After a sleep deprived trip, today is a fantastic way to start life back in MY.
11:30am: Woke up
12:30pm: Had lunch
1:40pm: Watch Ip Man 2
5:00pm: Got home
6:00pm: Start taking nap
8:30pm: Woke up and cook dinner - yummy tomatoes, sweet basil, bacon spaghetti
11:30pm: Sleep again!
Nice nice nice! I love being a pig!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Day 23, 24 - Taipei - Wulai
Nice... Got to wulai which is somewhere in the Taipei province and stayed a night there. It's basically a place with hot spring and it's nested among the mountains. Also, there's the tallest waterfall! And cable car and train too! So, all in one.
Just came back from XiMen buying souvenirs. So don't expect too much! Just food for all you peeps. Tomorrow going home! So sad...
Just came back from XiMen buying souvenirs. So don't expect too much! Just food for all you peeps. Tomorrow going home! So sad...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Day 22: Dharma Drum Mountain
Today is a day of enlightenment.
I went to this monastery as recommended by ZM (actually.. come to think of it.. it's CM). It's actually a university for Buddhism! It's a huge complex, with gardens, rivers and many praying buildings and research center. It's so peaceful there that for a fraction of second, I was tempted to seek the truth on Buddhism and be a nun.
Then, I just sat down on a big rock and start reflecting. Thinking my conduct for the past few years. Reflecting my sins... Joan, don't start making comments on housework again. This is a serious reflection on LIFE!!! Not housework! :p
So, these are my resolutions:
1. I will try to create awereness to appreciate the people, things and surrounding in my life.
2. I will try not to be wasteful i.e. finish my food rather than throwing away if they don't taste nice (exception: if i found a victim to finish it for me), not to buy unnecessary stuffs (exception: clothing for specific occation and working attire are exemption)
3. I will strive to help and teach others if it's within my capability. This is going to be challenging as I'm highly impatient. In fact, this reminds me of NS (some poor analyst from work) which I sort of feels damn bad now.. :( Coz of my impatience but then again, YT got it worst from me! *innocent face*
I bought a book on Buddhism from the monastery which cost a bomb (but charity ma...). It's Subtle Wisdom. I plan to finish this book as part of the Taiwan journey. Joan, you have to read this...
Btw, can you tell mom... "Happy Mother's Day!!!" I got her some "wisdom" related stuff from the monastery too!
I went to this monastery as recommended by ZM (actually.. come to think of it.. it's CM). It's actually a university for Buddhism! It's a huge complex, with gardens, rivers and many praying buildings and research center. It's so peaceful there that for a fraction of second, I was tempted to seek the truth on Buddhism and be a nun.
Then, I just sat down on a big rock and start reflecting. Thinking my conduct for the past few years. Reflecting my sins... Joan, don't start making comments on housework again. This is a serious reflection on LIFE!!! Not housework! :p
So, these are my resolutions:
1. I will try to create awereness to appreciate the people, things and surrounding in my life.
2. I will try not to be wasteful i.e. finish my food rather than throwing away if they don't taste nice (exception: if i found a victim to finish it for me), not to buy unnecessary stuffs (exception: clothing for specific occation and working attire are exemption)
3. I will strive to help and teach others if it's within my capability. This is going to be challenging as I'm highly impatient. In fact, this reminds me of NS (some poor analyst from work) which I sort of feels damn bad now.. :( Coz of my impatience but then again, YT got it worst from me! *innocent face*
I bought a book on Buddhism from the monastery which cost a bomb (but charity ma...). It's Subtle Wisdom. I plan to finish this book as part of the Taiwan journey. Joan, you have to read this...
Btw, can you tell mom... "Happy Mother's Day!!!" I got her some "wisdom" related stuff from the monastery too!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Day 20 & 21: Alishan, Fenchihu, Chaiyi
I'm back to Chaiyi! :) Where should I start...?
Alishan - Below my expectation as a whole. I didn't get to see any sunrise. :( It's raining. I get to see cloudssssss below the mountain that I was on. It was cool but could be better with the sunrise. The ride up was horrible. Bumpy and makes me very dizzy. So, I was feeling terrible when I got up the hill at 10am. Headache, dizzy, upset stomach and just bloody moooody. Felt better after a strong cuppa. :)
If I were to summarize Alishan in a sentence, it would be "Tiny town with freaking cold weather, trees everywhere and the main attraction is the thousand years old tree and sunrise." I prefer SML anytime coz it's big enough for dear tourist like me to find a non-tourist spot to relax. :) Nonetheless, it's a must-go!
Fenchihu- Another tiny town near to Alishan which we stopped (bus tour) for less than 2 hours. I met a fellow single Malaysian traveller! :) Marcus from Kuching. This guy is super cool. He booked the flight to Taiwan a night before, didn't know much about Taiwan, no bookings whatsoever. He is on his way to Kaoshiong now.
Chaiyi - I decided to do something more adventurous. I'm taking a night train from Chaiyi to Taipei at 12:47am tonight reaching at Taipei at 5:30am. Save money and I don't think I will take a night train to Singapore or Thailand even if you bribe me. :p So this is probably the only chance I'm going to do this. So now, I have to find a way to kill the time until midnight.
Oh... I'm so careless again! I lost my luggage ticket! (I deposit my luggage at the train station and carry only the backpack to Alishan). :( I have to call some helpline and wait for an hour for the guy to come and unlock my locker. While waiting, a strange guy (scary looking) approached me and started talking "Mei mei, if someone bully me, you must tell me... I will take care of you. Remember to tell me. I will help you." *roll eyes*. He kept walking around me and repeat that! I got scared and walked to the nearest 7-11 and hide there. Now I'm scared to return to the train station at midnight. :(
Alishan - Below my expectation as a whole. I didn't get to see any sunrise. :( It's raining. I get to see cloudssssss below the mountain that I was on. It was cool but could be better with the sunrise. The ride up was horrible. Bumpy and makes me very dizzy. So, I was feeling terrible when I got up the hill at 10am. Headache, dizzy, upset stomach and just bloody moooody. Felt better after a strong cuppa. :)
If I were to summarize Alishan in a sentence, it would be "Tiny town with freaking cold weather, trees everywhere and the main attraction is the thousand years old tree and sunrise." I prefer SML anytime coz it's big enough for dear tourist like me to find a non-tourist spot to relax. :) Nonetheless, it's a must-go!
Fenchihu- Another tiny town near to Alishan which we stopped (bus tour) for less than 2 hours. I met a fellow single Malaysian traveller! :) Marcus from Kuching. This guy is super cool. He booked the flight to Taiwan a night before, didn't know much about Taiwan, no bookings whatsoever. He is on his way to Kaoshiong now.
Chaiyi - I decided to do something more adventurous. I'm taking a night train from Chaiyi to Taipei at 12:47am tonight reaching at Taipei at 5:30am. Save money and I don't think I will take a night train to Singapore or Thailand even if you bribe me. :p So this is probably the only chance I'm going to do this. So now, I have to find a way to kill the time until midnight.
Oh... I'm so careless again! I lost my luggage ticket! (I deposit my luggage at the train station and carry only the backpack to Alishan). :( I have to call some helpline and wait for an hour for the guy to come and unlock my locker. While waiting, a strange guy (scary looking) approached me and started talking "Mei mei, if someone bully me, you must tell me... I will take care of you. Remember to tell me. I will help you." *roll eyes*. He kept walking around me and repeat that! I got scared and walked to the nearest 7-11 and hide there. Now I'm scared to return to the train station at midnight. :(
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Day 19: Chiayi Next!
I spent like *counting* 4 to 5 hours planning where to go next. I got so comfortable in SML that I'm so tempted to extend my stay here. But... gotta start going to my next location.
Initial plan is CingJing. But since I'm running low in cash, I have to weigh between CingJing and Alishan. I chose Alishan! :) CingJing is probably not as exciting as the web claims. It's just a bunch of sheeps lurking around and posing to seduce tourist to go there. I am sure I will go to Switzerland someday. So.. scrap that for now.
I'm going to check out from SML soon, then take a bus to TaiChung and then a train from TaiChung to Chaiyi where I will be staying a night there. Next morning, head out to Alishan damn early in the morning and stay a night in Alishan for the beautiful sunrise (sunrise tour starts at 2:30am. You heard me right... so damn early!). Then, spend a day in Fenchihu and take a late evening train to Taipei (where I will spend another 4 nights).
Don't be mistaken, there are a lot of things to do near Taipei. (Usually involve 1 to 2 hours bus/train ride from Taipei City i.e. Yeliu, YingGe, YangMingShan, etc). And I have got most of them planned out! :)
Thing is... I might not have internet access until I get back to Taipei. So... we will see.. :) Take care!
Initial plan is CingJing. But since I'm running low in cash, I have to weigh between CingJing and Alishan. I chose Alishan! :) CingJing is probably not as exciting as the web claims. It's just a bunch of sheeps lurking around and posing to seduce tourist to go there. I am sure I will go to Switzerland someday. So.. scrap that for now.
I'm going to check out from SML soon, then take a bus to TaiChung and then a train from TaiChung to Chaiyi where I will be staying a night there. Next morning, head out to Alishan damn early in the morning and stay a night in Alishan for the beautiful sunrise (sunrise tour starts at 2:30am. You heard me right... so damn early!). Then, spend a day in Fenchihu and take a late evening train to Taipei (where I will spend another 4 nights).
Don't be mistaken, there are a lot of things to do near Taipei. (Usually involve 1 to 2 hours bus/train ride from Taipei City i.e. Yeliu, YingGe, YangMingShan, etc). And I have got most of them planned out! :)
Thing is... I might not have internet access until I get back to Taipei. So... we will see.. :) Take care!
