Overnight there has been nothing to report. If there are issues, I usually mention it. We begin the packing process and then head down for breakfast. At reception the food trays are already on the counter, but as with yesterday, the food is cold as it was yesterday. The portions in the tray again centre around grilled fish. What is more enjoyable are the freshly baked crispy bread rolls, which can be warmed in the portable oven.
As we leave Taihu Hotel for the last time, there are a couple of options to reach Shuishe, where the long-distance buses depart. We can either take the shuttle bus 6669 as we did coming here or take the boat across the lake. The latter is more expensive but is quicker and more enjoyable.
As we depart, it's left to the pier or right to the bus stop. I leave the choice to Katoon, and she turns right, so that settles it. At the bus stop the wait is around 15 minutes, not too bad, and we arrive in Shuishe at 10:15 AM. Here there's just enough time to top up the EasyCard as a Taichung bus arrives. That means we will be in that city around midday.
As expected, the bus 6670 picks up passengers in the neighbouring towns of Yuchi and Puli but then heads east along HWY 6. I then lose half an hour and wake up as the bus nears Taichung. I'm following the bus as it leaves the highway, and then it suddenly stops. Passengers begin leaving their seats and collecting their luggage. I'm confused but have to join them, as it's all off at this stop. To the right is a huge building which we enter, and we realise that this building is a complex for Taiwan's high-speed and normal train traffic. It's clear that this is the main rail hub for this province. I've learnt something new and need to remember the name of this station, Xin Wuri, which lies to the south-west of Taichung. Now we have options, which is why we're here.
We could take a bus from here to Taipei, but most people take the train. I had considered booking the THSR, the high-speed train, but we end up in the TR, the ordinary train concourse, and enquire about tickets for the trains. There are options here too to reach Taipei, but the next train to depart is a local train for Keelung? This local train is long distance, though, and it will stop everywhere, including Taipei Main Station, I hope. Maybe there was a better option, but at least we've saved some money. We just have to settle down and look out of the window for three and a half hours. That actually helps to put me to sleep in not the most comfortable form of transport. The time seems to have gone quickly enough as we approach Taipei Main Station, and my mind concentrates on finding our accommodation. That should be straightforward, as there is no further transport required, but we've been here before and made quite a hash of things. As I follow the GPS signal, there's no mistake this time. The hotel is just two blocks away.
Arriving at CityInn Hotel Taipei Station One, I find it in the inner city amongst towering office blocks, but once inside, you wouldn't know it. Compared to the First Hotel, where we were a couple of days ago, this hotel has a lot more going for it, and it seems I've missed a trick. It's so close to the station, yet with everything you could want available just by stepping out of the door.
Although I would class the room as small, it is well designed and fitted out with quality decor, and the bedroom and bathroom are spotlessly clean. It's all we need for a good night's sleep. We note that some rooms do not have a window, and that's what I expected, but we were kindly offered one anyway. The room certainly beats the other accommodation on this trip. We take a quick break and head out looking for food. 10-15 minutes is all we need to find something tasty and ridiculously cheap. Back in the room there's still time to wind things down. I note the potential that this area has for travellers. Tomorrow we can take advantage of our location to pack in some attractions on our final day here.

Source: Visit