Taiwan 2016 Day 3- Museum of Marine Science & Technology/Jiufen revisit/ Keelung Night Market

So I decided we should just hang around in Taipei and forgo day trip to Hsin Zhu simply because we were too tired and oversleep. As we need travel 2hrs by train to Hsin Chu to start the tour and the bus schedule is every hour, reckon we didn't have enough time to complete the tour.

There is a Museum of Marine Science & Technology which we have not visit before and we took the train to Ruifang and waited for ShenAo Line train.

This is also the same branch line as Pingxi but the stations are on the opposite end.

Waiting area

There is a different waiting area though on the same platform. Do check with the station staff if unsure as the stations are before Ruifang and after passing Ruifang then it will go to Pingxi area.

Timetable

I did not have much plans here, if there is enough time we will go on to Shifen. Haha This is how unplanned I am. There is not much planning in sight. This is a first for me since I usually travel well planned. But then again, it is suppose to be a relaxing getaway so I'm abit YOLO this time.

Shen Ao line write up

The Museum station is 2 stops away and looks a bit simple and quiet. This should be because the place is still under development phase. I think we were to come back next year, it will be bursting with activity, just like how we got a shocked with Shifen when we visit in 2011 and then again in 2012.

Newly renovated path

Map of the area

The museum is around 10mins walk from station and it is not difficult to locate since signs are everywhere. There is only a handful of visitors though.

Entrance fee is at NTD 200 per pax for adult.

We went in to Marine Environment Gallery at level 3 first. Here, it gives some background on the Oceans surrounding Taiwan and also the large volume of warm water brought by the Kuroshio current.

Entrance to the exhibition hall

Temperature

Mr Love trying out the exhibits

There are also information on the marine life and how marine environment is getting more vulnerable and needs protection.

We ventured into the Wonders of Deep Sea gallery to have a feel what it is like for life under the deep dark oceans. How a foam cup will change when placed in the deep sea for a period and the marine life in it which practically saw no light.

Marine life in deep sea

We then went up to Marine Science Gallery and had a fun time there trying out the various exhibits simulating various aspects of the ocean and aquatic eco system. This is the most interesting exhibition and we tried nearly every 1 of the simulation and forgot to take any photos.


The last exhibition hall for the day is Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Gallery which show case the modern world Taiwan's shipbuilding and port planning techniques.

This gallery is the most relevant to my knowledge since my company deals with ship too.

There is also mock up of ship containers, interior of yatch and also the navigation system of the modern vessels.

Halfway through our tour, we were greeted by busloads of students coming on a school trip and they were all over the place running. We secretly follow the groups something since they usually have a staff trying to explain the various exhibitions to them. Free tour hehe.

We realised we usually met with school tours whenever we visit Taiwan's educational museum. Haha.

Told Mr Love that we will bring our Dinos back here when they are older and can appreciate the showcase here :)

Exterior of the building

While waiting for train

We decided there is still time to visit Jiufen and therefore took the train back to Ruifang and then transfer bus to Jiufen.

The bus stop for Jiufen bus had shifted further away from the train station. Previously it was outside the eatery on the street directly opposite the train station.

This time we gotta walk down the same street for about 5minutes when we came across a newly built bus stop. The bus numbers there are displayed with more information on the different destinations like Jiufen, Jinguashi etc.

Jiufen is still as crowded as I remembered it. We actually did not have much to do here but for some reason we just loved coming here just to soak in the atmosphere.

Ice cream

Our puff

Strolled through the narrow alley and brought stuff to eat since we did not have a proper lunch at the museum.

The weather was unforgiving hot and I craved to eat ice cream. Found 1 shop selling ice cream puff and brought 1 to share. It was god send in this weather.

Happy is me

We ended our tour here 2 hours later and decided to catch a bus to Keelung night market since it is still early. A journey to Keelung from here would take 1 hours plus and we took the chance to catch some sleep on bus.

The bus would terminal at Keelung bus terminal which is a distance away from the night market. However, you can inform the driver as you board the bus and say you want to drop off near the night market. He will make an announcement when it is time for you to alight.

Once you alight from the bus, walk straight and you will come to a traffic light, cross it and you will come to 1 of the entrance of the night market and you can start exploring it.

It was raining when we reached and it was pretty irritating to walk in the rain. I realised this is the 2nd time we are caught in the rain at this night market and it is not fun at all.

Big ass roasted pig

Luckily the rain became light enough for us to ditch our umbrella and walked through the streets to eat. Came across a new stall selling roasted pork and we brought 1 share. The meat was so tender that it literally melt in our mouth. We love it so much that went back and brought another share for supper later. Haha.

The rain got heavier after we finished our eating session and we decided to call it a night. Walked back to Kee Lung train station to catch a train back to Taipei.

Keelung train station is currently under renovations and the platforms look much more nicer than before.

Retreated back to our hotel for the night not before buying some beers and more fried chicken and chicken skin to go along with the roasted pork brought earlier.

I suspect I have gained 3kg within 3days here in Taipei already.