Day 18: Sun Moon Lake - Raining
Cable car is not open to public due to maintenance today. *bummer*. But, it's probably a good thing since it's raining since 3pm. I went around different sites of the lake for sight seeing and suddenly remember one of the intent for my trip - to ponder on life. Hahahha.. Don't laugh or put on that funny face. :p
I thought of many many things today:
1. The lake sparkles like a million stars on it. It's thing like this that we never pay attention to. I'm sure the Shah Alam lake garden looks like this. Maybe instead of tiny little stars, it looks like a god damn sun coz of the strong rays. When you are so occupied with work/stress, you never pay attention to your environment, surrounding or people in your life. You never see their beauty or what they can offer. Life just passes you by if you don't pause and look up.
2. I remember telling this to CM couple of days back. "When I was young, I always pray for the same thing. I pray for good death. That I will die a quick and painless death. I guess when I was young, I saw the suffering that my grandma went through. She was bed ridden for 20 years, had various illness including stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. I don't want any of that... And that I always believe I will die when I'm in my thirties." CM looked at me solemnly and said "If you believe it, it will happen." We talked more after that and I made a mental note to change my believe but had never indulged in it. I spent a good 30 minutes telling myself this today "I will live until I'm 70" :)
3. I was trying to figure out my 3-years plan. I will be 30 by then. Okie.. it's technically 30 coz it's April now. :p. First thought, I should be married by then! *Annoyed* I hate that little voice in my brain telling me my body clock. I'm 24 at heart, brain! Okie okie, I spent hours after hours trying to figure this out. So what if I'm ACN M, SM or whatever. So what if I have 5 figure monthly salary and can buy a house. But... will I walk on the streets and smile to myself as often as I have been for these past few days? It's contagious because you are smiling from the heart! I thought about this long and hard. I bought a postcard and wrote this "Capturing this inner peace and happiness. Remember this." while staring out at the beautiful lake sipping my hot latte.
I look forward to my next "enlightenment"!!!
I thought of many many things today:
1. The lake sparkles like a million stars on it. It's thing like this that we never pay attention to. I'm sure the Shah Alam lake garden looks like this. Maybe instead of tiny little stars, it looks like a god damn sun coz of the strong rays. When you are so occupied with work/stress, you never pay attention to your environment, surrounding or people in your life. You never see their beauty or what they can offer. Life just passes you by if you don't pause and look up.
2. I remember telling this to CM couple of days back. "When I was young, I always pray for the same thing. I pray for good death. That I will die a quick and painless death. I guess when I was young, I saw the suffering that my grandma went through. She was bed ridden for 20 years, had various illness including stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. I don't want any of that... And that I always believe I will die when I'm in my thirties." CM looked at me solemnly and said "If you believe it, it will happen." We talked more after that and I made a mental note to change my believe but had never indulged in it. I spent a good 30 minutes telling myself this today "I will live until I'm 70" :)
3. I was trying to figure out my 3-years plan. I will be 30 by then. Okie.. it's technically 30 coz it's April now. :p. First thought, I should be married by then! *Annoyed* I hate that little voice in my brain telling me my body clock. I'm 24 at heart, brain! Okie okie, I spent hours after hours trying to figure this out. So what if I'm ACN M, SM or whatever. So what if I have 5 figure monthly salary and can buy a house. But... will I walk on the streets and smile to myself as often as I have been for these past few days? It's contagious because you are smiling from the heart! I thought about this long and hard. I bought a postcard and wrote this "Capturing this inner peace and happiness. Remember this." while staring out at the beautiful lake sipping my hot latte.
I look forward to my next "enlightenment"!!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Day 17: Sun Moon Lake - Around the lake in Electrical Bike
It's fun. Almost like a scooter except that it's whole lot slooooowwwer. But, it's a good way to get around the island!
I just got back from my "sunset tour". Basically, when I got there (Da Chu Hu trail), the sun has already set! I missed it coz I was watching Cinderalla on HBO featured Drew Barrymore. :| Yeah... I know.. I'm stupid and you know what.. the movie is not even nice! Damn it. On the way to the trail, I have a minor road casualty. *sob sob*. My left hand and right feet got hurt. There was road construction on the hilly road on the way to the trail. And dummy me got myself squeezed between a big truck and a stone wall. Nothing major. Just painful and very little blood.
There is no night life in SML. Buses seize their operation at 6pm and the streets barely has any lights. Don't be mistaken, they do have lamp posts along the road, just that they are not working. :| I thought of going for night bike tour but I have got no balls to do that. I'm scared of the dark especially if it's a forest/hill/deserted kind of place. :(
I noticed that I talk to myself more often than usual now. Sometimes out loud but usually not. It's been 3 days since I have a real conversation with another human. Real conversation as in not ordering food or asking for directions. Apparently, SML is a place for honeymoon. And yeah... come to think of it, I see many couples and rarely (almost none) single traveller. It's picturesque and full of tourists (certain areas) but I feel so lonely... :( 8 more days and I miss home already!
Nonetheless, I'm still hopeful that I will find another travelmate as awesome as CM! Else, I'm going to buy another nice fiction. :)
Cable car tomorrow!
