{ Taiwan Travelogue Part One } Cing Jing Day 2: Green Green Grassland & Carton King Restaurant

IMG_2052

Imagine waking up to this sight. The view is beautiful and the air feels fresher in Cingjing. If you have read my previous post, you would know that the weather wasn’t too kind on the day we arrived Cingjing. It rained the entire day! The weather on day 2 of our trip was good! In fact, it was hot and sunny. You don’t really need a jacket or sweater in the day if it’s not raining in Cingjing. Can just walk around in t-shirt and shorts 🙂

IMG_2059

Enjoying the view while having breakfast prepared by one of the minsu auntie.

IMG_2064

Very simple breakfast but so homely and delicious, which warmed the cockles of my heart.

IMG_0833

Before setting off for our first destination of the day, 二姐 invited us to take a look at her new pets! She bought these cute little chicks from the market that morning and named them Bao Bao and Bei Bei. She even lifted up their cage and allowed them to strut around. Too cute!

IMG_2070

When 二姐 knew that we wanted to go to Green Green Grassland, she offered to give us a ride! It sure saved us a lot of time waiting for the public bus. Really damn hot with the sun shining down on us! Regretted wearing long sleeves with jacket somemore. We quickly proceeded to purchase the entrance tickets which cost about NT$200 per person.

IMG_2071

The hubs and I were pretty amused by the name Green Green Grassland because it’s the direct translation of 青青草原! Anyway, Green Green Grassland is the largest attraction in Cingjing so you might wanna set aside a few hours just for this. There were definitely more people than sheep when we first went in! Before trekking down, we could see people following the sheep everywhere they went, just to take a decent photo. LOL.

IMG_2078

IMG_2085

IMG_2087

The sheep were roaming about freely and nom-ing on grass. You can purchase food for the sheep too if you wanna draw their attention to you 😛

IMG_2091

IMG_2094

IMG_2093

IMG_2097

IMG_2099

This photo quite funny! Looks as though misterchewy is out to steal some sheep!

IMG_2104

IMG_2105

IMG_2122

This hand appeared from nowhere and offered us food for the sheep! Ok la we bumped into a very friendly Singaporean auntie so we asked her to help us take photo too 😛

IMG_2124

IMG_2125

Time for sheep show! Spot the odd one out!

IMG_0845

IMG_2127

OMG the weather was freaking HOT. All of us were shielding ourselves with our umbrellas but were told to keep them before the show started in order not to block anyone’s view of the stage. Took off my jacket and folded up my sleeves but the heat was still unbearable!

IMG_0851

_MG_2133

The sheep show was quite similar to the one I saw in Australia. Basically sheep shearing and stuff. Quite entertaining though!

IMG_2138

IMG_2140

IMG_2141

Awwww this pony looks so cute but a little sad, don’t you think?

_MG_2146

_MG_2150

I decided to try sheep milk ice cream!

_MG_2154

The taste is really.. unforgettable!

IMG_2155

IMG_2159

_MG_2161

IMG_5413

IMG_2184

There was a whole line of stalls selling food, food and more food.

_MG_2175

It was really fun to be able to walk alongside so many sheep! To be honest, I was a little scared though. There were some teenagers (both guys and girls) screaming their heads off when the sheep charged towards them. LOL!

_MG_2182

_MG_2169

_MG_2172

IMG_2206

All that walking around made us super hungry and we took the bus to Carton King Restaurant! Almost everything is made using corrugated cardboard, which I guess is the only interesting thing about this restaurant. Haha! But then again, it’s really amazing the amount of things that one can do with cardboard alone.

IMG_2187

IMG_2209

IMG_2208

IMG_2186

IMG_2190

Drinks are interestingly packaged in a carton, and you can ask the staff to flatten it for you to bring home and subsequently use as a coinbox!

_MG_2198

_MG_2204

Both of us ordered the Steamboat Set (NT$380)! Mine was Japanese style fish soup base which was very sweet tasting and yummy!

_MG_2205

The hubs went for the Hokkaido concentrated milk soup base and it tasted a little like carbonara! I can’t imagine drinking so much of the soup! Like so fattening lor. But the hubby liked it.

