Shawn at Taiwan

Day 10: The Finale

2007-05-05T05:22:00.000+08:00

Day 10: 3rd Jan 2007
Day 11: 4th Jan 2007

Every story has its last chapter, just as every film has its final episode. Every relationship will come to its end, just as every ending means a new start. The song on this blog will end, and so is my write up on Taiwan trip. Yes, after 9 days of living in Taipei, I'm in love with this place. Wholeheartedly. =) My last day in Taipei was spent in a rather relax mode. A visit to Jacky Cheung's dessert house while the girls went for haircut and shopping.

The famous Tang Hu.

Interior design of the shop.

Alex and I.

Jun and Kiat.

Jeff and Guoxin.

The dumplings (9/10).

The desserts (9.5/10).

Watermelon with sago.

Nata De Coco in coconut milk.

The desserts were cheaper then how they look. Each of us just paid about S$10 for the dim sum package, that comes with a choice of dessert. Being a sweet tooth, I really enjoyed the Nata De Coco. Gonna thanks Jeff for the recommendation, who is now happily studying in Australia. =) Met up with Tingz and Butt at XiMengDing where I got a bag for mum, before heading towards Mirama to buy some good local snacks. I got to admit that Mirama's ferris wheel was really an impressive artifact, and now I wondered whether our local one will be as great...

Mirama's Ferris Wheel.

I thought this was impressive.

Jun and I, last dual pic in Taiwan.

Went back to Shilin Night Market to do last last-minute buying before heading towards the hotel room. The guys were playing cards while the girls fall asleep. And I, had no choice but to replan my whole timetable again as I didn't managed to get my desired modules. I know it's kinnda anti-climax to say it here, but imagine how affected I was back then. I went for a walk again after the stuffs were settled.

The icy cold street, stood a lonely me who is apparently lost in life. Dreams, uni results, love, all fall short in front of me as I wandered through and forth the roads. If life could stop, I would like it to stop at this moment, cause I know in just a day time, I will come back to reality. Taipei trip is just like a dream, while Singapore is actuality. Joined back the guys for a game or two before they called it a day. *a hour closer to realism* Was thinking how I can improve my grades and personal life while Jun was snoring away. And I manged to fall alsleep somehow eventually.

Woke up quite late the next morning before heading towards XiMengDing for Ah Zhong's Mian Xian and the usual Legend teas. I could see the unhappy faces of all... I guess none of us wanted to go back then.

The Famous Legend Tea

Ah Zhong's Mian Xian.

$55NT (8.5/10)

Butt, Tingz and I went back to get our bags while Kiat and Jun left to buy some computer games from KMall. Met up at GuoGuang Bus terminal, whereby we took a coach back to the airport.

*5hours left to reach Singapore*, I counted as I looked through the bus, taking a last good view of Taipei city. Soon, before I realized, I was already on the plane. And before I came back to reality, brother was standing and smiling in front of me. He bought Jun and I for roti pratas before sending Jun back home. And on his car, the song of Gigi Leung played, and my mind wandered back to some place, few hundred or thousand kilometres away...

The bags we bought to Taipei.

The extra weightloads we bought back to Singapore.

Local delights for the relatives.

Some items for myself.

Gifts, sounviers for the friends.

In a twink of an eye, my Taiwan trip came to an end and everything went back to normal. Butt and Tingz continue to work, while Kiat went overseas for studies. Jun is now waiting for school to start, and I went back to NUS, completed another sem with a more positive mindset. And I know, I will do even better for the coming semesters. At least now, I don't daydream about going overseas to study anymore, neither do I blame my folks for not letting me go overseas back then. I learn to appreciate life more I guess. Ocassionally, I do hear rantings from Jun and Butt of how they wanted to go back to Taiwan. But to me, Taipei is nothing but a history or memories that still lingers.

I might go back there another time in years to come, but perhaps not. Have you ever look at a old photograph, or think of visiting a country u have visted before, and start to think about the sweet memories you once have, only to discover that u have missed them all so much? And perhaps, you might want to fly to that same old place, to do the same old thing, with the same old people. But yet, when you replayed all these again, in another year, on another date, you discovered that the place is no longer the same, the thing you do is no longer enjoyable, and the feelings you have with the people is no longer there. You will bound to be dissapointed. For me, I missed that Taipei in my heart. And that's enough. =)

Day 9: Body and Wellness Day

2007-04-27T02:58:00.000+08:00

Day 9: 2nd Jan 2007

Haha yesh, another must-do-thing to spent winter in Taipei is to visit the 温泉. We woke up at around 11am, before heading to the famous 温泉 at 北头. The package was around S$20 per head, and there were like three levels of pools with different themes. Well, one word to describe: 赞!

