Taiwan Trip 2010 Part 4

The nice taxi driver that picked us up the previous night asked if we would like to book his car for a half-day tour and we thought why not especially since we are tired enough and it would simply take up too much time just for travelling alone... So at 10am in the morning, there he was waiting for us with breakfast in hand.. Cool eh?! *winks*
 We were busy slurping up our oyster mee-suah when he stopped a distance from the 101 tower and asked if we would like to take pictures... He's really cute, he loves to snap snap snap away.. What I call 'trigger-happy'.. LOL... As I did not bring a 'real' camera with me, my pictures were all taken with my iPhone 4. Not too bad I must say.. I never really like to take pictures.. this time its a miracle I had so many taken and I actually like them.. keke... So, after the 101 Tower, we headed for Qing Tong Old Street (青桐老街) where we got steamed peanuts along the way with compliments from the driver again...
While the driver was parking his vehicle, we were just looking around waiting for him to come back when we had a little shock when he came back with another guy... He wanted to ask if this guy wanted to follow us on our 'tour' so that he could earn a little more and at the same time share some costs with us. We were ok with another person joining us but he declined as he wanted to take the train ride from there but he followed us to the 'post office' which is actually also kind of a souvenir shop where I sent out this really nice postcard which is actually a wooden plaque to Mikka... After we said our goodbyes, we headed for our second destination, Shi-Fen (十分).
Along the way, we did something that we would never get to do here in Singapore... Lighting the Sky Lantern (放天灯).. Ok, it might not be the most environmental friendly thing but then its a once in a lifetime experience... Funny enough,  we saw the same guy which the taxi driver tried to pick up earlier again.. LOL.. We were making a joke that if we saw him for a third time he would have to follow us... And yes... at Shi-Fen (十分), we saw him again... keke... Here we officially introduce our new found friend.. Stephan.. He's also from Germany but staying in Switzerland. So after he joined in the group, we went to see the waterfalls and after that, headed for Jiu Fen(九分).  Jiu Fen Old Street(九分老街) is a 'must-see' place.. Other than shopping, it has the real 'old street' feel compared to the other old streets that I have been...  Rushing off to the next destination... The Gold Ecological Park / Museum(黃金博物園區) at Jin Gua Shi (金瓜石).. In this place, there is a block of gold weighing 220Kgs. It is supposedly that if anyone can lift it with one hand, he can take the gold back with him.. Don't talk about lifting it, no matter how much you try to push it, it will not even budge.. Think its nailed in... keke... Next, we drove to this cliff area overlooking the sea where the taxi driver told us that this vast ocean actually leads to 3 different places.. Japan, Korea and Shanghai.. respectively in 3 different directions of course... =P There we met a group of aunties and uncles having a picnic... Cool right? Driving up the mountains just to picnic...They even offered us some of their food.. LOL.. The cherry tomatoes were really yummy... keke... Then along the way, we stopped in the middle of nowhere.. yes I really mean it.. this driver is crazy.. He can and will stop just about anywhere to show us stuff.. Here, he was showing us the rocks that is of different colour tones due to the staining from the gold particles in the water...
I managed to get a picture.. keke... As it was getting dark, we had to skip Keelung so we headed for Yang Ming Shan instead.. Nevertheless, still can't beat the speed of the sun going down. By the time we arrived, we had to walk in with a torch.. So, with my lousy 'camera' I did not manage to picture anything.. Dinner was ermm... haha.... We decided to buy the taxi driver dinner as he had brought us around for the whole day but the food that he recommended did not really suit my tastebud.. I had my first beer in Taiwan... LOL... Liquid food.. I learnt this from Mikka!! After dinner, we got the taxi driver to drop us off at Wu Fen Pu (五分埔) which ended the half-day but in the end became a full-day tour...
 We ventured into Rao He Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市) after that and at the end of the night, said our goodbyes.. It was nice making a new friend in a foreign land.. =) Last day in Taiwan already... That's how fast 10days just passes you by... We still had time to shop around as our flight was at 7.30pm so we went down to Xi Men Ding (西門町), the most popular shopping district in Taipei. I finally visited Cheng Pin Bookstore (城品书店). Wanted to drop by earlier in the wee hours of the morning (this bookstore is opened 24hrs) but never had the chance to as we were always too kaputt by the time we got back to the hotel....

