On the third day in Taiwan, we left KaoHsiung for KenTing.

KenTing is located at the southern-most tip of Taiwan that is pretty much surrounded by oceans and mountains.
It's best to go to KenTing during Summer but get ready your sunblock because the sun shows no mercy.
It's way worst than Singapore's sun but the humidity level is so much lower than Singapore's too.
We walked on the streets in KenTing and we don't even perspire unlike in Singapore.

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X ACCOMMODATIONS X



We booked Minimi Inn (clickable) for a 4-day stay and had their transport service that would pick us up at the Hotel in KaoHsiung. Their service is superb because JingEn and I had to go to a particular shop to exchange our goods but there would be a clash with the pick-up time and would cause much trouble to them and us. Then the lady from Minimi (whom I presume is the lady boss) actually arranged for the driver to pick us up first then drive us to that particular shop for us to do our exchanges and then set off to pick up all the other customers. It saved us from having to head out real early in the morning just to exchange our goods and run back to the hostel for them to pick us up. *Mega thumbs up*  



Frankly speaking, at first, I was worried that the van would be those white vans we see in movies that they use to kidnap people (LOL). Very much to our surprise, it's a brand new Volkswagen 9-seater minivan! It's definitely a super comfortable car-ride to KenTing. There were Hong Kong citizens and PRCs with us. Since we are from different countries, we naturally spoke in different languages and dialects. The driver and his wife spoke in Taiwan's Hokkien. The Hong Kong citizens spoke in Cantonese. The PRCs spoke in Chinese and we Singaporeans spoke in English. I guess I should really thank MOE (Ministry of Education) for the compulsory bilingual education that made us well-verse in both Chinese and English and also we should thank the soap dramas from overseas that helped us with the different dialects. To a certain extent, we actually understood what everyone in the car is chatting about.

It's a 2 to 3 hours car/ bus journey from KaoHsiung to KenTing. There are no train services to KenTing from KaoHsiung.
We paid NT350 (SGD14.86) each for a single-trip car service to KenTing.



The amount that you spend on public buses and on taking Minimi's car service is pretty much the same.
Taking the car is definitely a better choice because we won't need to worry if we have alighted at the right bus stop and won't have to lug our mega heavy luggage from the bus stop to Minimi. So thankful that Minimi provides transport services. The scary part about KenTing is that we don't know where the bus stop is because some of their bus stops don't look like bus stops at all. It's like a rundown shelter and illegal taxi drivers will station themselves there to get business from tourists who want to take public transport.



They have good and creative furnishings around the whole hotel.
I wonder where they get all the boards, posters and ornaments from. So pretty that I want them all in my house too!







I think we chose the UK styled room. It's spacious for two to stay in, cozy and most importantly, clean.
I guess the only bad thing about this room would be the cat cushion that cat-haters will detest.
We each paid around SGD23+ per night inclusive of cleaning services every morning.
Mega cheap finds for ourselves for this vacation!
They recently own a new building and converted them to their unique styles but it's suited more for couples.






Different rooms have different themes.
I really really love the stay at Minimi because it's really cozy and once again, within a few steps, we're already at Ken Ting's Night Market.

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X SHOPPING / MEALS X

The shops in KenTing are mostly the souvenir shops. Not much shops catered for dining. KFC in KenTing is more expensive than Singapore's, which we have no idea why. 7-11 is our only option. They like to call 7-11 by the name of 'Seven'. This convenient store can be seen everywhere in Taiwan. Literally everywhere. Lots of people settle their meals at 7-11.



They do have a variety of microwavable food available and tastes ultra superb.



Lots of different types of milk teas that are pretty cheap.




Both of us settled for Spare Rib Rice for the day.
Pretty sumptuous because there are different types of preserved veg, an omelette, a huge piece of spare rib and a layer of rice for SGD2 and tastes superb except that it's a little too oily.



The Havaianas store stood so prominently in KenTing that we have to enter.
Got 2 pairs of slippers without hesitation because it's cheaper than in Singapore.
Each pair costs SGD36 on average.