The more than 80 degree celsius hot sypring.

Well, a pic to show my double chin while searching for the right package!!! Ahhh! 减肥减肥！

After the lovely hot sypring.

哈哈，picture picture picture...

Na Nu Wa---Yi Ya---Na-Nu-Wa...

After a relax 泡汤 session, it's recommended to head to Danshui to see the sunset and take photos. Hmmmm, I quite like Danshui actually, a less advanced district of Taipei where all the artists gathered. The pity part is, I never got the chance to visit the Fisherman's Wharf, Lover's Bridge cause they decided to head back to XiMengDing for steamboat. The prunes there are worthwhile to buy home. =)

Butt taking a portrait that look like XuMengJing(!).

Danshui's Sunset.

夕阳无限好，只是近黄昏。。。

The tall ice cream. We were trying to "suck". Failed.

He succeeded this time round. LoL.

The 嘛辣火锅 at XiMengDi wasn't too bad. ~S$16.50 per head... But I don't eat hot, haha, so I was munching the ice creams all the way. LoL. Went back to the hotel at around 11pm, and settled down at the hotel's lounge to make my timetable for the following sem. I gotta check whether the modules I wanna take the following sem fit into my timetable. Haha, yesh how last minute! Took a long slow walk at around our area thereafter, before siting down at a roadside stall for a drink. It's nice to be alone at times, with a hot drink on the hand, and observe the nightlife of Taipei. Watching humans walking around, cars speeding by, cats and dogs roaming on the streets, how relaxing... Alex and guys are KTVing away while Kiat and Jun were in the hotel looking at the porn (I think)... Seriously, I love this place. =)

I will miss this place in future.

Day 8: Replenishment Day

2007-04-26T21:02:00.000+08:00

Day 8: 1st Jan 2007

Well, being the hardcores... We visited the every-tourist-must-visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall right after our countdown and after a yummilicious local breakfast with goat milk... Haha, imagine the amount of energy we had left after the countdown night?!?! The hall was quite an impressive building to visit thou. But the "change duty" drill was nothing fantastic actually.

The famous Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

They reminded me of doing army duty. -_-"

Haha, yesh! Quite impressive.

Guys.

Green Lovers.

After sending KokGuan back to the railway station. We went back to Jeff's hotel to catch some beauty winks. Haha, yes, we were in need of some sleep desperately. Managed to wake up at around 7pm before we headed to Shilin Night Market for dinner and shopping. Jun and I managed to grab some nice presents there for GL and Hao.

The famous Bun. (8/10) ~S$1.00

Jeff was dragged by an uncle to do a fortune telling. FOC.

The Gong Wan (7/10). ~S$1.50

Me with DUCKIE's TOUNGE! (5/10) Note e gals behind, LoL.

Well, this 台湾仔 is like damn shuai!

臭豆腐。。。(6/10) ~S$3.00

棺材板 (8/10). ~S$3.50

The day ended happily with a pic with a cutie that sells clothes. Heh heh, 我爱台妹! =) Kiat, Jun and I went to wash our clothes before turning in for the night.

可爱哦！

Day 7: The Countdown

2007-04-06T04:56:00.000+08:00

Coundown 2007 was indeed the most unforgettable event of the trip. 永生难忘。Singapore, Channel 8 even managed to get the 跨年演唱会 2007 film, and played it to our local people on Chinese New Year Day 1. I was missing Taipei damn badly while watching the replay on tv.

Day 7: 31st Dec 2006

The suite was the most luxury accomodation we had so far. Knowing that we will be having a sleepless night today, we slept till 11 plus, settled our stuffs at Taiwanmex, before heading towards Taipei 101 by metro to meet Alex and guys for Countdown 2007 .

Some photo shots on e way to find Jeff and guys.

Jun and I.

3 of us.

My loves.

The guys.