I just got back from my "sunset tour". Basically, when I got there (Da Chu Hu trail), the sun has already set! I missed it coz I was watching Cinderalla on HBO featured Drew Barrymore. :| Yeah... I know.. I'm stupid and you know what.. the movie is not even nice! Damn it. On the way to the trail, I have a minor road casualty. *sob sob*. My left hand and right feet got hurt. There was road construction on the hilly road on the way to the trail. And dummy me got myself squeezed between a big truck and a stone wall. Nothing major. Just painful and very little blood.
There is no night life in SML. Buses seize their operation at 6pm and the streets barely has any lights. Don't be mistaken, they do have lamp posts along the road, just that they are not working. :| I thought of going for night bike tour but I have got no balls to do that. I'm scared of the dark especially if it's a forest/hill/deserted kind of place. :(
I noticed that I talk to myself more often than usual now. Sometimes out loud but usually not. It's been 3 days since I have a real conversation with another human. Real conversation as in not ordering food or asking for directions. Apparently, SML is a place for honeymoon. And yeah... come to think of it, I see many couples and rarely (almost none) single traveller. It's picturesque and full of tourists (certain areas) but I feel so lonely... :( 8 more days and I miss home already!
Nonetheless, I'm still hopeful that I will find another travelmate as awesome as CM! Else, I'm going to buy another nice fiction. :)
Cable car tomorrow!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Day 16: Sun Moon Lake - Jogging and Cycling
Okie... The jogging trail ain't for jogging. It's actually a hiking path similar to bukit chiling and the like. Not recommended for single lady running up alone at 6:30pm. :| I went 20% of the way up and it's just spooky to go up there alone! So I decided to turn around. But the peak is one of the best spot to see sunset! :( Damn...
Rented a bicycle with the mission to cycle around the lake. All 40+ km of it. But.. *blushed* a mission sometimes is a not a reality *wink*. I started the wrong path and head straight to the uphill ride for 2 hours. *super tiring*. But the way back up takes 15 mins! All downhill. So... didn't do much today. Cycling mission failed. Jogging mission failed. End up buying coffee, pudding and snacks from 7-11 and finished reading Citizen Vince. It's a weird book. But I like the way the author narrates it.
Tomorrow, I have something more exciting lined up! Going to either:
1. Get a hop on/off bus tix
2. Take a cable car to the aborigine settlement
3. Rent a 24-hours motored bicycle (gotta play start this time)
As for the rest of the day... Mmmm... sleep early like at 10pm early.
Rented a bicycle with the mission to cycle around the lake. All 40+ km of it. But.. *blushed* a mission sometimes is a not a reality *wink*. I started the wrong path and head straight to the uphill ride for 2 hours. *super tiring*. But the way back up takes 15 mins! All downhill. So... didn't do much today. Cycling mission failed. Jogging mission failed. End up buying coffee, pudding and snacks from 7-11 and finished reading Citizen Vince. It's a weird book. But I like the way the author narrates it.
Tomorrow, I have something more exciting lined up! Going to either:
1. Get a hop on/off bus tix
2. Take a cable car to the aborigine settlement
3. Rent a 24-hours motored bicycle (gotta play start this time)
As for the rest of the day... Mmmm... sleep early like at 10pm early.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 15: Sun Moon Lake - So perfect!
TaiChung is sooo boring. The night market was good. There are a lot of good food which features in many Taiwanese shows. I took the opportunity to feast like a big bad cow and look like one now... :(
Other than the famous night market, there's not much to it. So, I have moved to SML in advance. Will be staying here for 5 days 4 nights in total! It's really just a small town that doesn't need so many days to explore. But, it is really peaceful here. Since, I arrived a day in advance and this is the Labor Day weekend, this place is booked out! But as luck has it, it worked out nicely for me. There's this 3-beds chalet which was closed due to ants problem (ants falling off from ceiling to the double bed and but affecting single bed) which they have offered me at the dorm price. Of course I took it! It's just so perfect! The chalet is nested in the forest and you can hear the birds chirping any time of the day. The air is fresh and cool and the chalet is facing the lake with a backdrop of the moutains. It's so nice that I have decided to stay in for the night and eat potato chips and instant noodle for dinner! Hahaha..
Another awesome thing about this place. Once I step out of the chalet, I'm directly on the jogging/walking trail leading up to a moutain. It's safe. Don't worry. This is a tourist trail which is recommended in the local visitor guide book. :)
It's so peaceful I think I'm going to write a poem!
Other than the famous night market, there's not much to it. So, I have moved to SML in advance. Will be staying here for 5 days 4 nights in total! It's really just a small town that doesn't need so many days to explore. But, it is really peaceful here. Since, I arrived a day in advance and this is the Labor Day weekend, this place is booked out! But as luck has it, it worked out nicely for me. There's this 3-beds chalet which was closed due to ants problem (ants falling off from ceiling to the double bed and but affecting single bed) which they have offered me at the dorm price. Of course I took it! It's just so perfect! The chalet is nested in the forest and you can hear the birds chirping any time of the day. The air is fresh and cool and the chalet is facing the lake with a backdrop of the moutains. It's so nice that I have decided to stay in for the night and eat potato chips and instant noodle for dinner! Hahaha..
