Taiwan Trip September 2012 - Bayview Hotel (七星潭渡假飯店)

Back in September 2012, I went for a 5 days trip to Taipei seizing on a 1 for 1 Jetstar air ticket promotion. Since I have been to Taipei a couple times, I decided to take a train ride down to Hualien to stay at Bayview Hotel (七星潭渡假飯店) after seeing all the beautiful photos on my friend's facebook page.

Upon our arrival at Hualien train station, the hotel staff picked us up together with another Singaporean couple. The journey from the train station to the hotel took about 10 minutes.

As we were still early for our check in, we went to the hotel's cafe next door to rest and wait for our check in time. We did not explore the area as we were tired after a long journey travelling on plane, train and car to the hotel.

Stepping into the cafe, it felt as if I am in Greece. Helping ourselves to the free beverage and local snacks while we waited for our check in time.

This is our Deluxe Family room for 4 with balcony overlooking the pacific ocean. As the Deluxe Double Room is fully booked, the hotel was very kind to offer me the Deluxe Family Room with the same rate for the Deluxe Double Room. Simply love the white and tiffany blue combination.

This was the view of the Pacific Ocean that greeted me everyday. In the background, that's the fishing boat that will bring in freshly live catch everyday.

The view of the popular beach, Chi Sing Tan (七星潭) was just stuning isn't it?

Next morning after our breakfast, we rented the free bicycle from the hotel and went biking along the coastal area.

We cycled up a hill top to catch the beautiful bird's eye view of the beach.

Along the cycling track, we also saw lots of pineapple plant growing alongside the track.

Moving in shore, there are many interesting buidings spotted too.

I really enjoyed my stay at Bayview Hotel at Hualien. The staffs were very friendly and helpful. The room was clean too. If you want to go to Hualien town, the staff can help you arrange a taxi for a fixed fee inclusive of return trip. Upon reaching your destination, tell the taxi driver the time and place to pick you up. You only need to pay the driver after returning back to the hotel.


Bayview Hotel (七星潭渡假飯店)
Website: http://www.hotelbayview.com.tw/english/index.html

Kok Kee Wanton Mee @ Lavender Food Square

If we are to name the popular Wanton Mee in Singapore, besides Eng Wanton Mee and Fei Fei Wanton Mee one name that probably will pop up by many is Kok Kee Wanton Mee at Lavendar Food Square. A long queue is always spotted in front of the stall and a wait up to 10-15 minutes is inevitable.

Wanton Mee 3.8/5

So how did the Wanton Mee ($4/$5) fare? The char siew and wanton were quite average, nothing astonishing. The reason why the Kok Kee has a faithful followers for their wanton mee all these years has to be the homemade springy noodles and the special sauce that was drenched onto the noodle before servicing. The fantastic harmony of the sauce with the noodles deserved my return again.


Kok Kee Wanton Mee
Lavender Food Square
380 Jalan Besar
Stall #01-06
Singapore 209000
Nearest MRT: Lavendar (EW Line), Boon Keng (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 2am
(Closed every 3 week on Wed & Thu)

Direction:
1) Alight at Lavendar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Lavendar Station (Stop ID 01311). Take bus number 133 or 145. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.

2) Alight at Boon Keng MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to bus stop at Blk 22 Boon Keng Road (Stop ID 60199). Take bus 21, 130 or 139. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes