Memories: From Taipei to Hsinchu 4Sep11

Went back Sheraton to collect our luggage from the concierge. Sheraton is really convenient as there's a train station right outside the hotel.

The lobby.

Took a train to Taipei Main Station which is just a stop away from Sheraton. Jones queue to buy tickets to Hsinchu, thinking that it is Gao Tie (Express Train). However, he paid only NT114/person, so we already have our suspicion that we bought the wrong tickets.

Nevertheless, after we saw the number of stations from Taipei Main Station to Hsinchu, we thought the journey would take us at most 1hr.

From the red to the last station (from right to left), we counted only about 17 stations, so how long can that take us? Ahahaha....

At the train platform while waiting for our train to Hsinchu.

Stopping at one of the mamy stations along the way.

Inside the train.

We were to find out the hard way later as station after station, the train will stop for a short while before moving on. At some stations, it will stop for the driver to get of the seat and to walk around the train platform (maybe to the loo or for some stretching)...and not forgetting that the time to travel from one station to the next takes approximately 3-5minutes!

Total journey: 2hrs 10mins.

Finally arrive at Hsin Chu!!!

Hsinchu Train station

Cabs waiting outside the train station

From Hsin Chu, we took a cab to Lao Ye Fan Tian (Royal Hotel) at "ke que yuan qu".

Lao Ye Fan Tian

From the hotel lobby, I thought the hotel is ok. Nice, crowded but well, fairly ok, not too bad. Jones had earlier warned me not to expect much as it is a small hotel. However, the service was fantastic from the moment we arrive. The door lady who greeted us when our cab pulled up in front of the hotel was simply unexpected. She helped us with our luggage and even carried the large cargo bag (which is damn heavy) on one hand and the smaller cabin bag on the other hand up the stairs. Jones tried to stop her to carry it himself but she insisted. Was really surprised by her strength.

Found out that they actually provide shuttle bus to Taipei vv on weekends.

The currency exchange rates at the hotel.

We were staying on the 22nd floor, the highest level.
The view that greeted us once we step out of the lift.

Our room for the next 3 days :)

Saw this fire-extinguisher outside most hotel rooms. It's not encased in glass unlike the ones in Singapore.
Even on the train, the extinguisher is also not encased in glass.

The room itself!!!

I loved this hotel!!! Its one of the best hotel I have ever stayed in. Its great that there's ample space for us to do our own things...a desk for him to do his work while I can lounge at the sofa with the coffee table....and we are able to watch tv easily while sitting there or when we are on the bed....example...