You'll Be Ok!

The fact that we are only mortals
We tend to build life with principles
But life is just too unpredictable
Making us realise what's also vunerable

A Fruitful Trip To Taipei [22 May - 28 May] - Day 3

Day 3 started of brightly! As brightly as the sun shines upon us the moment we get ourselves all dressed well for some very 'nature' itinerary that day. Thankfully and luckily, weather is on our side when we most desperately needed it.

It's a casual and relaxing day we foresee and off we walk around in slippers to our very first stop which is Beitou. One of the many places in Taiwan well known for their hot spring, much research was done pre-tour, which really comes in handy.

One thing good about Taipei, or even the whole of Taiwan is that, they are very well connect and easily accessible. Either by train or bus. Especially for their train network, i just got to praise it. It's very clearly and informative. Even at stations itself, clear signs in both Traditional Chinese and English are both available, even maps of the surrounds of the station can be found on board and stands located at various part of the station, therefore, in no time, we reached Xin-BeiTou station.

Decided on Beauty Age Hotel and starting our brisk walking there. On our way, it's nature and landscape. Upon reaching, we started changing and off we went into the hot spring. All 6 of us with one room exclusively to us, with three differents pool of different minerals and temperature. It's funny how Peng tried to endure the heat in the water and how MY enjoyed in the exact same water as well. The hot spring reminds me of the ones in Hokkaido and definitely for sure, hot springs never failed to make me feel so calm, relaxed and energized.

Home cooked food it seems, was our lunch. I could still remember the fish served to me by one nice lady, preparing the food single-handedly by herself, somehow, it has the taste of home, which kind of reminds me how our mum would cooked all 3 meals a day for us. I'm glad i managed to taste different food with different taste so far in Taipei and i'm loving it, and of course, with lots of anticipation of more to come!

One regret i felt though was the geothermal hell valley. I felt bad for not planning it properly. In the end, the girl was rather disappointed not being able to visit, even though after that, attempts was made to go back there, but decided to call of because it's just so out of the way. =(

Sunglasses was my best friend that day as the sun continues to shines brightly upon us. Surprisingly, the weather wasn't hot. It's a very kind weather that we all love. From there, we took a bus journey to YangMingShan. This long bus trip took a toll from Peng, who ended feeling quitr groggy through the rest of the day. Somehow, i feel that when you are in foreign land, at times, you just close and follow through. We landed ourself into confused state before eventually, some cab driver offered to drive up up the hill for a nominal fee. We did, eventually, anyway.

Up there, it's a totally different feeling. It's that kind of super relaxed and beautiful scene and atmosphere. Nothing like that you can find back in Singapore. We were simply wowed. The flowers blooms nicely, together with the beauty of the nature, even the windy, cooling weather up there. Everyone started camwhoring and taking photos of all sorts and kinds.

Nearing the end, popped a little surprise for the girl with the flower. Somehow, it was a nervus one. Anyway, it put that beautiful smile on her and off everyone went, yet again, camwhoring. This is probably one of the best place we've ever visited throughout the entire trip and it's seriously not difficult to see why.

It's a long way at the bus which was rather my first time waiting for a bus at such a bus stop, some sort like those makeshift ones. We proceeded to DanShui and again, it's another place altogether. Famous for their Iron Eggs, we went wee wow over them and started shopping for local products the moment we popped into the first shop. After some shopping, we started our feasting.

It's so fun feasting among the 6 of us. I wished it's even more fun like 食字路口. Nevertheless, we had our own fun. One of us would buy any food that we like, and we'll just start sharing. One after one, we tasted all of them and it's obvious that very evening, the Wild Boar Sausage was the reigning champion! Oh, i could still drool over it. I was still talking about it with the girl yesterday, how we can and would just buy one air ticket to fly there and eat all the food that we loved...and miss.

Went to the lover bridge and turned out it's was rather disappointing. But true enough, all around it, are mostly just lovers and couples. We didn't stayed long there and not along after, by then, Peng already had his life half gone and decided to go back first after having his puke and flaunting it around on the street.

ShiLin Night Market, the market we heard so much of. We went goo-goo-gah-gah over it. Clothes however was the primary focus as we scan through shops after shops, stall after stalls. Time was our foe. So much so that i didn't even buy a single food from there! ANGRY!!! I swear the next time i am back in Taipei, i'll flip and scan the entire market and find that food street which i missed! Awww......regrets....=(

要有...

要有度量容忍不可以改变的事、要有勇气改变可以改变的事、要有智慧去区分这两件事

A Fruitful Trip To Taipei [22 May - 28 May] - Day 2

Day 2 arrived with much anticipation and er...surprise. Rain welcomed us early in the morning. It doesn't trouble us much as we thought, all because we were armed with umbrella. But it proved to be uselss because the rained not only poured, it dampen our excited mood. Nevertheless, both me and the girl were good to make good out of the bad. I put on my cap, whereas she finally 'equipped' herself with the straw hat which travelled miles together with her.
Breakfast was nice with toasted bread on the menu. Everyone got up early and met up, and so, we had our very first breakfast in Taipei. Nicest in the house goes to the toast the girl was having - peanut toast. Peanut so thick and rich, it makes me drool while typing this very sentence.

We brought out MRT cards along which we managed to get it free back Singapore where me and the girl scout for the Visitor Association of Taiwan located in Shenton Way area. Back in XiMenDing station, we dished out our cards, topping it up and off we go for our first train ride in Taipei.

I must praise the manners of the locals as well as the proper systematic way of operating. Something Singaporeans should learn, especially for SMRT Operators. Not only are the locals courteous, they queues for train even. I must say all of us were very impressed. They even have seats on train specially for needy people and trust me, no one will take those seat even if there aren't any needy people around. Such a contrary with the locals, totally changed my impression of them. Thumb ups as i started to feel ashamed being a typical Singaporean. No wonder MY mentioned '情人味', oops, i mean '人情味' to describe such environment in Taipei.

'Cats and Dogs' continued to haunt us as we had difficult moving around. Slowly, we made our way to SOGO. Nothing interesting, it's just like another Takashimaya to us basically.

Lunch's at Hello Kitty Sweets. Something which the girls were looking forward. Interestingly, the concept was very 'Hello Kitty'. Pinkish wallpaper, decor fill the restaurant, making it very princessy. The girls felt like princesses, the guys felt like er...guys. Food on the other hand, was only so-so, apart from the appearance of the food which wow-ed us. Cute little creative designs on the food simply and that's about it.

Hello Kitty Sweets
Address: Taipei, Da An District, Da An Road Street 1, No 90

Tel: (02) 2711-1132

Opening Hours: 11.30am - 10pm

Rain comes and goes and we continued our day to the much awaited WuFenPu commercial district they called it, where it's supposed to be paradise for the ladies. Turned out, i became the one with more loots while the poor girl suffering from her tummy upset had little to enjoy. Much thanks to the rain, we didn't enjoyed the whole process of shopping @ WuFenPu and we went on the grumble on the weather and mentioned how we can squeeze one more day to pay a visit to this supposedly wonderful shopping paradise again. Indeed, there are tons of clothes being sold here, much more even repeated. Therefore, should you bought something already and if you chanced it at the other shop again, DO NOT ask the price, if not, high chance is you might be disappointed. Oh well, this happens. I'm glad i bought my coat there at a price so cheap i couldn't resist. Probably one of the best buy out of the entire Taipei trip i had.

That's something about life. Shit (the entire day of pouring day) doesn't last forever, and when shit happens, things can only get better. It couldn't be more true - we had our dinner at 胡须张卤肉饭. Definitely the best food we had ever eaten out of the entire Taipei Trip. Sadly, it's such a pity that we only had it once. It's not even something very expensive. Imagine, 50 cents for a bowl of rice, toppled with nice braised gravy with streaks of thinly fine fats. One word - awesome to describe that heavenly taste. So nice, i nearly ate 3 bowls of it. I wished i could have more, but my tummy had to be spared just in case i spotted some even nicer food later on, which ultimately in the end, never came.

It's onward to RaoHe Night Market. The rain that has be hindering our movement whole day decided to turn voilent and pour harder than ever. So heavy that Raohe Night Market seems so dull with lots of stalls closed. Plus the tireness we gathered from the entire day, we decided to reside back into our hotel rooms early and cab back!

Back in XiMenDing, we scouted supper to satisfy our 'always hungry' tummies. Our most visited stall was the roadside stall where they had nice oyster omelette, so nice i ate at least once a day. Plus the yummy carrot cake and soup, which ended our day 2, just like that.

A Fruitful Trip To Taipei [22 May - 28 May] - Day 1

Finally, i get to post another blog and probably one of the most detailed i've ever done. It was such an enjoyable trip and i could not bear not to do so. It shall served as a reference as well as a wonderful memorable experience to me and i shared with everyone why. I shall blog it in 7 parts, one for each day, so keep checking back guys.

The day i've been waiting for since months ago, finally arrived. It was a hectic rush that very day as i struggled to get myself a taxi to Choa Chu Kang. Oh well, shit happens. This always happens. Some things just doesn't go your way when you most needed it. Anyway, LRT does the job, under huge reluctance on my side.

My first time travelling from Home to Airport carrying such a huge luggage. The girl and i went gaga over our luggage and apparantly, our luggage seems to be the biggest among our nice travel companions. 2nd hectic rush came when we realise we have less then 10 mins to rush to the departure gate which ultimately, turned out to be a scare actually.

We were smart enough to 'try' to satisfy our hunger before the flight, although the food turned out to be so not yummy (maybe because we were already thinking of the yummy food in Taipei already) that our hunger persist. Nevertheless, our resistence serve us well on board the flight after watching some nice drama by the coconut (a name i give to some kuku). As childish as one can be, he almost ruin our trip by almost causing our flight to be re-route back to Singapore, all of two stupid reasons. First was the emergency exit seat which cost just $30 and he was making a huge fuss over it, second was wanting the air stewardess to apologise to him for being rude. Talking about being rude, i can still remember how he was shouting out so loudly as though he was crying. One word, pathetic. Anyway, he chose to be obedient eventually and guess he expected just as much, he was escorted by the police as soon as we reach TaoYuan International Airport.

Our transfer from the Airport to FutureStar Hotel (@ XiMenDing) was awesome. Never once have i tried such service. All along, taxi or hotel transfer seems to be the only mode of transport i would like between the airport and hotel. Mr Chen changed my perception totally. He was so good in his service that i would strongly recommend for people who travel to Taipei. Simply drop him your hotel, your dates and number of passengers and oh boy, he will welcome you warmheartedly (holding your signboard with your name and flight number until you appear, so don't pang seh him)

Taipei Transfer Service
Name: Mr Ian Chen
Contact no (Taipei): 0958-396-838
Email: jazzlife838@yahoo.com.tw

The moment the van drives us pass the city lights of Taipei, we can already feel the fun we are going to have for the upcoming days. The flashing of the neon lighted signboards, the changing colour of the walking man on the traffic lights, the so unfamiliar commoners on the street etc further affirms my conscious self that i've arrived into a country thousands kilometres away from Singapore.

We arrived into XiMenDing rather fast, thanks to Mr Chen and we checked into FutureStar Hotel. Sourced by Choon Peng. Our impression was not good of it initially, all because of the things i had to put up with through experience with the receptionist. I gave them names 'affectionately' - Victoria and Secrets (after learning they both work on two different shifts). Should they both work on the same shift, you'll probably know what is going to happen.

The hotels rooms are generally clean and nice. Although it's more of a budget hotel, their room aren't lacking in any other aspect. Double sized bed, Television, Bathtub, Flask, Tea bags etc. Moreover, it cost us a cheap NT$1480 per room per night, with several days in discount even. It's definitely worth the money, and oh boy, the location of this hotel, simply superb. Right outside within minutes of walk, you could see yourself land in Exit 6 of XiMenDing MRT Station. I like this hotel and definitely i'll go back to them should i re-visit Taipei in future.

Future Star Hotel
Tel: (02) 2375-5500 / (02) 2375-5229
Website: http://www.futurestarhotel.com.tw/

And so, it was our 'first hand' in Taipei. We visitied XiMenDing in search for Modern Toilet Restaurant. Heard so much about it back in Singapore and finally, we are searching it ourselves, abit unbelievable. But, the roads in Taipei are kind of confusing given our first day there and we had a hard time finding it. Thanks sweetness for the girl to concern my tummy, and that was where i found my favourite 鸡扒 in Taipei. Probably, the nicest I've eaten in Taipei.

Not long after, our temporary reservation @ the restaurant was ready and there we hit, camwhoring with the toilet bowls and gigantic ice cream cone before hitting the menu at the 2nd floor. Food was only a so-so, disappointing quite a few of us. Probably, it's more of paying for the concept of the restaurant which was rather cool - sitting on covered toilet bowls, dining in 'toilet bowls' as well as drinking from 'urinals'. Best of all, we ate 'dung' and mine was served in a large toilet bowl where the girl managed to catch a torturous shot of that moment. However, i love that dessert.

Modern Toilet Restaurant
Address: 2F, No 7, Lane 50, XiNing South Road, Taipei City
Tel: (02) 2311-8822
Website: www.moderntoilet.com.tw
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11.30am to 10pm / Weekends 11am to 10pm

After dinner, it was just a casual walk around XiMenDing, trying to get ourselves into the mood as well as preparing for our next 6 days in Taipei. Rain came but wasn't enought o dampen our mood as we hit high anticipation to welcome the upcoming days. That night, was probably a sweet nice as i managed to sprinkle some surprise for the girl. It was a long awaited feeling as i close my eyes and fell asleep for the very first time in Taipei.

Smile, Strength, Brave

The days are already beginning
Pressure and stress will slowly be seen
Moving on seems like the only mean
Gotta find one's motivation to keep on going

The recent weather can really rearrange
A moment it's sunny next it's pouring rain
Ironically that's how humans can change
A minute of joy can just turn into pain

It takes time to learn and absorb
Especially when it's not an easy new job
Its never me to let the white towel drop
Brighter days ahead are awaiting to pop