OUR D.I.Y EXO LADDER TOUR~
Planning of trips are one of the most exciting things to look forward. After we watched the show of our favorite idol group EXO, we planned on going at Taiwan, we explored the southern part of it where Kaohsiung and Kenting are located. These places are used as the location of EXO LADDER TOUR- Fangirling in new level!! YEY!
We tried to experience the beautiful places, fun activities and delicious foods that they enjoyed during their stay there as much as we could.
We stayed there for 5 days and 4 nights. Our round trip flight was booked via Air Asia, RT ticket cost PHP 6,590.00 each quite pricey since there is no promo that time. We departed at NAIA Terminal 3 at around 4:15 pm and arrived at Kaohsiung International airport at around 6:00 pm. The first thing we have to do is to check in to our hotel, we already booked our hotel via booking.com and informed them of our arrival time to the hotel and it is a pay at hotel process (2165.00 NTD).
Our hotel name is EZ-stay Inn– (6F., No. 66-6, Zhili 1st Road, Xinxing District , Kaohsiung, 800, Taiwan - 自立一路66-6號6樓, 新興區, (高雄, 800)
From the airport we just take MRT – we bought our iPass card (this card is re loadable for transportation and small transactions like in convenient stores, you can also reload there.) We purchased the card for 100 NTD and load it initially with 100 NTD for our train fares) it is located at the ground floor where we also pre booked our pocket wifi and sim card. (The pocket wifi cost PHP 492.00 for 5 days at kkday ,while the sim card is PHP 436.00 each for 5 days at klook) we availed 1 pocket wifi and 2 sim cards.
Then we take the Train to Formosa Boulevard Station- It is the first attraction that we saw. The Station has the “Dome of Light”, known as the largest glass work, designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. It has a light show schedule as well and it’s for free. We haven’t witness the show that time because we’re early for the next schedule, but it is still awesome.
After taking some photos we walk to exit no. 11 and go straight to Liuhe 2nd Road and turn right to Zili 1st Road, then you can see the E-Z stay at your right hand. Our hotel is near to convenient and food stores, and streets away to Liuhe night market.
Upon check in we have to pay our full payment and then started unpacking our things at our room to get ready for dinner. It was quite hot than the usual weather we experienced for the last 2 trips we had in Taiwan but still it’s okay since we’re used to that kind of weather. Actually it’s quite tiring since we just take a walk with our luggage from the Formosa station so we decided to rest first.
Then we had our dinner at the Liuhe night market at around 9:30 pm. For us to explore more on foods we opt to have a pot money so we can buy different dishes. We have 105 NTD budget each for our foods multiplied by 4 so we have 420 NTD. We bought beef, dumplings, spicy chicken feet, takoyaki, milktea, and fried rice with shrimp. Everything was so good specially the milktea, beef and takoyaki, we are just quite disappointed with the dumplings that we ate, it was quite different to the taste that we are expecting but overall it’s still delicious. After eating we just take some stroll at the night market before heading back to the hotel. And that ends our first night at Kaohsiung.
For our first official day of tour we should leave our hotel by 8:00 am but we have quite a lot of morning routine, so we started our breakfast at around 9:00 am hahaha very late for our target schedule but it’s fine, we have all our time for this tour since it is a DIY trip. So we just have our quick breakfast at 7-11 near to the MRT station.
Our first stop is the Lingya Street Art village at the Weiwuying station, this is where EXO ladder tour started their first mission. From Formosa station it is at stop 10 (orange line), Alight at Weiwuying Station and walk to exit 5, turn right onto Jianjun Road.
And you can already see the colorful works by international street artist in every corner of the place and there’s no entrance fee for the place. Just roam around and explore the streets.
We tried to find each mural that is part of the EXO Ladder game. And the feeling was really “nakakakilig” Imagine seeing those in person, we really felt that we are also doing the game and it was really awesome. Of course we took photos on each mural from the EXO Ladder.
It was just quite tiring since the weather is really hot that time and we need to take some rest at the near store to freshen up before going to the next place.
The nearest place from the Weiwuying station via train is the Pier 2 Art Center where the Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway Located and The twotwogo restaurant which is also part of the EXO Ladder.
