I went to the National Palace Museum on the third day by MRT/bus. I first arrived at the Dazhi MRT Station (大直) which is on the Wenshan-Neihu Line (文山内湖線). It means that i won't have to change train. I then took the B13 bus from a bus station which is a short walk away from Dazhi MRT Station (大直) which will take me directly to the National Palace Museum.
The National Palace Museum of The Republic of China. It houses hundreds of thousands of Chinese artifacts, artworks, personal items once belonged to the Chinese royalties and many other rare/historical items that were all brought to here from the Mainland China before the Nationalist Party of China (Kuomintang - 國民黨) retreated to Taiwan.
There were nearly a thousand people inside the museum when i got there. Anyway, It was already passed lunch time after spending close to 2 hours in there. I then made my way to the bus station located right outside the museum. I wanted to go to Ximending (西門町) and i waited about 15 minutes before the bus numbered 931 arrived that will take me to Ximending (西門町). There are like 3 buses that can take me to Ximending (西門町) but bus numbered 931 has the least stop. While on the way to Ximending (西門町), i realized just how different the road planning in Taiwan is. All the bus stations are all basically located in the middle of the road. No joke !
It took about half an hour to get here from the National Palace Museum
Ximending made me wonder if i'm in Taiwan or Japan as most restaurants here are Japanese restaurants. I walked through the whole Ximending area and there were like only 2 - 3 joints serving Chinese foods. Anyway, i decided to eat at a Japanese restaurant. Rumor has it that everything served there is fresh and reasonably priced.
This is the Japanese restaurant i am talking about. It is like a traditional Japanese restaurant and there is no menu card available. You have to order from the manila cards pasted to the wall.
Some of the foods displayed on the sushi belt. Mind you 90% of the foods on display are meant for display only. You have to tell the sushi chef which one you'd like to order and they will make a fresh one for you. There is no price written anywhere for the foods displayed on the sushi belt. Therefore, you won't know the price until you ask for the bill.
This is the Japanese bento box i ordered. I think it was Japanese stir-fried pork or something and it was so delicious. The miso soup is also very different from the one served in Malaysia and their version of miso soup is so nice unlike ours.
The Japanese scallops imported from Hokkaido. I ordered this because the guy seated next to me was eating it :D. Do not be duped by the picture. The scallops are the biggest i've ever seen.
So, guess how much did i pay for all the foods ? I paid TW$470 (RM50.53). It was my third day in Taipei and i did not have much cash left as i brought only US$150 (RM459). I was like what the @#$% when i saw the receipt. The Japanese bento box was very cheap. It is the Hokkaido scallop that was so expensive.
- Japanese bento box (Japanese stir-fried pork) - TW$120 (RM12.90)
- Hokkaido scallops - TW$350 (RM37.63)
Mind you that was the price for just two scallops. Luckily it was delicious or else i'd had to bang my head to the wall already.
By the way, when i arrived in Taiwan, i had only US$ and our own MYR. I was advised by a friend not to exchange TW$ in Malaysia as i will get a better rate in Taoyuan Airport, Taipei. So i bought US$150 at the Wawasan Sentosa Money Changer in Mid-Valley Megamall just 2 days before going to Taipei. I bought the US$ at the rate of US$1 = RM3.06 which was a catch.
Anyway, i bought the TW$ at the Mega International Commercial Bank money changer counter before clearing immigration in Taoyuan Airport Terminal 2. A decision i would soon regret. This was because Bank of Taiwan is offering a higher US$ rate and their counter is located on the departure floor. But still, the rate i got from Mega International Commercial Bank is still better than those i found in Malaysia.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
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