In the last few hours that we have left in Taipei.. we just ate and had fun.... We had a really good time.. Till next time Taiwan!!!!!

Goodbye Taiwan!!!

Taiwan Trip 2010 Part 3

Finally, we arrive in the capital city of Taipei... Walking thru the underground shopping street (which is really confusing due to the many exits of the station), still with our 2 big cases, found the exit which leads to our hotel.. I tell you... It has gotta be a scene right out of a Stephen Chow movie... You can imagine the shock that we had when we saw the 'hotel' sign at the side of a really rundown building.... I truly, honestly, nearly dropped my case.... I could not bring myself to take a picture of this one... Gosh.... Thankfully the 'hotel' 

 (which is actually only one level in the building) was not as bad as the exterior... Phew!! In the end, it was kinda cosy.. No complains for the room itself. After throwing down the luggages, it was as usual, out again.. 

Took the Metro to Da Zhi Station to walk around abit and headed over to Lin Jiang Street Night Market (临江街夜市) also known as Tong Hua Jie Night Market (通化街夜市). It was food and shopping shopping shopping all over again...

Next day, we headed to Dan Shui Old Street (淡水老街), Yu Ren Ma Tou (漁人碼頭) was on our 'to-visit' list but we could not make it there in the end. The boats stopped its services due to the strong winds so we had to give it a miss... Also in Dan Shui, I had my first Starbucks coffee in 7days in Taiwan... *Yay-Finally*!!! We simply had too much shopping in hand and too less time so we decided to give the Hot Springs a miss as it will take quite a few hours to travel there. Will leave this one to the next visit as well... keke... Shi Da Night Market (师大夜市) was the planned one this night. Still... food and shopping... (What else?!.. keke...)  

 We decided that we had to be more tourist like this day.. so in the morning, we headed over to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (國立中正紀念堂). There was a pre-Halloween party/bazaar for kids in the open area before the hall.. All the kids were dressed in different kinds of Halloween costumes.. They looked really cute.. Passing the bazaar, we climbed the long flight of steps towards the hall. We were lucky to catch the 'take over duty' procedure of the Guards in the main hall. A procedure that only lasts for about 10mins at 12pm each day. 

 We took the train to the Eastern shopping district next and we stopped by at  the 'famous' SOGO to look for our lunch restaurant - Dian Shui Lou (點水樓). I had looked forward to going to this place as it supposedly serves real good dim sum. Nice ambience and yes... Great food. =)    

Next on the list... the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院). As it was a Saturday, we had free entry to the museum after 6.30pm. As we were browsing thru the many exhibition rooms, we realized that 2 hrs was not enough.. We did not manage to finish touring the whole museum but it was a very enriching trip there. I guess I would go there again if I have the chance. 

Night Market Highlight for the day - Shi Lin Night Market (士林夜市)... The shopping area and the food area is really so huge... By the time we finished the shopping area, I was already too full to get anything from the real food section... Wie Schade!!!

Taiwan Trip 2010 Part 2

After the cold cold night in Alisan (if I ever go there again I would stay in a better hotel).. We travelled downhill to make our way to Yunlin.We stopped by a few places of interest along the way. Fen Qi Hu Old

  Street (奋起湖老街) - to eat the 'famous' Railway Bento (铁路便当). Bought a lot of ginger tea from there.. haha... When we arrived back in Jiayi, we also went to the Wen Hua Lu (文化路) Night Market before heading to our destination. As we were relatively early, there was not much of a crowd but pity that we only had about an hour so we didn't really have the time to look around. Thankfully the journey to Yunlin was only about 45mins so by the time we checked in, we still had time to relax before going to bed. Next day was supposed to be a real adventure as our target place is Jian Hu Shan Theme Park (剑湖山). We arrived there at around 10am and to my disappointment, there were not much people in the park. There were a few student groups

