I have listed the 4 attractions that are great for visits if you are strapped for time with just 2 days 1 night and prefer more of a budget spending.

Directions

I arrived at Taipei for 1 night before heading to  Nantou.

To do so simply board the High Sped Rail (HSR) 台灣高鐵 at Taipei Main Station to Taichung HSR station. The journey is fast and takes about an hour.
Plenty of train frequencies and thus no need to pre-book, just purchase tickets on the spot. You may even choose free-seating tickets, cheaper, but comes with the risk of not having a seat. However, that is highly unlikely for HSR. Most locals choose free-seating tickets.

Reaching Taichung HSR, follow the signage to find Nantou Bus 南投客運 all the way at level 1 exit 5. Upon reaching you will spot a small counter — the one and only — operated by them. 

Purchase your Bus tickets.

Spot the queue for the tickets

CheCheng Station車埕火车站

Japanese Influences

This post starts with my first destination upon arriving in TAIPEI from Taichung, Taiwan. 

Yang Ming Shan (YMS) Directions

It was my first time up YMS and I have to say I was in love. Still am.

EVA AIR X HELLO KITTY
My recent Taiwan trip has been made possible by EVA Airways and boarding the adorable Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet definitely sugar coated my journey further.


All I can say is... enjoy the visuals!

No, don't worry, I will still throw some tips when flying on a EVA Air Hello Kitty flight. (*Evil Smile*)

Checking in from Singapore

Checking in was fairly easy with your Hello Kitty-tagged luggage and the issuance of the Hello Kitty and Friends airplane ticket at the check-in counter at Changi Airport. 

 However, there are no other exclusive Kitty experiences along the way to the boarding gate.

Shining Star
At the boarding gate area, you will be able to see the jumbo jet parked connected to the aerobridge and everyone (not all per se) went just abit star struck, snapping with / at the adorable-looking plane. It is not everyday you will spot cute motifs dorned on airplanes right.

Shining Star is the Hello Kitty jet that flies between Singapore and Taipei Taoyuan International Airport and it's just one of many different jets dressed in various Hello Kitty livery.

  Non-fanatics who just happened to be boarding the plane to Taipei remained nonchalant over the hoo-ha, but the little girl in me was definitely bursting  with joy, try as I might to contain myself. 

The Eva Elite Class

Mixed feelings when I boarded. On one end, I love the luxe and exclusivity of the Eva Elite — no regrets, it was awesome to fly in comfort.

On the other hand however, the EVA Elite lacks the "colors" and "vibrancy". Unlike the Economy Class with its green seats and Hello Kitty cover headrest, the EVA Elite was dorned in brown faux leather seats. Yes, I went down to the details when the Kitty experience is concerned.
Besides that, no qualms. The EVA Elite was served exactly the same way as the Economy class in terms of Hello Kitty galore.

Where Hello Kitty Hides

Of course, I set out with the intention to snap all the cute kitty motifs spotted on the plane.

The pillowcase was the first item to greet you on your seat. Designs of the pillowcases varied with different flights. 

Hungry? Passengers could also have meals ordered from the KAWAII menu listing.

Have I introduced you the puke-bag  motion sickness bag which was also imprinted with Hello Kitty's face. Dang!

These were the yummies served for Elite Class. Perhaps similar to the Economy Class.


Even serviettes and snacks were designed with Hello Kitty wraps!
Absolute cutness.

In the washroom, be greeted by Hello Kitty toiletries!

The fan in me was just screaming in glee. Unfortunately the toiletries — soap, hand cream, hand wash, facial mist — were for communal use. Of course.

Then there were the oh-so-pretty kitty paper cups for rinsing your mouth. Now, I do feel a tinge of regret not taking the whole lot  some of them.

Selfies
Was I the only one so excited on-board the kitty plane? Apparently so, at least in the Elite Class, seated mostly with literally busineess men and women who meant business. But ordinary folks like me just want to snap at everything!
That just leaves me with ample time taking selfies with nobody watching! So~~

I had really wanted to take some photos of the economy class too but was too difficult with all the eyes staring right facing me.

The Happy Kitty Meal
The most anticipated part on-board the Hello Kitty flight had to be the meals. Unfortunately no kitty patterns on plate. 

In all pink and purple! Cutie!!!

After Ahing-and-Ooohing with endless snapping on the set meal, time to tuck in!

The food had my taste buds dancing. I had the braised chicken in curry sauce with steamed rice.
Spicy and flavorful.

TIP 
(read: Not a major-life-saving-kind)
Apparently in the world of Hello Kitty and when you are a passenger on flight, do not be afraid of looking silly.  Just take away legit items as souvenirs i.e the utensils and keep them as a set. [ I managed to keep the fork and knife without the spoon :( ]. Have them washed after using. Easy.

I thought it would be an embrassesment.  Don't worry, nobody will judge because everyone does the same! Too late for me but you can still do it on your flight out on the kitty plane.

Thing is, I didn't know about the existence of POKER CARDS and didn't see any cards distribution on my flights either. According to a colleague only much later, the crew would have given out boxes of poker cards on the flight! Free-flow ~ Could it have happened at the Economy class cabin? -_-
Anyone got hold of their poker cards before?

In Elite Class you are entitled to a Kitty Slipper ( in green). It's not anywhere sighted at all and you have to request from the crew.

#Windowpeek

On the way back to Singapore, it was daytime and the colors are mainly blue skies and clouds.

In-flight Entertainment

The revamped in-seat audio video on demand (AVOD) boosted a 15.4 inch touch screen that's updated with the latest entertainment boosts and allows passengers to listen to their favourite music, browse photos and play video from your personal devices. USB port was available at every seat. the 3D display system allowe me  to check flight information, weather conditions in a fun interactive manner. 

Of course the ample leg-room space made it so much more comfortable. 

Talk about luxe flight experience.

Flying From Taipei Taoyuan

The Kitty experience started after check-in at the counters of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 ( which unfortunately didn't provide any Kitty luggage tag unlike the flight from Singapore) 

There was also a self-service check-in lounge. Very pinkish indeed. 

Oh yes, you could purchase one of these cutie model planes on flight. I did.  

 Some of the amenities on board were on display at the Hello Kitty lounge.

After Immigration check-in

  Many kitties stuff you could spot along the walkway to the boarding gate before arriving at a Hello Kitty shopping area. 

And there, this is the Sanrio Kitty shop

The only gate-boarding waiting area just besides the Sanrio shop with Hello Kitty theme.

Even the seats were Hello Kitty. 

The kitty boarding area only exclusive to this gate. 

 A children playground within. Basically, a happy wonderland before you board your flights. 

It was raining on the return flight and thus... 

That's the end of my Eva Air Report! :) Wishing you a pleasant flight too~ 

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