Taipei City itself is not that big, but its comprehensive!

As it was the last moment to see Taipei 101 before it turns to world’s second tallest, after Dubai.  Alex and I are just in time to catch it.

We took MRT to Taipei City Hall.  In fact, there were free shuttle bus that could bring us to the tower. But the sign was not obvious and it was dark, so we just walk all the way heading to the tower.

Taiwan Up 2010 was this new year’s theme.

You won’t feel the distance, along the way, you walk across the parks, building and shopping malls. Pass along the popular streets and malls, 新光三越 Singkong Mitsukoshi.

Taipei 101 getting nearer, and we took this chance to shoot more photos.

Finally we reached Taipei 101. 台北101

As I said, it was the tallest by the moment I reached there. But just a few minutes later it was taken over by Burj Khalifa in Dubai on 4th Jan 2010.

This is the entrance to the mall. The shopping heaven where you will be showered with lots of branded goodies.

Although this is a shopping heaven, but for us, is just for Window Shopping. Can see cannot buy. But at least I know their 7-11 (convenient store) is much more high class than the other places. We grab a cup of coffee from the City Cafe. Just nice, comparable to Starbucks.

We went back to Ximending as our Final stop.  Alex and I would plan to settle our dinner here, and a movie after that.

We went hunting for food, too much choices but we ended up choosing Alex’s favourite Korean Food. Very nice!

We watched AVATAR 3D version.  Ticket consider expensive but inclusive of Popcorn and drinks for TWD330.  The cinema experience was great, sound system are good, chairs are comfortable, aircond not too cold and most important thing, there’s no one ringing their mobile phones in the cinema!

It was really an enjoyment to hangout with my dear exploring around the City of Taipei. But its time to say Goodbye again.

5th Jan 2010. Departing from Tao Yuan International Airport to LCCT.

This is really the thing that I hate most, BIG LUGGAGE.  We’ve tried the best to cut down the luggage size, but due to unpredictable weather, we brings lots of thick jacket. But since there’s only 2 of us, we choose to transit to Airport via Bus. It’s a long walk path from Taipei Station to the bus terminal. But its definitely cheaper compare to Taxi fares.

We had our lunch at the airport, shopping and getting on board.  If compare this airport to KLIA, I would they actually looks more comfortable to me. At least there’s a lot of things to see, eat, and buy. Most important thing, the price are reasonable!

Good bye Taiwan, we will be back again, for sure!!
We love Taiwan!!

Wedding photoshoot was done in Ping Dong, and we still have 2 days in Taipei before we fly back to KL.  Initially we plan to visit Jiu Fen 九份, but we overslept and miss the schedule, hence we have to reschedule for our day tour.

One hand on map, one hand on itinerary.
Next destination :  Yang Ming Shan National Park 陽明山國家公園.

Traveling around Taipei its easy, as long as you go to the tourist information counter, and get a map, most of their info were updated. The best part is, most of the tourist attractions can be accessible through public transport.

As we stayed at Future Star Hotel 明日饭店 in Ximending 西門町, so we will transit to Jiantan MRT station, and catch a bus to Yang Ming Shan. Do mark this station, as it is very convenient for any bus transfer. Most of the bus would be passing this route and it could save you lots of time and cost efficient.

Future Star Hotel 明日饭店 is highly recommended for budget travelers. We paid for RM120 per night, for its location that save you time and just 2 steps to shopping heaven. But please do not expect for a 5 stars hotel,  at least its clean and neat.

Before we proceed to Yang Ming Shan, we did explore around Shih Lin, the big cities seems quiet during day time. Not much shop open for business. Most probably they operate at night and from what I heard their culture start business in the afternoon.

Camwhoring ^.^ while waiting for bus.

The bus journey to Yang Ming Shan will take around 45minutes to an hour from Jiantan Station. You just have to catch the local bus where you would pass by lots of residential area.  We took bus number R5 (red) to Yang Ming Shan. All the way up to the hilly road, you could see universities and research center.

When you reach the final station, you can hop on to the Mini Bus which travels you around Yang Ming Shan by using bus number 108. The climate is getting cooler roughly around 12′c. Even the vegetables sold here looks greener.  And I still challenge myself  by just wearing one thin long sleeves and scarf.

Look at this map, it shows the hot spot at Yang Ming Shan and the bus route. We do not have that much of time to go to each of the spot, as some are just for sight seeing only. Hence we chosen a few popular hot spot by tourists.

Yang Ming Shan is popular for the cherry blossoms in Spring, but since it is Winter, you could just go up the mountain and see the beauty nature scenery.

1st stop: Erzihping Trail (二子坪步道)

Basically, this stop attracts more people for mount hiking.  There’s proper trail that allow you to walk up to the peak. We weren’t prepare for that, with our attire its totally not match.

We asked some other tourist, what’s up there, they replied us, “oh, its just a piece of land which the scenery is just so – so”. Worth to go ?  He chuckled.

We gave up after walking for 15 minutes. And stop halfway to have photoshoot. Scenery are absolutely nice and simply breathtaking.

2nd stop: Xiaoyukeng (小油坑)
The fog is getting thicker, weather is getting cooler up here.
Smells of rotten eggs are every where. Haha, do you dare to challenge the sulfur? You could see some small volcano spot left over but its not dangerous.

The pictures are getting blur here, hardly focus.
Anyway, it was a great experience exploring Yang Ming Shan.

I heart this kind of weather so much. I bought a cup of instant noodle, with hot soup from the cafeteria. Its so enjoying to have it in such a weather!

We choose to go back to City centre for our dinner. For those who opt to go for Hot Spring bath, you would see a few outlets on the way down. Some offers free admission, some you might have to pay. You should try it once in a lifetime.

Overall the trip to Yang Ming Shan consider as a very relaxing trip. You skip away from the busy and hectic city. Avoided jams and air pollutions.  Yang Ming Shan is also a good place for the elderly too!

Here it comes to Day 3, happening at Ping Dong 屏东, Taiwan.

As scheduled, we have to wake up at 5.30 in the morning. Breakfast is provided at the Motel’s breakfast shop.  I like the concept of this Breakfast station, maybe we could have one of these too someday in Miri. The shop is very simple, mostly it serves for take away. In the menu it has variety of foods, from noodles to bread, all Homemade meals. There’s even sushi for breakfast! Yum Yum!

We’ve chosen to sit outside the shop which is just next to the road. It’s winter morning, roughly around 15c but the morning breeze makes us feel great!

As this is part of the complimentary voucher from the Motel, Alex and I would not miss a chance to try most of the choices. Haha, silly us, we’ve eat too much, bloated and feel sleepy for the photo shoots.

My Make Up Artist – MUA – Xiao Yi came to fetch us and transfer to the Bridal Shop. Make up starts about 7 in the morning and follow up with photo shooting.

Feeling nervous and excited. What would my outcome after her make over. Its always a nightmare to ladies when you open up your eyes and found that the make up looks awful. Lucky enough, I have more than 100% confident with Xiao Yi after I see the outcome.

This is the first gown shooting with the Blue Barbie gown.
Personally I do think I’m kinda looks like “fat” Barbie. What do you think? Hmm..??

Here it goes for the 1st set of the Indoor photo shoot. Haha, Alex looks charming too right?

The 2nd set goes to elegant series. I would never expect to have that “longkang” thanks to WonderBra! Anyway, this long gown was indicate by me which I wish to have a cool and elegant series of myself. Usually we won’t have chance to dress up this way, so this could be the only chance to looks a bit overdo.

3rd gown is the white, which is one of my favourite!
I think I have the most photos from this series.

This is their studio, looks simple but every corner would come out an absolute photography.

Let’s have a close up look for our make up.
Bear in mind, my face and his face both applied with Ampoule – essence for makeup which cost us RM250!!! It’s overpriced but what to do , you’ve already sit down and they say you MUST apply this or else your makeup won’t be nice. Sounds threatening huh!?

The outdoor photography starts in the afternoon. We did not have time to have lunch, yet we are still full so we have some takeaway Sushi Rolls from 7/11 on the way to Kenting Park.

Kenting is the most popular beach in Taiwan, where lost of tourist and local people would spend their leisure time. The journey to Kenting would take around 2 hours.

The 4th white gown. I heart the Hair Accessories very much !!
Our photographer – Ah Sou who is also our Driver was really thoughtful that he suggest to have some shots from the church while on the way to Kenting.

As for the 5th gown, it is grey in colour. So we have this photoshoot at Kenting. The weather was quite bad when we just arrive. It was a bit foggy and rain start right after a few shots.

But since we were there, shooting must be continue, although its under the rain. No worry, as long as the camera can be anti rain, it shouldn’t be a problem! Hey, did I tell you that we saw Rainbow? It comes out right after the rain! =) So sweet !

Here comes the last gown, the Green one. Hey, don’t ask me why I choose green, that’s just because I found it rocks! Green is my color!

