Wednesday, December 24, 2008
6 Dec 08
Day 2
Early in the morning, my parents were supposed to wake up early to attend his church in Taiwan.
My dad called my hotel room and told me that he had decided to go for the 10am session as he was not able to make it for the 8am session.
I went to wash my face, had my breakfast and left the hotel. I lead them all the way to his church. As I did not know that it was a long walk (about half an hour) from the nearest mrt station（中正纪念堂） to his church, therefore he was late for his 10am session.
After which, i walked back to the station and took a train back to 西门町 to print my itineraries that I had planned before going to Taiwan. Next, I went to meet my sis and her friend. We did some shopping and took a train to 中正纪念堂 station to meet up with my parents. We took some pictures of the memorial hall and lake and visited the nearby book store and took a train to 北投 station.
Arriving at 北投 station at 3pm
We took the bus 小9 to Yang Ming Shan (竹子湖）. We boarded the 3.40pm bus.
It took about one and a half hr to reach there. Along the way up Yang Ming Shan, the bus past by a hot spring which has a high content of sulphur and the smell was unbearing. Initially, I did not know that the smell came from the sulphur, thinking it was the smell of the drain water.
小9 bus schedule
Upon reaching 竹子湖, the weather was even colder, the wind was blowing even more strong than in 西门町. It was so cold that smoke could be seen coming out from our mouth as we talked.
Along the way up the mountain, my sister bought her Calla Lilly flower (海芋） and we had our dinner at a restaurant. Most restaurants were almost selling the same food. We had sweet potato soup, 土鸡 （the restaurant speciality) and some kind of fried yam pasteries. The yam pasteries looks nice but do not taste great. After which, we walked up and saw people selling all sorts of fruits. They gave us sample some of their fruits and we bought some. Next, I happened to chanced upon a house which have a sign saying: people were allowed to pluck those calla lillies at their own free will. We went into the backyard and were happily plucking them. Upon leaving the place, an old lady reprimanded us for entering the backyard without asking any permission. We did not know what to do and say and so we apologised to the old lady quickly and left the place as soon as possible and took the 小9 bus back to 北投 station.
On our way back, we met the waiter who had served us just now on the bus. We exchanged conversation and found out from him that we can plucked the calla lillies but we had to give an admission fee to the tender of the backyard in order to do so.
the white flower which my sis was holding is the Calla Lily.
That how Calla Lily looks like.
土鸡 looks ordinary but the meat is very tender.
the yam pasteries looks delicious but was not.
(fake yam fillings)
place taken: at the Calla Lilly farm backyard.
____________________________________________________________________
Upon reaching 北投 station, we alighted the bus and took a train to 淡水 Station.
We walked to 淡水老街 to buy the 铁蛋 and 鱼酥. Along the way, we caught a glimpse of he fireworks up in the air and we took a photo of it. Next we went to tried the speciality there called A-Gei (crystal noodles stuffed in fried bean curd, served with a mild hot sauce). It was so delicious that we ordered 5 bowls as my mum liked it very much. What to say, the sauce was a very special and delicious sauce that goes well with the crystal noodles and beancurd.
Those tiny colourful dots were the fireworks that we had snapped.
the lighted reindeers were the xmas deco at Dan Shui.
Delicious speciality in Dan Shui - A-Gei... Hmmm.. yummy!!
At first, we planned to visit the Fisherman wharf (渔人码头） at Dan Shui to watch the sunset at 7pm (the best place and time to see the sunset). However, we arrived at Dan Shui at 6.30 so it was too late. After eating, we took a train back to 西门町 and went to hunt for Xiao Zhu boutique shop (Stage) together with my neighbour Wei Qi, while my parents went back to the hotel and rest. We asked directions from the people over there and managed to find the shop. Unfortunately, it was too late and the shop has already closed so we shopped around awhile at other stores and head back to our hotel and rest.
Taken outside 西门町 mrt station.
♥ the world will turn WILD.
2:19 PM
5 Dec 08
Day 1
Before boarding the plane, we took a group photo.
From left to right:Ying Ying, Wei Qi, Mum , Dad, Me, Eunice, Pei Jun
I had been anticipated for that day to come and finally it came.