Jeff was very nice and bought some doughnuts for us all. I think the doughnuts were just slightly above average (7.5/10), and weren't as impressive as what Butt said. Maybe different ppl got different taste. HAha. But still, gotta thanks jeff for the effort, and he even insisted on not to collect the money from us. 不好意思。。。 We headed towards NewYork NewYork (I think) for lunch right after.

The famous doughnuts.

Everyone had a bite.

Some greedy kids look-alike.

Tingz and I.
I seriously need some face reconstruction in this pic. Boo.

June with his prawn set ~$6 (8/10).

Hk's squid with beef set ~$7 (9/10).

Mine was chicken ~$7 (8.5/10)

Mad people do mad stuffs.
We just lied down and took the pic in the middle of the road.

Jeff, Tingz, Hua, Kiat.

Alex and I.

At around 4pm, we reached the stage area, and the whole place was already packed even though the concert started at 7pm. Haha, being the kiasu Singaporeans, we decided to join in the crowds, and became part of human dominos in the later part of the day. Haha, it was a sacrifice with great returns. The 跨年演唱会 was amazing. Big stars like 梁静茹，吴尊， FIR, 黄立行，品冠, etc all turned up. The co-hosts were 徐乃麟 and 蓝心梅, with some efforts from 黑色会妹妹 (-_-"). 乃哥 is damn damn damn 帅, while 蓝心梅 was ultra super hot. The show first started with FIR and 黄立行 at 7 plus, followed by many other singers. My all-time favorite band, 五月天 turned up at 11 plus pm, and brought the atmosphere to the highest peak. 阿信's voice was superduperultracrazily nice.

Haha, and not long after, the clock striked 12, and we welcomed the new year together with 10 mins fireworks, the stage, as well as Taipei 101... I wished for something at that second, and hopefully my wishes could be fufilled this year. A good point to mention was that, there were no "小黑s" around at the countdown!!! Haha, not like our Singapore's esplande version, where those "小黑s" always made the effort to spoilt the night. Boooo.

At the countdown.

Taipei 101 with the countdown bears.

I spent my last second of 2006 with them.

Just to show that I took a pic of 吴尊！Haha.

乃哥 with 南拳妈妈

The last second of 2006.
The first second of 2007.

The actual thing.

The ugly side of countdown.

We left the place to meet KokGuan right after the countdown. Sat at the park for some stupid games, before proceeding with catching!!! Haha, yeshie! We played catching on the first day of new year at the park till the morning sun came out. The RIP team consisting of Hua, Ting, Jeff and I were form at the end of the game. Haha, seriously, I need to lost some weight. Ppl always thought I was the easiest target, and decided to catch me almost every round! Booo, not until buddy HK turned up to be caught by me intentionally. Haha. I simply suck at such games. =P

Ah Guan, Ah Hua, Ah Shawn.

Oh, he's a little high.

Taipei Walkers. The catchers / RIP team.

Went to the nearby coffeeshop for Taiwan's style breakfast, before heading for more activities. HAhaa, the countdown was indeed amazing. =)

New year, pin new hope. =)

Day 6: Amusement Theme Park

2007-04-05T18:57:00.000+08:00

Day 6: 30th Dec 2006

One more day to the countdown, two more days to the new year... We woke up rather early after a fully-replenished-kind-of sleep. Haha, yesh. We will be having another climax for the trip. 5 kiddos will be heading to 剑湖山世界 for her 游乐园, costing 799NT per ticket. And I got to thank Hua for paying my tix as a BDae pressie. Hee. Love ya!

Before that, we had a rather relaxing breakfast at 橘园 itself. The pretty auntie was nice enough to prepare some english breakfast for us. And seriously, the food was 色，香，味聚全。。I love the bacons in the sandwiches and the kaya breads. The homemade 100% pure orange juice was just as great. She even allowed us to pluck her oranges to eat. At some point of time, I was dreaming that I was the boss of the house. LoL. We took some real good pictures before the auntie’s lucky husband who was working as a banker drove us to the park.

Our European-themed Room.

Even the decorations were paid attention to.

Butt's just being her narcissistic norm.

The wonderful sandwiches with bacons (8/10).

Even the fruits were just as great.

Lazy morning, lazy us.

An orange tree.

I was trying to act very emotional. I failed.

A coffee grinder. I like I like.

New York as wallpaper.