From the Weiwuying station take the train and alight at the Formosa Blvd Station and change to Orange line then alight at Yanchengpu Station Exit 1. You can actually walk from the station then just use the Google Maps to locate it. But due to the hot weather and the time we reached the area is really exhausting to walk, so we decided to take a taxi cab and paid around 90 NTD. when we arrived at Pier 2 we look first for the restaurant where the EXO spent their allowance by buying some Cheesecake, Lemon Juice and Iced Americano. The restaurant is named Twotwogo and luckily we sat at the same spot where the EXO enjoyed their refreshments. And Of course we tried to order some of the foods that they ate.
Quite pricey but we enjoyed the food. The Cheesecake is 90 NTD and the Lemon Juice was around 90 NTD also as far as I remember.
After taking our refreshments we take some strolls to the warehouses that turned into exhibits some has free entrance and some has fees. We just entered the one that is free since we still have some places on our Itinerary. Then on the other side of Pier 2 you can see the Hamasen Railway. The place was really big and full of arts and sculptures of different artists, you’ll enjoy every corner of it.
When we saw the Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway we got excited since they rode that little train. The train trip experience cost 149 NTD. Unfortunately we haven’t ride that train because the operation just opened when we’re about to leave for our next trip and we cannot wait for the next batch of passengers so we just watched it then went to the next stop.
We are quite exhausted after walking a lot and we haven’t found the easiest way to the restaurant where EXO ate and have their ladder game. So we just take UBER and get some quick nap on our way.
Finding this restaurant was one of the hardest thing I did when I was looking for the itinerary of our trip there is no definite name for the resto so its hard to find thru google. Fortunately I found someone who went here and got the address from her post - No. 148 Meiming Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 804 ( this is the address we entered for the pin) it is called as OLD TIAWAN ORIGINAL CUISINE.
The place has a really nice interior and good set of foods as we watched on the show. But when we arrived at the place it’s already pass 2:00 pm and we forgot that restaurants/eating places there has a cut off time in preparation for the dinner time. So in short we didn’t have a chance to see what’s inside and eat. And we were so hungry that time.
So we decided to have our late lunch at the Taroko Park since it’s near to our next destination. We just take an UBER to the mall. And then have our quick meal at the food court, we ordered roasted pecking duck and were happy that it was very tasty.
After eating we just stroll for a while then take another UBER to the Suzuka Circuit Park, Our ticket was pre booked via klook for 5:00 pm tour and it cost PHP 494.00 each for the entrance with rides all you can.
We went there to experience the circuit park where EXO had there race using the go cart and we also booked our ticket via klook, the circuit park has separate fee when you will use the cart but you can just watch from the balcony area. The ticket cost PHP 1124.00 for each pair for tandem cart. But as we claim our ticket the receptionist told us that we are not qualified for the Tandem cause it needs to be a male and a female pair. Then getting a separate cart for each will cost us much. So we just decided to refund it and just watch the on going race and took some photos, any way its fun watching it but more exciting when you were the one driving :P.
After that we opt to try the rides at the park, we also tried the small go cart just to experience the feeling at the track and it was fun. The park is all about teaching tourists specially kids how to drive, all the rides includes learning about driving when you completed the course they will give you card that you will be needing to get your license for the circuit.
Then we planned on going back at the OLD TIAWAN ORIGINAL CUISINE for our dinner, so we booked again another UBER so we can get to the place fast. As we arrived at the restaurant we headed to the receptionist but then she says that they are already preparing to close. So we just asked if we can take a photo of the place instead since we really wanted to explore the place. She allowed us and Of course we take photo at the area where EXO filmed with their show.
After that we asked if there’s any night market near the area so we can have our dinner, she gave us directions and we headed to the market it was quite a long walk but it’s a fun experience for us tho quite tiring since were also hungry. When we reached the market there was quite a lot of choices, again we had our pot money to buy the foods that we had. I haven’t documented that part since we are really hungry. And then we headed back to our hotel to start packing our luggage cause for the next day we will be heading to kenting. We got home quite late so we just decided to buy some of our pasalubong at the near store at the hotel.
