The 4th post of the day, yes i am crazy.

Taken at one of the hotel in Taiwan. Its a cassette player! Cool!

I am trying my best to get myself concentrate in order to write an interesting post without much errors.

My Taiwan travelogue has yet to be ended, but i am just too lazy to write a closing. Hence, i browse through the pictures, sourcing some blogging topics, to my surprise, I’ve actually taken lots of toilet photos!!! *Some strange habits*

Toilet Sign @ one of public toilet

Ok, this is not typo error, don’t blame them for their broken English, I bet they are trying hard to get us understand too. At least you understand it meant for LADIES not LIDEAS.

Can you understand the message they are trying to send?

Again. I know there are those grammatical mistakes. I believe Mr.STP sure start grumbling how can they make such mistakes.

The message is actually wanted to WARN the toilet users not to throw ANYTHING into the toilet bowl. It can be seen in most of the public toilet. Other than your poo and pee and TOILET PAPER,  others are not accepted! Some of the toilet not even allow you to dispose the toilet paper, that is why they will always prepare a bin beside the toilet bowl for your disposal purposes.

Restroom = 化妝室 (Hua Zhuang Si) -In Taiwan

Somehow, if you ask me what is 化妝室 (Hua Zhuang Si) , I will actually answer you its, MAKE UP ROOM. Ok, now is Taiwan people turn back and laugh at Malaysia’s banana Chinese. =.=

Squatting toilet bowl and flushing pedal!

No matter where i go, most of the public toilet remains clean. Probably of the design, and the practices that they do. I prefer squatting toilet which is more hygiene to me, further more, they are using this flushing pedal which is much more easier for me to flush the toilet bowl!

Somehow i do believe Big Taukeh like him sure don’t like Squatting at the toilet.

Urgent Button. STP, i guess they meant for EMERGENCY BUTTON.

I saw this URGENT button inside the toilet of the highway rest stop. This is how good their public facilities is. Something that we really need to practice from them. Do you aware lots of criminal actually happen in toilet? Hmmm.. think about it! Not only criminals, you can’t smell when accidents happen too!

There’s also CCTV installed at the entrance of the toilet, but that only applies to certain Public Toilets around Taiwan. Mostly are the tourist attractions places.

Lastly, the best practice that Malaysia should adapt! All their toilets are FREE OF CHARGE for entrance!! Not like in Malaysia, got RM0.20 la, RM0.50 la, RM 2 for auto toilet la and the 5star one la.. bla bla bla.. We are also tax payer wat.. *out of topic*

dd=.=bb
Simplify your life, days goes on easier.

Gonna catch up some great movies. :p

It has come to Day 3 of our stay in Taiwan.
While Day 2 we went to HuaLien, visited the Taroko and Amei cultural, today we depart to KaoShiung, another city that never sleep.

Before we left for KaoShiung, there are few factories to visit, all those are the yabadabadu things.. so i dun blog about it.. let’s go to the beach!

This is a very famous beach in Hualian, its pronounce as “qi xing tan” somehow i dunno how to write the “tan” so i replace with a “tan~”. Haha. That’s how my broken chinese goes!

The beach is very clean, but there’s not much sand can be seen, mostly are rocks! So we are told to collect some special rocks back to Malaysia. Don’t u think its heavy? At first i was greedy, i go find the big big ones.. then think twice, i better get a smaller one! Haha.. but actually what so special about the rocks? I’m not sure.. for me is just a rock, but after i bring so far back from taiwan, it became an imported rocks!

Time to camwhore again! See, its so clean, till i can sleep on the rocks. This jabo really bokuan one. Go where sleep till where. I’m saying myself! LOL~

Did u notice the 3 shadows above? Its Elsie, Ivy and me. Dunno why i sot plug suggest such a photo! But it rocks!!! yay!

Not much activities here, just photo shooting lo, everyone so kiasu, must capture a lot so that go back can show off. Nah, so here i show off also lar! Watch out!! Danger photo aheaD!!

Wakaka.. so big got frightened mar? This one really camwhore one le.. I took it myself. Not bad ley.. Muahaha.. i think my photography skills improve to another level again.