_MG_2202

We were very satisfied with our lunch at Carton King Restaurant. Wanted to order some snacks initially but we were too full when we were done with our steamboat.

_MG_2216

_MG_2220

IMG_2223

IMG_2225

IMG_0864

It was a real pity that Small Swiss Garden is closed for maintenance till around mid June. We didn’t have anywhere else to go and decided to take photos at the free photobooth inside 7-Eleven. Haha!

_MG_2213

We went on a night tour to see fireflies and stars but didn’t capture it on camera. It was quite an eye-opening experience for us and we had a good time getting close to nature! This marks the end of part one of our Taiwan travelogue! Next up, we will be featuring our sightseeing and eating adventures in Taipei. Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy 🙂

{ Taiwan Travelogue Part One } Cingjing Day 1: Afternoon Tea at The Old England Manor & Dreamtown Minsu 嵐山小鎮 Review

IMG_5379

Yoohooooo~ misterchewy and I are back from our Taiwan trip! First time feeling so happy that our holiday was finally over! Before I delivered, I thought I badly needed to go on a short trip before I return to office and also to reward myself for my 9 months of ‘hard work’. HAHA. As first-time parents, we were too naïve to think that we wouldn’t miss our baby! Ended up having to video call home almost every night. I also didn’t factor in the breastfeeding part which is one huge obstacle and had to pump every now and then during the trip. Mad troublesome but for our darling girl, it was all worth it. This selfie was taken before we left for the airport, using the selfie rod that misterchewy bought for the trip 🙂

IMG_5386

Our Taiwan travelogue will be divided into two parts because we travelled to Cingjing and Taipei. Happy reading ya! Before our midnight flight with Scoot, I pumped in the nursing room at T2 which had adequate facilities. Selfie before boarding!

IMG_0779

Felt hungry a couple of hours later and got the hubs to order this for me. The Thai red curry was nubbad! After that I pumped at around 4am again at my seat! Got so exciting or not? I used my jacket to cover la and they had turned off the lights.

IMG_5536

Wanna thank XCom Global for lending us this portable WiFi router which helped us to stay connected to the online world throughout our trip! XCom Global specializes in providing low-cost wireless Internet access rental services to business and leisure travellers, and is an established leader among international 3G/4G broadband companies worldwide. XCom Global aims to provide secure, user-friendly wireless Internet access at a reasonable price. It covers more than 170 countries and rates are 40% cheaper than Telco data roaming. For Taiwan, the flat rate per day is only $9 and what’s the best part? Up to FIVE devices can be connected to the router!

_MG_1948

While other travellers had to rush and queue to buy their prepaid SIM cards, all we had to do was just switch on the device as soon as we touched down. Connected within seconds while still on the plane! The WiFi network name and password are conveniently labelled on the device. The rental process is idiot-proof! Simply fill in the order form here. You can choose to pick up the device or have it couriered to you at a small fee. Highly recommend getting your WiFi router before jet setting off for your trip!

IMG_0788

The minute we cleared customs, I went to pump at the nursing room at Taoyuan International Airport. They call it breastfeeding rooms over in Taiwan. There is also a diaper changing station and the room looks really impressive!

IMG_0784

This was where I pumped. So spacious and clean!

IMG_1949

How to get to Cingjing from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1:

1) Take the Kuo Kuang Bus from airport to Taipei High Speed Rail (HSR) Station (also known as Taipei Main Station)
Fare: NT$125 per person (ticket can be bought at the airport)
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes

2) Take the High Speed Rail from Taipei HSR Station to Taichung HSR Station
Fare: NT$765 per person (strongly encouraged to book early here to enjoy discounted rate)

3) Take the e-go Cingjing Tour Bus from Taichung HSR Station to your Minsu in Cingjing
Fare: NT$450 per person
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes

*Alternatively, you can just take the e-go Cingjing Tour Bus from Taipei Main Station to Cingjing but note that the meeting time is 06:45 and the journey is estimated to be take 4 hours*

IMG_5388

We were pretty amused by the cute appearance of this particular HSR that we boarded because of the cartoons from Cartoon Network.

