Address: No. 35號, Section 1, Kaifeng St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

I treated my parents for their anniversary to a short trip to Taiwan last weekend. This is my second time to visit, and because of various reasons (cheap fare, visa-exempt for Filipinos, previous travel experience, cold weather, etc.), I decided to bring them to Taiwan so they can also experience first hand how gorgeous this country is.

As the only young and millennial adult to assist my parents for this trip, I did a lot of research to make sure we don't end up getting lost and lose time. We only have 3 days to spare and explore Taiwan so I had to make sure I'd make it worthwhile. Part of my research was the hotel I  booked from Agoda, and I'd like to share some tips and information I gathered and discovered about this place.

Nearest Taipei Main Station MRT Exit

Single Journey Token

If you are coming from the Taoyuan airport and will be taking the bus (1819) to Taipei Main Station, the nearest exit you can go to is Exit Z10. If you will be taking the MRT express train to Taipei Main Station, the nearest exit is A1 Exit 4.

The nearest MRT lines if you will be coming from Exit Z10 are the Bannan (blue) line and Tamsui–Xinyi (red) line. The red line is quite a few walk and 2 escalators away.

Tip when using the single journey token:
Entry: Tap the token on the turnstile
Exit: Tap the token first before inserting into the turnstile's token slot.

Breakfast

They serve buffet breakfast which starts 6:30AM to 10:30 AM. Their breakfast consists of salads, rice, sausages, buns, porridge, soup, and cereal. They serve coffee but no fresh juice. Instead they have carbonated juice and drinks.

At the counter near the breakfast area, you can see small biscuits or snacks displayed. These are free and you can get them anytime you want.

Room

We booked the Deluxe Triple room and were satisfied with the space and amenities. They replace complimentary water, tea bags, and coffee everyday. Toiletries are also complete. The only complication we experienced was on how to operate the shower. Although there was an instruction manual posted, it would be more helpful if they add a note that the faucet needs to be turned 180 degrees to the right. We had to get some help and call the reception but all is well and the guy was able to assist and help us with the shower.

Instead of the usual paper card that you hand by the door handles, they have a touch screen pad that you can use if you want to have your room made up. Same touch screen for operating the lights.

When turning on the AC, a card is provided for the instruction. Basically, you have to point the remote to red-orange sensor pad located on the ceiling.


Nearby Convenience Store, ATM Machines, Stores, etc.

There is a Family Mart just a few steps away from the hotel. On the other side, there is a 711 store. If you do not have an Easy Card yet or need to reload before you start your Taipei adventure, these two stores are conveniently near the hotel.

ATM machines are also near the hotel. If I remember correctly, I was able to pass by two ATM machines.

Also a block away, there are stores selling a variety of fruits. 

Luggage Service

Check in is 3PM but in case you get to arrive at the hotel before the check in time, you can leave your bags at the reception. People assigned to the reception speak good English so you won't have any trouble in explaining or asking questions. They are also very courteous and helpful.

Nearest Shopping District

The hotel is just10-15 minutes walk to the Ximending Shopping District.

Before my trip to Melbourne a few weeks ago, I did a lot of research about their transport system and how to use the Myki card. Aside from checking their official site (https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki), I've checked out a lot of blog posts too as it can get really confusing on how to use the card.

I spent 3 days in Melbourne and below are some of the basic things you need to know about using the Myki card:

Where to buy?

I bought mine at the PTV Hub area as soon as I arrived at the Southern Cross station. Once you get off the Skybus & enter the station, you will see a ticket office on your right. Note that this is only for Myki top ups & they don't sell the card itself. You'd have to walk to the far end of the station until you see the PTV Hub kiosk to buy & top up your Myki card.

Update as of November 2018: You can now buy your Myki Card at the ticket office on your right, after you enter the Southern Cross Station from the SkyBus arrival area. They accept cash and card for payment.

Aside from the PTV hub station, you can also purchase the card from other premium train/tram stations & 711 stores.

How much is the card?

The card cost $6 AUD after which you can top up with either Myki money or Myki pass. 

For tourists, they recommend the Myki Explorer package ($15 AUD) which includes the following:

• Myki Card
• Myki Money $9 AUD
• Maps 
• Souvenir Wallet

I bought the Myki Explorer as I only have a day to spend outside the free tram zone, and the $9 AUD is just enough for a days travel using the Myki card.

Topping up your Myki Card

A Myki card can be topped up with either Myki Money or Myki Pass (see which one is for you in detail here). For travelers, Myki Money is the choice here and the amount of how much 'money' to load will depend on your itinerary. 

You can top up you card on Myki machines located in tram/train stations & 711 stores.

How much Myki money should I top up?