The entire day were spent on highways, but we do stop down to enjoy some bento and also fruits.

It is nice to try out their local bento, just like what we always seen in TV, their bento is such a complete set. The rice is so soft!!!! Not like our chapfan la. The default set of bento are nicely arrange with eggs and vege in a wooden box, then u just have to choose the main course which you prefer. I ordered the chicken chop! Its so nice!!!! But a bit too salty. Blerk! Its all self service here. After you order, just wait for your meal, and get a place to sit down, get your own soup, and ready your fork and spoon, then EATTTTTTTTTT like a hungry ghost.

*Remember, after eating, please clean up your mess!*

By the time we reach KaoShiung, its almost 7pm so we directly had our dinner at a local restaurant. Before we check in to hotel, we went to “Xin Zhe Jiang” night market. This market are quite small, but the things that sold here are very unique. This is more to youngster’s trend. Yo… i’m still young!

I think I bought few things from there.. as souvenir lo.. hehe.. and i bought the lucky sprout. The lucky sprout was engraved with some lovely words. I haven’t try to plant it as i can’t find any soil, will try it and see if it grows or not!

Yen suggest to take photo stickers, wow, we really seems like young girl ley.. still go take those kind of photo thingy.. shame shame, but its FUN! If in Malaysia, i think its hardly for me to step in lo, just like the one at Sg.Wang, always so crowded with young meimei..

We check in Hotel around 9pm. Night is still young, just by 10mins walking distance from our hotel, we reach AiHe, Lover’s river.

The nightview here was great, but as it was too dark, our camera not so good, end up the picture are mostly blurish.. So, not much to share here.

Stomach is calling my name again, so as introduce by our tourguide, we can explore at “LiuHe” night market. HUNT FOR FOOD.

Basically, the whole street are full of hawker stalls with FOOD only. I think we really enjoy the varieties here. The price are fair and choices are more! I like the Papaya Milk the most! Lots of celebrities been there and had a sign on the signboard. Hehe, drink liao can pangsai smoothsmooth lar. Blerk!

I think up to here, my travelogue has go until Day 3. Sorry for the very slow update, i try my best already. Did you notice some changes with the layout of my pictures? Yeap, i’ve got the new photoshop, it lightens my work a lot. But thumbnails are quite small, dun worry i’ll upload the real one to flickr, but wait till i upgrade my account lar! Hahaha…

That’s all for Hualien and KaoShiung. Catch up the next entry of TaiChung. Tata!

九份 Jiu Fen / JiouFen / ChiuFen (Nine Portions)

This place is located near to KeeLung, as we were going there by tour bus, there’s not much hassle in getting there. From the history, there are nine families staying in this village, thus it is name as “Nine portions” as every time there was shipment arrive, they will request for nine portions. It is used to be gold mines in olden days and it was colonized by the Japanese.

As for Today, it has become a very hot tourist attractions, not only to view the wonderful scenery of JiuFen, but its is a good place to hangout during weekend as there are lots of stores selling various delicious foods and also you can get lots of unique souvenir from there.

*Beware, pictures a lottttt, took time to load. Sorry ah..

MOCHI is one of the local favorites that is available in the whole Taiwan. Somehow, this stall in JiuFen gives a different style and taste of Mochi. Its is handmade, and not containing any preservatives. Their packaging are nice, good for gift but too bad we cant take it home as it can only last for 5 days. End up we didn’t buy.

There are lots more of other good food available, the vendors here are smart in doing business, greet you politely and let you free tasting for their food. You just try try try, you already feel full. One more thing good about Taiwan, even tho the food might not taste that good, but due to the nice packaging, you wont bother about how it taste actually. =.=

Along the streets, there are stalls selling different type of food and snacks.
Not all the food can be accepted by me.

Take example of this very popular MEAT BUN, they called it 红糟肉园。 HongZaoRouYuan.
Quite a few stalls selling it, so being curious Yen bought one piece.
I told you i scare pork, i meant it! I don’t dare to try, cos from the color, it looks so bloody sh*t!!
See the picture below, Both Yen and Lynn cannot accept the taste. Wastedddddd!

Popiah Ice Cream is also available here.

