Day 1
My sis, mum & I were happily to arrive at Changi Airport Terminal 3 to catch our flight, SQ878 to Taipei, Taiwan. But before that, when we left the house, my mum and i will have a short argument about not to tie my jacket around my waist and complain about my bag have no zip on the other side and poor thing for my sis to be our advisor and told us to not quarrel again! After having breakfast at Airport, we saw our ASA tour guide, "Marcus Yeo" was there to wait everyone of us to arrive and have our large luggages to be checked-in and ready to board on the plane. Before that, i have sent text messages to my friend and asked for advices as he told me try to give way to her and i listen to him. And i begin to sneeze at that time. There is a little time for to change my memory card for my camera phone and keep other one in a small zip-lock bag. I remembered that i have drank 4 cup of water, 1 cup of Baileys Original(wanna know how it's taste like? Taste like chocolate milk but bitter and see the website link below) and enjoyed my lunch too...
http://landingpage2.baileys.com/gateway_branded-en-row.htm?Lang=en-us&BrandId=SO&RhCountry=&RefUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.baileys.com%2fTemplates%2fRedirectToGateway.aspx%3fNRMODE%3dPublished%26NRNODEGUID%3d%257b0556763D-2AD1-464A-A656-95D10628CCA2%257d%26NRORIGINALURL%3d%252f%26NRCACHEHINT%3dGuest
Once when landed at Taoyuan International Airport, there is a measuring body temperature section, my sis passed throught it unfornately i can't cos my temperature is "38.1" and the lady think i had fever and asked me to fill-up a form and asked me questions. My sis tried to ontact our tour guide and he rushed over, plus she checked again as my fever did not substiled and drew my blood out to run the tests and ask to await for further news...
Finally i take 2 capstus of Panadol Extra and drank water. And we met our Taiwanese tour guide, "Steven Li Yun Fei" and brought us to tour for these past 8 days and gave a copy of the map on the bus and told us how to notice the difference between the old notes and the new notes.
Arrive at the First stop, Keelung Nightmarket, we have tried to eat the local Crepes( known as "潤餅") and it's delicious cos it's taste sweeter ,the peanuts were crispy and the ingredients are fresh, bought 3 cups of sugar cane juices, 1 packet of their fried noodles which added some garlic sauce and my mum & sis have tried their "魷魚羹"(thickened soup with cuttlefish wrapped in fish paste.) and it's time to get a good rest at Howard beach resort Pacific Green Bay and i like my noodles...
Day 2
It's time to wake up and pack up our things. Not to forget to some nice photos about the morning sunset and the beach...(see below)
Put our luggages at the lobby and went to the basement to have breakfast. Of course, in there i still follow the suits how the taiwanese eat in the morning which is have a bowl of porridge and some side dishes for that and i don't eat very full because later on we are depart for Chiufen(九份) because have something to eat and shop, hehe...
The bus will drive to the main terminal which near Chiufen and board on a local bus to there directly... As i remember that there is a chinese drama which was shown on channel 8, year 2006, "
C.I.D 刑警2人组" and one of their filming scenes is located at some part of Chiufen's area(if i am not wrong). Steven have introduced to us about the scenary(see below)
He give everyone "1 hour and 1/2's time" to shop and eat but gather at the Seven-eleven at 10.30am.
We walk and see a long quene at shop which sell yam cakes and more... We try it and find it nice but i think it's added too much pepper... That's not all, we also eat the Yam Balls(but mixed with sweet potato and green tea flavour balls), it's cost just NT$40 only(see the photo right)
And we keep walking to the the end of the route and find that the area have the cafe, home-stay and souviver' shops...
And i buy a set of 4 postcards cost me NT$50(see below after the 2nd paragragph). Beside that Steven told us not to buy the jellys and mochi from here(Chiufen) because he think that it's not safe to eat them. The best to buy them at Taipei instead.