around but they left at around 2pm which made the park more or less... empty!!! Other than the fact that I did not wanna go on a roller coaster ride all alone (can you imagine one poor soul on a huge coaster... I wouldn't know what to do at all.....). The worse part was, the power to the park went out at around 3pm.. Gosh!! What luck we had.. At that point I was telling myself thank God I was not on any of the rides.. I would not like to be hung in the middle of the tracks... I also missed the haunted house too.. You can say it

 was more or less a wasted trip there. So next time when I have ride buddies, I will go back there.. =) We waited for our Taxi at the main entrance of the park at 5pm to take us back to the hotel to collect our luggages to move on to the train station for our ride to Taichung. We were so relieved to see escalators in the station.. The thought of carrying our cases and climbing the stairs really scared us... LOL. As per planned, we headed to Feng Jia Night Market(逢甲夜市) almost immediately after we put our stuff down in the hotel room. This market is really huge and the winds were sooooo strong I had a feeling I would get blown away.. To be honest, I wasn't prepared for such cold winds as the weather forecasts that we had checked before we left Singapore tells us that the average temperatures would be around 24 - 28 degrees.. so I had to get some thick clothings to keep

myself warm.. Also, as we travel further north, it is supposedly going to get colder. Before moving off to Taipei the next morning, we went to the much recommended restaurant Wu Jiao Chuan Ban(伍角船板). The food was really good but the prices are rather steep. On the way to the High Speed Rail Station, we picked up our Sun Biscuits (太阳饼) and Pineapple Cakes (鳳梨酥) along the way at the taxi driver's recommendation of the best shops...

Taiwan Trip 2010 Part 1

I am finally back from Taiwan!! Have not been updating but just to summarize my trip... Its like 'Going to War' shopping... LOL.. Its a pity that Keani couldn't join us in the last minute but she would have freaked out at our pace.. To be honest, even I was surprised with myself that I could do all that walking.. keke... When we arrived in Taoyuan International Airport, there was this BIG group of fans... (no... not for welcoming us.. keke..) at the arrival hall waiting for some Korean idol.. So, the moment we touched down, it was screaming all over.. Interesting to stand and watch these fans chasing after I don't know who..

Ok, after the confusion there, we took the U-Bus to the High Speed Rail Station (THSR) to make our way down to Kaohsiung.. I have to say that the train is really cool.. Reminds me of the bullet train that I took in Japan.. Fast and comfortable. We managed to find our hotel after looking for it for a good while.. The reception guy was kinda strange.. I really hated the way he said 'Hi' to us.. Still gives me the creeps when I think about it now.. LOL. We stayed at 'Dreamhouse' which is one of those boutique style hotel converted from residential units. Nice and cute as the rooms all have different themes. We stayed at the one with the 'Country/Farm' theme. That night, we went to Liu He Night Market.. Great street food but the place was relatively small.. Visited 'Qi Jin' on the second day. The seafood was cheap but in my honest opinion... only so-so... Nice island with interesting spots to visit.. Great for those who loves to walk.. keke.. Instead of returning to the port that we came from, we took the other ferry to Ai He (Love Pier).Strange that two women is going there together but what the hell.. since we are already there might as well visit n take some pics of the place.. keke.. We met a nice guide that told us since we will be going to Rui Feng Night Market that will be more 'active' only after 7, we might as well take the bus in which we really did and ended up taking a bus journey of around an hour.. Boy did our butts hurt after that.. keke... The night market was CROWDED.... It was so jammed packed with people that I did not know how to buy things anymore... Took me awhile to get adjusted and started pushing my way around as well.. (If not I will never get anything..) Early next morning, we took the interstate rail to Jiayi where we will be picked up for our 2 day 1 night tour to Alisan... What a big difference.. the train station looked like a scene right our from the 70's.. It had a 'nostalgic' feel to it.. keke..