O-ni. This is a type of deserts, serve in cold and hot. Made of Tapioca and Yam and served in either red bean soup base, or green bean or peanuts. Its taste like glutinous rice ball, but the Yam or Tapioca smells are strong and its very chewy ! I like it very much, so MUST TRY ! Double Thumbs UP!!

BALLss.. Errm if you lost your balls can go get it at JiuFen, they sell Big Balls!! Haha.. *HintHint*
Err i mean meat balls lar..The price is slightly too expensive, for a piece of Ball, NT130 for 1 piece, no THANKS..Cannot afford to eat.. haha..I rather spend the RM13 buy some other souvenir for you. Hehe..

SAUSAGE. Another local snacks which is very popular in Taiwan, their sausage not like us la, everytime HOTDOG only, they have different flavors one.. The above pictures, the lady try to get more attentions so she dress up herself like a CLOWN. Lol~ If she’s pretty then different say… but she’s not. We just take picture without buying. BAD!

Other than enjoying food, of course we need to enjoy their beautiful scenery. At the same time, there are some tea house available at the end of the streets. Give it a try, cos i didn’t make it to the tea house. Heard that their tea house are great!

We’ve bought lots of souvenirs from here. But i think Desmond spend the most!!! I think he is buying souvenirs for the whole kampung of his. Haha.. Not much bargaining can be done here, their price is fixed unless you buy a LOT..

Next, coming up to TAROKO太魯閣國家公園

Taroko is located near to HuaLian, so we will be staying overnight at HuaLian.

A picture paints a thousand words, guess i don’t have to say much here!
Beautiful and magnificent scene with all the big Rocks!

Hope you enjoy all the pics. See ya!!

台湾野柳风景区 Taiwan YehLiu Geopark “Wild Willows”
This has just come into the Day 2 of my tour, yeap, i am updating one by one, killing you softly!

This visit to YehLiu was kind of excitement, other than seeing the weird colours of the rocks and soils, infact the main attractions is the icon’s of YehLiu -the queen’s head, 女王头. It was formed by the erosion and turn into limestone. Sounds a bit unbelievable, but it is really amazing when i witnessed it.
Click here to know more.

We were given half hour to explore, so the very professional traveller like me, grab the time, shoot shoot shoot, so that i manage to get the best view, without distractions from the other tourist.

Lynn also super active in posing, i think she’s just being too “high”.

The Queens Head

We were not allow to move further to the seashore, as it might be dangerous act. So if you wish to end up your life, give it a try. Maybe if you are badluck, some fisherman will caught you.

The wonderful poses with Queen’s Head.. before its too late..

We’ve been walking along the path to reach the Queen’s head. From near, it is just an ordinary rock, you don’t even know which angle to see it as a Queen’s head. Finally, we’ve found one corner, where it’s best fit the frame, so we quickly grab the chance and capture this moment. Everyone ready? Yeah..

Just by the time we took the picture, the control room made live annoucement in the park, i mean the whole park can hear what she announce. Here it goes..

“请注意,站在女王头前面的旅客,请别触摸女王头!!!!”
It announce: “Attention to the tourist standing in front of Queen’s head, please do not touch the Queen’s Head!”

That was very very embarrassing! MenYiaSoikan!!!! With immediate effect, wejump off from the stone and act as nothing happen! Its very lucky, we are the first group who arrive so not much other people around there. Somehow, the live announcement can be heard all over the park, i think we are just so famous for the first stop!

There are many many rocks around, all in different shapes, formed naturally.

One of the wonderful rocks. Photo taken by Yen.

If u take a clearer look on it, its quite “irritating”, i have phobia seeing it too close. Scare got worms climb out.. Err, i know i think too much!

Overall view, the seashore..looks wonderful.

See, i told u, not much tourist in the early morning, haha..

This is one of my best shot for yehliu. Hope u like it.
Just right in front of the exit, there are stalls selling sea products, give it a try and buy some as souvenirs.

I’ve bought many of these cuttlefish in different flavors. I think i didn’t keep any for myself, mostly give out to friends as souvenirs already. Hehe..next time u go buy for me ok?

Not much to write, i’m having a bad headache. Time to say goodbye.