This is also part of Kenting, but more further up to the hilly ways. I just change my gown and touch up by the road side. Feel myself like a superstar! Hahaha..

Till the final scene, Kenting Beach!!!
Finally, the last scene which is also the happiest scene. But thinking of another 2 hours journey back to PingDong, it wouldn’t help to release the tiredness.

Its been a one whole day event. From morning till night.
I think the crew should deserves more credit since they were with us throughout the session.

This is Ah Siang  , very cute guy. He is the assistant photographer.

Thanks to him again, we’ve chance to try out lots of different food from Ping Dong.

Believe me, all the above are meant for our dinner! Crazy ! Crazy!!!!

Ulcers popping out. Few camwhole shots before I turn back to the reality.
That’s the end of the photoshoot.

Apparently it is very tiring but I this is a wonderful journey of me and Alex and we appreciate it very much. =)

Before I get caught catching snakes blogging, I better rush up my Day 2 trip. I really miss the cool breeze in Taiwan. Its been more than 20 days not raining in Miri and finally it rained heavily yesterday. =)

Early in the morning we took the MRT to to Taipei Mainstation. It’s 01-01-2010 New Year, which we assume it will be very pack in the station.  Although we have bought the HSR – High Speed Rail ticket earlier, but we still depart from Hotel around 8.30 just in case we lost of direction.

Arriving at Taipei Main Station roughly about 9 something in the morning. It can be seen that there’s lot of people heading back to hometown after one night of hectic countdown. As for us, today we are going to KaoShiung for our Wedding PhotoShoot. Exciting Exciting Exciting!

The train depart from Taipei Main Station and will stop by a few station around Taiwan. So we are going from the top to the bottom, which is the last stop called Zuo Ying. Train Ticket Cost $1490 for one way.

This is the first experience travel with High Speed Train, I’ve yet to try the one in Japan so try this also not bad la! haha. The speed is up to 263km/h or it could be higher. I don’t feel anything but time pass by very fast as it is really comfortable to sleep and watching the view all the way up to Zuo Ying. And I do have chance to try their Railway Bento too. Honestly speaking, although it looks good , but it taste bad! Once is enough.

The bridal shop – NY Vogue 1999’s wedding planner – Alan has arrange to fetch us from the railway station and we were transfer to the Bridal shop. From Zuo Ying to Ping Dong would take about 45 minutes to reach.

Alan is kind enough to show us all some great local delicacies, and he even bought us the very popular 50Lan’s Pearl Milk Tea & the Fried Meat Bun.

So this is the Bridal Shop.

It is a 5 storey building, more or less like what we seen in KL. But to me, they are more professional? But I just love the way of their photography shooting that’s why I’ve chosen to have my photo shoot here.

I was there to pick out the gown for the shooting, I was given 3 white gown and 3 evening gown.  NY Vogue are really professional compare to what I’ve survey locally in Miri. All their gowns are well organized and they even let you choose their gown over the screen. So I do not need to take out all the gown one by one. I just have to check through their catalog and they will show me the real piece. Isn’t that so convenient?

There’s too much too choose, but just that some are too fancy that I think it’s not suitable for me. Anyway, we have get it done within a few hours so its time for us to check out the stay which is compliment in the wedding package.

Basically the stay was fabulous, it could be classified as VIP rooms. Each of the room has different design and the one we got was the Balinese Style.  I think by this Motel stay itself has already worth for the package.

Everything was well planned, so we do have sufficient time to visit Kao Shiung. All the staffs from NY Vogue are real nice.  They sent us to the railway station again and we catch the train to Kao Shiung.

This is the first time we try the old type trains, its even older than our KTM.  However the trains were well maintained except of its speed.

The first destination we go is the night market. 瑞风夜市。There’s too much things to eat here!

You get to eat the big octopus 3 for RM 10 only~~!

Even the guava also super crunchy and sweet.

There’s a lot of local food that we never try before, dare to try?

The fun fair @ the night market.

Next we went to the other shopping street. Xin Jue Jiang Market. Also highly recommended by the local.

Here would be the shopping heaven for me. I found lots of cheap stuffs here.

Believe me, these specs are all RM10 only.. hahah and I bought 2!

It’s getting late, but I’ve yet to finish my shopping. But since I want to be a pretty bride, I got to go back early and sleep early. Hahaha.. Just around 10.30 we’ve reach PingDong and pick up by Alan again. It was a pleasant journey to Kao Shiung and I highly recommend girls to go shopping here. If compare to Taipei, all the things in Kao Shiung seems to be much cheaper. So If you have chance, this is a must visit spot! Do not missed it!

