[TW; 2015] Solo Backpack Series | Part 16 - Neiwan Line

Route Info: Taichung Train Station > Hsinchu Train Station > Hesing Station > Neiwan Old Street > Taipei
(台中火車站 > 新竹火車站 > 合興火車站 > 內灣老街 > 台北)

DAY12
1.Taichung Train Station > Hsinchu Train Station

Took the BRT outside lane62 hostel and arrived directly at Taichung Train Station. Around 40-50mins ride.

Taichung to Hsinchu, NT$127, 65mins, http://www.railway.gov.tw

Totally forgot about the luggage room in Hsinchu Train Station and placed my luggage in the lockers. The machine will collect a NT$20 upfront payment, and this NT$20 will last for 2 hours, every sequence 2hours will be NT$20. 

The machine will issue you a receipt with a password. Do not loose this paper/password, it worths NT$200. So to prevent my clumsiness, I took a photo of it.

 

Feeling hungry, grabbed some food from 7-11, 奮起湖雞 Fenqi Lake's Chicken. This is the first time I hated 7-11 food so much, the seaweed was so soggy and the rice wasnt nice at all. Only thing which is edible is the chicken.

2. Hsinchu Train Station > Hesing Train Station

Hsinchu to Hesing, NT$36, http://www.railway.gov.tw

So lucky to board the train with some cute figurines!

After some time, finally reached Hesing Station

Seems like a big area to cover... actually it's not.

It's exterior is a pretty place for couples to photoshoot. Definitely not for someone solo like me.

Walked to the "indoors" which are those unused train cartridges.

 

The have an area for people to read comics, but it's only available during weekends.

My teddy bear boyfriend is patiently waiting for me over there.

A small cafe that sells food. Abit overpriced menu.

(Click the picture to enlarge the menu)

Nevertheless, tried the famous lavender ice-cream. This train station is managed by the famous Lavender (chain) Farm in Taiwan.

Average ice-cream, and it melts pretty fast.

3. Hesing Train Station > Neiwan Train Station

Used the metro card to tap for the train fare, so I have no idea how much it costed.

It was raining, some plans were forced to cancel, like crossing the Neiwan Brdige.

Bought a sausage from this famous stall, they added some wine into the meat, so it tasted a different from the normal Taiwanese Sausage.

As I was carrying an umbrella from this famous hongkong chain dimsum restaurant. A fellow solo traveler from Hongkong spoke to me, shall name her Ms I, and she invited me to join her to the Lavender Farm near Neiwan Old Street.

Unfortunately, the shutter bus was unavailable as booking is required one day in advance for weekdays. Unlike weekends whether the shutter bus will be available every half an hour / an hour.

4. Neiwan Train Station > Hsinchu Train Station > Taipei
Both of us decided to head back to Taipei together, and had endless topic to talk about on the train. It was quite nice to have someone to accompany for the long ride back. Unfortunately, I do not have the courage to ask for her FB as she dont think Hong Kong is a good place for holiday.

It was a great pleasure to meet her, and she was so nice to take care of me to make sure I can manage my heavy luggage.

Took a bus together back to Taipei, and I hightly DONT RECOMMEND to take a bus during peak hours. The traffic on the highway was so slow.

新竹客運, student price NT$105, www.hcbus.com.tw

Ms B was so nice to host me for two nights at her rental house near Wanfang Hospital, and her super friendly room mate that bought fruits back for us!

Although it is just a simple bed at one of their "laundry" room, really thankful I have a roof to cover for that 2 nights!

 

台灣人真的好溫暖～ 好大愛

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