I dunno what i’m busy at, but i know i like this photo a lot. Thank you, Yen.

Coming up next, JiuFen .

士林夜市 Shi Lin Night Market

This is the most popular night market in Taipei, the city that consist of the largest populations in Taiwan, and this is the place where they hangout, not only by local people but it is also a wonderful tourist attractions. Shi Lin night market can be considered as the largest and most famous night market in the city. I bet, you heard of it too.

This is not the Pasar Malam back in your hometown. Our pasar malam only sells Kuih, Fried Chicken Wings, and few lelong cheap stuff.  Infact, in shilin there are different varieties of products for sale, from local delicacies to branded clothings.

Remember, this is Night Market, so go only during your night time. They close around 12midnite, but if you are taking MRT, its better u leave earlier in order to catch the last train.

For your info: MRT Station stops at Jian Tan (剑谭）

Wookie, Let’s start the tour to Taipei’s largest Night Market ! Are you ready? Get a tissue to wipe off your saliva as well. :p

Lets get started with my photo as an appetizer. Lol! Who took this photo! Too bright! haha…

As we plan to have our dinner here, hunting for food. So our target is mostly on FOOD!

Have u ever tried “冰糖葫芦”？
Other than the original type, there are also strawberries & tomatoes.

Along the streets, u can see some pretty meimei (妹妹) opening a small stalls and start biz just like that. It can be either selling clothes, jeweleries, socks, cosmetics or some handicrafts. I think in our pasar malam, those vendors are mostly obasang bor…

The 1st stop, we saw this 青蛙粉园 or 爱玉冰。
Remember you gotta look for this FROG brand.

I tell you, it taste  so good!! Although there are only a few flavor for you to choose, but each of it taste very good. I love the green bean flavor, not that sweet, just nice, add on with the 爱玉, which is something like Jelly, you have something  chewy in your drinks. This is something different from the Pearl Milk Tea.

I’m not suppose to have cold beverage, but once in a bluemoon, die die must try lar! Blerk! I know someone will kill me. Haha!

We look around, there are so many choices of food to hunt! But some looks very disgusting for me, so i don’t even feel to take picture of it, whats more to give it a try! Haha..

I’m not sure if u can read the above 3 chinese wording, but i showed it to my friend, he laff till pengsan. Haha.. Well, it is true, this is 鸡蛋糕。 Its a type of cake, but it comes in cute shapes! Let’s have a look, how noti am i~ hahaha!

See, this is a gun! I bang u ! haha~ Lynn still can laugh lol!

Open your mouth Desmond! Die ! Die ! Die !!!! haha…

Kena ketuk by Ayam. No wonder the whole trip those born in the year of Chicken “che” me lar… haiya!

And i found a PIG.. looks like me? haha..
All these are just for fun, it taste normal only, ma ma dei. cant even finish it, end up donate to the dustbin.

This is their PAO, those we eat are steam type, but these are deep fried!

I prefer the Vege Bun, maybe i don’t love Pork.
Haha.. I am Fatimah’s friend, Marina. LoL
Its kind of too oily, but give it a try!! It taste good.

I’m not suppose to Eat ICECREAM too!
Somehow, Yen said this is very popular and highly recommended. So again, its a die die must try.

We called it Popiah Icecream, its custom made, and u can taste the crunchiness of the peanuts mix with the Ice Cream.

Florence, its very nice o!!! Must try!!!

We’ve only done half of the night market, but time is almost up. So we couldn’t do much shopping. In fact, we found the very popular noodle house called, Ah Zhong Mian Sian. 阿忠面线。 This is also highly recommended, even in the TV programs.

I just go straight, in and ordered 3 bowl. You can only either take away, or Dine in By sitting on their bench without table. Totally self-service, and even u have to throw the bowl to the recycle bin your own. I think if they apply this concept in Malaysia, i am for sure the shop will close in a month time. Malaysians are just so lazy. Sorry ah, i am just telling u the truth. Haha..

Somehow, i don’t really like the taste of the noodle, its too sticky, or it consist of those pork liver or whatever organs?  I just don’t like the smell, but just give it a try! Must explore something new mar.

Crab soup. I prefer this. And i think I’m the one who finished this bowl instead of the noodle.