Card 1
The stop is my favourite destination, "Yilan"(known as "Gamalan") and head to National center for traditional arts.
malt cookies.
i bought this handphone strip, NT150 at the shop(see below)
and i like that Mian Cha, taste like peanut paste but actually it's look like a babyfood and it's taste yummy...
麵茶
and bought it at the stall in the middle postition.
It's lunchtime, I order 1 set lunch which have stir-fryed noodle, vegetables & pig blood's soup(if u don't want to eat that, order other instead; speical reminder for girls)...
Stir-fried noodles
cabbages
猪血汤
I think it's hardly to see and buy this bottle of mineral water in our country...
And i also buy a packet of pink guava...
Leaving that place and arrive at Su Ao Xin station to board on train to Sin Cheng station(known as Taroko station) but when arrive at Sin Cheng station at least 2 group of peoples whose align at the wrong station and yet everyone have to wait for them to come back safely ...
Finally arrive!!! Hehe...
After dinner, process to Nan Bin Nightmarket, i feel this place is no difference from S'pore... So i decide to salt away(meaning: save money) and rest at 碧海藍天飯店(known as Blue Sea Blue Sky Hotel), Hualien...
Day 3
Leaving Hualien and we are going to Taroko Gorge National park...
The cyclist!!!
How i look?
Statue...
How beautiful is this...
The next stop is "Lingzhi Centre" . And the person-in-charge have explained to us about the benfits of Lingzhi...
For lunch, we will have the organic dishes and rice plus deep-fried violet sweet potato(Taro) balls...
Gooses...
I like it
Next stop is Rui Hui Farm which Steven try to bring us instead of "Chulu Ranch" because of time management and when we reach there, see alot of cows, Ostrichs. Besides that i order a cup of hot mik and a milk pudding. When i drink it, the milk is fresh and i like the pudding much...
It's time for us to check-in at the hotel located at Taitung... After dinner, must wait til half an hour later then can soak in the hot spring, hehe...
During that period, when i soaked in the hot section, i have a chit-chat with a chinese national whose from Beijing, China. He told me that he join the tour guide to Taiwan for 8 days, told me his name and after this my 30 mins' time is up, it's my turn to shower and have my swimming truck and cup to be dried... Next thing is to use the internet access to check my email but the internet speed is kinda slow... After this, sleeping time!
Day 4
After leaving the hotel at Taichung, we got have the time and go to the temple, "Fu An Gong" at Taitung. All on the way to there, i saw the beautiful ocean on the road...
Fu An Gong Temple
After viewing it, we buy the seaweed, the plums(two types), the souroups and local food. Next destination is Maobitou known as "Cat's Nose" and i like the design of the rock as the weather is warm and windy. Beside i have the shoot of the Windmill, hehe... Before head for lunch, we go to South Bay... What is the most importantly, "the outdoor activities like "Surfing" and more but make me feel that i wanna learn "SURFING"!!!
look at the centre of it, that is "Cat's nose".
I wanna to learn it, man...
After Lunch, Steven bring us to Sail Rock which is the largest rock ever in the world... In order not to waste time, will process to next destination, "Eluanbi Lighthouse" and seen the beautiful lighthouse and statues besides i have witnessed there is a couple who have their wedding photo shoot at there.. The only thing which i regret is did not purchase a beach bracelet which cos NT$30
:(
Sail rock
Eluanbi Lighthouse
And it's time to check in now... Next thing i wanna to do is to have fun at water world in Howard Beach Resort Kenting and yet i have the hard time to find the venue plus forget my swimming cap and need to buy one but really having great fun with my fellow tour members. Lol...
As for dinner will have the seafoods, soups and i like the "Thai Basil"(known as "九層塔") which have the extra strong taste like peppermint, hmmm....
Take a stroll around the streets and really have sell a lot of things and games...
But i hate the most is when i return back to the hotel, switch on the TV and see some channels are not working at all! At the end have to watch "Discovery channel" instead...
Day 5
After leaving Kenting,before that we are going to a nearby fruit farm where we sample the local fruits which also can be found in s'pore and bought some packed fruits along too. And then we are going to Kaohsiung's Fo Guang Shan Monastery and this place is freaking large... Plus seen the bridge of Kaohsiung. For the lunch, side dishes included Dong Po Rou & sliced abalone... Then we are heading to Kaohsiung Tower 85 but going up to 75th floor instead(because you really want to go up to 85th, have to pay extra charge) and see those buildings, construction sites and more... beside that i have purchased a set of cards too...
At Fo Guang Shan Monastery
The bridge of Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung 85 Tower
Postcards of Koaohsiung
the entrance of Kaoshiung 85 Tower
And of course it's shopping time, hurray! When we arrive at Dream Mall, all the items sell at there are look kinda expensive but at least i have bought 2 differents book and printed in chinese; the total cost is NT$549 together, amazing?
Dream Mall
I like this book. Lol...
I buy these books from this bookstore...
Next stop, Kaohsiung Love river! I enjoy the beautiful scenery at there... And take some many photos...
As for Dinner, will have it at Leo Ho Night Market, we eat the "Tai Nan Danzai Mian"(台南擔仔麵), "Prawn's roll", not to forget my Coffin Bread ("棺材板") , a bowl of & Porridge and payaya milkshake... In fact, i did not order 1 fried ice-cream for desserts cos i am full... But sometimes i look absent-minded that whether my things is with me like my money belt and i thought i left ahead in the toilet in fact i left it on my hotel bed there...
Prawn's rolls.
台南擔仔麵
棺材板, my favourite! :)
广东
粥
i eat the noodle and prawn's roll from this stall.
Day 6
After leaving Kaohsiung, we are heading to Wen Wu Temple & Sun Moon Lake at Nantou... When we visit Wen Wu temple, the Architecture and designs are good and have style as it look differrent from other temples from other countries...
On the way to Wen Wu Temple...
Wen Wu Temple
And still have the time to take photos of Sun moon lake...
how beautiful the lakes are... don't u agree, hmm?
Next stop is "Aboriginal products shop" which sell about honey and royal jelly(specially for women who want to be beautiful and keep their youth) but before i can come in i know that the employee is an Aboriginal so i greet him "Naluwan"(娜魯灣) and the shop owner have introduced more about the products one by one. The next thing happens when we can asking questions about the products suddenly one of the wooden board which dropped off from the display and hitted the girl's head as she cried that her head is in pain and the ladies have applied the medicine on it... Besides we have taken photos of how we look like when we wear Aboriginal costumes...
In Aboriginal products shop
Place for lunch...
For the lunch is great, again i see the thai basil on 1 dish and other side dishes plus Marcus's prepared Chrysanthemum tea too... After when finishing lunch, Steven will be bringing us to Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village to find out more about Aboriginal Culture, we have a ride on a cable car to see the Aboriginal cultural performance, for the 1st performance required everyone must a green grass to tie it up on one of our hands but it look pricky...
But for 2nd and last performance, i have no idea that why i have to pick at this hour to doze off and look so pai seh(embrassed) and not to forget the fun's time!
I join with my other tour member, Ivan to try the 1st section, "UFO歷險" but it's look nothing happen feel distracted by the screaming from the girls and feel like the air blow upward very quickly, haha...
2nd section is, "Mayan Adventure" (馬雅探險; 懸吊式雲霄飛車) and yet i forget to remove my hearing aids but lucky it's won't drop(what a close, man...) and i like it cos it's fast and make me go ...