The scariest part is, the train station did not have any form of elevators or lifts... We lugged our big cases and climbed the stairs.. Gosh!!! Thank God the travel agency was just across the street from the station, if not I think I would have gone crazy.. especially when the sun was scorching... We had our packet lunch bought from the rail station at the agency while waiting for the transport and we kinda hit it off with the girls there. They were kinda surprised that we planned our free & easy holiday on our own. The journey to Alisan let us have some time to doze off a little but the mountains is really beautiful.. Shame that it was quite foggy but we could still see something..

The moment we got off the vehicle, I realized that the temperature dipped by 10 - 15 degrees and I was thinking to myself.. Great.. I think I would have a problem.. True enough, as the hotel we stayed in was quite old, the insulation was really bad.. I had a totally sleepless night due to the cold and had to wake up at 4am to go take the train to the higher part of the mountain to see the sunrise..... Thankfully they were selling hot drinks up there or else I think I would have froze to death... LOL.. Pity that it was too foggy.. in the end, we never saw the sunrise... *Sob sob* I bought lots of tea from there which is my consolation.. I just lurve tea!!

A New Phase... soon...

I know that I have been neglecting my dear blog for quite awhile but it seems like there are a hundred and one things to do and there is simply not enough time.... So here's a little summary of what has and is going to happen... keke...
Handed in my resignation to the company at the end of last month.. Eversince, it has been looking foward to finally being able to wake up in the morning not having to stress to go to work.. =P At present, I am handing over my stuff to the new girl that they hired to take-over my position. So, I will be officially 'unemployed' by end September. Still have loads to do even after I have stopped work. Have to go to Immgrations - ICA - to pick up my passport, then the Ministry of Foreign Affiars (MFA) to get our wedding certificate stamped and finally to the German Embassy (Deutsche Botschaft) to submit my documents for my visa application at the end of next week. Guess this will drag awhile cos from what I understand, there are still documents to be translated into German for the application but I will not know what they are until I have submitted the initial papers. Did I mention before that I have passed my A1 for my German Language course at Goethe? Results were not fantastic but I didn't do too bad either *winks* Also, I successfully passed my Advance Theory Test for my driving (I have to brag.. I got 100% correct answers.. keke...). The next step will be to complete my remaining 3 lessons and book a Test Date for my driving test itself. Think that's all? Nein... far from that. Have to start packing up my stuff to ship over to my 'new home' in Germany.. Mom has been nagging me to start packing. I made a joke that she can't wait to 'get rid' of me. Lots of stuff to be shipped so that's gonna cost me a bomb.. keke... *wonders if Mikka would subsidize me something.. LOL*
Before I leave my beautiful ASIA to go to EUROPE, my dear friends - Keani & Lucy - decided that we have to go on a trip together so we have arranged to tour Taiwan a little bit from end Oct - early Nov. 10 days in total and we will be eating and shopping to our hearts content.. *HAPPEE* I will go more into this in a separate entry.
Besides my own 'events' there are lots going on around too. Jo is already about 6 months pregnant, which means my little niece would be out to see the world sometime in November. I promised to wait till I can finally see her before I leave.. As for our new venture in the bag business here, things are progressing well and we are growing steadily with a regular base of customers.. This weekend we will have our first ever 'Roadshow' as Adrian calls it at T3. Hopefully the response will be good. So much so for now.. will update again soon.

Bangkok.. after peace returned...

Made my 'annual' trip to Bangkok over the last weekend. Just as expected, things were just not the same anymore... There were so few tourists around and the malls were relatively 'empty'. The shops closed much earlier than expected and there were actually not much to see anymore. We stayed at Grand Diamond Suites (again) which is next to Platimun Mall opposite the Pratunam Wholesale Market. We were already busy buzzing around from the first day of arrival. We managed to check-in early as the rooms were available and the first stop - of course Platinum Mall which is only next door. Spent around 2 hours there then we proceeded to venture into the market across the street. My favourite shopping place.. keke.. (Keani... I missed you!!) Next stop was Chinatown (Yao Warat) for a great tasting seafood dinner thanks to Justin's friend's recommendation.. =D After conversion, the stuffing meal was less than 30bucks (singapore dollars) per person (bearing in mind that the dishes we ordered are not cheap going by Singapore standards). Just luurrrve eating in Bangkok.. keke.. Last stop for the day - Suan Lum Night Market. Geez.. when I stepped off the tuk-tuk I was genuinely surprised.. The place was - deserted. More than half the shops were closed. Even the food stalls were cut by 60%. It was such a pathetic sight. Wonder how the shop owners survive... Thankfully there was a nice coffee place around the corner which was what we all needed after a whole day of walking walking walking..... Last activity for the night.. the very needed - massage!!! I had a great massage but poor Justin. Cos of his swollen ankles, he more or less could not walk after the massage as he didn't tell the masseuse to leave the legs alone... Thankfully it was ok again the next morning or else he would have to stay in the hotel which would be terribly boring cos there was nothing to do there.

