Yesterday, I've seen the shared-ride vans parked in front of 7-eleven and already accepting reservations for the next day's trip back to the city (Chiayi).  Their trips are just up to Chiayi TRA station and they see to it that they leave before the bus leaves.  I asked (or rather asked the help of someone to translate) if they do a Alishan-Fenchihu-Chiayi trip.  They actually do but they only do that for the 11AM trip (in case they were able to gather a group of people who wanted to go the same route) just in time for lunch, for the famous Fenchihu lunch box.  They could only confirm if the trip would proceed before 11AM.  Too bad I don't have the luxury of time.  Maybe if you're a group of 5 or more, you could persuade the driver to go that route.

Discounting the idea of going to Fenchihu, I've planned to take the 9:10AM bus.  I took a back-ride on a staff's scooter going to the bus station and took the shared ride instead for NTD200 (normal bus fare is NTD221 plus this would take me faster to Chiayi).

Scooter Back-ride

The sun is already up on the way to Chiayi

Thank you for visiting Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.  Please come again!

Downtown Chiayi

Chiayi TRA Station

I was already at Chiayi Station before 11AM.  With the time saved on the trip, it allowed me to go to one more destination... Chung Cheng University.  Left my bag at the baggage service station at the left side of the main station.

It was already past 1PM when I got back to Chiayi station.  I claimed my bags and proceeded to the rear of the station to take the bus to Chiayi HSR Station.  The bus ride is about 30 minutes and is free for those going between TRA and HSR stations.  I just missed the HSR train so I need to take the next one at 2:36PM to Taoyuan Station.

To TRA Rear Station Hall

Chiayi TRA to HSR Station

Bus from Chiayi

Chiayi HSR Station

HSR Train

I'm running late, I have a 5:25PM flight to catch.  Normally, I'm at the airport 2-3 hours before the flight... not today.

From Taoyuan HSR Station, I took the U-bus to the airport.  Whew! I made it! I got there more than an hour before the flight!  It was only when I got to the boarding gate that I looked around a bit and took some pictures, at least while waiting for the boarding announcement.

Aboard the U-bus to the airport

TPE Airport

While waiting to board

And that concludes my Taiwan adventure.

I was already at the airport early morning of Feb 23.  I was able to eat breakfast, charge my phone and see the sunrise while waiting for my flight.

Sunrise as seen from NAIA Terminal 2

View from the plane

The flight was on schedule and the immigration process was a breeze.  After getting my bag, I proceeded to the bus station.  I took the Free Go bus to the city. It cost me NTD140. It has a stop in front of Taipei Main Station. I should just have taken Kuo Kuang bus for some dollars less and stops at Taipei Main West Bus Station.  The bus ride to the city took around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

On the way to the city

On the way to the city

On the way to the city

On the way to the city... There are still additional flyovers being constructed