Taipei Day 3 | Exploring Tamsui

Started our day with a bowl of piping hot Ah-Chung Mee Sua, unlike SG meesua, 阿宗面线 is a simple meesua with only pig intestine. The rice noodles did a great job in warming up our stomachs in the cool weather.

So happy there's no queue as it's still early, we got one small bowl each which costs 50twd per bowl.

After the quick brunch, we took the metro all the way to Tamsui station. Still new to the metro system, we actually got on and off the metro twice. Once because we forgot to alight and the train bounced back. Another time is because we alighted at the wrong stop 😂 After some time wasted waiting for the next train, we finally reached Tamsui. From there, we have to take a bus to Oia Coffee shop where we will be able to have our brunch with alpacas!

Greeted by this dorky looking friend once we reached the cafe. This furry friend here name is Snow, and apparently, they are quite big in size which I did not expect 😂

Alpacas are known for their naivety and it is quite funny yet cute at the same time to see that they chew on everything they see. The cafe is actually quite old looking as the alpacas chew on the furniture, cushions, and even the wall! Throughout our stay at the cafe, I even witnessed the alpaca chew on a lady's hair when she let her guard down. The alpaca even went for our umbrella.

Upon ordering our food, we were then allowed to take pictures with the alpaca. The cafe's food is quite overpriced and we decided to eat light here by ordering only tea and waffles. Pigg got the fruit tea while I went for the chestnut milk tea. The food is only so-so. Nothing fantastic as the experience here is more of playing with the alpacas and not so much focus on the food. 

We were also warned to guard our food from the alpacas as they will eat the whipped cream.

There's a small farm located outside the cafe, where there are baby goats and more alpacas. Caught these two kids trying to horn wrestle each other.

More sheep like alpacas. The outside smells a lot like a farm with all their droppings...

Come I give you mom mom. So practical, have food then they will come to you.

A little scary when they swarm towards me upon seeing the apple in my hands

The most decent picture of all with the alpaca. The alpaca actually looks like it's sporting Elvis Presley hairstyle 😂

The fur of the alpaca is really soft! So fluffy!!

Pigg's most decent picture with the alpaca. They love apples so much!

After playing with the alpacas, we went to ask the employee if we could visit the savannah cats which is located upstairs. As it is out of bounds to everyone else, we were lucky that the owner allowed us to visit the cats. The sight was to behold at level 2. So many beautifully spotted savannah cats imported from Africa. 

This one here is called 大大。First of the three cats whom he imported and all are named after their size, 大大、中中、小小。How cute!

This one which looks more like a leopard sports even distinct colours and spots. One of the more friendlier and docile ones. 

The way it climbs up high feels like it's a leopard cat in the jungle.

So obedient!

This cute baby here is the kitten of 小小、a very active kid who sometimes sneak out from its cage. Curious and playful but still needed to be caged up so the Mum will feed it. If it's too small, it might be eaten up by the other cats

Picture with 中中! My favourite one

Pigg with the shy looking 中中

The owner is very enthusiastic to share with us his knowledge about the savannah cats and the other farm animals he owned. So glad to be able to play with both alpacas and cats at this cafe!

Last picture with this little blackie before we head back to Tamsui. Apparently, his attempt to eat my hair failed.

Headed straight to Tamsui Old Streets when he arrived!

Tried out their famous Ah Gei and fishball soup. The Ah Gei is actually vermicelli wrapped in bean curd skin. A really nice snack coupled with the QQ handmade fishball

Making of Ah Gei in progress

Have never tried out chunchuihe in Singapore as its expensive. But here, it's only $1! Got their new rose flavour to try. It is indeed fresher than SG as they do restocking everyday and by night time, the stock would be depleted then. Glad I am able to find it at Tamsui 7-11. No doubt the popularity of this drink among the locals

After much wandering around the streets, we decided to take a boat ride over to Bali Left Banks. It was a 15 minutes ride, and we got to experience yet another transportation mode.

It was a cloudy day with drizzles at times. But that still did not stop us from exploring Taiwan

Longgggg ice cream which is only 25twd. We also tried the 猪血糕 at Bali Left Bank. Didn't really like it, even Pigg ate a few bites before we gave up. 

Bali Left Bank is actually a small place and we only hung out around the shops. However, there are bicycles for rent where one can ride around the island to explore. We decided to head back to Tamsui after spending half an hour at Bali

Picture while on the way back!

Found this kinda photoworthy spot which represents Tamsui, a boat ⛵️ 

The weather is so cloudy today and we decided to not go Fisherman Wharf, since we the sky is not clear enough to catch the sunset. After taking more bites and strolling around Tamsui, we headed back.

Reached Taipower Station! A must do for me at every station is to stamp! Love it that Taiwan's metro has such cute momento which is free for tourists to bring home and remember by!

Then we exited the station and headed to Shida Nightmarket, a rather niche night market which is well known among the university students here. But it is one night market where I bought a lot of clothes 😀

Had our dinner at a 卤味 stall. With a concept similar to Yong Tau Foo, we can pick and choose our own ingredients and get them cooked thereafter.

One of the dishes I enjoyed in Taiwan! Filling and savoury at the same time.

The boing boing noodles coupled with the various ingredients that we chose and topped off with the stewed sauce

After much shopping at Shida, we ended off our day with a crepe parfait. Generous portions of fruits and mango gelato. What a nice way to end off our night!