Another awesome thing about this place. Once I step out of the chalet, I'm directly on the jogging/walking trail leading up to a moutain. It's safe. Don't worry. This is a tourist trail which is recommended in the local visitor guide book. :)
It's so peaceful I think I'm going to write a poem!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Day 14: Taichung
Just reached Taichung. Damn tiring! Instead of going to KaoShiong, I have decided to go to Taichung instead. Apparently there are more things to do. But... I'm all alone and staying in a hotel. It's not a hostel where I can bunk in and talk to strangers at all! :( Don't like this one bit. So don't think I will be staying here for long. Checking out tomorrow!
CM is super awesome. He disappeared yesterday and reappeared with a travel book on Taiwan. He thinks that I need one since I will be travelling alone. :) I lost it though... :( I think I left it in some Hotel when I was going around looking for a hotel in Taichung which is really tough since it's 1st of May today. Hotels are fully booked! Got to know a super hotelier. He call around for available hotels and even haggle to get a good price for me (20% off!). He also drove me there... :)
I think I'm super blessed in this trip. To be honest, I think I am starting to miss CM already. I need another travel mate as awesome as that! Okie.. going to Night Market now!
CM is super awesome. He disappeared yesterday and reappeared with a travel book on Taiwan. He thinks that I need one since I will be travelling alone. :) I lost it though... :( I think I left it in some Hotel when I was going around looking for a hotel in Taichung which is really tough since it's 1st of May today. Hotels are fully booked! Got to know a super hotelier. He call around for available hotels and even haggle to get a good price for me (20% off!). He also drove me there... :)
I think I'm super blessed in this trip. To be honest, I think I am starting to miss CM already. I need another travel mate as awesome as that! Okie.. going to Night Market now!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Day 13: Taroko
Didn't have much sleep at all last night. Woke up at 4am feeling damn hungry and can't sleep after that. Finally woke up at 6:50am. Damn..... After cleaning myself, I came out and found breakfast on the table with latte! CM went out and got it for me (coz I said would be good to get some breakfast just in case.. but the night before we can't find any bakery that's still open). How thoughtful! Then we head out to Taroko! Wooo hooo... Finally something that's not city.
Taroko is an absolute place to visit! It is just so perfect and could be romantic too. There are mist in the air because of the water fall and the sun ray double up as spotlight highlighting certain pretty spots. Perfect.
The day tour also stopped at some seaside which we planned to go the night before. It's just perfect. We walked the seashore for hourssss... and had ice cream and took a cab back to the city.
Tomorrow he will head back to Taipei and me to Kaoshiong... more travelling. Hopefully will meet great friends like that along the way! :)
Taroko is an absolute place to visit! It is just so perfect and could be romantic too. There are mist in the air because of the water fall and the sun ray double up as spotlight highlighting certain pretty spots. Perfect.
The day tour also stopped at some seaside which we planned to go the night before. It's just perfect. We walked the seashore for hourssss... and had ice cream and took a cab back to the city.
Tomorrow he will head back to Taipei and me to Kaoshiong... more travelling. Hopefully will meet great friends like that along the way! :)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Day 12: Hualian
Woke up really early today! 8am... Joan, try waking this early sometime... it's good for you. :P Finally have the chance to have a proper breakfast in Taiwan. Had this egg roll sandwich thing with coffee. It's really yummy!
Then head out to take a train to Hualian. The train ride is fantastic! It's scenic. Imagine a backdrop of mountains so high that the peak is surrounded with clouds. It's luscious green is dotted with red temples and there are flows of river going through it. The other side of this view it's an equally awesome view of the ocean. The air is cool and fresh... no pollution whatsoever. Feel like writing a poem! Okie... maybe not... i'm not an artsy fartsy person. On the contrary, I met an artistic person in the train ride! A Hong Konger who is an independent film director travelling alone to Hualian. His name is erm... shit.. let me think.. Zhi Mo. His hair is longer than mine! And is super pleasant to talk to (10 times better than the Korean I met in Taipei).
Okie... I know you want to know this... let's see.. He is not handsome. He is probably cute. If I imagine him in a nice hair cut (short of course... since I like men with short hairs). he will probably get a 7.5? He has his own charm. And he is just sooooooooooo pleasant and easy going!
So, ZM has no idea where to stay but he wants to go to Taroko. And.. I know where to stay (no bookings made) and wants to go to Taroko! So, after hearing what an awesome hostel I'm planning to go, he ask if he can tag along. Of course I said yes. I'm nice. :) And he is nice to talk to. The poor chap help to carry my luggage for 20 mins until we found the place. I have got my travel mate!
We had lunch, walked to the ocean, had coffee and kept walking for 5 hours. Had dinner and walked back. Of course we stay in the same dorm i.e. a room of 6. The other beds are empty. And nope... I'm not thinking what you are thinking.
Oh... the Taiwanese are super friendly! When we got lost, they offered to drive us to the target destination. When it's raining, they offered their umbrella for free! Even when we started walking after getting lost again, they drove around and offer the ride. It's so touching!
Taroko tomorrow! The tour that I have booked starts at 8am! *yawnnnn...* I need a strong cuppa to start the day tom. Night!