When Air Asia first launch the Taipei101 ticket promo, Alex and I just have a click in seconds to get all the bookings done. Initially we do not have any planning towards this trip, simply a vacation. By times gone by, lots of planning has been implement, and yes, we’re going to Taiwan for our Pre honeymoon trip and Wedding photo shoot.

It seems fated that I’ll bump into the wedding fair in Miri. Coincidentally they are from Taiwan too! It was really attractive that I’ve agreed to sign up the package with them. Months and months to go, looking forward to our Taiwan trip. Finally, 30th Dec 2009 has come.

We transited at KL and flew over to Taipei with AirAsia X from LCCT on the next day. It’s new year eve. Both of us are really excited. Its winter time in Taiwan, estimated to be 13′c on this new year eve. That’s gonna be very memorable!

The flight was full, this could tell that lots of people really heart Taiwan. This is my second visit to Taiwan, but a different feeling cos this time I’m going with my love ones. =) We reached TaoYuan International Airport around 2pm. Apparently, Nee – my buddy in Miri were in Taiwan for vacation too! She & YW came to meet us at Airport and then we transfer to the 8 elephant HOSTEL that Alex booked online.

Due to Peak season on this new year eve, lots of hotel in Taipei City were fully booked. We could only locate this Hostel at slightly higher price but comfy. 8 elephant hostel is run by a pretty young lady, and most of the guest who stay here were more to backpackers. For short – Ang moh lang!  Its location is quite good, just a few minutes walk from the Guting MRT station. The very popular ShiDa Night Market also just a few steps nearby.

From the Taipei Main Station, its totally packed when night gets nearer. Everyone were out for Countdown. 4 of us went to Ximending and have our new year dinner at one of the very popular steampot shop – Fei Tian 飞天。The steampot selection here are absolutely much much better than what we had in Malaysia. You may select 2 types of soup out of 4. You can have unlimited selection of foods from meat to vege and to desserts.RM40 per head.

That’s it, our wonderful steampot new year dinner at Taiwan. Thanks for the treat , Ah Nee!

Greeting each other a Happy New Year, and we separated and have our own countdown.

I was eagerly waiting to watch the fireworks at Taipei 101. So to use up the remaining time wisely before it reach 12, Alex and I spend some time exploring Ximending.

Ximending is a shopper’s heaven. Its true, there’s lots of great stuff can be seen here. Other than great foods, there’s even magician performance by the street, live band, cosplay & etc. You will never get bored here as long as your pocket is thick enough.

As time getting nearer to 11, lots of fireworks can be seen playing at Ximending. The whole phenomenon seems brighten up! Its time for us to move on to Taipei 101.

I’ve been told that it might be very jam. We’re just trying our luck. Getting stuck half an hour inside the MRT station, packed & humid in the underground and the authority announce that the gate has been closed. Obviously, they are controlling the traffic.

20 minutes to Year 2010. We decided to go back to Hostel and see anything happening. The weather is getting colder. Both of us are freezing on the way walking back to Hostel. To my surprise, the residents seems quite. No celebrating. I bet most of them are clever, avoid the jam and watch TV at home.

The moment that we’ve been awaiting was ended up in the bathroom, listening to the fireworks but can’t witness it. Sigh. Worst case is, Hostel does not provide towel and we did not bring our own towel. There’s no reception, this is not a hotel. Let’s guess how we dry up after bathing in the freezing cold winter midnight?

It has been a tiring long journey from Malaysia to Taipei. We gotta rest earlier for the next day. We’re going to Ping Dong 屏东. Although its a little disappointment, but at least I have a memorable year of 2010 with my love one.

Coming up next, Ping Dong 屏东 . Our wedding photo shoot trip. =)

Noticed that Maswings are doing promo lately. I’m talking about Maswings, subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines which take cares of Sabah and Sarawak’s inbound flight.

First they’ve monopolized the market, control all the ticket prices which is way more expensive. It may be expensive than going  oversea compare to some other airlines.

Take a very short examples for Miri to Sibu which I fly most. They used to come out something like Maswings Prepaid, which for me back then the fare is still acceptable although it is still quite expensive which is RM90 for one way. But okay, at least its less than RM200 which still not equivalent to air ticket to KL by using Air Asia. But then, they’ve stop it, and implement something new.

