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. =)

Decision made, Phuket trip canceled.

Initially,Alex has chosen Phuket as our next travel destination. We were very looking forward for this trip, but at the same time H1N1 was announced.

It has been a dilemma for both of us. At first, we thought, we pray very hard, hoping that the H1N1 would be solved in a short while, but we were wrong. Cases are increasing. It has now reach the Pandemic. Schools are closing. Travelers are canceling their flight. What about us? Shall we be alert too?

Now, talk of Phuket. I’ve been following online news, reading the H1N1 situation in Phuket. At first, i was so happy, as there was no cases declared. Weeks after weeks, cases keep growing. Phuket is one of the effected zone.

So what’s the next plan?

Since the tickets bought, we will still proceed our travel plan, but just to KL. When I’ve made this decision, my pig friend told me, “Eh I tell you ah, KL is even worst than Phuket ah!”. Splashhhh… another pail of cold water poured on me. Like this also cannot like that also cannot, that is damn mtfksien ley!

However, come to the conclusion. We have decided to go KL (my shopping mission) and travel up to Melaka or Penang for a short trip. You must be saying the same thing, why so waste? Go Phuket la! So kiasi meh?

Alex insist to stay back in Malaysia. In fact, he is right. We have very tight schedule and limited time. What if we were request to quarantine, that would not be extra holiday, but will lead to many many pending jobs on hold. Think twice, I’ve agree to stay back in Malaysia.

Wish me good luck! I’m looking forward to my holiday!!!

Pray hard hard now, no flu, no fever, no cough. Vitamin C on the go!!!

p/s: Michael Jackson’s Heal The World keep playing in my mind now. May him rest in peace, and hope that he can really heal the world.

Enough of theme parks and wildlife animals. Time to do some shopping before I finish up my Gold Coast travelogue. Basically, in Australia, it is definitely not a good place for me to do shopping. I’m a cheapskate, as what my friends described me. So I won’t spend my hard earned money on those super branded and no value thingy. Ouch! Sounds so sarcastic eh!

Before we landed in Gold Coast, I’ve read the 3sixty magazine , the in-flight magazine of Air Asia. Good enough, they are covering places to go in Gold Coast. Harbour Town is one of the recommended shopping heaven that not to be missed.

At Harbour Town, you can see many many branded factory outlets and  other designers brand. And the best thing is , they will have sales almost everyday! I was very curious, money ready, shopping bag ready, time to go shopping!!!!

We went into all the outlets, mostly are fashion outlets.

Surprisingly, the fashion and sizes are not suitable for Asians. Yet, I found that even after 50% discount, it’s still expensive! But according to Eet, he said the prices are slightly cheaper after converted to MYR.

Seriously, if all the items are in MYR, I think I will find Harbour Town more interesting. The environment are nice, walking at the open air alley, breathing the fresh breeze. You won’t feel the hectic when you squeeze with many many people inside a shopping mall. Even the dogs are enjoying here too!

This should be St.Bernard if not mistaken. He’s so handsome right?

Cinemas, Restaurants and other Entertainments are also available here.

Conclusion is , my shopping bag was still empty. The tummy was empty too!

Alex says its the best juice bar in Australia, and forcing me to try out the AUD6 per giant glass. Taste not bad, especially to chill out on a hot sunny day.

Want to have some?

We had our lunch before we headed back to Surfers Paradise. It was quite disappointing that we did not even hunt for a single item. However, it was a 30 minutes bus ride to reach Harbour Town, at least, I covered up the other part of Gold Coast.

At my first thought,  Movie World must be very fun! It is highly recommended over the net.  However. the weather shows a sign that the visit to Movie world’s gonna sucks. Big thunder rain was following us the whole day!

I’m not a big fans of Bugs Bunny or any of the looney toons character. Maybe I just don’t have much of my childhood time, so I can’t walk back to the memory lane.

But since we were there. I will try my best to entertain myself. Enjoying the looney toons show~ although I’m no longer 3 years old ley!

That was just part of the show. We did enjoy ourselves watching the 4D show.

It’s the Shrek! Quite entertaining, feeling that you are really into the Shrek Movie.
But again, I think kids will be more excited, isn’t it?

This is really a wonderland for kids, but not for me, until I have my own kids, maybe I’ll consider it again.

I know some of you might ask, what about the theme park? All those adventurous roller coaster’s ride? The most popular ride at the movie world might be this, the Superman Escape!

