balance before I loose the wave (yeah, that was cool).

While talking to my instructor however he told me that most of the tourist are at  the town proper, General Luna. I knew I had to go there or the quiet stillness in my room will not let me sleep, I asked the caretaker and she was okay with it, I said I am going to stay at their another beach hut Patrick’s on the Beach at General Luna and I was very glad I made that decision, it was like bits of puzzles falling into places.

General Luna was indeed were sea people (people who loved the beach) gathered. Thankfully Patrick’s is not near the place where they had KTV’s, so I had serenity and at the same time felt safe because I know there are people around. I ordered dinner and befriended the caretakers and even had a picture playing with their cute dog.

I enjoyed the place just siting at the beach front listening to my good old music the next morning while enjoying my breakfast - picture that! And I have to tell you that their Nipa Hut is also something to look forward to specially for couples, it has the laid-back feel of privacy that can really be romantic (I just love the term romantic because I am a hopeless romantic so cut me some slack). It costs me 800PHP (this is good for two persons) for a non-aircon room (it has an aircon it's just a matter of not turning it on, who would? it was cold) with a bathroom and you have a front porch, how awesome is that?

I packed up my things at 11:00 (Tuesday) so I can leave at twelve as I need to catch the Cargo ship leaving at 13:00, bid the caretakers farewell and rode another motorbike. Motorbikes should only cost you 50PHP but there has to be 3 of you – if you are alone and don’t want to ride with other passengers it will cost you 150PHP. There are still more places to visit at Siargao (there's an island there with glowing jelly fish) but I came here primarily for surfing and it would cost me more if I did Island hopping on my own so I’m hoping to go back with friends some other time.

Of course you have to check on my pictures below. 

Scenery at Cloud Nine's view deck, and there's me because I had to be there.. :)

I wish I could surf those gigantic waves, but maybe next time.

With the cute doggie..

General Luna  Beach,..

Yes, I enjoyed my breakfast.

I loved this, and that's why I have to have two photos.

Tinuy-an Falls and Hinatuan River

Who are you with?  Why are you alone? Don’t you have friends or a boyfriend? The questions I have to answer time and time again during my solo trip to Surigao last October 11-14. It even got me thinking if I really do have friends. Do I? Alright, I think I have a few good friends but they can’t be travelling with me all the time, or at least I thought. J On my first day I explored the so called “Niagara of the Philippines”, Tinuy-an falls,  the widest most beautiful falls I have seen so far and the bluest river (but it’s not sad) of Hinatuan, the Enchanted River.

I arrived in Butuan in Thursday (last Oct. 14) at around 15:00, ask around and was directed to ride a multicab bound to Butuan terminal  (fare is 20PHP). Multicab ride is around 40 minutes including multiple stops. At the multicab there was a lady and his guy friend who were quite amused at hearing me speak in Bisaya, asked where I was headed and the lady offered to accompany me to the bus terminal as she is headed to Mangagoy as well, however, knowing that I can also ride a van I inquired about it and did not ride the bus leaving at 16:00. At the entrance of the terminal there are dispatchers and they told me to wait and assured me that a van will pass by, after waiting for almost an hour however I asked them in a serious and pleading tone (the lady in distress kind of way J) if the van will ever arrive, and they said it will but they don’t know when, it was at that notion that I opted to take the bus, I am guessing the van going to Mangagoy leaves in the evening, just a calculated guess so don’t expect it. J

To make the long story short, I rode the bus leaving at 17:00, it was a sweaty, long and bumpy ride but I managed with all that is within me to take a nap when evening came because I haven't slept since the night of the previous day and I am certain I looked so wasted as one passenger kind of looked at me with so much concern and he was like, “Where are you staying? I can help you find a good place”. I wouldn't want to judge him of course but because he was a guy, I just smiled and I guess he knew what that meant.

I arrived at Mangagoy at 22:00, I agreed to the first man who approached me for a ride because I don’t really have time to ask around and told him to bring me to a cheap and safe hostel just so I can have some place to sleep. He took me to “Sleep In”, which is by the way just a walking distance from the highway, you can just walk and ask around if its daytime, they have different types of rooms they even have air-conditioned ones but I opted for the fan room for  150PHP.

I woke up really early the next morning with the help of my phone alarm at 5:00, I did not allow myself to indulge in morning laziness because I knew I need to be back to Butuan that same day for me to travel to  Siargao the following day, and I must say I am very proud to keep up with my itinerary. :D I left for for Tinuy-an at 6:00 and arrived at 7:00 riding their famous habal-habal installed with a roof.