馬雅探險; 懸吊式雲霄飛車
last section should be at, "Future world" and i think is pirate ship and other... For more detail, can view to this website, http://www.nine.com.tw/index.htm
And next stop is Taiching, we are going to Feng Jia Night market where we have tried some local foods at there like, " small sausage in large sausage" (known as "大腸包小腸"). I almost need to remind all of you, if u travel that night market especially when u purchase a hot cup of pearl milk(it's cost NT$35) and you must remind the guy to add pearls into it if not he just charge you NT$30 only and this is how i feel like get cheated by that... As for my ideal dinner is "Turkey Bento" (known as "火雞肉便當"). It's just cost me NT$60! Wow! i can pick any 3 side dishes and i choose "Bamboo shoots", "Jiu Cai" & "Si Gua" and my sis buy a bread but noodles which added on top of it. And that's not all, I buy 1 tee which cost me NT$100 at a shop while I buy another 2 different clothings which about NT$156 at NET shop...
a cup of hot milk tea.
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
i bought a t-shirt from this shop (from pic 1)
And went to the hotel and hmm i love my bento cos the rice have added some gravy(which made of from the turkey drippings and soy sauce)...
火雞肉
便當
Day 7
After having breakfast, depart from Taichung and on the way to Taoyuan station instead of "Chenghunag Temple at Hsinchu" because of time management. I buy 5 different designs of postcards at 7-eleven which one cost NT$20 and hardly find it in S'pore. We are catching the 9.40am train for Taipei and arrive at Taipei Main station (台北車站) at 10am. The bus come and we are going to a shop called, "Wei Ge pastary" and the most popular or famous are, Pineapple cake(凤梨酥), chestnut cake... The next stop is fortune centre where there is a master tried to explain about our luck, fate, health and more... For the lunch, we went to the restaurant which have lot of art designs, so fastacy!
Taoyuan station
Bought it from 7-11 store
台北車站
台北車站
specially for the best quantity of Pineapple tree and chestnut cakes...
nice art of their restuarant...
the parking coupon in taiwan...
After when we skipped going to Taipei 101 due to the traffic jams but heading to Ximending instead but given 1 hour time to shop and eat(the foods that we tasted are, "Duck' tongues & osyter vermicelli (蚵仔麵線) from 阿宗麵線) plus buy a cup of bitterground juice with honey from a shop. Need to be hurried because we must be there to witness the guards change duty at 4.30pm(but can't remember where is it)...
at Taipei 101
Guess who is it? Yes, it's "Evonne, 許慧欣".
i bought a cup of bitterground juice with honey from this shop
i like this duck' tongues from this shop, 老天祿...
"西門町" is known as "西街"
After this, we are going to Shilin Nightmarket but we went to buy some "Suncakes"(known as 太陽餅) which have 2 flavours. For the original flavour is "molasses" or known as Malt while the other flavour which is less sweet is, "honey" and 1 or 2 packet of peanuts... When reaching at Shilin Nightmarket, my sis and i quened up for a big piece of chicken chop and it's cost NT$50 only. My dinner are, "Braised pork rice" (魯肉飯), Stinky tofu" (臭豆腐), oyster omettltte"(蚵仔煎), 1 cup of green tea with sour plums(dried) plus a stick of BBQ chicken backside(which girls dislike it and find it disgusting) and besides that i did shopping again but buy 3 clothing at 20% discount and the price is NT$478 only... But thought want to go to "Wu Fen Pu" and yet my sis and mum feel tired and at the end we decided to go back to the hotel to rest and eat a bowl of soya bean beancurd with pearls (粉圓豆花) and a cup of papaya milkshake again. Hehe... And at the same time watching the variety show and new taiwanese drama, "波丽士大人"and after that off to sleep.
i buy the suncakes from this shop
the shop near "Jian tian" station. Search through this website, "
http://www.trtc.com.tw/c/"
This deep-fired chicken-chop is taste better than singapore one...
臭豆腐
魯肉飯
蚵仔煎
I bought this stick of chicken backside from this stall...
For girls, dun force yourself to eat this. You may find this is disgusting...
粉圓豆花 and next to it is papaya milkshake...