Other than the above mentioned foods, actually we tried lots of other delicacies too. Such as, 臭豆腐 smelly beancurd. I’ve tried once in HK last year, so give me a break, i really cannot accept the smell. Only Lynn and Desmond dare to try, the smell is really really SUCKs!!! Sorry, don’t kiss me if you had taken it. Haha..We tried the fried Quail Eggs too.

We do not manage to try all the food, there’s only limited storage in our tummy. Haha.. Luckily we shared all the portion and divide among 5 of us. Save money and try more. Brilliant concept!

Anyway, coming up there are more night markets to explore! This is just the starting~ Hope you like this entry, will keep you update soon. Please stay tune~

Do u know that actually Taiwan’s agriculture is very innovative? I bet, u dunno, not until i tell u this!

I’m holding the Milk Apple, it is big, as round as my face, err i think mine is bigger, i mean myFace.

According to our tourguide, the milk apple was invent by the taiwanese. Istead of red apple, they add in milk flavor. How they did it, i dunno. How it taste, i even dunno! Cos our apple was left at hotel, wuwuwu! RM7 for one piece!

Milky Apple.

In Malaysia, we get used to scale things either by gram or kilogram. Somehow, in places like China, Hongkong and also Taiwan, their measurement unit is in Catty / Kati / or 斤which is equal to 680grams.

This is why, sometimes its quite a confusion when weighting some items. Not only we need to convert the currency from NT to RM, but even buying fruits also have to know from Catty to Grams then to RM per kilo. That’s complicated!

Mini Tomato.
Nothing to deny also, their fruits look damn juicy and nice. But we didn’t try most of it, just bought a few and share.

Pala.
It taste like guava, very crunchy and and with a small seed inside.

Anyway, today’s topic we are talking about Fruits in Taiwan, its like very normal when u go some foreign country, you would like to taste their local fruits. Eat more fruits is good for health too.

So this 2 little pretty decide to get some fruits from the hawker at ShihLin nite market. Here come the funny scene happen, i was just beside waiting, meanwhile i see them picking up their fav. fruits.

They’ve just chosen 3 types.
Please take a look at Ivy’s expression. The lady in Pink.

See her face, she frowned!
And Elsie was like , err…… with no answer..

Ivy did not hear wrongly, its really 300 yuan. See her hand holding 1000 yuan, she’s about to pay. But the eyes and the mouth open so big. 3 types of fruits

300 yuan = RM30 est.
1 packet should be 1catty = 650grams* correction from Yen, its NT400 for that 3 packets of fruits*

Yen with AngMo durian.

Ooops this is the Angmoh Durian, actually we call it soursop also. Somehow, those in taiwan is really not sour at all!

Next, we go this Jambu stall called 黑珍珠。

Idunno why.. their fruist are jus so nice!!!

Our group photo~ Yay. Hope u like this fruit entry of Taiwan.

I’m sleep liao. Good nite!

Welcome to my Taiwan Travelogue first entry. I know i’ve been acting lazily, lazy to update, perhaps u should know, i’m still in Holiday mood!! Haha.. Anyway, today I officially move over to my own domain, finally its all done, get set go. I’m not get used of using wordpress, not used of this themes, but time will cure, so hope u do enjoy yourself at my new home~ Welcome!! Please Support!!Previously, i’ve used to blog from Day 0 to Day end. Somehow, this vacation was kind of too long, if i really blog all out, u gonna faint, and i’ve already collapsed. So i just drag out those great points to share share with all of you. As for today, I’ll start of with my overall travelogue experience. If anything wanna ask, just leave me a comment, I’ll try my best to reply you.

