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It had been 4 years since I’ve last stepped into Taiwan.

The first time I was there in 2004, it was on a tour with family around Taiwan during winter time. We covered a lot of places including Taipei, Jiufen, Hualien and now that I’m trying to recall more places that I’ve been, this 10-years-ago-memory seems to be failing me. The tour was too rush and fast paced for me to remember anything significant.

The second time I visited Taiwan was in 2009. It was a very special trip as it was the first time I was going overseas with my friends. It was also the first time I paid for my own holiday vacation with the money that I made from my holiday job. For this trip, we only covered Taichung and Taipei as we couldn’t afford anything more than a one week trip. It was a great holiday and it took me months and months of planning. My proudest achievements were that I managed to find and visit certain filming locations and also Mr J resturant, and even, watched 20th Golden Melody Awards live at the taipei arena 😀

As it was my first trip, I did not want anything to screw up and nether do I want to get short-changed for anything. 5 years on, my first taiwan trip was indeed a great stepping stone for my other great adventures to USA, Europe & Korea.

Third visit to Taiwan was during a stopover for my return flight from San Francisco via China Airlines. It was only 3 nights and due to the exhaustion from our summer stint in the USA, the Taiwan trip had been unplanned. We only explored the areas within Taipei and 70% of the places were just a repeat of 2009. Nevertheless, I enjoyed visiting these places as it brings about some moments of these nostalgic memories.

Yes, my fourth trip to Taiwan has been long overdue and it would be really different the next time round. With a few years aged, a driving license and a could-be-improved driving skills, I believe that a road trip should be within my agenda. This means that I will be able to explore the unexplored, experience different experiences, exotic, unique, adventurous. You name it, I’m gonna try it ^_^

As mentioned in my previous entry, I’ve discovered a website which facilitates people in planning their holiday vacation. This website has been a dream come true for me as not only am I able to make my vacation planning an ease, I can even share my experiences with others as well.

The interactive platform encourages users to contribute content, not limiting to just travel spots, photos and travel tips, but also travel itineraries! You can also win vouchers for your contributions and this has been an incentive for many to be participate actively!

In an attempt to win a fully sponsored trip to Taiwan, I’ve decided to plan a potential Taiwan itinerary for myself.(Update: just received a message from Qiito’s admin saying that this sponsorship is closed.. but it’s okay i’ll continue with my entry.)

(This app doesn’t seem to work well with WordPress but please click on the link to view my full itinerary)

View Refreshing Nature Tour in Taiwan on QIITO

This whole trip revolves around my desire to visit a farm – Flying Cow Ranch 飛牛牧場

I actually have this place marked down in my mind since 2004-5 as this farm is a popular filming location for many Taiwanese drama.

– Lavendar (薰衣草), Snow Angel (雪天使) and Engagement for Love (愛情經紀約).

Yes I had been a great fan of Snow Angel back in 2004.

Since 2006, their website has definitely improved a lot and the best part of it is that there’s even an english version right now!

http://www.flyingcow.com.tw/en

This farm provides accommodation (very limited) from 3300NT. When I get the chance to visit this place, I would love to stay overnight in this lovely farm too!

Another place top on my list is Gaomei Wetlands 高美濕地

Photo Cr: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw

Why? Because of this song.

We don’t have windmills here in Singapore and there’s just something about windmills which makes it so beautiful. Be it the skinny wind turbines like this or the holland ones. I love them all.

Being situated at the west coast, this is a perfect place to visit during sunset. Similar to the west coast of Korea, there’s this phenomenon of muddy low-lying wetlands by the coast. Go ahead and take off your shoes and wade across. There will be a large ecosystem as you walk and animals such as crabs can be spotted. Be very careful to avoid stepping on them!

This windmill scene has appeared in a couple of MV but I can’t seem to remember or find anyone except this yoga lin mv for 感同身受.

Next up on the list would be the Remains of Longteng Bridge 龍騰斷橋

Image Cr: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002110&id=C100_342

This bridge was built back in 1905 and its remains had been left behind by two major earthquakes which happened in 1935 and 1999. It was said to be built with only bricks and sticky rice, unlike using modern materials such as steel bars.

I’m pretty much a fan of everything random and awkward-looking. Furthermore, this is a historically-related remains of the past. It makes visiting it even more meaningful!

Last one on the list that I would like to feature is the Shei-Pa National Park 雪霸國家公園

What makes this national park is that it contains the 5 highest peak in Taiwan! (and yes it snows on the mountain during winter)

Img Cr: http://www.spnp.gov.tw/v2/default.aspx?lang=1

Found this awesome accommodation in the park : http://www.sheipa.com.tw/eng/

Can seriously consider if I make it to this place. They have fruit farms for blueberries omg!!

For the adventurous, you can read this blog for his 5D4N hiking trip in this park: http://hikingtaiwan.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/the-holy-ridge/#more-701

Apart from this east Taiwan tour, there are still a couple of locations I would like to visit and I think it would take more than a month if I would like to cover all the places! Perhaps in the near future, I will start creating my dream itinerary!

DREAM LOCATIONS TO VISIT IN TAIWAN

it’s gonna be a little messy cause these are really random places and I haven’t figured out how to categorize them yet.

(1) Kenting

Minsu that is featured in 王子变青蛙 & 海角7号

http://www.kenting.net.tw/

(2) Penghu

Filming location for the first drama that I bought (20 disc in a box): Dolphins by the Lovers bay 海豚湾恋人 feat. Angela Zhang
澎湖吉贝老街、马公市区乐园

(3) Filming locations for You are the apply of my eye 《那些年》拍摄地

白沙灣海水浴場 (Bai Sha Wan Hai Shui Yu Chang) at Northeast Taiwan.

Place where they sat by the beach and discuss about what comes next after graduation.

Directions: From Taipei, take Metro to Dan Shui Station, change to Dan Shui Ke Yun (Bus) which goes in the direction of Keelung. Alight at Bai Sha Wan Station.

交通：从台北出发搭乘台北捷运至淡水站下，再转搭淡水客运(往基隆)至白沙湾站下即到。

Info Cr: http://pp.163.com/forum/179001/subject/563001/

Pingsi Historic Street

Place where they light the sky lantern: 平溪石底桥放飞漫天天灯

Directions: Take Train from Taipei to Pingxi

交通：从台北可搭乘火车前往平溪，也可以从台北搭电车前往三貂岭，然后乘火车游览平溪支线铁路全程。

To the railway tracks that was featured in the film: