“Terminal 1, Please!"

“Anybody heading to terminal 1?” the bus driver apparently hollered in Mandarin while unloading some passengers at Terminal 2. We thought that the bus would proceed to terminal 1 after a stop at terminal 2 at the gigantic Taoyuan International Airport even without our prompting. As soon as the bus driver began to turn left and we saw the sign to Terminal 1 is towards right, I shouted, “Terminal 1, please!”, “Terminal 1, please!” The driver then spoke in “tongues”. It was my first complicated linguistic and cultural challenge. 

"Meron po bang bababa sa terminal 1?" Malamang ito ang isinigaw ng drayber habang siya'y nagbababa ng ilang pasahero sa terminal 2. Akala namin dederetso pa rin ang bus sa terminal 1 kahit hindi na namin pinaalalahanan ito. Noong pakaliwa na siya at nakita namin ang paskil na pakanan ang Terminal 1, sumigaw ako, "Terminal 1 nga po!" "Terminal 1 nga po!" Nagsalita na ng drayber ng mga salitang hindi ko naiitindihan. Ito na siguro ang napakakumplikadong hamon sa akin sa wika at kultura. 

I asked the middle-aged lady sitting across my seat where Terminal 1 was. She spoke sign language because she couldn’t speak English. She became our spokesperson to the driver. She told us not to worry in Mandarin. We heard the driver’s voice become louder and continued on to drive further away from the airport. The kind lady still spoke to us in sign language which made us understand to calm down. She moved her hand in a circular motion that made us think that the bus was just going around and returning afterwards.

Tinanong ko ang Aleng mga nasa edad na singkuwenta o higit pa na nakaupo sa tapat ko kung saan ang Terminal 1. Nakipag-usap siya sa akin ng sign language dahil malamang hindi siya nakakapagsalita ng Ingles. Siya ang naging tagapagsalin na namin sa driver. Sinabi niyang huwag kaming mag-alala sa Mandarin. Narinig namin na palakas nang palakas ang boses ng drayber habang patuloy siyang nagmamaneho papalayo sa airport. Patuloy pa rin na nakikipag-usap ang Ale sa amin na sa pagkaintindi namin ay huminahon lang kami. Pinaikot niya ang kaniyang kamay na sa isip namin ay iikot lang ang bus at babalik din pagkatapos.  

Hubby and I felt uneasy when we already exited the unobstructed huge area. Then troubled when it was obvious we were in town. All the passengers then got off including us. The lady and a Filipino young man stood by us who explained that the driver was in rage because he asked if there were passengers heading to terminal 1 and nobody answered. Our problem was, we already spent all our Taiwan dollars! All what’s left were coins and US dollars. It’s customary that we spend all our money before we leave the country and there have been no problems since then except this day. 

Hindi na kami mapakali ng aking asawa noong lumabas na kami sa malawak na lupain. At nag-alala noong kapansin-pansin na nasa bayan na kami. Bumaba na rito ang lahat ng pasahero kaya bumaba na rin kami. Hindi kami iniwan ng Ale at isang Pinoy na siyang nagpaliwanag sa amin na nagalit daw yung drayber dahil nagtanong daw siya kung merong bababa sa Terminal 1 at walang sumagot. Heto na ang naging problema namin - ginastos na namin ang lahat ng aming Taiwan dollars! Ang natitira na lamang ay mga barya at US dollars. Naging kaugalian na namin na inuubos namin ang natitira naming pera pag-alis namin sa bansang pinupuntahan namin at hindi naman kami nagkakaproblema ng ganito liban lang sa araw na ito.    

We didn’t have enough money for our taxi fare which we thought could be expensive coz we’ve already gone far. We explained our situation to both of them and the Filipino offered to give some money for our taxi fare that could cost around 300 Taiwan dollars, he said. We were really embarrassed to accept the offer. Then, hubby began to be upset with me as he stressed the importance of having extra money, just in case. “But I have a credit card to use at the airport for food, so needless to have more of their money!”, I insisted. It’s undeniable that we were arguing when suddenly a bus was approaching. The two generous persons stopped the bus and the kind lady instructed the driver to drop us at Terminal 1 as she slid maybe NT 20.00. (I still had more than that amount in my purse.) We didn’ t know how to thank them but just said, ”Xie Xie!”  We were able to reach Terminal 1 without trouble afterwards. 