Sunnies with UV protection and Old School Frame for SGD3.20 each!
Cheap thrills *squeals!*





Since Gong Cha came from Taiwan, it's natural that I want to try it right in Taiwan. No regrets in trying because the Milk Tea Fragrance is so much richer than Singapore's one. In Taiwan, the smallest cup size available is equivalent to Koi's Large-size cup in Singapore, which Gong Cha in Taiwan actually named it as a Medium-size cup. It's only SGD1.70 for such a huge cup of Milk Tea with Herbal Jelly in Taiwan whereas it usually costs me SGD2.70 for such a small cup of the same beverage in Singapore. Cheap thrills! *squeals*





Another shopping alternative is to take a bus to the Heng Chun Ancient City.
I strongly encourage you all to go to Heng Chun Ancient City because staying at KenTing can be pretty boring.
There are a lot of places and shops for you to explore! A pity we didn't have enough time to explore this place thoroughly.



I think each bus ride from KenTing costs around NT40?
You can opt for their One Day Pass bus which costs NT150 per day and enjoy unlimited number of rides.
The bus interval is 30 minutes. Sometimes, it takes more than 30 minutes.
(Click for more information)



We did some shopping for souvenirs there as well.
Really love their souvenir shops!





We settled our daily breakfast in KenTing by buying bread the day before from Heng Chun Ancient City shopping area.
Rose flavoured bun fascinates me since I like rose flavoured food.

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KenTing's Night Market

Once again, this is where we settle our dinner daily.
Their night market stretches along the two sides of the road.
It's a pretty long night market that sells a variety of food, accessories. There are game stations as well.
Each night, there are many many groups of students that would shop around the night market as well.




Fried Oreo and Fried Snickers which they claim to taste like brownie.
Since it tastes like brownie, I find it meaningless to try.
I still prefer to have my oreo being dunked into fresh milk and send right into my mouth.
If this fascinates you, and if you happen to be at KenTing's night market, you should try!







Introducing the ultra delicious, tender fried chicken and ultra fresh fried squid for SGD2+ per pack!
Mega yummy food that you cannot miss when you're at KenTing's Night Market.
We love their seasoning and flavouring. 爽脆可口！*赞*



Nope, we did not come all the way to Taiwan to try fishballs.

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It's Fried Milk Cubes!





JingEn was very fascinated by this fried milk so she decided to try.
It's definitely a fresh flavour and taste that will be registered in your mind. Something you won't get in Singapore!
We did not see any of this in other night markets in Taipei so I presume it's only available in KenTing.

One stick of 3 for NT20 (SGD0.84)
Three sticks of 3 for NT50 (SGD2.10)






The popcorn man poured the corns into the hot machine and begin to stir vigorously. Popcorn pops really scarily and thus he has to wear the safety gears. He kept shouting, '要爆了 要爆了！' or 'It's gonna explode' to attract people. 'Audience' gathered quickly and most were with their smartphones taking photos and videos of it. The popcorn sure took quite some time to pop. The popping wasn't what I expected because I thought it to be those exploding kind where it would overflow from the huge metal bowl. But, no.
Nevertheless, it's still a rare scene!




Delicious cuttlefish that I don't know how to appreciate but according to JingEn, it's actually very tasty.





Tantalising grilled beef that holds a candle with that of a high-end western restaurant in Singapore.
It's so tender and it melts in our mouth. Oh how I miss that grilled delicacy. *drools*




Bought 7 mini dorayakis home for SGD4+ which is pretty expensive.





NT15 (SGD0.60~) Twin mix ice-cream.



Cheese Shrimps that makes you crave for more after each bite!



We still need dietary fibre after all the unhealthy food *teehee* ;)

Must try their Pan-Fried Xiao Long Bao because it's only available in KenTing's night market. Nowhere else!
No matter how full you are, you must have it because it's so delicious that I don't know how to describe it.
Didn't manage to take a picture of it, what a pity.