Then head out to take a train to Hualian. The train ride is fantastic! It's scenic. Imagine a backdrop of mountains so high that the peak is surrounded with clouds. It's luscious green is dotted with red temples and there are flows of river going through it. The other side of this view it's an equally awesome view of the ocean. The air is cool and fresh... no pollution whatsoever. Feel like writing a poem! Okie... maybe not... i'm not an artsy fartsy person. On the contrary, I met an artistic person in the train ride! A Hong Konger who is an independent film director travelling alone to Hualian. His name is erm... shit.. let me think.. Zhi Mo. His hair is longer than mine! And is super pleasant to talk to (10 times better than the Korean I met in Taipei).
Okie... I know you want to know this... let's see.. He is not handsome. He is probably cute. If I imagine him in a nice hair cut (short of course... since I like men with short hairs). he will probably get a 7.5? He has his own charm. And he is just sooooooooooo pleasant and easy going!
So, ZM has no idea where to stay but he wants to go to Taroko. And.. I know where to stay (no bookings made) and wants to go to Taroko! So, after hearing what an awesome hostel I'm planning to go, he ask if he can tag along. Of course I said yes. I'm nice. :) And he is nice to talk to. The poor chap help to carry my luggage for 20 mins until we found the place. I have got my travel mate!
We had lunch, walked to the ocean, had coffee and kept walking for 5 hours. Had dinner and walked back. Of course we stay in the same dorm i.e. a room of 6. The other beds are empty. And nope... I'm not thinking what you are thinking.
Oh... the Taiwanese are super friendly! When we got lost, they offered to drive us to the target destination. When it's raining, they offered their umbrella for free! Even when we started walking after getting lost again, they drove around and offer the ride. It's so touching!
Taroko tomorrow! The tour that I have booked starts at 8am! *yawnnnn...* I need a strong cuppa to start the day tom. Night!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Day 11: Taiwan National Palace Museum and City Hall Taipei 101
Today is kinda boring. Went to the National Museum which is absolutely boring! It's full of clay, porcelain, jade, caligraphy and maps and drawings. Not compareable with the New York's Natural History Museum at all. So within less than 3 hours, I'm done with it. The NY's NHM took me like 7 hours or so. The one drawing that is really spectacular is the Along the River painting. It's is breathe taking.
Taipei 101 is boring too. The only nice thing is that the shopping complex around that area is super classy! Nice nice nice! I found a really nice working jacket which cost NT11800. : Damn... Of course I din buy it.
Wasn't feeling right the whole day. Stomach feeling funny, having a temperature and got so tired that I fell asleep in the transit.
Tomorrow will be going off to Hualian! Didn't manage to book the train tix online. Apparently you have to book it 2 weeks in advance! Doesn't make sense... Don't people here decide to go back to their hometown a day before the trip? I will just go there and see if there's any available seat. Wish me luck!
Taipei 101 is boring too. The only nice thing is that the shopping complex around that area is super classy! Nice nice nice! I found a really nice working jacket which cost NT11800. : Damn... Of course I din buy it.
Wasn't feeling right the whole day. Stomach feeling funny, having a temperature and got so tired that I fell asleep in the transit.
Tomorrow will be going off to Hualian! Didn't manage to book the train tix online. Apparently you have to book it 2 weeks in advance! Doesn't make sense... Don't people here decide to go back to their hometown a day before the trip? I will just go there and see if there's any available seat. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Day 10: Longshan Temple and Shilin Night Market
I slept for 10 hours last night!!! Haven't done that for erm... ever since I joined SIT iCP which is maybe December last year? Awesomeeeeeeeeee.... *feel prettier!*
I was researching on what to do in Taipei in the Eslite bookshop (this is like MPH equivalent) and found the National Geog recommendation i.e. a trail visitting temples and some areas near Xi Men. To sum it all, I went to 3 temples and one of them is the FAMOUS #1 temple in Taipei i.e. Longshan (dragon moutain) which I have asked QuanYin on my relationship luck. (Note: Since I have asked about my career in a temple near Petaling Street 2 days ago, I decided to ask something else). Erm... to sum it all up, it says "Go with the Flow". But, which flow? *shrug*
I was lucky enough to coincide the travelling with some festival. There're road parades and some performance on the taoist god. Pretty interesting. Wish I can upload my pix. Maybe when I'm back next month. I also went to this herb lane which is really cool. Sooo many dried and fresh herbs around and the air smell of that too! There's also this street where you can find all kinds of kitchen equipment from peddling to restaurant to household usage. I want to come back here if I'm a proud house owner someday! :) Then, there is this street with ladies sitting around on scooters waiting for their prey. And shops that openly sells dildo/vibrator.
After 4 hours of walking nonstop and with my camera battery running out, I decided to head back to the lodge for a rest. Fell asleep... zzzz.... And woke up with a man on the top bunk (I'm sleeping on the lower bunk). He was reading on some map and so I decided to be friendly and initiated a conversation. Ben from Australia (Korean descendant). Nope... not good looking. : I am planning to go Shilin Night Market and asked if he wants to tag along. And so we went.