The lovely auntie and her hubby (and us).

Ah Hua, Ah Ting.

It was a less then 15mins car ride. We will be meeting Jeff, ALex and their cousins, Guoxin at the park itself. Haha. So yeah, 8 kiddos altogether. Seriously, the rides were too child-play for (some of) us to accept. Tingz and I were rather disappointed after trying out the roller coaster. But I guessed it's good enough for a little getaway there (7.5/10).

剑湖山世界

Me with that lion king hairstyle after 1st ride.

A rather successful self pic.

Us, while waiting for Alex and guys.

In the ferris wheel.

My buddy, my best friend, my neighbour.

We met an old friend there (!)

8 kiddos.

We bought Alex and guys to the cafe we visited last night for lunch after a few rounds of ride. They had to leave by the evening to catch their coach bus. The famous 5 then left the cafe, and decided to go back to the park to buy some souvenirs. We were lucky to meet big brother on the way there, who was also early to fetch us. We managed to reach Chia Yi Bus terminal at around 8pm after catching some winks on his van. Besides calling up by Jun to pick his wallet and handphone several times, the journey was rather smooth. Haha, the big brother even gave HongKiat a tripod which was left by other passengers. He was a damn nice man, with a fierce wife! LoL.

We were plain-ass too early for the bus trip back to Taipei, and decided to visit a big bookshop opp the bus terminal. I almost got myself broke there until Hua told me to stop. Haha. The books selling $20 plus at Kinokuniya, were selling at half price over there, costing about $10 each. So yeah, I grabbed a couple of them.

We reached Taipei at around midnight. The guys had some good sleep on the bus, while I was lucky to catch an 林依晨's show on the mobile TV. It's a stupid movie called wushu girls (武术少女）, but since it's her show, I watched... Haha. Jun woke up in the middle of the sleep and told me something that was super funny. But in order to protect the victim, I shall keep it as a secret. Haha.

We were supposed to check in to the student's hostel at Kmall. But due to some unreasonable errors in our booking, they left us with no rooms (!) And so, the five of us got to carry our big bags and walked all the way to find Jeff and guys at their hotel located at 南京西路. But sad to say, their hotel was fulled too. Luckily, the captain helped us to find a suite at their sister's hotel, 仕美饭店 that costs around $30/night per person, with complementary breakfast. And oh my god, everything was a blessing in disguise. The money was well spent for the suite, with jacuzzi facilities.

Ting on HK's bed.

Our tiny suite.

The girls in e toilet taking a pic. -_-"

I had a hour long shower while the rest was sleeping, jotted down some resolutions in the brain while soaking in the hot water, and joined Jun on the bed thereafter. (He was busy watching the "TV" btw).

Tomo's the countdown.

Day 5: Birthday Celebration at Alishan

2007-03-25T23:53:00.000+08:00

Day 5: 29th Dec 2006

3am, it was icy cold, and I think the temperature almost hit 10 degree celsius. We reached Chia Yi, which was a very different town from Taipei city. It was less urbanised, and have more shophouses then big shopping centres. We dropped by a 台湾鲁肉饭 outlet and have a taste of the famous 小吃, costing about 350NT per person. By then, the coldness was too much to stand, but the lucky thing is that I brought Guoliang's black pure lamb wool sweater with me. =) Thanks bro!

The famous braised rice. (8.5/10)

Ting and I

The banner.

We were supposed to wait for the first bus at the bus terminal to go up to Alishan. But due to the considerate coach driver thinking that many wanted to go home early to spent the new year, we were 2 to 3 hours earlier then planned. Booo. So after the meal, we went into to 7-11 hoping to get poker card and some drinks, hot ones! In the midst of that, a taxi driver spotted us, and wanted to drive us up to the mountain top at 2000NT. Being the cautious types, Weiting, Hongkiat and Jun ignored him. Butt and I gave one another a glance, had a mini discussion, before heading back to him for further clarification. Yes! Being the spoiltbrats in the group, we think that $20 per person wasn't too much (if he planned to cheat us). Haha, so in the end we hopped into his car, and I got the best front seat due to my big size（opps). And the journey was great. He was a friendly uncle.