We shopped at around 1:40 am, since the store is open for 24 hrs and they have quite a lot of variety of things we can give to our friends, we just got a budget of 500 NTD each for the first batch of our pasalubongs
Then we get back to our room to fix all the things before we sleep. We have to rest well for our next day adventure.
For our third day, we started by taking turns on preparing. We booked our transfer from our hotel to Kenting hotel that we booked via agoda. The service we booked thru kkday cost PHP 3,468.00.
After all the preparation for our kenting tour we had our heavy breakfast given that our travel time is quite long we need to fill in our tummy first. We Checked out at the hotel and leave our luggage at the lobby area to eat at the near restaurant.
Then our driver messaged us just in time after we finished eating. While we headed to Kenting we take that time to get some more sleep to gain our energy.
We arrived at kenting at around 12nn, we booked our hotel at Agoda for PHP 6,024.12 for our last 3 nights- The name of Hotel is Dajenshan Hotel (No.302, Kending Rd, Kenting Street, Kenting, Taiwan 946). The hotel is just a street away from the Kenting night market and near the Nanwan beach. The Location was really good with near convenience stores, bus stop, car rental and motor scooter rental. The only disadvantage of the hotel is that they don’t have elevator, our room is at the 3rd floor and our luggage is heavy so it is quite a struggle for us. Then the room that they gave us have a minor problem with its air con. They tried to fix it but it doesn’t really cool well. So they gave us first fans to use and promised us that they will transfer us to other room. Then we headed downstairs to find some food place for our lunch but when we decided to eat, it’s already around 2:00 pm again but at least we found a restaurant which still caters late lunch.
After eating we go back at the hotel and get change for our beach trip.
The Nanwan Beach is where Chen and Chanyeol had there extreme water activities and dinner by the beach while watching the beautiful sunset.
We rented a one way car service to take us to the beach for 100 NTD. The beach is awesome tho there are quite lots of tourist that time. Then as we approach the beach area a woman offered us the water activities we can try and that she can give us the spot with umbrella and chairs for free if we avail the activities. Since I can’t swim I refused to join the water activity and offered to be the keeper of our things and take photos. They choose the activity that chen and chanyeol tried as well.
After the water adventure they are quite tired so we decided to try the restaurant by the bay where chen and chanyeol eat their dinner.
But unfortunately the exact store was not there anymore but the spot where they seated is still there and the tables were already reserved. So we just bought some drinks and snacks at the 7-11 near the beach and had some fun at the shore.
The beach have a closing time at around 6pm to maintain the cleanliness of the area. So we decided to get back to our hotel to get change for the night market. We rented another one way car service for 100 NTD.
The Kenting night market is just a street away from Dajenshan hotel which we really love cause we get to stay at the market without thinking of our time.
We stroll at the market to check out what are gonna eat for dinner. The foods there are quite affordable, we opted to have a shared budget for our foods so we can eat lots of dishes.
We bought seafood – salmon, oyster and shrimp for 450 NTD, grilled squid for 150 NTD, fried crabs for 100NTD and rice for 80 NTD for 4 order. Everything was tasty and mouth watering.
After eating we look into the other stores and we found a bread same as what Doraemon used to eat as his favorite snack the “HOPIA” and you can choose different flavors, it is 3 for 50 NTD. Then we also found a store that sells alcoholic drinks in a different and unique packaging – it is packaged like a dextrose we bought 2 for 400 NTD. Then we also bought grilled beef for 200 NTD.
That night was one of the best night for our tummy. Then we headed back to our hotel to take some drinks and rest.
This day was quite full of activities because we had it pre booked via klook. We prepared quite early so that we can get to the first itinerary early and have our breakfast there. We wanted to take bus at first but we might be lost on our way so we just rented a car rental that is near our hotel, 500 NTD from hotel to National Museum of Marine Biology its quite costly compared if we take bus but we wanted to reach the place early so it was alright for us since we can split the fare for 4. Then as we reached the place we get the number of our driver so we can just call him to take us for the next itinerary. Since we are already booked it at klook, we just let our vouchers checked at the counter and it was just a fast transaction than buying ticket there and it is a discounted price.The entrance cost is PHP 694.00 each.
