wilde,child: Taiwan Day 5: Ximending and Oysters in Raohe

Day 5 was mostly revisiting XMD and Raohe. It's nice to go about without an exact itinerary if you've the luxury of time on a vacation. There's no need to hurry here there everywhere, which I really dislike doing. Isn't a holiday supposed to be taking a break from the daily grind anyway?

I think this's a famous bubble tea brand there. Had my usual honey milk tea and it was nice. Every cup of bubble tea I drank in Taipei was nice so...

Wanted to have lunch so we just walked around until we saw this ramen place on the second level of a building in XMD.

I had the Miso ramen, D had the Tonkotsu one. Didn't like the ramen noodles and probably won't go back again.

SO CHEAP!

Their sense of style and fashion is really different from everywhere else, and not my kind of thing. They could be hugely influenced by Japanese/Korean fashion but I like Korean fashion and didn't buy anything! My friends all told me the same thing prior to this trip so thankfully I didn't have high hopes.

Purchased 2 bags and 2 coin/card pouches from this store at a total of about S$95. Prices are relatively similar to Singapore's, if not more expensive. Note that the price of S$95 is after she gave me a discount. The 'before' price was about S$115. I only wanted to buy 1 card pouch but didn't realize she charged me for 2 instead and very swiftly put both into the carrier. They like to make a lot of conversation in really quick Mandarin too so I was very distracted the whole time. Time to brush up on my Mandarin!

Fear Factor: Some part of a chicken (I really can't remember but maybe intestines?)

Darren took this photo but Idk this guy

Taking a train to Houshanpi station for Raohe

Start of the longgg walk

Dogs are everywhere

FINALLY *SOB*

Wanted the maroon blazer but didn't bother to ask for price :)

Was super excited to finally reach Raohe after asking for directions along the way. We were starving!

Not nice

Nice ribs soup

These people never stop yelling for customers to come into the seating area to have a bowl of soup. It was noisy but fun to watch.

D had his bananas fried

THE PREGNANT OYSTER LADY OWNER ILU *_*

And now for the highlight of the whole trip!

TASTE THE SEA

Neat eater

(Hyperventilating) I had about 30 of the oysters while Darren had like 3. They were sooo fantastic! Not kidding when I say they taste of the sea. Yes it's salty but oh so fresh and juicy, I can't put the feeling into words. I also had 15 prawns and that shell thing by myself since D isn't a fan of seafood at all unless I peel them for him. Loved the prawns but nay to the shell thing. For all that I ate, I'm pretty sure I didn't pay more than S$30! Looking at the photo of oysters brings tears to my eyes.

Anti-climax: I needed to pee desperately. Kinda ran to the nearest 7-11 because it had a lovely bathroom. Then we decided to have shaved ice at a random shop next to 7-11. I enjoyed it so much! I usually just crunch on the ice and leave the ingredients but this time, I actually had my share of the ingredients.