My wife and I returned to a very hazy ~__~ Singapore.

We had just enjoyed a 7-days-6-nights honeymoon from 27 September – 3 October, 2006 in Taipei. From the fresh(er) air of Taipei, we landed into homeland thick in haze from the neighbouring country forest fires..

See how we cast aside an itinerary carefully-planned, plunging into a time of vacation break and free-and-easy exploration of Taipei! Come along! :-D

…. Day 1: SG to TPE . TTiA . TS Hotel . ShiLin Night Market ….

Once freed from the confined discomforts of our Jetstar plane, we took our time through clearance at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

It was funny to see the China Airline (or was it Eva Air?) lady announcing “Welcome to Taiwan!” then quickly lifted to keep her signboard as (the last) 2 “tourist-clowns” strolled pass! Maybe she mistook us as tourists from her airline? Great start still!

From the jetwalk, we paced leisurely to the customs checkpoint. Taking our time to take in the sights of a foreign airport, visiting the washroom, posing for a photo or two.. Groups of fellow passengers from our flight had all gone..

Hey, we were in Taipei now! What’s the hurry?

An hour or more travelling in slow traffic inside a KuoKuang dingy bus brought us to Taipei Railway (and Mrt Main) Station..

When we walked from Taipei Main Station to XiMenDing then to TaShun Hotel, I couldn’t recognize the places at all!

The huge overhead bridge in front of Taipei Railway Station has disappeared!

It was a landmark I remembered well – because 15 years ago, I attempted not using that bridge and crossed my way through the maddening evening peak traffic. I was caught by a traffic officer in full view of curious after-work crowd! ;-P

We enjoyed the sights as we walked briskly looking for TS Hotel near XiMenDing. No snail-pace strolling this time!

Read on.. Did we find our hotel? What did we do for the rest of our very first evening in Taipei?

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