Wala kaming sapat na perang pantaxi at sa isip namin mahal ito dahil lumayo na kami sa airport. Ipinaliwanag namin ang aming sitwasyon sa dalawa at nag-alok ang Pinoy ng 300 NT dahil malamang papatak ng ganitong halaga ang taxi namin. Nahihiya kaming tanggapin ang alok niya. Tapos, nagalit ang aking asawa at pinagdiinan ang kahalagahan ng merong ekstrang pera nang meron dudukutin kapang nagkataong may mangyaring di-inaasahan. "Pero meron naman akong credit card para pambayad ng ating kakainin sa airport!", ipinagpilitan ko naman. Halatang nag-aaway na kami noong merong paparating na bus. Pinara nila ang bus at binilinan ng mabait na Ale ang drayber  (sa wikang Mandarin na di naming naintindihan.) na ibaba kami sa Terminal 1 at naghulog ng NT 20. (Meron naman din akong higit sa halagang iyan sa aking pitaka.) Hindi namin alam kung paano namin sila mapasalamatan at sinabi na lang namin, "Xie, Xie!" Salamat na lang at nakarating din kami sa terminal 1 ng matiwasay pagkatapos.

Lesson learned: When taking the bus on your way back to the airport, don’t only ask the driver if the bus goes to Taoyuan International Airport but advise him to drop you off at the specific terminal destination you’re heading to coz there are maybe 4 terminals at the airport and are very far apart!

Ang aking natutunan: Kapag magbubus pabalik sa airport, huwag lang itanong sa drayber kung papunta ang bus sa Taoyuan International Airport pero payuhan siyang ibaba kayo sa terminal na pupuntahan ninyo dahil may apat na terminal sa airport at magkakalayo sila. 

Taipe Main Station is very accessible to all transportations going to North, South, East, West of Taiwan. The terminals are all adjacent to one another. Buses for Taoyuan airport is at the left back portion of Taipei Railway Station. It’s very easy to find. It costs around NT 250.00 for both of us to the airport. The bus station is huge housing different bus lines that go to different areas/districts in Taiwan like Sun Moon Lake, etc. –  didn’t have much time to traveI to this place.

Sa Taipe Main Station, madali lang mahanap ang lahat ng transportasyong pahilaga, timog, kanluran at silangan ng Taiwan. Magkakalapit lang ang mga transportation sa isa't-isa. Yung mga bus na papunta sa airport ay nasa liked at bandang kaliwa ng Taipei Railway Station. Madali lang itong hanapin. Nagkakahalaga ng NT250.00 ang pamasahe papunta sa airport para sa aming dalawa. Malaki ang istasyon ng bus na kung saan nakapuwesto ang iba't-ibang linya ng bus patungo sa iba't bang lugar sa Taiwan tulad ng Sun Moon Lake, atbp. - sayang di na kami nakapunta dito dahil kulang na sa oras. 

If you're coming from Taoyuan International Airport, it is very accessible to take the bus to Taipei Main Station than taking a taxi ride especially if you’re traveling light.  Directions have English translations at the airport so just follow where you can take the bus to Taipei Main Station riding the Kao Kuang bus line to Taipei and from there, you can proceed to wherever your final destination is. Based on experience there is no traffic in Taipei. You only get to stop because of the traffic lights. You can get your rides that lead you to different places at Taipei Main Station – via MRT or bus.

Pag galing ka naman sa Taoyuan International Airport, madali lang magbus mula doon papuntang Taipei / Taipei Main Station kaysa magtaxi lalo na kapag magaan lang ang inyong bitbit. Nakasalin ang mga direksiyon sa Ingles sa airport kaya sundan mo lang kung saan ka makakasakay ng bus at doon tingnan mo na kung saan ang Kao Kuang papunta sa Taipei Main Station. Base sa aking karanasan, walang trapik sa Taipei. Humihinto lang ang mga sasakyan dahil sa traffic lights. Makakakuha ka ng sasakayan papunta sa iba't-ibang lugar sa Taipei Main Station –  sa pamamagitan ng MRT or bus.