The temperature dropped as we inclined. By the time we reached the top, whereby we need to pay another 150NT each (I guess) for the entrance, it was already around 4am. Dropping down the car, we were fucking cold. It was so cold that I actually felt like shitting. Haha. We went to the Hi-Life there to buy some hot drinks and alcohol to keep ourselves warm. Some 热情 Taiwanese-s spotted us, we exchanged some cultures; and in the end they became part of my Alishan's memories.

The union that was fucked by others for being too noisy.

The place we met.

Around 5am, the whole bunch of us went to sit for the train that brought us up to the peak to see the famous sunrise. The ticket costs another 150NT each. In less then 20 mins time, we reached the peak station. And after another 15 mins run (cause we were told we were late), we reached the top feeling breathless.

The ladies.

Us. Taiwan-Singapore.

On the train.

And the view was breathtaking!!!

The in-charge told us we were lucky, cause the sunrise had not appeared since a few days ago. Haha, and of course this sentence, made the never-want-to-lose us more proud and touched. Yes, we make it for the famous sunrise!

The sunrise. Too bad I don't own a pro camera to take nice pic.

Us again. The noisy ones.

Yeah! We conquered Alishan.

A jump for joy.

Two of my best poly cliques.

Jun and I.

We had some good photos taken and bought honey which was super yummy, before walking down the mountain to the train station at the base through a trekking route with the new friends.

We meant to act like 三八老. But I guessed we failed.

Yah! We are the great backpackers.

A stupid pic. Haha. But who cares. =)

The famous five.

From there, we bidded goodbye to the new friends, and headed for another tour package. $40 or 800NT per head, we hired a mini bus that bought us to many other locations of the mountain.

The forest train that's almost extinct. Heard there's only two in the world.

铁路饭盒, ~ 150NT. One word: 棒！（8.5/10)

A not so prepared timer pic.

On my Bday 29th. I saw this train #29. A pic for sure.

A hotel I think.

HongKiat!

The super nerdy us.

The girls from Tsou.

The men from Tsou.

Smile! Cheers! Happy girls!

The tour ended around 6pm, and the chatty driver cum brother brought us to our next desired location, JianFuShan. Haha, he was super duper friendly, and helped us to search for a guesthouse (民宿) at JianFuShan, though he himself was unfamiliar with the area. In the end, we settled for a Orange Farm Guesthouse which costs about 450NT per person for the night.

The owner of the house was very friendly too. She bought us to a nearby cafe for dinner for less then $10 per person. And that included a drink, the meal and soup. I felt very contended after a mountain conquering, and a supertumous meal. But I guessed the guys shocked the auntie cause I was in shorts when we went out for dinner while HongKiat and Jun were in berms and slippers. Haha, I think we aren't scared of cold anymore after the ordeal at Alishan. We went back in a open styled van, sang some songs; I felt relax and slept damn well that night.

The wonderful 大哥 that we loved.

The place we had dinner.

I was trying to take a pro pic.

My dinner. (8/10)
Plus an addition two points for feeling happy. (10/10)

My buddies.

Jun said I had a blanket battle with him in the midst of my sleep. Laughs.

辛福哦！

Day 4: Origins and Civilization

2007-03-25T21:58:00.000+08:00

Day 4: 28th Dec 2007

It's jun's birthday, and we headed to National Palace Musuem (國立故宮博物院). Is a place that speaks about everything on China's civilization. And I got this liking for the Tang's dynasty corner for some undefined reasons. It was located at 221 Chih-shan Rd., Sec. 2; Shih-lin. We took the train to Shilin station followed by taking Bus 255. Other buses includes 304, 18 and 19. The entry fee was 160NT but 80NT for students. I didn't bring my student card, so boooo. Haha. Anyway, it was a majestic building to visit.

I was trying to act studious with a book on the museum.

Us. The photographer owns a semi-pro camera btw.

Me again.

Jun and I at the entrance.

HongKiat and I.

We got ourselves some simple lunch and nice milk teas from the nearby 7-11 before heading towards Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, which is within walking distance. It was a museum about the the 13 different aborigins from Taiwan. Haha, and from there, I discovered that 阿美族 is not at Alishan but Hualien.

是将（这样）子的啦！

He's from 阿美族！

I'm from 鄒族!

We left the place around 4pm, had dinner at 快乐鸡 and went back to 南京东路 coz we need to get our bags and HongKiat need to buy some boxer shorts. Haha, but in the end, he didn't managed to get any from there while I bought many books from the local bookstore. LoL.

