What is your major stress in life? A few nights back, while queuing in a drive thru, my kids & I were talking about our personalities. We’re making fun of ourselves, and had a good laugh about it. On a serious side, I blurted out that I was a people pleaser. I wanted people to like me, and yes, it has been a major source of stress for me. It has been that way for me. I want to please my parents, siblings, teachers, classmates, bosses, co workers, hubby, kids, etc. I feel disappointment in myself, if I perceive that I don’t come up to their expectations. I feel ashamed of myself, if I deemed that I fail my children, whether imagined or not. These negative feeling does take a toll on my wellbeing. It took years learning this feeling of inadequacy, so it also took years to unlearn it. It is only through God’s mercy and love, that I am able to accept myself, love myself. It is only through God’s unconditional love, that I am able to say, that I AM ENOUGH. I am a work in progress,
* Youtube video included; See below at the end of this blog post.
It's better to see something once, than hear to hear about it a thousand times. - Asian Proverb
Big smile as I arrived at Taoyuan Airport
Taiwan at first sight! ♥♥
A few months before my birthday, I was already planning to go on an out of the country trip, and I zeroed in on Taiwan! But, less than a month before my birthday, I still have not booked-in my flight. Why, is that so? Well, like many other Mommies out there, our first consideration is the household expenses. It takes first place above and beyond than our personal needs. Maybe, you're like me, who would have stowed away a certain amount for your personal needs, only to withdraw from it, little by little, then it finally dawns on you that the mini kitty savings you have are dwindling down peso by peso! But God saw to it that I would go on that Taiwan trip! 3 weeks before my birthday, as I was scouring for a cheap return ticket to Taiwan, AirAsia came to my rescue! I was able to book a return flight at P 6,220.00. I was losing hope that I would still be able to avail of a cheap ticket to Taiwan because the prices I saw were ranging from 8k to 10k, round trip. After booking my flight with AirAsia, I then stormed the internet for my accommodation. When I book for accommodations, I always see to it that it would be near MRT stations, so I could flit easily back and forth to my hostel and the MRT station. I looked through Agoda and found this place, which is in Zhongzheng District and a few minutes away from Taipei Main Station. It is Neosoho, very affordable and I use my Master card to pay for it. You can book and pay later and cancellation is free if you cancel 2 days before your check-in. It is better to check the cancellation dates if you plan to book here. I paid 1,705 NTD for my 5 nights stay and Neosoho collected payment only at my arrival in the hostel.
Taiwan is still visa-free for Filipino passport holders up to July 2020. My immigration experience, was quite a breeze, the only question, the I.O. asked me was where I am working. I only showed my passport and airline ticket and that's it, I'm on my way to my assigned boarding gate at NAIA's Terminal 3.
I only have a carry-on bag and my shoulder bag. I made sure that both bags weigh, 7kgs only. It is summer now in Taiwan, so I only have to bring light clothes and basic essentials with me. I only use my I-phone to take photos and videos for my blog and Youtube
.
Wifi is free and the signal was strong all throughout the hostel. Outside of the hostel, generally, there is free wifi, which, I happily avail. If, makakapaghintay pa naman, maybe you can just wait till you get to your hostel if you want to post photos in your IG or FB. As for me, I don't have problems with the usage of wifi. Before I traveled to Taiwan, I downloaded the app maps.me which I use to guide me. I traveled solo to Taiwan and yes, I did get lost but the offline app I used, guided me plus the fact, that I also read the blogs of other travelers and it helped me a lot. Whenever there is strong wifi signal in the city, I would post insta pics in my FB as well!
At NAIA Airport, I exchanged my pesos for NTD. When I googled the exchange rate, it was Php1.64 to 1 NTD but when I asked at NAIA foreign exchange, it was Php 1.92 to 1 NTD. I found it too high, I decided to initially exchange Php 8,000 and I thought of withdrawing thru my ATM for the rest of my budget, just like what we did when we were in Singapore. I got 4,100 NTD for the Php 7,872 I exchanged.
Money...money
From Taoyuan Airport, I rode Bus 1819 to get to Taipei Main Station. This bus runs on 24 hours and you could travel in comfort on the way to Taipei Main Station. I bought my bus ticket for 170 NTD one way. Throughout, my 5 days stay in Taiwan, the MRT train was my main source of traveling. My daughter lent me her Easy Card, which I topped up at 7-11. Easy card is a contactless smartcard the same as our beep card. You can rent it by paying 100 NTD and on your way back to the Philippines, you can either keep it or surrender it at the MRT station. On my way back to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT train fare is 160 NTD but I was charged 150 only when I used my Easy card. Every time you use your Easy card, your rides & purchases are discounted. Easy card can be used in buses, MRT and in all convenience stores.
How cute this Easy card is!š
Bus 1819 going to Taipei Main Station
Tara na!š
Finally arrived at Taipei Main Station
Cosmos Hotel right in front of Taipei Main Station
Food is quite cheap in Taiwan. A bowl of noodles costs only 55 NTD and it is quite filling to the tummy. What's unique with this order of noodle is that it is quite cold instead of steaming hot. You can savor the flavor of peanut in the sauce topping.
Appetizing cold noodles
Taiwan is famous for its milk tea. Bubble milk tea.
Yummy waffle cream sandwich
If you are craving for rice meals, Family Mart is the answer. Their rice meals are quite satisfying.
Milk tea galore at 7-11
One thing is sure, you'll never go hungry in Taiwan! I traveled solo in Taiwan and this is really one for the books because it is my very first time to travel alone. My solo travel is one off my bucket list wish and I was able to accomplish it on my birthday!
Welcome to Taiwan!
This is the first of my Taiwan Blogventure Series. In the following series, I would blog about my itinerary and bring you with me to Taiwan. Here is a breakdown of my expenses:
Airfare P 6,220.00
Travel Tax 1,620.00
Pocket Money 8,000.00
P15,840.00
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