Taiwan - Day 3: Yangmingshan + Jinshan District + OIA Oia Art Cafe + Tamsui District + Carrefour

Again for today, we rented a car to bring us around.

1. Yangmingshan National Park （陽明山國家公園）🌟🌟
Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan
北投區

This place is pretty! We were quite unfortunate as it was drizzling throughout the whole morning while we were up there! We could not take much photos as the place was very misty. But, the weather was indeed chilly and nice, we got to see some cherry blossoms too!

Yangming Flower Clock （陽明公園花鐘）

My cousin went a week after me and the weather was just nice, so pretty isn't it?

On the way down, we decided to get some sweet potatoes. They were not cheap but they taste heavenly good!! Oh, and they cooked with the traditional way (charcoal) and the size was BIGG 👍👍👍

Zhu Zhi Hu aka ''Bamboo Lake'' （竹子湖）

This place is HUGE!! However, the calla lilies （海芋）are all fenced up, hence it was hard to take a photo without the fence blocking. As we entered on a small pathway, the rain got heavier. We wanted to turn back, but mum insisted we continue walking believing the pathway leads to somewhere. True enough, we were not disappointed with the magnificent view. The area was surrounded by hills and the mist made it even more serene. Remember to wear your windbreaker or sweater as it can get quite cold especially when it rains. Apparently, there is also a restaurant （名厨）as well further down a cafe which are surrounded by the calla lilies, do take note that you need to be their customers for you to take photos or selfies closer with the calla lilies.

Xiao You Keng aka ''Sleeping Volcano'' （小油坑）

The sulphur smell wasn't that bad for us, we could still take it. But, we couldn't see much BECAUSE OF THE RAIN!! 😢😢

2. Jinshan Old Street （金山老街 / 金包里老街）
Jinbaoli Street, Jinshan District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 208
台灣新北市金山區金寶利街208號
09.00 a.m. - 06.00 p.m.

We went to try the famous duck. The shop is located along the old street and it is right opposite a Chinese temple. It is self-service, you need to go to the counter and collect the food yourself. I suggest one person to reserve some seats while some queue in front of the temple for the food. We ordered Jinshan duck meat, seafood fritters and stir-fried noodles. You only pay for your meals after your finish eating. In my opinion, I prefer Malaysian's duck rice (there's one in PJ) with a stronger flavour.

Along the street, you can find many stalls selling this tea cubes. Taiwan is famous for their ginger cubes （薑母茶）. There are assorted flavours, and the shop ladies will let you try some. Though, I must say all the shops seem to have unite and standardise on the pricing, hence bargaining is super difficult here, but my aunt managed to, so no harm trying, good luck! 💪

3. OIA Oia Art Cafe （OIA伊亞藝術咖啡館）'草泥馬主題咖啡廳' 🌟
252, Taiwan, New Taipei City, Sanzhi District
新北市三芝區後厝里北勢子12-1號
11.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m./09.00 p.m.

Apparently, this is the only cafe where you can eat with the alpacas （羊駝）🐫. Overall, I do not like the food and not to mention they were SUPER PRICEYYY!!! Sorry, but the quality was not there. On top of that, the cafe has this rule where each customer is required to order a drink or a food. Not to forget, the place has this strong animal smell, so be prepared! It is quite hard to take photos with the alpacas as they are constantly chewing stuff. They chew almost anything and everything! Hint: clothes, menu, chair, and also your whipping cream that comes together with your dessert (⊙_⊙). Well, if it wasn't for the Ilama experience, I will surely not recommend this place.

4. Tamsui Lover’s Bridge （淡水情人橋）and Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf （淡水漁人碼頭）
No. 199, Guanhai Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
台灣新北市淡水區觀海路199號

We did not do much here as it was raining but the scenery of the port from the bridge was very pretty!

5. Tamsui Old Street（淡水老街）🌟🌟
Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251

台灣新北市淡水區中正路251號
10.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m.

I like this street best. We came here in the afternoon where there weren't many people. The local products here were sold at a cheaper price too. Tamsui is famous for their iron eggs, do try it out when you come here!

Ah Ma Sour Plum （阿媽的酸梅湯）

30TWD

We have ours in hot, and it taste okay. The plum was quite strong, so maybe drinking it cold will
taste nicer.

Tamsui Ah-Gei（正宗阿給老店）

40TWD

It is basically glass noddle wrapped inside a bean curd. It was okay.

one of the shops along the street

600TWD for 6 packets of Crispy Pork Jerky Snack（豬肉紙）

👍

👍👍

6. Carrefour Guilin Store - Ximending （家樂福）🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
No. 127, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

108台北市萬華區漢中街127號

Monday - Thursday: 11.00 a.m. - 10.30 p.m.

Friday to Sunday: 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

This is my HEAVEN!! Yes, the grocery store! This is also where I buy most of the local snacks as souveniers. Well, all the varieties are there in one place, so definitely CONVENIENT and CHEAP! Recommended instant noddles by our driver were in the lost below, I got other brands to try too.