Went to K mall to shop for HK's boxers before heading to Mac for a coffee as well as to wait for MeiHua and Weiting, who came four days later. Taipei's Macs is kindda kewl, and there was this chio bu siting besides us! Haha. That night was super cold, coz there was 寒风.

In the end, Meihua and Weiting turned up rather prepared. With thick thick gloves and scarfs. Haha, seriously though I got a thick layer of fats as insulator, I was duper cold too. So we bought gloves and scarfs from the 路边摊. 500NＴ for 5 pair of gloves, another 500NT for 3 scarfs. Damn cheap, not very good quality but enough to tahan the coldness. Haha, headed to Guoguang Bus Terminal to take the coach to Alishan. It was a bus trip that made me cry a little.

Meihua, Weiting and HongKiat were sleeping soundly. While I had a motivational chat with Jun who was siting behind me. The talk was a bit saddening, but yet so close to the heart. With the icy cold as an add-on factor, I think I dropped a tear. Booo. Shawn can get rather emotional u see. Haha. The clock striked midnight, and I made a birthday wish secretly. And thanks Meihua the butt and Ting the neighbour who bought a muffin for me and jun for our birthdays. It was very much appreciated. At 3am the next morning, we reached Chia Yi.

A turning point of life.

Day 3: Back to Nature

2007-03-25T17:02:00.000+08:00

Day 3: 27th Dec 2006

And so the results was out. Haha, I passed but didn't managed to score. Nonetheless, it brings my holiday mood back, as well as to enjoy life to the fullest. Left the hostel at 11 plus for breakfast-lunch at a nearby cafe, Dante. The food wasn't excellent, but quite a buy at 120NT per set lunch for the ambience and service.

Dante's Cafe.

Soup, drink, pasta at 120NT (7/10).

HongKiat's seafood rice set (7.5/10).

Jun's Chicken Chop set (7.5/10).

Took a bus - 402 (if i remembered correctly) to the famous YangMingShan (阳明山） from our area. Met up with a friendly uncle and some aunties who chatted with us all the way to the mountain. The uncle offered us to go 泡汤 with him, but we declined the offer. Instead, we took the shuttle bus that brings us to everywhere of the mountain. The metrocard could be used to purchase the bus trip. Mountain, lake, with the icy cold weather and mandarin ducks, it's definetely a must do thing for spending Winer at Taipei.

The Pictures:

Went down the mountain at around 5pm cause the last shuttle service was around that time too. Hopped onto the same bus back to Jiantan for dinner where we had our over-delicious steak at 140NT.

The no words can comment steak at Shilin Night Market (9.5/10).

The 大肠包小肠 we bought as well (9.0/10), 40NT.

Headed for shopping at the 12 stories high and 7 underground levels urban centric vertical Living Mall situated at the boundary of Hsin-yi District and Sung-shan District, as well as the complementary Raohe Street Night Market. HongKiat bought a damn cool cap at Living Mall while Jun got himself a nice watch from the market. I bought some accessories there too.

Living Mall.

Raohe Street Night Market.

The famous 油条王 that is famous in Singapore and not Taiwan (6.5/10).

We took a cab from the market(costs ~200NT) back to our hostel and we had a walk around our area. Passed midnight and I gave Jun a birthday kiss on his cheeks. Is gross I know, haha, but that's the whole point right?!?!

The beers HongKiat and I bought.
And we were checked by the policeman too,
For hanging out late at night.
Jun was drinking milk by e way. LoL.

Taiwanmex's Auntie. Note on HongKiat's cool cap.

The day ended with helping the hostel auntie's drunk son back to his room (it was his birthday as well), and chatting with a still sober Mike, an English teacher from Australia who is apparently a horny freak. Finally, I had a nice sleep that night.

Blissed.

Day 2: Understanding Taiwan Culture

2007-03-25T03:39:00.000+08:00

Day 2: 26th Dec 2006

We woke up quite early on the second day, and our first place visited was The Confucius Temple and Bao-An Temple located in Talung Street and Hami Street respectively. And they were within walking distance from Yuanshan Main station.

Jun and I getting ready in our room.

Eating the yummlicious cup noodles (35NT).

Just anywhere, anytime, one can always have a pic.

The lazy and soothing morning sun.