For now, the ticket price normally starts from RM138 onwards exclude of Taxes. For a return flight, the minimum I’ve to spend would start from RM280. If I book within a week, the ticket price would hike up to RM300 ++. Is that really reasonable for such a short distance and just flying in the ATR72?

Okay, that’s enough, I can’t say much, they’ve invest on the new ATR fleet. Since they monopolized the whole market, we, the people in Sabah and Sarawak need to pay more to fly! Fly nearer but pay more. This is totally unacceptable.

Can’t you come out something like budget airlines? Or give us more promotions?

Yes, they did actually, but its just another gimmick from them.

I saw this on Maswing’s facebook page. I’m really happy to see that Miri – Sibu are having offers for as low as RM12 one way. That’s really help me to save a lot of money and time. The truth is, the promotions are totally invalid. I’ve been clicking the whole schedule from 01Jan2010 till 30thJune2010. I didn’t see any! All started with RM138.

Okay, assumed that the above promo are not ready, or they published wrongly which I totally can’t get it from their webs. That’s fine! ….

Dear Maswings,

Can you tell me what actually happened to your Malaysia Airlines’s System?? Ada problem kah? If you are unable to give good promo, then don’t give!

Your booking systems are not as good as other airlines. MAS ground staffs are mostly not helpful. Unless you know any of them, maybe its easier. The customer careline are always busy. If you have anything urgent, you just don’t hope they could assist you, I think you might have already drive to Airport and get everything settled.

I’m very disappointed with Maswings. I really hope they could have much more improvement over their marketing skills. Not to give empty hopes only. Please reduce your fare. Those in rural areas are those who need to fly more frequent. We in Sabah and Sarawak don’t have big highways that connect us to everywhere. If we have more and better options, I will not take flights. The truth is, that’s the most convenient way.

If you really want to serve the mass market, then you should be able to make everyone can fly with not much hassle.

So please!

Please be more considerate and love us, your customers more. I’ve been flying with you for ages even before you turn into Maswings.  Don’t you have any better deals for us?

Please make sure, your pilots won’t be as the picture below. Even if Free tickets it shouldn’t be in this way!

Thank you so much!

Your’s sincerely,

Mary Ting aka Goolooloo
Your loyal passenger

I used to be a daily blogger, little bits of things must blog, no matter big or small. I thought that was my responsibilities as a blogger to blog whatever I like. Well Said, but due to my long working hours, I do feel that blogging actually spends me quite a lot of time. I need to have “ideas”, I need to have “pictures” in order for me to blog. The most important thing is, Do you still read blog nowadays?

I gotta admit, I rarely read blog ever since I’ve addicted to Facebook. Anyway, FB is a very successful lifetime interacting tools, which is fun enough to update, or to “kaypoh”. But don’t ever take things too seriously over FB cos you’ll never know who is reading or stalking you behind the screen.

No, I don’t like Twitters. So not to have further comments on it.

Goolooloo.com was once a most popular blogs of Miri Community but not in Malaysia. Seeing the other bloggers being nominates, I could only say their hard works paid off. This could never happen on lazy bloggers like me. Anyhow, my blog will remain. I’ll still update on my travelogue as usual but have to cut down all my travel plans due to my tight budget plans.

My next travel destinations will be on Sandakan. =) Domestic travel would be fun cos you don’t have to worry about the currencies difference or the language problem. Let’s have some fun with the “Orang Utan”!

Image Source

I’ll be back!

Hari Raya might falls on the 21st Sept, but Bongkersz and I had an earlier Balik Kampung Trip today. It has been a month since I last met my dear, so Sibu here I come!

We start the journey at 6am, which was too early for me but still I made it. After an hour of journey we stopped by at Batu Niah to refuel the RON95 and release some fluid from our body.

And we made a conclusion, from Miri to Batu Niah need to spend RM15’s petrol.

The weather change dramatically all the way up to Sibu.

It is suddenly full of Fogs..

*Welcome to Cameron Highland*

Followed by the Big Rains that blurred all your vision..

But don’t worry, I have a steady driver.

Sambil Driving, Sambil Makan Lee Fah Mee!!!

The Journey took 5 hours, and we directly meet up Alex at Mitsu Tea House.

My dear dear waiting for our arrival

Bongkersz better get some recharge before he head back to Sarikei.

Let’s have some tea

And Some Dim Sum.

Eh, before I forget, Will Chua was there too! And he is going to celebrate Hari Raya at Kuching this year.

So how’s your Raya holiday? Have you plan anything yet? I’m planning to go Karaoke tomorrow! Yay!!!

Anyway, kepada semua muslimin dan musliman, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.