Sorry la hor, I don’t dare to try, I have height phobia, I just don’t have guts. Satisfied??

There’s really nothing much left if I don’t like looney toons, and I don’t dare to go for Roller Coaster ride.

What else to do if this I don’t like that I don’t dare? Take picture lo! There are scheduled shows in every hour.

Scooby-doo show..

An imitate Marilyn show

She looks gorgeous anyway..quite bitchy tho..

and the Batman show.. Oh ya. I did snap the Batman’s car!

It’s the real one oh!!! It was located at the Gotham City … of Movie World. :p

Some candid camera before we catch the bus back to Surfer’s paradise.

Me and the antique taxi

A potrait for yen.

I know I missed out someone again. Eet was damn mood swing that day, sorry no photograph of him is allowed.

Will you come again? The asnwer is…

NO~!!!!!!!!!!! No! no! no!!!!
Honest speaking, if you love the roller coaster’s game, it is worth for a try. At least the superman will carry you flying around.

Coming up next, Sea World. Gold Coast.

This is the 2nd day of our trip.
Australia tourism board are doing lots of promotion activities through many channels.

As our trip to the theme parks will fall on the 3rd and 4th day, hence we decide to get some information from the hotel receptionist. It is glad that one of the young men there are please to help us.

Supposedly we plan to visit Brisbane for a day trip, but the guy told us that it would just see nothing other than the skyscrapers. True enough. He introduced us to visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and since from the TV advert it seems quite fascinating, and given discount for tourist.

So why wait, for sure I’ll grab the chance to meet the Koala Bears. We took the local bus which will stop right in front of the sanctuary.

Passed! I’m entering the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary of Gold Coast, Australia.
The admission fee AUD$21 , discounted price for tourist.

Get set go, right after the entrance, there will be a mini train service that will bring us around the park. The train will stop at the sub station, and tourist are free to enter the park they wish.

Stop #1 Koalas

Wake up!!! Why are you so lazy?

Nebermind! I saw another one here, but its quite far..

I borrow the lens from Yen, her new gun, 200mm and zoom nearer.
This koala looks cute also leh, but a bit “juling”?

Another arrogant koala! Cis!

What is this Koala doing? Hugging the tree only?

Oh, he is hugging the tree trying to eat the leaves. What a naught koala…

Ok, one last shot. The Sleeping King! WAkakakakkaa..

Next
Stop #2

What is this? It looks so fierce..

But she’s friendly, although she looks weird.

Do you know what it’s called?
Its EMU. Credit to my dear, he taught me one. =.=

Stop #3

Dead or Alive?

Ya! I’m entering the Kangaroo zone.
This is the first time I have body contact with Kangaroo. We can feed the Kangaroos as long as we buy the feeds from them. Haha, I even hugged the Kangaroos.

Hmm, why does he looks so old? Maybe she’s the Grandma.

Here comes the Grandpa?

The mother playing the baby Kangaroo

and the Baby sleep inside the mother’s pocket.

The father busy cleaning his little brother.. ahem.

And the young one resting and jumping around.

Isn’t that cute?

Stop #4
Enough of the Kangaroo, lets have a peak at the birds.

This is duck la,…according to my dear. Another lesson learned.

The pigeon. This one i know.

What about this? I really dunno, can you tell me please?

What an Iguana? Sorry I hate reptiles…

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to one of the world’s largest collections of Australian Animals featuring over 1400 individual animals from over 200 species! But why am I only featuring these few types? Its because I’m lazy to discover more.

I did took some great Bokeh for the wildlife flowers..

and this..

Oh ya, some portraits of the handsome boys and pretty girls.

Yen, so busy taking pictures.

Ah Yen inside the train…

Eet, acting “cool”

The cute and friendly kids..

Handsome or not?

Last, the sangat cantik one.. me.. !!!! Wakakakaka

1pm. Its time to go for lunch. I was so hungry, I need foodddddddddd!

Taking the train back to the front entrance. Phewit, Eet sitting with his new gf.

We reached the Sactuary cafe. There are not much food varieties, yet the price are really scaring.

The cheapest meal that we can afford

Sandwich… Sandwich!!! Varieties of Sandwich!

But at least its filling. AUD $ 9 = RM 22.50 per sandwich meal! Kill Me Please!!

Let’s call it a day. It’s time to go home.. What about some souvenir?

Budget list:
Admission Fee: AUD$21
Lunch: AUD$9
Local Bus fare : 0 (fare included in the 5 days transport pass)