Frankly, I can't communicate with him. I can't understand what he is saying half the time! And the same for him. How frustrating. But he is such a gentlemen! He carried my backpack for me and wanted to pay for my food. (Of course I said no! It's not a date or something... ) The poor chap has to wait while I shop. I feel sorry for him actually. So I try my very best to control my shopping impulse and ended up with 2 dresses, 1 jacket, one skirt and one necklace ONLY! It's like Sungai Wang cheap here with more style and choices! Sheer test of will power! Joan, are you proud of me that I have done so well in controlling myself and with the minimal purchase? Should I go back there? I'm sooooooooooo tempted to unleash the tiger within and show the Taiwanese how a Malaysian can shop!
The food in Shilin Night Market is over rated. I don't enjoy it that much to be honest. Everything is sooo porky with chucks of pork lard.. YUKKKK... I had a very nice mua chi from the bakery though. It's superb coming from a person whom dislike it. Let's see I can buy some home.
PS: Ben will be going to YangMingSan tomorrow and asked if I want to go. What do you think?
I was researching on what to do in Taipei in the Eslite bookshop (this is like MPH equivalent) and found the National Geog recommendation i.e. a trail visitting temples and some areas near Xi Men. To sum it all, I went to 3 temples and one of them is the FAMOUS #1 temple in Taipei i.e. Longshan (dragon moutain) which I have asked QuanYin on my relationship luck. (Note: Since I have asked about my career in a temple near Petaling Street 2 days ago, I decided to ask something else). Erm... to sum it all up, it says "Go with the Flow". But, which flow? *shrug*
I was lucky enough to coincide the travelling with some festival. There're road parades and some performance on the taoist god. Pretty interesting. Wish I can upload my pix. Maybe when I'm back next month. I also went to this herb lane which is really cool. Sooo many dried and fresh herbs around and the air smell of that too! There's also this street where you can find all kinds of kitchen equipment from peddling to restaurant to household usage. I want to come back here if I'm a proud house owner someday! :) Then, there is this street with ladies sitting around on scooters waiting for their prey. And shops that openly sells dildo/vibrator.
After 4 hours of walking nonstop and with my camera battery running out, I decided to head back to the lodge for a rest. Fell asleep... zzzz.... And woke up with a man on the top bunk (I'm sleeping on the lower bunk). He was reading on some map and so I decided to be friendly and initiated a conversation. Ben from Australia (Korean descendant). Nope... not good looking. : I am planning to go Shilin Night Market and asked if he wants to tag along. And so we went.
Frankly, I can't communicate with him. I can't understand what he is saying half the time! And the same for him. How frustrating. But he is such a gentlemen! He carried my backpack for me and wanted to pay for my food. (Of course I said no! It's not a date or something... ) The poor chap has to wait while I shop. I feel sorry for him actually. So I try my very best to control my shopping impulse and ended up with 2 dresses, 1 jacket, one skirt and one necklace ONLY! It's like Sungai Wang cheap here with more style and choices! Sheer test of will power! Joan, are you proud of me that I have done so well in controlling myself and with the minimal purchase? Should I go back there? I'm sooooooooooo tempted to unleash the tiger within and show the Taiwanese how a Malaysian can shop!
The food in Shilin Night Market is over rated. I don't enjoy it that much to be honest. Everything is sooo porky with chucks of pork lard.. YUKKKK... I had a very nice mua chi from the bakery though. It's superb coming from a person whom dislike it. Let's see I can buy some home.
PS: Ben will be going to YangMingSan tomorrow and asked if I want to go. What do you think?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Day 9: Verdict of Taipei
I spent 1 full hour talking to 3 people today. Full time (not watching tv, walking or any multi tasking) face-to-face talking. They are trying to sell me a photoshoot package in ximending. I have to say... they are really good. It's so good that I would like them to be in my team to get sign off from TM or even Maybank.
2 out of 3 of them are males. When they speak, they LOOK INTO my eyes! *shy and scared* So when they asked if I have a bf, I immediately said yes! It's a good lie... I know it is stupid to, but I felt it was necessary at that time.
Anyway, I didn't go to the famous shilin night market. By the time I went to a quick bite, I was full! So, I have decided to check out ximending shopping area. It's full of good looking people! My observation - good looking girls usually have fake eye lasher, dark eye shadow, sexy stockings with short skirt and tank top with a jacket. Joan, go try that out! :)
Snacks are fantastic here. Every turn of corner has something nice to eat. So far, I had
1. one ball thinggie with red bean paste
2. some bread which is crunchy on the outside and soft inside with eggs, vege and maybe bacon.
3. papaya milk.. (sooooooo nice)
4. fried pop chicken (similar to the one we have in pasar malam but this is nicer and they deep fry a certain vege to go with it too!)
Soooooooooooooooooooooo full and tired and sleepy. Nighty!
2 out of 3 of them are males. When they speak, they LOOK INTO my eyes! *shy and scared* So when they asked if I have a bf, I immediately said yes! It's a good lie... I know it is stupid to, but I felt it was necessary at that time.
