Tainan to Taipei

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Hsinying, Tainan to Taipei (4/18/2013)

Continue with our trip report.

It was time for us to go to Taipei. For half of what we would pay for taking the high speed train, we decided to take the bus up north this time. There are many bus companies running this route but we picked Ho Shin, recommended by MOR's brother who was also going to Taipei on business this day.

To compete with each other, these bus companies boast comfort and convenience and they sure deliver what they promised. The thing is it takes longer than the HS train, four hours total from Hsinying to Taipei whereas the train only takes about an hour or so. Riding the regular train would be fun also and takes about the same time but with the luggage we had it was just impossible.

waiting at the Hsinying station

one of the Ho Shin buses

crossroads outside the station

You can tell idol worshiping is big here, even inside the bus station waiting room.

on the bus

comfortable chairs, they called these "Presidential Seats"

with individual screen but only one channel

buttons for the massage chair

dare to use this blanket?

The bus stopped at the terminal designated for all bus companies north of the main train station. Even though it is connected to the train station and subway station it was very confusing and just like walking through a maze. It took us a while to find our way back to the part of the station where we are familiar with. Not an easy walk with all our bags tagging along. We were exhausted when we reach the Hotel Flower.

This was our third time here at the Hotel Flowers, a popular hotel for Japanese and Asian tourists. We like this hotel because of its location, so close to the train station and right in the middle of town on Hankou Road near Chungching Road, South.

This is not a STAR type of hotels, just decent accommodation. This time we turned down the family suite in the main building and stayed in this family room on the 8th floor in the newer annex. This room was better than the one we had last year.

After settling in we went back to the station underground mall to look for lunch and we ended up here.

hot and sour soup

fried dumplings

Our trip to Taipei was generously paid for by our dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Lin. Mr. Lin is a close friend of MOR since junior high years and our families became very close throughout the years as we watched each other's kids mature.  He went to the hotel and paid for our room even before we arrived and took us around while we were in Taipei. May God bless them for their love. 

It just happened that it was Mrs. Lin's birthday so we joined them for a celebration at the Viceroy's Steak House, a long-time establishment in the city.

It has a great view of the city east side. See the bottle of Kirkland salt ?

Their newly wed son and daughter-in-law and their daughter.

Dinner included choice of main and salad, dessert bar.

Christian's rib-eye

my fish and filet

Happy Birthday, Huei Chu!