If traveling with kids is challenging, traveling while pregnant is another story. It can be risky for some and a tiresome experience. Let me share to you my travel experience to Taiwan while I was 21 weeks/5 months pregnant. I will also share the travel must haves of an expectant mother. This blog will be somewhat detailed to actual events.
REASON FOR THE TRAVEL
Our trip to Taiwan was my first travel international travel. I travelled there for research presentation purposes as a requirement for my schooling. I travelled with my classmates and my husband accompanied me as well. Just like what we usually do, we booked ahead of time for the plane and train tickets and accommodation as well as prepare the necessary documents such as passport, travel itinerary, hotel accommodation printouts, travel invitation, authority to travel if government employee and medical certificate(for pregnant).
TAIWAN TRIP
The Conference Venue was Taichung City, located in the west-central part of Taiwan. There is no direct flight from Davao to Taichung, Taiwan. We took the Davao to Clark, Pampanga then, Clark to Kaohsiung International Airport in Southern Taiwan because that was the cheapest flight that time. Then we took a bullet train from Kaohsiung to Taichung City.
When we booked our plane tickets, we did not chose connecting flights, we booked tickets separately. From Davao to Clark, we took Cebu Pacific flight. We arrived early at Clark and paid the travel taxes, check-in and checking of baggage if it matches the weight specified in our tickets and fill up Airport Departure Card and show to the Immigration the necessary documents I listed previously. We waited for the Immigration Officer to put a stamp on our passport and Airport Departure Card.
ARRIVAL TO TAIWAN
Upon arriving to Kaohsiung International Airport, the long walks started, we walked to the Immigration again and showed the Airport Arrival Card, passports and then waited for them to put a stamp. We then again have a long walk towards the exit of the airport. But before anything else, we bought Tourist Sim cards so that we can contact our friends in Taiwan as well as use if for Map and translations.
Our friend meet us and give us EasyCards that could be used for trains and for buying goods. We decided to have our dinner first, we took a train (that was actually my and hubby's first train ride ^.^). During our dinner, we really look for rice and was surprised with the high cost of rice there. After that, we then again had long walks for us to go to train station for our trip to Taichung. Our friend accompanied us up to the train station. We then took high-speed bullet train. I really thought that upon arrival to train station, our accommodation is just near, but it was not. We again took another train, not the high speed, towards the place of accommodation, then after that we again walked to look for the place we booked through AirBNB. It really took us a long time to locate it, and the some of the people we asked would not talk to us because of language barrier. Finally, at around 10:00pm we found the accommodation. Thanks to my classmates who led the finding accommodation journey. My feet were really tired, and I talked to my baby in my tummy and told her we can finally rest.
DAY 1
After the good night rest, we took a morning walk around the vicinity. We look for stores and fast foods where we can buy foods. That day, we just rested and prepared the necessary things for our conference presentation, we also visited the venue and have our attendance there. We need to ride a bus through a bus station and then walk again around 3-5 minutes before we can arrive to the venue. The venue was in Dali Art Center where there are high-tech complex of stores & gallery spaces with art installations.
DAY 2
Presentation time! We met other participants who are also Filipinos, there were also other nationalities. The conference lasted for a day and I was happy that the presentation went well for me and my classmates. At night the organizers brought us to a Taiwan Restaurant where we experienced Taiwan cousine.
DAY 3
We had an early trip to Taipei through a high speed bullet train, we were going to meet my cousin and she will tour us in Taipei and accompany us in buying some pasalubong. The travel from Taichung to Taipei was almost an hour too. Then I met with my cousin and we went to only 3 destinations. The Famous Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Taipei City Mall(buying some pasalubong).
Taipei 101 is one of the tallest structures in the world which is composed on 101 floors. It offers Taipei 101 Observatory that allows the public to view the beauty of Taipei's cityscape. As much as we wanted to do it, time would not permit because there are many people who already lined up for the observatory view. We just had some picture taking and I saw how authentic brand outlets look like.
We went to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall because this is a free park and it is also famous in Taipei. We were happy that that time, there was a festival so there were floral floats there. Here are few of the pics.
We also went to Zhongli District in Taoyuan City for Church services. We meet some Christian friends and unexpectedly, a person whom we know from here back home. We are blessed with God's word being preached and the fellowship with Filipinos there.
After which, we headed to the airport since our flight will be dawn, so we will just rest in the airport, I will tell the story of why we have a dawn flight in my next article.
GOING BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES
Since our flight was dawn, we slept in the airport and followed again the process, check in, pass the immigration, get the passport stamped. This time our route was Taipei to Manila, Manila to Davao and the airports will really took a long time to walk. By the grace of God, we arrived home safe with no untoward incidents.
CONLUSION
Traveling while pregnant will really limit you to some your activities. You should ask your doctor for medical advice and even emergency medicines to bring in case untoward incidents will happen like cramps or abdominal pains. I was actually given vitamin prescriptions that time. Also, I was given medical certificate that I am fit to travel and was reminded to be always extra careful in the activities that I will choose.
The long walks were really tiresome for me, good thing I brought with me some oils for soft massage each night. It is ideal also to have a company, good thing, my hubby was with me, he bring almost all of the stuffs. Also always bring biscuits, there might be long travels that would make you hungry.
So that's all for now, I will make a continuation of this article, regarding my first times, memorable experiences and thrifty tips for travel, and the mistakes I made. So thanks for reading and hope you find this relevant to you. Keep safe.
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Ang efficascent oil jud ang ni catch og attention nako kay utro pud kong kabuhion. Hahaha. I believe it was a memorable experience for you. ❤