Directions have English translations at the airport so just follow where you can take the bus to Taipei Main Station.
Nakasalin ang mga direksiyon sa Ingles sa airport kaya sundan mo lang kung saan ka makakasakay ng bus papunta sa Taipei Main Station.

This area is where you wait for the Kao Kuang bus line to Taipei Main Station. From there, you can proceed to wherever your final destination is. Pay first your ticket inside which is almost at my back. 
Dito ka maghihintay ng Kao Kuang bus papuntang Taipei Main Station. At mula Taipei Main Station, puwede ka nang magpatuloy pumunta sa iyong destination. Magbayad ka muna ng tiket sa bus sa loob, nasa likuran ko lang.  

I am impressed on the transportation system of Taiwan! We experienced going places by train and by bus. We were able to reach different places without difficulty because Taiwan Main Station is just at the bottom of where we stayed.

Maganda ang aking impresyon sa sistema ng transportasyon sa Taiwan! Naranasan naming pumunta sa iba't ibang lugar sa pamamagitan ng tren at bus. Walang kahirap hirap marating ang iba't ibang lugar dahil nasa ibaba lang ng aming tinuluyan ang Taiwan Main Station.

The arrow is pointing where you are - Taipei Main Station. I am impressed on the transportation system of Taiwan! We experienced going places by train and by bus. Itinuturo rito ng arrow kung nasaan ka na-Nasa Taipei Main Station kami. I am impressed on the transportation system of Taiwan! We experienced going places by train and by bus.

We were accommodated at the CICM provincial house which is very accessible to everywhere you want to go. Grateful for my former student, Fr. Norbert Khonde for arranging our accommodation. Thank you also for spending your precious time to show us how to take MRT. Fr. Seba came to meet us too. It was great to meet former students and attest how much they have progressed - maturity wise, language and positions and status in life!

Tumuloy kami sa CICM provincial house na malapit sa lahat ng gusto mong puntahan. Nagpapasalamat ako sa dati kong estudyanteng si  Fr. Norbert Khonde na siyang nag-ayos ng aming akomodasyon. Salamat din sa paglalaan mo ng oras para turuan kami kung paano sumakay sa MRT. Nakipagkita rin si Fr. Seba sa amin. Ang sayang makipagkita sa mga dating estudyante at mapatunayan kung paano sila umasenso - pagiging mature, wika posisyon at estado sa buhay. 

Grateful for my former students, Fr. Norbert Khonde for arranging our accommodation and thank you also to Fr. Seba who came to meet us up!
Nagpapasalamat ako sa dati kong estudyanteng si  Fr. Norbert Khonde na siyang nag-ayos ng aming akomodasyon. Nakipagkita rin si Fr. Seba sa amin.

The infrastructures in Taiwan manifest a high level of sophistication. – the blue–green glass curtain wall of the skyscraper Taipei 101 is the second tallest building in the world. There’s a multi-level shopping mall adjoining the building that houses high-end shops and restaurants. I noticed that you could count customers on the fingers of one hand entering those shops so we just went past and didn’t dare to go in. Besides, I might faint to see their prices!

Ang mga imprastraktura sa Taiwan ay nagpapakita ng karangyaan - ang asul na berdeng dingding ng skyscraper Taiwan 101 na siyang ikalawang pinakamataas na gusali sa buong mundo.

The infrastructures in Taiwan manifest a high level of sophistication. – the blue–green glass curtain wall of  the skyscraper Taipei 101 is the second tallest building in the world.

The skyscraper Taipei 101 is the second tallest building in the world.

There’s a multi-level shopping mall adjoining the building that houses high-end shops and restaurants. 

I noticed that you could count customers on the fingers of one hand so we just went past and didn’t dare to enter in any of them. 

Aerial view of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s surroundings are clean because there are garbage bins all over. I think Taiwan has similarities with Hongkong where almost all the lower portions of the buildings are shops/eateries. We had ramen in most of our meals. Prices at tourist night markets are cheaper if you’re not very particular on quality. High end shops are strewn all over the place including the elegant Sogo Mall in Zhongxiao Fuxing!

