Day 6 Proceeded to Taipei after breakfast. Stopped at the Miaoli Orchard along the way to pluck strawberries. Well its my first time seeing fresh strawberries. Very beautiful indeed. But as compared to the ones we bought back home, the strawberries weren't very sweet. Here are some pictures:
Next stop is to the Martyr's Shrine to view an elaborate changing guards ceremony. Here's a video on the ceremony:
Proceeded to Miramar Entertainment Centre afterwards. Mirarmar Entertainment Centre is a new shopping centre include a 3D Imax movie theatre and Merry Go Round. Bought a couple of CDs there but things there were rather expensive. The CDs is even more expensive than Singapore.
Look at the noodles set meal that my sis ordered:
Proceeded to the National Palace Museum afterthat. The National Palace Museum houses numerous pieces of Chinese art treasures. In particular is the cabbage curved from a piece of white jade. The curving is very delicate. Here are some pictures:
Night is to Shilin Night Market. Lots of stuffs to buy but too little time to shop. Sobx. Anyway proceeded to Qi Lin Hotel for our night rest.
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6:24 PM
Was feeling much better after having a night rest. Had a nice warm bath and went down for my buffet breakfast. Too bad, was feeling very hungry but i got no appetite to eat at all. Ended up eating plain porridge with pork floss while my sis was happily eating her delicious spread of breakfast. First stop of the day is to Sinying Railway Cultural Park which is a former Sinying Sugar Refinery. Took a old train to Pa Wong Battalion Commander Farm which sells lots of milk stuffs. Apparently everything were made of milk. Here are some pictures i took on the train:
Proceeded to the Sun Moon Lake afterwards which is the largest lake in Taiwan. It is named Sun Moon Lake cos the northern part of the island looks like a sun and the southern part looks like a moon. Next stop is to the Wen Wu temple which is within walking distance. The temple enshrines and worship Confucius, Guan Gong and Yue Faye. Here are some pictures:
Next stop is to the Peacock Garden. As the name suggested, the garden is swarming with peacocks. Here are some pictures:
Last stop of the day is to Feng Jia Night Market. Its near the Feng Chia University so the stuffs there tends to be cheaper. Went to a cafe for dinner, ordered seafood porridge which sucks! Think i can cook better than them. Anyway, my sis was happily eating again. Trying out all the food stuffs while i can only admire her. Sobx Bought myself a cap there which is very IN in Taiwan but i doubt i will wear it in Singapore. Haha. Proceeded to Mei Chun Hotel for a night rest afterthat.
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4:57 PM
Day 4 is my most dreadful day cos i am very sick. Woke up in the morning and i vommited all my last night dinner and supper. At first thought its hangover, all thanks to the can of Taiwan beer or even the entire night of "Bed shaking" ordeal. Had a splitting headache and looks like the world is going merry go round around me, i had no appetite to eat at all cos apparently i will vommit whenever i tried to put something into my mouth. All energy wasted on vommiting and i dont even have energy to walk. I was literally dragged onto the bus by my parents. Another long tedious bus journey again, travelled from chihpen to kaohsiung via the South Serve National Road. Nice scenery along the way cos the road is along the coastline and we can get to see people rearing lobsters and Thai prawns. Didnt bother to listen to the Tour guide so i slept my way from Chih Pen to Kaoshsiung. But along the way, i was throwing up non stop and the bus journey somehow make it even worse, even my bile juice came out which worries my tour guide. My parents requested the guide to bring us to some clinic but we were in somewhere countryside so there were no clinics at all.
Reached Mei Non Hakka Village for lunch, but i had no appetite to eat and the smell of dishes is making me worse. Anyway rested on the bench while others were happily eating their lunch. Mei Non Hakka Village is a place that sells traditional hakka handicrafts such as hand made umbrella, and traditional Hakka food like Ban Tiao and Le Cha. Here are some pictures of Mei Non Hakka Village.
Next stop is to Fo Guang Shan which houses a huge statue of Buddha on the top of the hill so devotees will need to climb up the hill in order to pray to the Buddha. As usual, i already had no energy to stand still let alone climbing up the hill. Rested in a cafe at the foot of the hill with my aunt. Waited for 1 hr plus and finally the group of them came back. Typical Singaporeans, they were complaining the hill is very steep and the weather is so warm. So it turn out to be a blessing in disguise for me. Haha.
Anyway went to another spot later, Spring and Autumn Pavilion which comprises of a huge lake and gigantic statues Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and a Hsuan Tien Shangti Temple. As usual, i rested on the bench while the others follow the tour guide to explore the place. But i smelt smelly tofu again and there came my second round of non stop vomitting. Was literally lying straight on the bench when the group came back. My aunt was so worried about me and at one point, i thought i am going to die in Taiwan. Haha God bless, i am back in Singapore safe and sound. Anyway was dragged back to the bus again and we proceeded to our next stop.
Next stop is the Sin Jiao Jiang Night Market. Something like our pasar malam but it is a lot more livelier. Upon reaching the night market, the tour guide was very nice to bring me to their local clinic. Initially, i thought that finally i get to see a doctor and perhaps i will be better after a jab but it turns out that the clinic is like our Singapore TCM store with an old uncle inside whom they addressed as doctor. The "doctor" didnt even bother to examine me, he just asked what are my symptoms (he is speaking in Taiwanese Hokkien so my tour guide helped me to translate) and he prescribed medicine according to my symptoms. Was forced a swallow some pills and a powder thingy in front of him. Rested a while at the "clinic" and i was dragged back to the night market again. Was feeling better after a while and mum even bought me a hot chocolate from Macdonalds. However my vomitting session started during dinner time again. Was running to and fro to the toilet. Finally perched myself outside the restaurant along the corridoors. Was in semi consious state again and this time round i was running a high fever. After dinner, we were sent back to the hotel and the guide suggested that we need to go to the hospital as it is already near midnight.
Boarded a cab and was sent to Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan. Upon reaching there, i was asked to sit down and they took my blood pressure and temperature while my parents and the guide went to register. Results turn out that my blood pressure is very low and i am running a high fever. Was immediately pushed into the emergency dept where the doctor assessed me. Well everything is in chinese so i got to explain everything to the doctor in mandarin. Was asked to take a blood test, urine test and x ray. And finally i was given a jab and put on drip. Slept in the ward for a couple of hours while waiting for the blood test results to be out. After a couple of hours, i was woken up by the doctor and he explained to us that the blood test results are out, my white blood cells count is shooting high (100x more than normal people) and my inflammation factor is also very high which suggested that i am most likely to be suffering from acute appendictis so i got to undergo an operation immediately. But the problem is i am a foreigner and the next day we will be moving to taipei. How can i be left in tainan while the rest go to taipei. Anyway the doctor was kinda determined that i should undergo an operation immediately. Its only after a couple minutes of discussion with my parents and the guide, then he decided to let me go provided that i got to fly back to singapore the next morning and my mum even needs to sign an undertaking form which sounds ridiculous. Anyway rested in the hospital for a night and went back to the hotel in the wee hours next morning.
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12:49 PM
Yep so its day 3. As usual, woke up early at 5.30 a.m. Went down for my oriental style breakfast again. Packed my baggage and ready to move to our next stop which is Chih Pen. First stop is to the Taroko National Park which is a gorge formed by the rushing river waters that cut through the granite and marble creating a narrow ravine with waterfalls and patches of mists. The National Park is meant to commerate those who died while building the Taiwan Highway. It is usually closed to public in events of storms or earthquakes for fear of landslides, but we were very lucky in the sense that the weather is very clear, so we get to enjoy the view of nature. The air is very fresh and the view is very relaxing. I guess pictures speaks more than words, here are some pictures for u to see for yourself then:
Afterthat boarded the bus again and sat through a 4 hours bus journey. Nearly vommitted out my lunch cos we got to travel through the mountain and along the coastline in order to reach the other state of taiwan. Finally reached Chih Pen at around 4 plus. Checked into the Toya Hot spring Hotel and had our dinner there as well. After dinner, we explored around the area outside the hotel, saw hot spring eggs( eggs cooked in hot spring water) which looks unhygienic, went to seven eleven, bought a few bags of potato chips and cans of beer for our night party. Went back to the hotel afterwards, changed and went for our hot spring bath. Its my first time "soaking" in hot spring. well the feeling is still not bad. Just imagine the water is very hot while the atmosphere is very cold and u are in swim suit. Not really used to it. Anyway soaked for a couple of minutes and we went back to our hotel rooms for bath and late night party! Downed a can of beer and think i am knocked off cos my sis said i was sleeping like a dead log. Anyway something weird happened in the middle of the night though, my bed was shaking very violently. At first thought it was earthquake cos taiwan is prone to earthquake but my six sense told me it wasn't. Wanted to wake my aunt up but she seems to be sleeping so soundly. Didnt thought of it much at first cos i am too tired so i just turned over and slept face down but my bed kept "shaking" for the entire night. Anyway, verified with my aunt the next morning and she also felt the bed "shaking". So i guess something must be shaking my bed....
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11:53 AM
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Day 2 (20.12.2007)
Woke up at 4.30 a.m. cos i couldnt sleep for the whole night. Had my first buffet breakfast in Taiwan. Was quite disappointed by the food cos the entire buffet spread is in oriental style which means there are only side dishes, rice, porridge, toast, soya milk and fruits. Wasn't much to choose from. Ate a little.
After that proceeded to Ye Liu, which is my most favourite place cos the scenery is magnificant. It is supposed to be a coastline but due to decades of corrosion, we can see the formation of fossil rocks and rocks that resembles fairy shoes and even elephant's head. Its superb windy and the force of the waves will simply make u go WOW. Here are some pictures of ye liu.
Proceeded to Jiu Fen afterwards. Jiu Fen turned out to be a small alley with shop houses lined up side by side. All the shop houses were selling traditional food such as peanut sweets, meat balls etc. We were given only 1hr to shop there which is kinda rush. Didnt have time to explore the place at our own pace. Ordered their famous Meat Ball Vermicelli, gobbled it down in the shortest period of time and hurried down the shophouses for shopping. Bought a couple of their traditional food stuffs. Wasnt able to buy a lot cos its too rush and its pouring. Anyway, here are some pictures of Jiu Fen.
Proceeded to Ma Zhu Temple later. There were a total of 3 Ma Zhu. Two of which are made of Jade and pure gold. The Taiwanese were very devoted to Ma Zhu as they believed Ma Zhu is able to protect them esp fisherman. Here are some pictures of Gold and Jade Ma Zhu
Proceeded to Ah Mei Wen Hua Village later to watch a perfomance by the Ah Mei dancers. Here are some pictures;
After the performance, we proceeded to Hua Lian Guo Tong Da Fan Dian for a night rest.
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10:54 AM
Friday, December 28, 2007
Home Sweet Home. Yes I am back from Taiwan! Travelled around the whole taiwan in 7 days which was quite torturous cos we got to move places everyday. Okie let me start from day 1.
Day 1 ( 19.12.2007)
Day started at 6 a.m. for me cos the maxicab that we booked is coming to fetch us at 9a.m. Reached airport terminal 1 at 10a.m, checked in. Time is still early so we kinda "rotted" a while at Spinelli cafe. Shopped around in the duty free store afterwards and bought myself a limited edition YvesSaintLaurent perfume which comes in a musical box. Quite cute. Boarded the plane at 1330. Was quite disappointed when i first saw the interior of the plane cos its quite squeezy and the plane is very small. No entertainment, no food. Was wondering how am i going to survive for 4 and 1/2 hours. Although the plane is small, the pilot's skill is something commendable, the ride in general is very smooth. But for no apparent reason, i started to feel giddy and i kept having the sensation to vommit which i think its due to motion sickness. Was feeling really terrible afterthat and how i wish the plane will reach taiwan immediately. Finally the plane touched down at Taipei Taoyuan Airport at 6.30pm. Nevertheless, i was the most eager to get out of the plane. Haha. First impression of the airport is that compared to our changi airport, the airport there is quite lousy. Was quite surprised by the weather as well cos its very dark outside. Although its only 6 something in the evening, the sky looks as if its already 8 plus which i think its winter time. Normally during winter time, the day is short and the night is long. Met our tour guide afterwards and our first stop is to the Taoyuan Hotel. There is no dinner included that night so we explored around the area and settled down in a small cafe for dinner. Food tasted exceptionally nice probably due to the cold weather and also i am too hungry. Explored a while afterwards and we had soya beancurb for dessert. Yummy. Went back to hotel to rest afterwards.
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11:36 AM
Monday, December 17, 2007
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1:00 PM
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Attended Jas's wedding yesterday. Being honoured to be in her sisters team, my day started at 3.30am in the morning, cos i got to reach Jas's home by 6a.m. Felt a bit chilly and eerie when i was waiting for the cab. By the time i reached Jas's house, everyone were already in their standby mode, ready to "combat" the brother's team. At 6.45 a.m, Jas's hubby, Shaun and his gang of brothers arrived with a "blast" in the sense that they were blaring their car horns. Upon hearing the hussel, everybody including jas's relatives immediately swung into action. Following on, as usual, the sisters team put them through a series of questions which includes getting them to dig out all the 5 cents coins which proves a certain degree of difficulty cos nowadays people dont really carry lots of 5 cents coins on them. However due to time contraint, the gang of them were let in after 15 minutes of "drilling".
Afterwards, followed Jas all the way to Shuan's house for tea ceremony and then back to her house again for tea ceremony, then to the church again for the wedding ceremony. Although I'm not a Catholic, I find the church ceremony particularly meaningful especially the speech and prayers given by the priest. Its is nevertheless true that its destiny that brought the two of them together and couples should cherish each other.
Went home to change afterthat, arrived at Orchid Country Club at 6pm. Went straight to Jas's suite as it is still early. Jas was busy putting on make up. As usual, Shuan was up to his mischief again but he ended up getting teased by us cos the makeup artist helped him put on eyelash extension and even mascara. Haha Anyway proceeded to our tables for dinner afterthat.
Anyway, i find myself particularly quiet that night cos i admit i am not good with words, but deep inside me i'm going through an emotional turmoil. Personally, i have known jas since primary school which means we also grow up together. Reflecting on the past, time really flies. I could still clearly remember all along since primary school, jas has been a very gentle and quiet girl, while i was away swinging on the monkey bars with the other boys, she would be sitting on the benches and chatting with Chen Xia. And during our secondary school days, i could still remember kit mun and jas and i talking about marriage. And the time when Jas introduced Shaun to us. Time really flies...
To Jasmine if u happens to read my blog, i would like to wish you all the best and may the both of u have a blissful marriage life.
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11:40 AM
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Counting down three more days to Jas's wedding but i am down with a bad cold! Gosh! What a bad luck! Went to the clinic jus now and it was super crowded, many there were down with flu as well. All thanks to the freaky weather that is making everyone sick. Requested the doc to give me stronger medicine cos jas's wedding is on this coming saturday and my trip to taiwan is next wed, but he end up giving me more medicine and even a official letter so that i can bring the medicine along to taiwan. Oh God! Who wants to tug medicine along for holiday?? So the only thing that i can do right now is to drink more water and rest well.
Christmas is round the corner. Couldnt made up my mind the presents that i shall give to my grandma and uncle this year. Been shopping around, finally managed to get a polo tee from Fox for my uncle and a Towel for my grandma.
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12:02 PM
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Went to the Settler's cafe for dinner with Jas and Kit Mun on Monday evening. First time going there. Used to hear people saying how crowded the place can be but it was rather deserted when we were there, probably its a monday evening. Anyway we opted for the free flow drinks package which comprises of 2 hrs of gaming and also free flow of drinks. Had Cajun Chicken Chop, Jas had black pepper chicken and Kit mun had fish and chops. The food and ambience are not bad except that we are not familiar with most of the games so we became rather lethargic after a well.
Anyway went to vivo with my family yesterday for shopping spree. First went to kepple bay tower to service my SLR camera. Its been 8 years since i last serviced it. Was very disappointed when the person told me the there are fungus in the lens and they got to reassembly the new parts for the lens. But worst of all the model is out of production thus there is no more spare parts to replace. Sobx sobx* The only way out is to buy a brand new lens which is going to cost me 300 bucks. Anyway discussed with my parents about it. So we decided to buy a digital camera instead cos its not worth buying the lens and moreover nowadays people are using digital camera. Proceeded to Best Denki and bought a Olympus digital camera that comes with 8 megapixels, anti shake, water proof, auto face detection and movie recording for 399 bucks. Considered it quite a steal cos it also comes with lots of free gifts. haha But i am still sad that i will not be able to use my SLR anymore...
Was shopping around and i was "lured' in by the variety of bear clothes in the built-a-bear workshop, end up buying a pair of shoes for my bear. Was really tempted to buy other clothes but i have already exceeded my budget for the month. Next proceeded to Chomel for earings, choose a couple of earrings and necklaces but my dad paid for it. haha
Dinner was my treat but cant decide where to go for dinner as my mum and aunt prefered something oriental but my dad and my sis and i prefered Western. So three vesus two. haha Wanted to go Marche but my mum objected to it strongly. So at last we went to Thai accent for Thai Cuisine. Ordered mango salad, deep fried tofu with thai chilli sauce, kangkong, tom yum steamboat, deep fried fish and cashew nuts with chicken. The food is delicious, very authetic thai taste and the tom yum packed a punch. Admit i'm not a chilli lover but i loved the kick of the Tom Yum. haha Better start training myself to eat spicy food since i got the intention of migrating to Thailand.
So birthday is over and i am one year older. Sad.. Felt old physically and mentally. Anyway got to go on diet now cos Jas's wedding is next sat!!!! Wow Time really flies.
Oh ya. Today is the Thai King's 80th birthday. May i wish him longevity and prosperity. Happy 80th Birthday!!!
Here are some pics:
Kit Mun struggling with her Jenga blocks.
The three ghosts.
See my bear with shoes. And this is the pair of shoes i bought.
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3:38 PM
Its only you
& no one else
Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you
Proceeded to Jiu Fen afterwards. Jiu Fen turned out to be a small alley with shop houses lined up side by side. All the shop houses were selling traditional food such as peanut sweets, meat balls etc. We were given only 1hr to shop there which is kinda rush. Didnt have time to explore the place at our own pace. Ordered their famous Meat Ball Vermicelli, gobbled it down in the shortest period of time and hurried down the shophouses for shopping. Bought a couple of their traditional food stuffs. Wasnt able to buy a lot cos its too rush and its pouring. Anyway, here are some pictures of Jiu Fen.
