Taiwan Pre-Honeymoon Trip – Day 1 , New Year Eve 2010
06
March
When Air Asia first launch the Taipei101 ticket promo, Alex and I just have a click in seconds to get all the bookings done. Initially we do not have any planning towards this trip, simply a vacation. By times gone by, lots of planning has been implement, and yes, we’re going to Taiwan for our Pre honeymoon trip and Wedding photo shoot.
It seems fated that I’ll bump into the wedding fair in Miri. Coincidentally they are from Taiwan too! It was really attractive that I’ve agreed to sign up the package with them. Months and months to go, looking forward to our Taiwan trip. Finally, 30th Dec 2009 has come.
We transited at KL and flew over to Taipei with AirAsia X from LCCT on the next day. It’s new year eve. Both of us are really excited. Its winter time in Taiwan, estimated to be 13′c on this new year eve. That’s gonna be very memorable!
The flight was full, this could tell that lots of people really heart Taiwan. This is my second visit to Taiwan, but a different feeling cos this time I’m going with my love ones. =) We reached TaoYuan International Airport around 2pm. Apparently, Nee – my buddy in Miri were in Taiwan for vacation too! She & YW came to meet us at Airport and then we transfer to the 8 elephant HOSTEL that Alex booked online.
Due to Peak season on this new year eve, lots of hotel in Taipei City were fully booked. We could only locate this Hostel at slightly higher price but comfy. 8 elephant hostel is run by a pretty young lady, and most of the guest who stay here were more to backpackers. For short – Ang moh lang! Its location is quite good, just a few minutes walk from the Guting MRT station. The very popular ShiDa Night Market also just a few steps nearby.
From the Taipei Main Station, its totally packed when night gets nearer. Everyone were out for Countdown. 4 of us went to Ximending and have our new year dinner at one of the very popular steampot shop – Fei Tian 飞天。The steampot selection here are absolutely much much better than what we had in Malaysia. You may select 2 types of soup out of 4. You can have unlimited selection of foods from meat to vege and to desserts.RM40 per head. 
That’s it, our wonderful steampot new year dinner at Taiwan. Thanks for the treat , Ah Nee!
Greeting each other a Happy New Year, and we separated and have our own countdown.
I was eagerly waiting to watch the fireworks at Taipei 101. So to use up the remaining time wisely before it reach 12, Alex and I spend some time exploring Ximending.
Ximending is a shopper’s heaven. Its true, there’s lots of great stuff can be seen here. Other than great foods, there’s even magician performance by the street, live band, cosplay & etc. You will never get bored here as long as your pocket is thick enough.
As time getting nearer to 11, lots of fireworks can be seen playing at Ximending. The whole phenomenon seems brighten up! Its time for us to move on to Taipei 101.
I’ve been told that it might be very jam. We’re just trying our luck. Getting stuck half an hour inside the MRT station, packed & humid in the underground and the authority announce that the gate has been closed. Obviously, they are controlling the traffic.
20 minutes to Year 2010. We decided to go back to Hostel and see anything happening. The weather is getting colder. Both of us are freezing on the way walking back to Hostel. To my surprise, the residents seems quite. No celebrating. I bet most of them are clever, avoid the jam and watch TV at home.
The moment that we’ve been awaiting was ended up in the bathroom, listening to the fireworks but can’t witness it. Sigh. Worst case is, Hostel does not provide towel and we did not bring our own towel. There’s no reception, this is not a hotel. Let’s guess how we dry up after bathing in the freezing cold winter midnight?
It has been a tiring long journey from Malaysia to Taipei. We gotta rest earlier for the next day. We’re going to Ping Dong 屏东. Although its a little disappointment, but at least I have a memorable year of 2010 with my love one.
Coming up next, Ping Dong 屏东 . Our wedding photo shoot trip. =)
1. PaulK | March 7th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Most recently, my wife and I were stranded in Abu Dhabi when AirAsiaX announced they were canceling service to/from Abu Dhabi in January this year. They didn’t notify us (their stranded passengers), until Feb 10th. Neither did they offer any accommodation nor answer our emails asking for help. We had to get back to Malaysia on our own. They won’t reimburse our additional expenses either.
They said they would refund the Abu Dhabi/Kuala Lumpur portion of our trip, but it will take them 30-50 days to process the refund. Such an attitude!
Watch out for these guys. If you are considering using AirAsiaX, It might be a good idea to develop a plan B… just in case.
2. Cheryl | March 27th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Hi… I just happen to browse your blog and i am really like ur taiwan photoshoots!! would like to check which bridal studio u visited? can share details on it?
can i have access to look at ur photo album for ur taiwan shoots?
THanks in advance
Hi Cheryl,
May i know where are you from?
Well, if you are interested with the bridal shop, i can co-ordinate for you. If you book them through website, their charges is slightly high. The studio in located in Taiwan, Pingdong.
The whole wedding photoshoot cost us RM5k. But if you have higher or lower budget its negotiable.
Our photoshoot includes of stay and food. So I think its really worth. We just need to pay for the airfares and train fee to get to Ping dong.
If you have more queries, do email me – marytingsc@gmail.com
3. Phing | May 25th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Hihi… Just wonder if you have receive your album from NY1999? I sign up this the pre wedding photo session with NY1999 last month costing RM6k. It seems like the package is over price. Reading through the malaysia bride forum, there is a lot of complaint on the De Paris which liaise NY1999 in Taiwan. All those forum making me scare with the money i spent on NY1999. Luckily i managed to see your blog feel more release. Please kindly share me more experience with this Bride Studio. Thanks a lot.
Regards
Ai Phing
Ai Phing,
Actually its really a bit risky if you did not follow up closely with the bridal shop. But at least you get your package locally, so you still can look for that shop rite?
I have mine directly liaise with those people in Taiwan. So even risky. However i followup closely for all the things they’ve promised. I made a few calls on and off, never the less.. emails.
In your case, you are signing up with De Paris. Im not sure how’s their work flow. Better wise, keep calling them.
I got my album around 6 weeks after my photoshoot. But still it couldnt be on time for my big day. They charge me about 130USD for sending the big album back. I understand its quite heavy, 7kg if not mistaken. So i seek help from Taiwan friends and they send it my local courier. Reaching Miri, Roughly about RM150.
Good luck to you, but don’t worry, they wont run, just you have to keep follow up lo!
hi, i just sign a package with the same BS with you. but i bit worries as i come across alot negative comments from few blogs. therefore, do you mind to share your experiece??
Hi Wei.
Nothing much to worry, they are quite good. But still they want to earn money, so you gotta say NO when they ask you to upgrade package. If you insist to upgrade, you cant blame they charge you more.
The only thing I don’t like , is the courier for the album. It tooks ages and the worst is the courier fee is very expensive. Ask your BS to make it FREE for you.
4. anna | July 5th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Hi goolooloo,
I had sign up pre-wedding photoshoot with Ny1999 recently for my wedding. Just like Phing above, i am worried after reading so many bad comments about their service.
Do you mind sharing how does the end result of the album turn out to be?
Did you get to take picture of flowers,sea etc ?
Thanks so much
Hi Anna,
My results so far so good. Ntg much to regret, although money had spent.
My husband and I enjoy the trip to Taiwan, as it was his first time to Taiwan.
Anyway, their service and attitude are great.
Like my reply to Wei. Its depends on you own determination when they ask you to upgrade. If you can stay firm, they cant force u.
I negotiate all the details before i sign package, and try to negotiate again during the photo choosing session. So remember what you have negotiated, remember to bring the paper that they given to you while u sign up. Thats the evidence for all the things you requested.