A rather exotic banner besides our hostel.
下面给你吃 - I let u eat my lower part.

The temples were some impressive architects to visit when you are at taipei. The Taipei Confucius Temple was especially significant; a magnificent temple built in 1879 in the honor of Confucius and other Confucian sages is of southern Chinese motif.

@ The Taipei Confucius Temple

Inside The Taipei Confucius Temple

Outside BaoAn Temple

An impressive building.

Thereafter, we went to Guoguang Bus Terminal located at Taipei Main Station to purchase the tickets to Chia Yi for our main climax of the trip: Alishan (阿里山). (Tickets: ~ 400NT per person) The tickets weren't bought easily though. Haha, we went through one big round before knowing where to purchase them. Luckily, there was some 热情 Taiwanese around and we managed to drop by a famous restuarant for lunch near K mall. Her 店长 was super-duper friendly, and helped us with lots of information on Alishan.

Jun's Duck Rice. (8.5/10)

HongKiat's Beef Noodle (8/10)

Mine - 八宝饭 (7.5/10) Each plate ~ 120 - 160NT.

The super duper nice soya bean milk.

We went to the National Musuem after we purchased the tickets. Taiwan Musuem was just a 5 min walk from NTU Hospital Station, though we walked from the Taipei Main Station instead.

Welcome to Taiwan Musuem.

The stone outside the musuem with super chim chinese characters.

A self pic. =)

National Musuem was formely known as Taiwan Provincial Museum. It is Taiwan's first museum specifically focusing on local culture and history. The baroque building, designated as a Class 3 historical site, is worth a visit in its own right. The tickets cost about $1.50 each, and there is a discount price for students. Student card is damn useful for many activities in Taipei, and I didn't bring mine! Haha. The 228 Memorial Peace Park besides is worth a visit as well.

The 228 Memorial Park

The park was commissioned in an effort to remember history and heal old wounds and was formerly known as 新公园. As heard from a show, 孽子, the park used to be a hangout place for the gays in the sixties. Besides the last factor, if you are a history lover, the musuem and its complementary park is must visit place if you are in Taipei. If not, you can probably shop at K mall or 新光三月 at Taipei Main station.

Also, we visited the famous 龙山寺, LongShanSi located at LongShan Station. This temple is for the worship of the Goddess of Mercy, while the rear hall is dedicated to Mazu, Goddess of the Sea. Often crowded with throngs of worshipers, the temple is a must-see for tourists. And seriously, I gave the most strict prayer at the temple as my result will be out the next day. I sincerely wish that it will not affect my trip at all.

The famous 龙山寺

We visited the Huaxi Night market besides it， and have a rather non impressive dinner. I guessed those who are not budget tight would have gone for the snake delicacies and other seafood delights found at the market. Seriously I think that Huaxi Street is just a Taipei version of Chinatown, except that it sells porn DVDs and other dunno-legal-or-not CDs at dirt cheap price. Jun was not very comfortable with the district, while I think that perhaps one wanted to experience some "real local culture" or have some real good seafood, Huaixi Street Market can be a miss.

Walking thru Huaxi Street Night Market.

Impressed by ourselves too, we walked our way to XiMengDing thereafter. And XiMengDing was a damn cool place to visit. A bonus was that there was lots and lots of 台北美眉 to see. High boots, jackets, superstar looked alike hairstyles, oh man, I think I can be a horny bastard at times too. Haha. There was this eye catchy high school girl working at their catcher machine shop. And she was like damn cute. Being a corwardice, I didn't walked over to at least take a pic. Boooo.

XiMengDing.

主提餐厅

I shall kiss the poster, since I can't kiss the girl. Haha.
Just for laugh.

When the night falls, I was getting rather paranoid with the release of the exam results. Haha. Serves me right for not working hard last semester. We went back home from XiMengDing at around 1am. As usual, we got ourselves some drinks at Hi-Life before ending the night. And back in hostel, there were three hot babes from Hongkong that just came to stay too. I choose to have an early rest that night, while HongKiat went chit chatting away with some other tourists from Korea, Hongkong and Australia. I don’t think I managed to sleep at all though. On the contrary, Jun below me was snoring happily away. Tomorrow, I will know the truth. =)

Day 1: The Journey Begins

2007-03-25T03:17:00.000+08:00

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.