We begin with eating our breakfast at the food stall inside. We bought siomai for 120 NTD.* TIP Just always bring your water so that you can save money instead of always buying your water and some of the attractions have a water refilling stations you can use. Hotels also offers refilling stations.
As soon as we’re done eating we began to explore the place where EXO also had their tour. The museum was really awesome and had a lot of attractions. What I loved the most are the penguins and the beluga friend which EXO also met .
The area was really big and quite exhausting for our feet since you’ll keep on walking. But everything was amazing, how they created each of the attractions same as the habitat of the sea creatures. If I had a chance I’ll still go back to this place cause its quite relaxing for my eyes. We also recreated some photos where EXO had their activities.
Then we call the driver to take us to where EXO had a ladder activity for their lunch. The place was quite hard to locate but we had the screenshot of the place and ask our driver if he knew the place, fortunately he knows it. YAY! That trip cost us 400 NTD. The place is called DING SHIFANG-鼎食芳.
The food there was all affordable and we can say that everything was delicious. We ordered the foods that EXO ate when they are there. All of our foods only cost us 360 NTD. Their dumplings are one of the must try dish.
After eating we just walk and explore up to the next itinerary, we just use google map and locate PARADISE OF DEER since its near the area. When we get there we just showed our klook voucher to get our tickets- we paid PHP 297.00 each for it. The ticket includes the foods for the deer that you can feed them so that you can pet them.
Upon entering the area a guide will tell the safety precautions and Do’s and Don'ts. You’ll be ask to have your hands sanitize as well, then get the foods for the deer at the counter. You can choose from the carrots or the tall grass.
As you enter the area you’ll already see the place where Sehun stayed at while feeding the deer at the cage, since he is scared of the roaming deers.
It was really exciting for me since I really love to encounter animals . It feels like we are with EXO while feeding them hahaha and we are also trying to find the deer number that they pet. But it was quite hard since there are lots of them there. So we just enjoyed our stay there.
At the side of the paradise of deer the Kenting Bumps Football is located where they had there activity while at the zorb ball. There was no guest the time we went there so I just took a photo.
After that we called our driver to take us back to our hotel. The trip cost 300 NTD. Then we had our snacks and take some rest . By the way we’re also transferred to a bigger and nicer room since they really can’t fix the air con at the existing room we had. We’re really thankful that they gave us such an awesome room. So we take a nap before we go the night market again for our dinner.
As for our dinner we just bought beef and rice then had some different snacks that we haven’t tried yet. We also went to a authentic tea shop to bought some pasalubong, the owner was really accommodating and let us tried different teas and some authentic wines.
We bought some for our boss and friends and went back to hotel. We just had some chit chats and checked our photos and prepare to sleep.
For our last full day at Kenting Taiwan we tried to rent an electric scooter for our free day. You don’t need a license to rent and you just need to fill out some forms and left one passport for security purposes. We rented 2 e-scooters for 24 hours for 1000 NTD.
They will teach you how to use it and will be guided for the practice to ride it. It was quite exciting for us because it’s really new to us but of course we’re also nervous. I can drive the scooter alone but I cannot drive it when I have a back ride so Divine needed to train well so that we can proceed hahaha on the other hand Kristel wasn’t new to this so she easily manage to drive while Kass is her back ride.
After couple of hours of practicing at the area we decided to give it a try at the highway. They said there’s no need to get scared because the motorists always gives way to the scooters since they know that it is usually tourist. And the road there is also wide enough and there’s no traffic so it’s not hard to drive for beginners.
We bought rice first on our way so we can have our lunch on a spot that we can see on our way. The ride was so refreshing since the area is full of trees and the views of the bay is visible. We stopped at the area where there’s a view of the sea and take our lunch.By the way for this lunch we brought our canned food and ate it with the rice we bought :)
After that we found an instagrammable place on the other side so we took some photos then we decided to come back at our hotel to get change cause we plan to go at the beach after we went to Longpan Park.