Second day was Erawan - Four Faced Buddha - which some of the guys wanted to go to, then down to MBK. Along the way, we passed Central World which was partially burned down by the Red Shirts. Almost one-third of the building was closed due to the fire. They are rebuilding it at the moment but then I guess the memory of this chapter in Thailand will always remain. I managed to get a few shots of the building as we passed. At MBK itself, was another round of walk walk shop shop. Nothing too interesting but we had our early dinner at my favourite Japanese restaurant on level 3.. =D Funny that I never can remember the name of the restaurant but everytime I'm in Bangkok, I am sure to visit.. keke.. Took a cab back to the hotel after that but the driver took us on a merry-go-round ride and we paid twice as much.. =( By the end of the day, we were totally drained... Too tired to do anything anymore... Last day was a little more relaxed. Last minute shopping and then we were on our way to the airport. Our flight was scheduled to be at 1835hrs. When we arrived at the airport, we realized that it has been delayed to 2000hrs. Great!.. Means we have to spend another 2 hours doing nothing..... As the departure gate was not confirmed during our check-in, we had to keep referring back to the flight board for updates. Our flight was later confirmed to depart at 2050hrs (which is already further delayed) but when we boarded the plane, we were made to wait for another good whole hour before we actually took-off... We finally touched down in Singapore at around 1am. *For the cheapest fares, please go to Tigerairways* Yah, right.. i say *For the highest rate of flight delays, please go to Tigerairways* =P

Travel Journal - Day 3 Hong Kong

28.02.10

Made my way to Lo Wu station just a stone's throw away from the hotel around noon. Looking for the immigration counter was a challenge as I did not know the way around. I could only rely on the signs. Finally found it and got my passport stamped. Yay!! Another stamp on my passport for this trip. The train ride was challenge no. 2. Manson told me he would wait for me at Mongkok station. I realized that to get there, I had to make a transfer somewhere in the middle of my ride and I had absolutely no idea where.. Anyway, I just boarded the train. Thank God I was late (due to the wait at the immigration) and he gave me a call while I was on the train. It was then we realized that he had given me the wrong station name.. Phew!! If not for that call, I would be lost in the city... When I finally met him.. Lunch... =D Local food *yummie* Better food than in Shenzhen... keke.. After that was walk walk walk around the city (my poor poor feet...) But the places that we walked by was really interesting. Have seen Mongkok upteen times from the movies and TV shows but being there in person is a totally different feel. Although most of the buildings are old, they just have a kind of enchanting feel about it.. We had coffee at a small coffee shop in one of the old buildings (too many, dunno which one.. =P ) Cosy and comfortable.. Walked down Nathan Road then later to Tsim Sha Tsui.. Went into a couple of malls too but there's nothing special about the malls.. Just like those here in SG. I still like to walk the streets instead.. keke...
Last stop - Victoria Harbour - think this place is a place every visitor to HK must go to. Fantastic view of the commercial district from there.. All the tall skyscrapers.. You can also see Tai Ping Mountain which is across the harbour. But it was really misty today so the upper part of the mountain was not really clear.
Couldn't contact Po Wah for the last week so I gave Alan a call instead.. Woah.. long time no hear from this guy, so he was really surprised to receive a call from me.. But too bad he already had another appointment so we did not meet up. What a pity!!