Day 8(last day)
Finally althought today is the last day staying at Taipei but got the time to go gym or known as health center to do workouts for 30 minutes from 6.55am til 7.25am and i spent 15 mins on treadmile, do at least 10 times to build muscles using dumbbells by different weights and do 20 push-ups and eat both western & chinese foods for breakfast and then it's a free-duty activities's time! I asked does it possible for us to go to Danshui for shopping, she said, "No" and scare that we don't have enough time to come, and maybe she was right. The next thing is I almost slip my mind that it's weekends so most of the stores will open at 11am and we still have time to pack our luggages and leave at the lobby when the bellman will look after it... And when we headed back to the same thing that my mum, she still want to buy a few more packets of "Rice vermicelli" and that's me so mad and i have a second thought about since Steven will help us to purchase by his friend then why she should have to buy it?! As the next thing i wanna to buy a can of Taiwanese beer but my sis told me not to do it because in case in ther airport there they have another body temperature taking so at the end i didn't purchase it! :(
And my sis have bought some Yilan cookies which located at the basement 2 and we stepped out off there and went nearby to shop. At that time i was thristhy and bought a cip of pearl milk tea and they still need to buy the clothes at the NET shop. After i feel like to visit the restroom because i need to pee and when i come out my sis told me to wait for at the basement 2 where i spotted some special pasteries and nice designed cakes which hardly find in Singapore as I saw it stated, "Most Popular" and i think of "Hmm, maybe i should buy 1 and try it out. Indeed i buy 1 tiramisu and 1 custard pudding which cost me NT$165 together! When headed back to the hotel and i have to slow my walking speed(usually i walk it fast.) and prevent my desserts to be dropped...
how i wish i can buy all those lovely cakes and eat them up, hehe...
i bought them at this department store...
Does it look cute and look mouth-drooling?
When reached there, i took the photo of it and it's time to board on the bus where Steven gonna bring us a restaurant for lunch which have Xiao Long bao, veggie, a plate of fried rice, soup & more... After when all the women are look full at our same table and at that time our another lady give us some more foods which feel like 2 guys will hold a eating challenge and i can finish all of them, hehe...
:P
小籠包
And before we depart for the airport, i decide to ask Steven about where the origin of "Mian Cha" from and what it taste like, his reply is the origin of "Mian Cha" from, "Taichung"(same for the pearls; "粉圓" ,"Suncakes"known as 太陽餅& more) and taste like a babyfoods... And the ways our tour guides have told us some jokes for us as an entertainment. And when ready to check-in at the airport, we will have some group photos together and my mum have done a nasty thing to my desserts and yet she have ruined the images or design of my desserts and it's all her fault! Damn it! Because she is the one who put the things together and when we was able to catch the plane, when i ready to show the ladies and it's was ruined! But they said, "it's okay, as long it's taste delicious will do..." When we are on the plane, i was ready to let them to sample the desserts, they tried it and they liked it so much and i told them, "Well, my recommendation can't go wrong." So does my sister like too and maybe ask Steven to help her order half a dozen of the desserts from Taiwan to Singapore and i says, "go ahead". During dinnertime, i order my meals and a glass of "Johnnie Walker Red Label Whiskey" and it's only suitable for men not women, lol... At the meantime, i also give some candies to the little girls and they were delighted... Finally when arrive at Singapore, they hugged and bid goodbye to them. Next thing when my sister picked her perfumes up, i sent a text message to my colleague, Siti about the works and understand what she trying to tell me... And when i hand my passport to my sis because she need to buy some alcholic drinks and i have to look our luggages and boxes as i have a sharp eye to observe it very quickly... When reaching home, 1st thing i do is to unpack my whole luggage and put the dirty clothings in the basket and the rest of my things put it in the correct places and i turned on my computer to surf net and check my email too... But on next day, when i want to search more informations about the desserts on Berry Milk, i was shocked that either the website is bogus(which does not exist!) or they didn't printed the new website for it and it's almost me pissed off but never mind at least i have a great fun at Taiwan and hope to visit it again alone or with my friends!
Left(Marcus Yeo), middle(two of our tour members) & right (Steven Lee)
Sign off,
Alan.