IMG_5392

Ahahaha can see the selfie stick -_-

_MG_1947

We were still connected even though the train passed through the tunnel. Not like in Singapore where ppl go, “Argh.. Tunnel! No network!” Our only gripe was that the battery life of the WiFi router was only about 4 to 5 hours. The adaptor and charging cable are provided so you need to have your own portable power bank so that you can charge the router on the go.

IMG_1953

I didn’t sleep well on the plane so I was conked out on the HSR. LOL. Was a little hungry when we reached Taichung so misterchewy bought railway bento which looked damn good!

IMG_1958

Their 台鐵便當 is so popular! Saw many locals eating it at train stations. We ate on the E-go bus while en route to Cingjing. Damn, the ride was kinda bumpy initially and I was so afraid that the pork rib would fly out of out my hands. It’s a damn huge piece right! If drop on the floor very sayang. After eating I pumped on the bus. Purposely chose the last row seats when we boarded so that nobody could see.

_MG_2268

Finally reached our choice of accommodation, 嵐山小鎮 (Dreamtown Minsu)! I wanted to stay at a minsu that is not so commonly picked by travellers so Starry Minsu and Sunnydale Minsu were struck off the list. The hubs was crazy enough to suggest staying at Old England Manor OMG. A night costs like $600 or more?! In the end, we settled for Dreamtown Minsu because firstly, their website is in English and secondly, I thought that their rooms looked quite pretty, and with a good view too!

_MG_2241

As it was too early to check in, misterchewy helped me to ask if they had any breastfeeding rooms which was kinda funny really. The lady, whom she introduced herself as 二姐, looked sympathetic and opened up one of the rooms for me. Really appreciate her kind gesture! She even asked if I needed ice to store my milk.

IMG_1962

If you had noticed the pattern, pumping and eating go hand in hand. LOL. Mad love the 大骨湯 that’s available at Taiwan’s 7-Eleven stores! Why don’t we have it in Singapore?!

IMG_2015-horz

After our satisfying snack, we hopped on the public bus using the 悠遊卡 (Easy Card) that we purchased at 7-Eleven. Next agenda was to have afternoon tea at Old England Manor! Our afternoon tea was actually quite early and could qualify as lunch but my uni friend who had been there before advised me to go early due to its popularity.

IMG_2027

The weather was bad and it kept raining on and off! But that didn’t stop us from taking a selfie.

IMG_5401

Or maybe two selfies 😛

IMG_2022

IMG_2033

Just goofing around~

IMG_1967

IMG_1969

IMG_1968

IMG_2002

_MG_1981

We were served this special dessert before our high tea set. It’s like mango mousse with white chocolate in it. Damn good!

_MG_1999

Savoury and sweet treats on a 3-tier high tea stand. Came with a huge pot of tea as well. The afternoon tea cost about NT$450 per person which was pretty ok I guess. You get to revel in the ambience and savor delicious pastries.

_MG_2001

IMG_5396

_MG_1993

IMG_2035

It was still drizzling when we left Old England Manor and while we were deciding where to go next, a couple (in the background) approached us to help take a photo for them. And this was what misterchewy did! He took selfie without me! T_T

IMG_2037

IMG_0819

_MG_2251

We agreed that it wasn’t such a good idea to head down to Green Green Grassland because of the weather and called up the minsu folks to pick us up if it was convenient for them.

_MG_2233

Collected our key and this was where we stayed for 2 nights! Kinda like chalet. Haha.

IMG_2042

IMG_2043

Our beautiful room! Amenities were adequate. There was a mini fridge for me to chill and freeze my milk. Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo, soap, etc were all provided on a daily basis.

IMG_2047

Dinner was not included but we decided to get the minsu people to prepare steamboat for us! It can get pretty cold in Cingjing when the sun goes down so it’s really good to have steamboat! Plus the view is quite awesome at Dreamtown’s cafeteria so we didn’t think about going anywhere else for steamboat although many people highly recommend Yinagu.

IMG_2051

Huge bowl of meat and veggies! NT$250 per person and it’s non-refillable. Want more meat have to pay extra NT$100 which was what we did. Hehe.

IMG_2049

We really took it nice and slow on our first day in Taiwan, Cingjing. Look out for our next post because we will be featuring our visit to Green Green Grassland and Carton King Restaurant! Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy 🙂