Following my trip to Bangkok over Xmas, I made another trip over the New Year holidays, to Taipei to witness the Taipei 101 New Year Fireworks. This was of course coupled with some shopping as well as eating.
Having checked-in online earlier, we proceeded to Terminal 3 to drop off our bags and obtain boarding passes. The terminal was rather quiet during the mid-morning period after the morning rush.
Proceeded to the Silver Kris Lounge. This was my first visit to the T3 SKL even though I have visited the T2 side a couple of times prior.
Xmas deco in the lounge.
At this time of the day with few departing flights, the lounge felt vast, empty and quiet.
Buffet and beverage areas. Breakfast items were being served at the time. Selection seems to be more than the T2 SKL.
My late-breakfast selection of Nasi Lemak, dim sum, fried carrot cake and tau suan dessert.
Desserts, fruits and a TWG green tea to wrap up my lounge visit.
Off to the gate at A12, where boarding has already commenced. Surprisingly, the flight was not full at all considering the upcoming New Year holidays.
Boarding another SQ A330, barely 38hrs after getting off one.
29 December 2016
Singapore Airlines
SQ 878
Singapore (SIN) - Taipei Taoyuan (TPE)
A330-300
9V-STY
Business Class
Flight Time: 4H16M
Boarding the aircraft and was welcomed at the door.
Proceeded to my seat at 16K. As per previous flight, this was the Regional Business Class angled lie-flat seats which has been reviewed many times before. A Lionair aircraft parked beside.
Aircraft was updated with the January selection of inflight mag and entertainmant.
Headsets
Welcome drinks and hot towels were offered. I chose a Charles Heidsieck to start.
Boarding completed and we pushed back early.
Safety video played. The Business cabin was less than half full.
Jet Airways has started sending their B773ERs to Singapore.
It was a rather long taxi to the departure Rwy02C. Passing the new Terminal 4.
Video of the taxi.
Taxi and takeoff from Rwy02C.
Video of takeoff.
Continued with the movie which I did not complete on the previous flight. Also browsed through the menu.
Lunch and dinner menu for SQ878/879.
Beverage selection. The selection is slightly different from the offerings on my previous BKK flight.
Slippers, socks and eyeshades were distributed.
Quick visit to the lavatory.
View of the cabin and seats.
After takeoff drinks and warm nuts were served. I had ordered the Silver Kris Sling for my beverage of choice. Unlike my trip to TPE 2 years back, SQ's signature satay service has been discontinued on the TPE flights. Lunch choices were also taken.
Soon, lunch service started.
Meal tray with starter and breads.
Marinated prawns in lemon thyme dressing, herb feta cheese and grilled red peppers.
Cheese and garlic breads.
For the mains, we had Booked-the-Cook. My travel partner had the Chinese Style Cod with Fried Rice, served with seasonal oriental vegetables, Chinese black mushrooms and egg fried rice. Designed by Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel Chef Zhu Jun. It tasted rather good.
I had selected the Chargrilled Soya-Flavoured Beef: Japanese-style beef, vegetables simmered in mirin, and shimeiji mushroom rice. Designed by Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel Chef Yoshihiro Murata. This was one of the best beef dish I had onboard a flight, with the beef still being red in the middle and very tender.
Dessert was a Movenpick Pistachio ice-cream, which was heavenly!
Or a Lemon Curd Cream Cake. The cake was a bit too tarty for my liking.
1.5hrs into the flight.
Cheeses and fruits. I had a melon and some longans. Cheeses were on the strong side.
Started on a second movie.
Pralines offered and I ordered a mocha after a bout of turbulence to end the meal.
Seat in almost full recline mode.
After a short snooze, we were approaching Taiwan and starting the descend soon.
Descending through the clouds and overflying the city of Taichung.
Hugging the coast during the descend.
Landing announcements.
Video of descent.
Approach and landing into Taipei Taoyuan Rwy05L slightly ahead of schedule.
Video of landing
A whole row of CI aircraft at the terminal.
Parked beside a CI A330 in special livery.
View of my seat during disembarkation.
Disembarked.
There was a queue at immigration due to an earlier arrival flight ahead but it was cleared within 15min. Luggage wa already circulating the belt.
We took the airport bus for an hour long bus ride direct to the hotel near Minquan West Road, K Hotel Taipei II. This is a business-styled hotel with comfortable-enough rooms (though not the most comfortable beds) and large bathroom. The rates were very reasonable for this peak period.
After check-in and dropping our luggage, we proceeded to the Ximending area, straight to our must-go local food joint for our fill of braised meat over rice, a very taiwanese dish. This joint near Ximending offers one of the best example of the dish.
Drinking a rather popular milk tea, which was actually banned in Singapore, claimed due to some addictive ingredients found, after it was selling like wildfire for a short period. Well, I did not find myself sddicted to it though. Did a bit of exploring the Ximending area for the evening.
The next day, we went to the Maokong cable car. Having been to Taipei a few times, I have yet to try and visit this attraction.
The almost 30min cable car up the hill offers sweeping view of Taipei city.
Beautiful views on the way up and down Maokong.
Right after exiting the Maokong station at the peak, there are some local street food eateries.
Spot Taipei 101 in the distance.
We walked 15min to this rather popular restaurant for a tea-inspired lunch. Maokong is famous for eateries with tea-inspired cuisine and this the better one of the many, judging by the many locals.
The food was really very good and set-meal was very value-for-money as well, considering the quality and quantity.
Lunch with a view.
Went to the Taipei 101 area in the evening, a day before the countdown.
More taiwanese cuisine for late dinner at a popular local chain.
Excellent report! I really enjoyed the pictures of the local cuisine. It looks like Taipei has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy.
Hi Terry Yong!
I always enjoy reading your flight report because you always include so many indulging pictures of delicious food. It's like aviation meets food porn!
Would you kindly share the name and address of the places you visited? I will be going to Taipei in 3 months and I would like to give it a try myself
Anyway, another stellar service from SQ! They may not be the most bling-bling of the bunch, but they are for sure the most consistent one :)
Cheers!