Travel Destination : Sibu - JB (transit by onion car to Spore) - Spore - TAIWAN!
Travel Date: 5March08 - 16March08 (6-13March In Taiwan)
Travel Airline: Domestic (AirAsia) / International (Jetstar) *budget airlines*

No. of Travellers: Total of 14 (2 groups) 7 on back pack, 7 on local tour (*me).
Travellers Relations: Friends, Schoolmate, Colleagues, Relatives

My travelmate info:
1. Goolooloo *myself
2. Yen * mybestfriend
3. Lynn *my ex housemate
4. Desmond * Yen’s colleague
5. Rachael * Desmond GF
6. Ivy * Desmond Cousin
7. Elsie * Ivy’s friend

Money Spent!:
Air Ticket : RM900 Sibu to Taiwan
Tour Fees : RM950 for travel agent + accomodation + transport
Additional Tour Fees to Alishan : RM365
Misc Expenses in Taiwan include food, shopping and transport: NT12000 (est RM1250)

Total Expenses: RM 3465 +/- Roughly…

Click to my Flickr for more photos.

My Travel Itinerary :

Day 0: 5March08
Travel from Sibu and arrive Jb, then get the private car service and transfer to Singapore. Stay at my bro’s place at Pasir Ris, Yen, LauWai, Fong, Soothing & Siang also stay over. =.= Met up KingKee.
Links to my previous blog. Click Here.Day1: 6March08
We reach TaoYuan International Airport at 6pm. 
Pick-up by the tourguide, and we checkin to our hotel - Kilin Hotel.
Visit ShihLin Nite Market on our own at nite.

Day2: 7March08
Taipei to Hualian
Places of Interest : Yeh Liu , Jiu Fen, Taroko, Ami Cultural

*Yehliu: The natural rock formations of Yehliu.(wild willows) are an amazing array of artistic shapes created by erosion and other natural forces.*Chiufen: To see the old fashioned way of life that still exists. With the aura of an old mining that still apparent, Chiufen radiates a variety of emotions. *Taroko: The gorge was formed by rushing river waters which have cut straight through the marble and granite to create a beautiful, narrow ravine with waterfalls and patches of mist clinging to the mountains, surrounded by subtropical forests. There are several notable scenic spots in and near the gorge.*Ami Aboriginal Cultural Village: A-Mei is an aboriginal tribe in Hualien. In this cultural center, you can see A-Mei people’s unique life style and enjoy delicious A-Mei cuisines.

Day3: 8March08
HuaLian to KaoShiung
Places of Interest : 7xintan Beach , XinZheJiang nite market, Ai He, Liu He Nite Market*Sin Jiao Jiang Night Market: It’s a popular place for delicious food, mid-night snacks and shopping

Day4: 9March08
KaoShiung to TaiChung
Places of Interest : Xuen Tian Shang Di, Chun Qiu Ge, Fo Guang Shan (Temples), Hot Spring

*Spring And Autumn Pavilions: Where you will be amused by gigantic statues of Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Hsuan Tien Shangti Temple. *Fo Guang Shan: It is the center of Buddhism in southern Taiwan.*Chi Lin Fong Hot Spring: Try to experience the rustic yet refined hot spring cultural, and rela your body and soul. First bath for 3-5 mins, and never go in for more than 15 mins each time.*Fong Jia Night Market: You could not only shop for the low-price clothes, but also try the local food. 

Day5: 10March08
TaiChung to Taipei
Places of Interest : Mao’s princess, Zhong Lie Chi, Gu Gong, DanShui, Taipei 101, Zhi You Guang Chang 

*Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall: Is the island’s most impressive monument to the great Chinese Hero. *Martyr’s Shrine: To view an elaborate ceremony of changing guards hourly.*National Palace Museum: The world’s largest assemblage of priceless Chinese art treasures, one which spans Chinese’s nearly 5,000 year history. *101 Shopping Mall: Enjoy your shopping in the tallest building in the world.*Shihlin Night Market: Great place of local handicrafts, clothes, toys, tasty local snacks and souvenirs.

Day6: 11March08
Taipei - Alishan
Places of Interest : Fen Qi Hu, Alishan
 

Day7: 12March08
Alishan - Taipei
Places of Interest : Alishan - Yushan, Ri Yue Tan

Day8: 13March08
Taipei Half Day Free & Easy - Back to Singapore
Places of Interest : 5FenPu, Miramar
Links to my previous blog. Click Here.

14 -16 March08
I stay back at Singapore to meet up old friends+some shopping.
Links to my previous blog. Click Here.16March08
Transfer to JB, meet up Lynn & Cute and back to Sibu.
Links to my previous blog. Click Here.