Then we headed to the Longpan park, the staff at the hotel was the one who recommended it to us since it’s one of the best tourist attractions that they have. So we decided to check on it. The travel was quite long but it’s so refreshing and exciting as well. The place was really far but it’s really worth it, the view was really awesome and breath taking.
Then after that we headed to beach I forgot the name but it is quite smaller than the nanwan beach but they also have activities. We arrived at the beach at around 5:30 pm and the activities started to put away and clean their things. Actually it seems like we are the only guests who arrived that time so they offered us discounted price for the banana boat as their last customer. I really don’t want to join the activity but they insisted so that I can experience it, so I joined and face my fears my only condition is that there will be no drop at the sea. So we started the activity and it really feels scary at first but I enjoyed it and we are the only group having the activity at the beach so it feels like we own the place haha.
Then they have a parking area in mid area of the sea, Our guide parked the boat so that they can go down and swim for a while. Then to get back at the shore they said we will be riding the jet ski for free, I was quite hesitant since I know that it will be fast , fortunately my grip was really tight that I didn’t fall off the ski. But when Kristel and kass was riding the ski their driver was quite really fast , and kristel fall off the ski and her foot hit at the part of ski. We we’re so worried about what happened, fortunately the people there saw what happened and helped us and the driver was keep on apologizing to us. Luckily it was not that serious and Kristel says its bearable. They provided us ice for her foot. We’re worried she can’t drive the scooter but she still manage to do it, then we went back to hotel. On our way we saw the villa where EXO stayed - Caesar Park Kenting. It’s near the end of kenting night Market.
When we reached our hotel we opted to rest first so that Kristel’s foot can rest as well. We planned to have a dinner at Smokey Joes – restaurant where Chanyeol and Chen ate their lunch on their adventure but the resto is already full so we just decided to eat there for lunch on the next day before we head to airport, so we reserved a slot at around 11 am. By the way the resto is just near the hotel we can go there just by walking.
Then we planned a mukbang for our last dinner at Kenting and stinky tofu challenge. So we bought different dishes at the night market and rice as well then we eat it at our room while sharing different stories and while wearing matching pajamas.
We film our stinky tofu challenge for the vlog content of kass and for us also to experience the taste of it since we got curious.
We also fix some of our luggage so that we can see if we still have enough space if we will buy some more pasalubong. We finished at around 2 am and planned to go at a supermarket before we check out for lunch.
We planned on going out early so we have enough time to fix our things but we end up getting up at 8 am :) so we just went out wearing our pajamas to go at the nearest supermarket. When we ask the hotel reception they said that its quite far but it is the nearest supermarket we can go. Since we still have our scooter we opted to go. The morning ride was cool and amazing the views are amazing, these are the things I would miss when we go back to Manila.
As we reached the supermarket we just bought what we think can still fit on our budget and luggage. Then as we prepare to get back to the hotel it suddenly started to rain heavily and we are quite hesitant to go since the road will be slippery and the visibility is not that fine so we are worried as well for our time, we advise our hotel and the scooter rental that we might be running late because of the rain. We just waited until the rain slightly weakened so we can go. We came back at hotel at around 10 am ; we returned the scooters and get back to our hotel, fortunately we are not that soaking wet because of the rain.
We started to prepare and pack our things, luckily we are allowed to have a late check out. After that we left our things at the lobby to have our lunch at Smokey Joe’s before we go back to Kaohsiung airport.
We wanted to order the exact foods that Chen and Chanyeol ordered but it quite pricey so we just ordered what we wanted.
After that we get back to the hotel since our service is already there, it cost us PHP 3,468.00 it is pre booked at kkday again. As much as we wanted to stay we need to go back to Manila, We surely want to go back at Kaoshiung and Kenting and visit all the places and try their activities.
Our flight to Manila is around 6:25 pm and we got to the airport at around 4:00 pm. We still have enough time to roam around and eat before we board.
We arrived at Manila around 8:00 pm.
It was one of the best travel that I experienced. We have done a lot of things that I didn’t expected to do and of course our fan girl hearts are really super happy. The bonding that we had was one of the memories I will forever cherish.