They have a 2-hour fare ($4.10 AUD) & a daily cap fare ($8.20 AUD). Maximize your Myki money by planning your itinerary wisely - identify which Zones the places you want to visit are located at & place them on the same day. This way, you can travel all day anywhere within Zones 1 and 2 for a fixed amount. Take advantage of the free trams around the area, and should you need to use your Myki, it would be more economical & convenient to use the daily cap instead of the 2-hour fare.

When to tap on and off?

If you are only traveling within the free tram zone area, no need to use your Myki and tap on or off. However, when your journey includes any station from Zones 1 & 2, you need to tap on & off.

Sample Scenario: 

From CBD area -coming from D2 Central Pier station, you'd like to go to St Kilda Beach and the nearest tram station is Stop 136 The Esplanade (St Kilda).

1. From D2 Central Pier station, take Tram 35 (City Circle) and get off at Stop 1 Spencer St/Flinders St. As this is still within the Free Tram Zone area, NO NEED to tap on or off.
2. From Stop 1, walk towards Stop 124 Batman Park/Spencer St.
3. Take Tram 96 (St Kilda Beach) and tap ON your Myki Card. 
4. Tap OFF your Myki card before getting off at Stop 136 Esplanade.

Note though that even if you forgot to tap on or off on stations you should have, the maximum amount it will deduct your Myki card is almost the same as the daily cap fare. So for me, as a traveler, it would be less confusing if you just take the daily fare & visit the places outside the free tram area on the same day.














 
 

YouTube make up gurus made me curious about this new type of make up brush; and while at a mall on a Black Saturday - I chanced upon this stall at Trinoma Pop Culture that sell this kind of brush. I did not know how to call this brush at first- but according to Google/YouTube - its what they call 'Paddle Blending Brush'. 




Pretty Angel Shoppe has a small corner at Pop Culture & saw this one on display. I asked the lady (who was very busy that time, not entertaining other customers mind you, but busy chatting with the other 'tinderas') the price (surprised she heard me) and said it was Php 250.00. So, why not - I got it together with a mushroom brush (Php 220.00).



According to the package, this is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Blending Brush. Only if you are high on drugs or in denial will you believe that with a price & box condition like that, it's an authentic Anastasia Beverly Hills product. Checking Anastasia Beverly Hills' official site, they do not sell this kind of brush at all. The only like legit 'paddle blending brush' I saw was from MAC - which as you know is quite expensive.
 

But I didn't mind as I just wanted to experience how my foundation will turn out if applied using this brush that looks like for my teeth & not for the face.
 
I first used this to apply my Loreal True Match super-blendable makeup foundation. I loved how it easily blended & applied the product to my face, the hairs were so fine & soft that it easily glides unto my face. I feel like it made my foundation air-brush finish. I also loved how it buffs the product so easily, especially on the hard corners of my face, like the side of my nose & my undereye area. Since the hairs are so soft, blending & buffing was a breeze.

Next day, I tried using this only for blending/buffing my undereye concealer. It was awesome! It blended the product evenly - compared to when I'm using my fingers, brush or sponge - this one takes the cake.

What I noticed though is the plastic handle is not that sturdy. If you got heavy hands or enjoyed buffing too much it will definitely break easily. If you have this, I'd recommend you either do it gently, or hold it near or close the paddle brush area. Not sure if the bendable handle has its purpose though, so I might be missing something here.


This is the low point when buying fake brushes - either you get hair fall outs and/or cheap plastic handles that break out easily. But, in fairness to most of these knock-outs, they do the same job as what their original version are tasked to do. Last Christmas season, I was able to buy a flat-kabuki brush at Divisoria - which was labeled as Sigma F80 brush. The hair was so soft - similar to the Artist Studio quality brushes at Landmark - that's why I bought it.

The thing I don't understand is why the need to put those brand names on these China-made knock-off products? Just produce them without brand names, period. People will still buy them - if they are of good quality & because its cheaper. Stop hurting MAC or Anastasia or Benefit or whoever doing legit business or process. It's like a double-slap in the face.

Going back to the paddle brush, yes its a good alternative when applying your foundation/concealer. Should you buy the original one? I would say - if you have the budget buy the MAC ones (you will never find an original Anastasia Beverly Hills because there ain't one - yet :P) - this knock-off gives good result so imagine if you get the legit one right? But, if just for experience & if low on doe - this one will do the trick. Let's be real, people go for the less expensive one, as long as they give the same result - times are hard.

Is it necessary? Every person has their own preference when applying foundation, if you already found 'the one', then good for you - no need to buy another one. But when you are into make up, you will not be contented with just having one brush, like everything else, make up is evolving - its either you go with it or just stick to the basic - your call.