As it was the 15th day (last day) of the Lunar New Year celebrations, Manson had to go home for dinner.. Tradition.. So when he went back, I took the train and made my way back to Shenzhen. I couldn't walk anymore.... Think I have totally 'overwalked' for the last few days. Came back to the hotel around 9 changed and went out to look for food. Couldn't spare the time to rest even a little bit cos it was getting late and if I still don't get my dinner, I would have to starve for the nite. I really don't fancy the food in China. Not exactly my kinda taste. Nevertheless, still had to fill my stomach. Was sitting alone at the noodle shop watching the sides of some fireworks behind one of the many tall buildings in Luo Hu.. Geez... the feeling was... lonely....
I know that one shouldn't go for massage right after food but my whole body was breaking up so I went ahead for my 1st massage in 3 days. Chinese massage... so-so... I still prefer Thai massage better.. keke..

** Tomorrow, I'll be catching the plane back to SG.
Yay!! Miss home, miss mom and dad, miss Mikka...

Travel Journal - Day 2 Shenzhen

27.02.10
Today, I totally overslept... Was supposed to meet Dennis at 10am but was still sleeping until he gave me a call at 10.15am... Soooooo sorry Dennis.. Washed up and got ready as fast as I could... Went for breakfast at one of those backlane shops. Another place that the locals go to. Was totally stuffed but the food was honestly only so-so... We headed to the Metro (train) to head over to my destination of the day - Hua Qiang Bei.
Just at the entrance of the stairs leading down to the station, I managed to get my first 2 pieces of 'Yu Rong' (padded quilt jacket) after a round of bargaining with the boss.. Gosh.. I really hate to bargain for things.. If not for Dennis (who did the bargaining for me.. keke) I guess I wouldn't have gotten these 2 jackets. We decided that since we were still in the vincity of the hotel, it was only wise to go back and put these 2 bulky jackets down first.. Thank goodness!!! I never expected the load afterwards...
The crazy buying started a few minutes after I entered the wholesale market - which is behind the electronics marts along the main road. Dennis left shortly as he had to get materials for his house reno. I continued my hunt and ventured deeper into the market area. Gosh! I am so amazed by myself. Within a span of less than 3 hours, I got more than enough things to stuff my luggage and backpack. The bulk that I had was so big, the shopowners thought I was buying stocks for business... Haha.. That was good cos that means that the prices that they gave me was not as bad as they would to a normal tourist.. Keke.. *Bargian*
The load that I had was too much for me. I had to stop shopping although unwilling but no choice. I am still puzzled at how I managed that big bulk of 'goods' to the main road to get a cab back to the hotel. Even the taxi driver was shocked... keke...
Arrived at the hotel around 2.45pm and did not wanna move for at least 15mins. My legs were soooooo tired. Think if I walked any longer, I would get the cramps. When I finally decided to move my butt to check out the 'good stuff' that I got... *SHOCKED* Filled the whole bed... and YIKES!! after squeezing the stuff into my luggage... cannot close!!! Had to sit on it and adjust the sides before I could get it clasped.. Mom, dad, whoever.. I need to come with more people next time.. Mikka, prepare a BIG luggage... =D
Manson gave me a call to arrange for the meeting tomorrow.. 12.30pm - Mongkok - lunch... Got it!!
Lazed around in the hotel until around 7+ when Dennis came to pick me, along with his wife and son. We went to a BBQ place somewhere off Futian District. Think I prefer this BBQ meal to the one I had in the morning.. keke.. Dennis' wife is from Szechuan, so she was secretly pleased that I can take spicy food. Dennis can't take too spicy so she has to cut down on the chilli and pepper. Have to re-check with him the name of this place. Would be good to go to this place for dinner again.
Went back to the hotel after dinner as the kid needs to go back and sleep. I went to the business centre instead of returning to my room. Miss Mikka so I had to go drop a short email. Happy to know that he will be starting his 'Golf Season' training again as the weather is getting better. Have fun with the clubs.. keke..

** Tomorrow will be Hong Kong day. Must remember that I can't buy anymore stuff...