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

Fun in Taiwan

It has been a while that I've been wanting to go back to Taiwan.  It has been 3 years since my first trip to this country.  Just like before, this trip coincides with the sky lantern festival.  My goal was to see the releasing of sky lanterns up close.

It was late November when PAL released some promo fares.  I preferred PAL flights as the flight schedule is much better especially since I'm traveling alone.  I paid US$168.30 for my airfare, still expensive than that of budget airlines.  My original schedule was Feb 22 (ETD MNL 07:20) to Feb 26 (ETD TPE 17:25).  However, come January, I received an email from PAL for some changes in their flight time schedules.  They changed my flight to Feb 22 (ETD MNL 11:05) up to Feb 27 (ETD TPE 17:25). That's one day more than my intended stay.

Manila Departure Time change

Taipei Departure Date change

I checked on the new schedules and requested that my flight be moved to Feb 23 - 27 instead.  The flight schedule on those dates would still have the same time as the original.  Good thing it was approved (even if there are no more available slots for my ticket class) and so I also adjusted my requested leave of absence.

New flight schedule

Then, I booked my hotel, Saual Keh Hotel, from booking.com.  I was planning to just get a hostel room but I'm not ready for that adventure yet (going solo on a hostel).

For my visa, I just applied for it online.  This is possible as I have a valid US visa.  I got the confirmation right away.  Now, I'm ready for my trip.

Authorization certificate and immigration stamps

Itinerary

There are still lots of places I want to explore.  So, I decided to skip some of the places I've been to before.  I have no definite itinerary for my 1st, 3rd and 5th day but I have places in my mind that I consider going to on those days.  In the end, the items below made up my itinerary.


Day 1:
- From the airport to the city
- Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
- Din Tai Fung (the original store at Xinyi Rd)
- 2013 Taipei Lantern Festival at the Yuanshan and Fine Arts park area of Taipei Expo Park
- Miramar Entertainment Park

Day 2:
- Taipei Zoo area
- Transportation to Shifen
- Jingtong
- Shifen
- 2013 Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

Day 3:
- Yangmingshan National Park
- Xinbeitou
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei City Hall area

Day 4:
- Road to Alishan
- Gaushanching Hotel
- Alishan's Town Center
- Alishan Station
- Alishan Forest Recreation Area


Day 5:
- Alishan Sunrise Trip
- Chiayi Station and National Chung Cheng University (CCU) 
- Alishan to Chiayi to TPE airport

Tagaytay's Nurture Spa Village today offers a new range of facilities and services to its guests: an enhanced spa menu featuring international facial and spa brands BIODROGA and ALGOTHERM, expanded wellness services to include detoxification, weight reduction, anti-ageing and chronic disease management, expanded food and beverage services, a more extensive garden, an events pavilion, free WIFI connection, additional deluxe rooms, family rooms, a swimming pool, herb garden, Locavore farm, Laro ng Lahi and a reflexology path. (Source: http://www.nurture.com.ph/about-us.html)

Nurture Spa Village

Nurture Spa Village

Nurture Spa Village

My friends and I went there specifically to get some massage and try glamping.

Spa Room

Glamping (glamorous camping) combines camping and the amenities of a hotel.  The package is at PhP2500.00/person and includes one night accommodation (in a tent), barbecue at night and set breakfast.  There's no aircon though :) and no electric fan provided.  Good thing we went there on a January and it wasn't that hot during the night.

The camp site was set up in Kampo Sabila (a place inside Nurture Spa).  They have set up 2 tents for us.  Although the bigger tent is big enough for the four of us, they've set up the other tent just in case we felt crowded in one.  I guess their glamping activity is not that popular (yet) and we're the only ones using the area for that day/night.  Shared bath/restroom is available near the play area.

Flowers at Kampo Sabila

Kampo Sabila Camping Area

Our Tent (lamp and toiletries provided)

Kampo Sabila

Location

Getting There:
By car, take the South Expressway towards Batangas, Exit Sta. Rosa or Greenfields City. Follow the signs towards Tagaytay. Upon reaching the ridge, turn right towards Tagaytay City. Once you reach the Tagaytay City Rotonda go towards the direction of Nasugbu. Watch out for a row of restaurants (Starbucks, Leslie’s, Dencios, Carlos Pizza) on your left. Once you spot them, turn right at Magallanes Square (where you can see Globe Telecom), follow the signs leading to Nurture Spa Village, approximately 3 kms. away.