It was a long ride, yes, but the road is no longer bumpy just a lot of difficult hilly ascents and descents which is scary at times but I had to trust the driver.  Along the road the driver – Kuya Julie (he is a man and married with kids but I don’t know why the Julie), asked me where I’m headed next so I said Hinatuan, he said he could take me there directly after tinuy-an to save me the hassle of transferring rides. I didn't agree  at first because the deal for him to take me to and from Tinuy-an is only 300PHP and going straight to Hinatuan will cost me 1000PHP, so I said I will think about it.  After exploring Tinuy-an and seeing how he was really a trustworthy man (left him all my things) I decided to hire him for the entire day at 900PHP, I was able to negotiate 100php. If I took the alternative transpo I could ride a bus to Hinatuan which is at 30PHP and ride another Habal2 for 300PHP as per the locals but I was already having a friend and If there is anything I can buy, why not buy time right?

The falls was truly breathtaking, I guess I could say it was a moment that took my breath away but I had to fight and get it back because I had to live. Kidding aside, I really am thankful to God for giving me the courage and assuring my safety for that trip because I was able to see how beautiful it really was that pictures you see can’t justify it. You may not appreciate the  first level of the falls being the closest to the entrance but the second one, which is mostly what is depicted in the pictures is the highest and the widest, you can’t really get under it because the current is so strong. The third and the fourth levels however, are not that wide and long but there you can immerse yourself under the falls and see the seemingly carved rock walls and the lush green trees that makes the place more heavenly. Going up to the third and fourth level requires that you get a guide and I strongly suggest that you get one because the way is very slippery and this place does not hold a record of zero fatality rate, at least one dies every year as per the guide so saying be careful can’t be stressed enough.

After an hour of dipping and jumping on its cold waters, I figured I had to leave for Hinatuan as I had to see the fish feeding at 12:00. Leaving from Tinuy-an at 8:00, we arrived at Hintu-an at 10:00 so I had spent more of my time at the river, which is good because there were more people there and a lifeguard, they also hold a record of zero fatality rate so I felt it was really safe to go swimming there alone.

I was amazed at seeing that it really was colored so blue, but I was more amazed when I tasted that it was salty. I didn’t drink form it of course, but you can’t be dipping in waters and not tasting it somehow, so why is the water salty? I have no idea, my guess is maybe it was close to the sea?

I had someone take pictures of me at Tinuy-an, but I thought who would take pictures of me here? Being the resourceful that I am, I saw a cottage and talked to the man who was sitting there, discovering that he was the life guard I left him my camera and he became my instant photographer. I also had my early lunch before diving in the blue waters and I must say they have the cheapest seafood on earth. J

While dipping, the thing I enjoyed the most was balancing myself in between two big balls in what seems to be a life line they have installed near the cottage not very far from the bluest part on the right side of the river, that is until I saw the fish getting ready for feeding. Boy, the fishes were too big and too many and they really come out at around 12:00 noon expectant of their portion, this I could say is truly magical and enchanting.

I left at around 12:40 and was able to ride a van heading back to Butuan at 13:15. I was blessed with a very good weather and had meet really good people including Kuya Julie that day, it was trip I’d do all over again.

I am sharing with you my itinerary and expenses. My dinner for day zero by the way was the lanzones I bought on the bus station which I ate on the bus and my breakfast the next day was cup noodles and bread I have bought with me from MLA. J This is Kuya Julie’s contact number if you are interested : 09168719168.

Day 0

15:05 arrive airport.. Ride multicab to butuan terminal (20 PHP)

15:40 arrive at terminal

17:00 bus to Mangagoy (240 PHP)

21:45 arrived at mangagoy, ride tricycle to hostel (50 PHP)

22:00 arrived at hostel (150 PHP)

Day 1 - 6:00 to tinuy-an8:00- left tinuy-an (tricycle 900 PHP for whole day)

10:00 arrive enchanted,.

10:30 early lunch

12:40 head back to main road for  butuan..

13:15  van back to butuan..

Below are some photos but you may visit my fb page and like for more photos. J

https://www.facebook.com/timelessterry

ain't there a rainbow always after the rain? the second level of Tinuy-an but is the main attraction

on the way up

3rd level

4th level

yes, that is Kuya Julie and me in a roofed habal-habal on the way to Hinatuan - Enchanted river, pictures below.

some things about me

A small town lass, finding her way in a big city. I'm a dreamer, with all my hopes placed in the hands of the one who has saved me. A believer of Jesus, that he died for my sins, that I am saved by grace and by grace alone. Have done some mistakes, some good things, have helped and hurt others, but is growing in every step and learning to soar high above the storms of life guided by the One who molded me in my mother's womb.

I love to travel, and I mean not just by riding boats and planes, I enjoy hiking too! From the steep slopes to the mountain tops, down the rivers, jumping on falls, basking on sunny beaches to enjoying the evening city lights- I am game for it all. And YES I want to have an expedition around  the world, to see God's beautiful, wonderful creation. I love to meet new people and learn different cultures. I love taking pictures too, (every traveler does - it's our proof!) and of course pose for the camera. I'm starting this blog to share my experiences, the lessons I've learned along the way, the wonderful people I've met and those pictures of course!

I hope you will find something in here that may provoke the wanderlust in you, or maybe just to pass your time while waiting for the next vacation. I'll see you around.