Yahoo! It's springtime here in France but I am excited to share my first springtime experience in Taipei, Taiwan where I witnessed the sakura flowers or cherry blossoms in person. Although I've been to Japan twice, I never arrived in springtime.
I should call myself lucky because April 2017 was my third time in Taiwan perfect timing for the spring season. However, in 2016, I went twice during the cold season in November and December.
A friend of mine who works in Taipei as an English teacher invited me to come over. I bought a round-trip ticket from Cebu to Taoyuan Airport for PHP 5,000 or about US$100 for staying only 7 days. Later on, I decided to ditch my return ticket to Cebu as I found another flight ticket to Manila for about PHP 1,500 on a later date. Which made me decide to stay for 25 days in Taiwan. Hahaha!
I was like, "Damn, I am here in Taiwan. It's spring season, I must find those Cherry Blossoms here."
I was very thankful for my used Japan visa as I got a visa exemption to stay 30 days in Taiwan as a Philippine Passport holder. This was the time when there was no 14-day visa-free.
So, I did some research and you can find the cherry blossoms at Yangmingshan Park.
You need to take the MRT and then a bus later on.
From Taipei Main Station > Beitou MRT station (the red line).
Take the Beitou MRT station exit >find the S9 bus (bound to Yangming Park, Yangmingshan bus stop, Headquarters Visitor Center, Yangmingshuwu, and Zhuzihu).
Another bus option is the S230 bus to the Yangmingshan bus stop.
It's time for Sakura hunting
Upon arrival at the Yangmingshan bus stop, I saw these sakura trees right away. I was stunned by its beauty. Mission accomplished, dreams do come true!
I still have more photos but I will see you on my next travel posts. :D