Sogo is an elegant mall housing high-end brands.

High end shops are also strewn all over the place.

Prices at tourist night markets are cheaper if you’re not very particular on quality.

They sell local food on one end and dry goods at the opposite side of the road.

We were curious about what the young ones are doing here at the night market. They were catching fish/shrimps with tiny hook and line then put their catch in a small bucket. I think its a form of a game????

The grandeur Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park Square is similar to Tiananmen Square in Beijing China. When you reach the top level of the white and blue rooftop hall, you see the large bronze statue figure of Chiang Kai-Shek seated, smiling, and wearing a traditional Chinese outfit. There are two guards standing on both sides like statues themselves because they don’t even move their eye balls. The park is a very remarkable Taiwanese landmark that one must see when visiting Taiwan. It can easily be reached via MRT. Just as you get out from MRT station, you already see Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park.

The grandeur Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park Square is similar to Tiananmen Square in Beijing China.

The entire view of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park Square on one end.

The entire view of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park Square on the other end.

When you go to the top level of the white and blue rooftop hall, you see the large bronze statue figure of Chiang Kai-Shek seated, smiling, and wearing a traditional Chinese outfit. 

There are two guards standing on both sides like statues themselves because they don’t even move their eye balls.

Chang Kai-Shek Park in Shilin.  

Chang Kai-Shek Park in Shilin. 

Chang Kai-Shek Park in Shilin.

On our third day, we headed to Tamsui, the northern most part that can be reached through MRT Red line. We took the train at Taipe Main Station to intend to go to Tamsui Bay. Apparently, there are two red lines that go towards Tamsui – one just ends at Beitou transfer station and the other one goes direct to Tamsui. We got the wrong train and got off at Qiyan/Beitou since everybody got off at that point. After walking out from the station, by the help of a good English speaking national, we went back to the train station again.

Lesson learned. When joining the red line queue, ask the person ahead of you if the line goes straight to Tamsui. Apparently, many new comers are confused as told by the man earlier. Trains are usually very crowded because many families (local and foreign) like to visit the place.

Sights are family-friendly in Tamsui. The weather was comfortable and just perfect when we were there. You can take a walk or ride a bike by the bay.

The weather is comfortable and just perfect in Taipei during this month - October. It gets windy and cooler in the afternoons though. Good thing I always bring my scarf with me. The surroundings are clean because people are conscious throwing their thrash in bins spotted all over. 

The sight is very family-friendly. You can walk or ride a bike by the bay. Eateries are everywhere like, fishball soup, quikiam, ramen, fried rolls, broiled or boiled squid, etc. and enticing shops that children don’t want to miss!  We had the most delicious noodle soup in this area. We wished to eat rice and chicken at Mcdo but they don’t serve such kind of food here. 

Eateries are everywhere like broiled squid.

…... boiled squid.

…… fried crispy squid

Tasted their fried rolls. In fairness, our lumpiang shanghai tastes better. 

How to make fried rolls. 

                           …..pork knuckles.

We had noodles in most of our meals.

…...and noodles. I observed that eateries didn't offer service water. Yes, you order your drink/beverage separately but in many occasions I noticed that customers seldom had drinks with their meals. I wonder if eating noodle soup is the reason  because it already has water in it.

….quail eggs rolled in flour.

….. small fish (dulong) 

Sights are children-friendly.

On our fourth and last day, we went to Taipei Zoo. It was not as interesting as we thought coz we have gone to (better) Zoos. It was good to see Maokong Gandola but we skipped riding on one because we’ve already enjoyed a cable car ride experience in Singapore before.

In trying to taste Taiwan’s typical food, we relied on where the locals queue in buying street foods. For us, long lines meant “It must be tasty! Let's try it!” We often enjoyed their food this way but on the other hand, we also had a repulsive taste on some of them. It’s always an exciting experience to ‘do what the Romans do”.

Taipei has beautiful man-made sights, but Philippines is full of natural God-given sceneries! I would say, it's nice to experience both with great adventure! 

Philippines could have soared more powerfully if its leaders are united and have one agenda. Not a hidden agenda I hope!