On board the plane, I took a picture of the wing of the plane with the morning sun.
Though I have taken a plane before, I felt as though it was my first time taking a plane. As the times when I had taken a plane was during my young time and so the memories were vague.
The flight was about 5 hrs plus from Singapore to Taipei.
I was not able to fall asleep on the plane as I was not tired except till the last 2 hours I tried to catch some sleep on the plane so that I would have the energy to shop once I had reached Taipei.
The plane touched down at Taipei around 5 plus in the evening. There is one thing that we regreted was that we should not have change our money in Singapore instead at Taiwan Airport where the money changer offered a even better rate 21.95. Next, we went to collect our luggages, sign up for the youth travels to entitle for some discounts to certain places or rides and bought a Taiwan sim card for the convenience of contacting each other.
Next, we bought the Freego (飞狗） bus ticket at the ticket counter. In 10 minutes the bus has arrived and we bought the bus. It was an hour ride to our hotel. Upon checking in at Rainbow Hotel at Xi Men Ding （西门町), we went down to any nearby stall to take our dinner. I would say that the hotel we had booked was situated in a good location. Once we stepped out of the hotel, the streets were vibrant and there are lots of shops for us patronise.
After our dinner, we went our separate ways to shop around the area. As the weather there was cold and wind was blowing strongly at my face, I got a scarf and hat for myself to prevent myself from having direct contact with the cold wind. Initially, I was on my own. However, I happened to met my neighbour Wei Qi and her sister while shopping, so I had decided to follow her. While strolling along the street, we came across this queer restaurant whereby it is a concept of people having their food served on a toilet bowl. Too bad, I did not get the chance to take a picture of it as I do not have a camera with me- with my dad.
Later, along the way, I met my parents and so I followed them. After which, I met my sis and her friend Pei Jun. They said that they had seen people eating ice cream and they wished to buy it but do not know where to get it. To save our time from finding the ice cream stall, I went to approached a couple who were eating the ice cream and they direct us to the stall. Therefore, we end our day with ice cream as our supper. At 11pm plus, we went back to hotel and rest as we had to wake up early for the next day.
After taking our shower, we watched our favourite Taiwanese Drama '我的一万面包' before going to bed at 3am.
♥ the world will turn WILD.
1:18 PM
This was the best birthday party I had ever had. I would say that it is a good opportunity for my friends to know each other as well and I could finally get to see all my cousins and relatives and even some of my dad's church friends and receiving a lot of presents at the same time. Killing more than two birds with one stone .. haha
I realized that the world is small. One of my aunt was actually my friend's primary school dental nurse. Besides, the girl whom I had introduced to one of my friend was actually my friend sis's friend and one of my friends were actually my cousin senior..Well, what a complicated connection.. haha
I would say that day was the busiest and happiest time of my life. Initially, I was quite worried that some of my friends who came alone might feel awkward so I introduced some of my other friends to them, hoping that they could bond together. Luckily, things turn out well.
Subsequently, weird things do happen too. As a friend of mine has spotted a lizard and my three brave cousins (kolez, Maverick and Lothar) actually catch it with their bare hands. They were so mischievous that they through the lizard onto the wall of the chalet opposite mine. We had a great laugh.
Thanks to my friend who had brought their cameras, if not i would have a big blunder. That is, I would have been able to snap the moment of my 21st birthday as I had forgotten to bring my dad's camera.
My birthday cake.. choosen by me.
The reason I chose this cake was coz music is a part of my life =))
me,my parents and my father's side relatives.
My cousins and me.. =)
me,my parents and
my mother's side relatives
my frenz and I
Finally, me cutting the cake.
Heartfelt words to those who have attend my birthday party:
Thanks for everyone who had taken their time and effort to make it for my birthday party.
Though the time spent was short but it was memorable and I will remember it forever. Even for those who were not able to stayed long, your presence for just a moment is already more than enough. For at least, you all did bothered to make your presence. Thanks a lot.. I appreciated everyone of you all company =) ..
I am not one who like to say all those mushy words to express my feelings, so i had decided to show my appreciation in a more discreet way (-_-) (blush)
♥ the world will turn WILD.
11:38 AM