Anyway, I didn't go to the famous shilin night market. By the time I went to a quick bite, I was full! So, I have decided to check out ximending shopping area. It's full of good looking people! My observation - good looking girls usually have fake eye lasher, dark eye shadow, sexy stockings with short skirt and tank top with a jacket. Joan, go try that out! :)
Snacks are fantastic here. Every turn of corner has something nice to eat. So far, I had
1. one ball thinggie with red bean paste
2. some bread which is crunchy on the outside and soft inside with eggs, vege and maybe bacon.
3. papaya milk.. (sooooooo nice)
4. fried pop chicken (similar to the one we have in pasar malam but this is nicer and they deep fry a certain vege to go with it too!)
Soooooooooooooooooooooo full and tired and sleepy. Nighty!
Day 9: Here @Taipei
Wooo hooo... I'm at Taipei! The weather is nice! Though I wonder what should I do with all my tank tops since it's freaking cold to wear only that.
This is like a scooter city or something... they are everywhere! But then again, maybe it's just ximending. This is like the uni area so... that probably explains.
Sooo hungry now. Okie.. this is the plan:
1. Grab a quick bite
2. Talk to reception to find out the nearest park to jog
3. Shower. Head out to Shilin Night Market
4. SLEEP!!! TCM gave me a 5:30am morning call and I have only 2 hours to sleep. Didn't get much sleep on the flight too... *yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn*
PS: I'm so scared and nervous still. I need a 101 on making friends!
This is like a scooter city or something... they are everywhere! But then again, maybe it's just ximending. This is like the uni area so... that probably explains.
Sooo hungry now. Okie.. this is the plan:
1. Grab a quick bite
2. Talk to reception to find out the nearest park to jog
3. Shower. Head out to Shilin Night Market
4. SLEEP!!! TCM gave me a 5:30am morning call and I have only 2 hours to sleep. Didn't get much sleep on the flight too... *yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn*
PS: I'm so scared and nervous still. I need a 101 on making friends!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Day 8.2: Excited!
It's nearing 3am on Monday morning (Day 8). I'm going to fly off to Taiwan in the next 7 hours alone! This is really scaryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.... I'm quite nervous to be honest. Why did I want to do this in the first place? Oh right, no one is free to go with me. Right...
Okie... so what's next? TCM will give me a wake up call at maybe 5:30am then come over to pick me up. This is actually a puzzle. He said it's on the way. Come on!!! He must be kidding me. Melawati to Shah Alam then to LCCT is not exactly on the way to Singapore right? Which highway is this that will make it "on the way"? So this is my thoughts:
1. He has a fight with the gf to be and want some advise
2. He doesn't want to drive alone
3. He is crazy
Probably all of the above.
Suddenly I remember something that's totally out of the context. I didn't change enough Taiwanese Dollar (only 9000 dollars - RM1k equivalent) and need to withdraw money! Why do I always not do the most important thing first? *smack forehead*
Okie.. time to sleep! *scared again*
Okie... so what's next? TCM will give me a wake up call at maybe 5:30am then come over to pick me up. This is actually a puzzle. He said it's on the way. Come on!!! He must be kidding me. Melawati to Shah Alam then to LCCT is not exactly on the way to Singapore right? Which highway is this that will make it "on the way"? So this is my thoughts:
1. He has a fight with the gf to be and want some advise
2. He doesn't want to drive alone
3. He is crazy
Probably all of the above.
Suddenly I remember something that's totally out of the context. I didn't change enough Taiwanese Dollar (only 9000 dollars - RM1k equivalent) and need to withdraw money! Why do I always not do the most important thing first? *smack forehead*
Okie.. time to sleep! *scared again*
Day 7: Hema's Wedding
I spent more than an hour tying saree! And it looks so bad. Really really bad. When I got to the wedding, I noticed that most girls / ladies have their saree on the other shoulder except for me. $h!+ I have the sudden impulse to head to the nearest ladies toilet and redo the saree. Another hour doesn't appeal to me though. So I decided to ask the girl next to me.
Me: Erm... does it mean anything to have the tail of the saree on the right instead of left? Does it mean like I'm gay or anything like how it works with the ear piercing with men?
Girl next to me: Erm.. No... it's just a different style.
Me: *relief!* Oh thank goodness! I thought I was doing something very wrong.
Mother of girl next to me: No no no... it's just that different ethnic has different style. Your style is similar to the Telegul.... *more talking which I wasn't really paying attention... there's a really cute indian girl with STUNNING pink saree!*
Me: Erm... does it mean anything to have the tail of the saree on the right instead of left? Does it mean like I'm gay or anything like how it works with the ear piercing with men?
Girl next to me: Erm.. No... it's just a different style.
Me: *relief!* Oh thank goodness! I thought I was doing something very wrong.
Mother of girl next to me: No no no... it's just that different ethnic has different style. Your style is similar to the Telegul.... *more talking which I wasn't really paying attention... there's a really cute indian girl with STUNNING pink saree!*
With MK, driver for the day.
The ceremony
MK, me, Kavitha and Ming Ee.
With the couple!
PS: Need to youtube before doing my saree next time!
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