Day 1: The Journey Begins

Haha, I just completed my nano project workload, and english. But due to some "sleeping disorder" symptoms, haha, I'm still awake. Many friends like Darren, Evelyn and Thomas plan to travel to Taiwan on the coming holiday. Darren even called to ask me about my itinerary. They reminded me of Taiwan somehow, and perhaps I should start to blog on it, before those memories are forgotten.

Day 1: 25th Dec 2006

Though the sun was sorching high up in the sky, it was a rather windy morning. It's X'mas today, and after some partying with the poly cliques at my house the day before, Dad drove me and jun to the airport. I was a little excited about e trip, but somehow, my brain kept thinking about the results that would be coming out on the 27th. It killed me further on the plane (Jetstar, $423 two way tickets).

On the plane.

While HongKiat was busily catching some winks, Jun and I talked about everything we could talked about these ten years "on the sky". And since we are damn bored, we did some photowhoring and played chee-go-ba (how lame).

Photowhoring.

4Eva can sleep HongKiat.

And in less then 5 hours time, we reached Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which was formely known as Taipei Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport. Since it was winter, the sky was already dark, though it was just around 6pm.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

For 135NT ($6.75) each, we took a coach by Evergreen to Taipei Main station through one of the many coach counters at the airport. The journey took us around one hour plus, and we reached our booked hostel Taiwanmex (2F, No. 18-1, Lane 18, Nanjing West Road, Taipei, Taiwan103, taiwanmex@hotmail.com) at around 9 plus. The rate was rather worthwhile for 300NT per night.

After the settling procedures was done, we made ourselves to the well-known Shilin Night Market by taking their 捷运 (train) from Zhongshan Main Station to Jiantan Main station. The metro train farecards could be purchased at any station for 500NT, with 400NT of value. We seriously need some food to fill up our empty stomachs.

The well known Shilin Night Market.

炸鸡派.

A very happy HongKiat.

So are we.

My first impression of the market was "wow". It was so damn crowded, but yet so different from our pasar-malam. And most important of all, there are lots and lots of 台妹 (!). Haha, each of us purchased the well-known grilled chicken cultlet ($3.50 each）and a bubble tea. ($1.50 each).

After the fulfilling meal, we walked through the whole market, looked through some local delight, tried to catch some soft toys from the catcher machine ($0.50 per catch), and enjoyed being "part of Taiwan”. =) We purchased cup noodles and milk tea for breakfast tomorrow at their local version of 7-11, and went back to the hostel for a wash up. Haha. And the first culture shock, was that they never throw their "used" toilet paper into the toilet bowl, but recycle them by throwing them in to the dustbin. And of course, being a 入乡随俗 kind of person, I did the same too! Haha.

Hong Kiat in his 小叮当-theme room.

Jun and I weren't very tired when HongKiat turned in. So being the adventurous types, we left our room, and walked around our neighbourhood after leaving HongKiat a note (and trying countless of times to call him up). Haha, and that was when the climax for the day came about.

We were spotted by a local pimp!!! I didn't expected the place we lived in, was very near a red light district zone, just like our Tanjong Pagar (not those Geylang sort). We were truely afraid then, but also did our very best to act calm. Haha, inside me was scolding some holy shits. Luckily the man was just trying to make some man-to-man business and nothing else. He left us soon after discovering we are "boys". Jun and I continued our night walk with a can of local beer to keep some warmth before going back to the hostel for a chit chat. I think we managed to get into some sleep at around 4 plus, after someone-next-door gave us a knock telling us to shut up! Opps. -_-"

Time for some unglam photos that I decided to show all! Haha, click the cross at the top right hand corner of this window if you can't take them. Haha.

Ended.