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! :)
Friday, April 30, 2010
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*
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