4D Kinmen - Going Back To Our Roots (Day 1&2)
For those who don't know, my grandpa came from Kinmen (or 金門 in traditional Chinese) which translates directly to "Golden Door". Kinmen is geographically closer to China (Xiamen to be specific) as compared to Taiwan despite still being under the control of latter. Which explains why I have relatives living there, as well as Taipei.
Anyways, we touched down in Taipei around 6 plus and reached Howard Hotel at about 8. Had a quick dinner before taking a train down to Ximending to shop! Boots there are super cheap, I got a pair for only 390NT (about SGD18) when in S’pore I have to pay about SGD50 just to get one. Bought masks, shoes and other knick knacks (total loot will be shown in last post when I actually figure out what I bought in total). Managed to catch the last train back to hotel to have a good rest because next day we had to fly off again via domestic flight to Kinmen!! It is truly an experience and I dare say, the most memorable part of my entire 2 weeks in TW.
Being quarantined upon arrival because I had a fever
Dinner with my SG cousins
Beef shabu shabu set meal @ Tapeng Bay Speciality
Sashimi for appetizers - they were frozen and ice-hard unfortunately
Train "ticket"
Their metros are very systematic and convenient, people queue before entering the carriages, stand on the right of the escalator, etc. I wish Singaporeans would be this "neat" as well! I also like how you have to return the "coin" back to the machine before exiting; really saves a lot of resources by recycling the coin since it can’t be kept as souvenir (unless you buy one without using it).
Heh and it’s also perfect for forgetful people like me who never remembers to claim back the SGD1 deposit from single train rides till it expires and becomes non refundable!
Day #2
Woke up bright and early!! Excited to see the relatives in Kinmen for the first time. Food, trekking up Taiwu mountain, alcohol overdose, VIPs, showering with icy cold water in below 10 degrees winter night, 7 super old & super cool family ancestral halls - tell me how can it not be memorable?
I hate domestic flights... there's always something so "ominous" about taking domestic planes
That's the shadow of our plane on the clouds below with a ring of rainbow around!
We've arrived!
After 40 gruelling minutes of uncomfortable plane ride, we landed safely (THANK GOD). Our TW cousins (you’d see more of them in the later entries) were already waiting and they drove us for lunch immediately! Starving.
Whole place reserved for us and a few government officials from Xiamen
View overlooking the restaurant
With the exception of breakfast, we all had to drink shots of Kaoliang Liquor for all our meals and even though the shot glass is small, 53% of pure alcohol is insanely mind blowing. And that was only the first meal, subsequent ones we were all given 58% to drink.
And the thing is, you can’t say no. When the TW cousins or "special" guests comes over to "gan bei" (cheers) with you, it’s rude not to bottoms up because it’s like as if you’re not showing them "face". Worst, they seem to enjoy coming over our table over and over and over and over and over again.
Off to Banyon Park after lunch!
Dinner ended off with 58% alcohol