Taiwan Trip, 6th to 13th May 2007

Here i am, back again in blogspot after 1 yr?? haha.. reason being, i wana keep it a low profile and most importantly, not reveal my life to ppl which is of no concern to me!! =)

Also, i'm here to update my trip!! It was an enjoyable one!! Heezz ;)

I was away on a holiday with Mr Ng in Taiwan for 8d7n. Took SQ 872, 8am to TPE on 6th May and SQ 875, 6.25pm back to SIN on 13th May. Stayed in One Star Hotel (Chong Qing) for the past 1 wk.

I love the location of this hotel!! It is within minutes walking distance to Taipei Main Station and Taipei Railway Station which means its so convenient to go anywhere!! Moreover, its a new hotel just started last yr so everything is brand new!!

We chose the Suite which cost NT 2760 per day on wkdays and abit more exp on wkends but bcos we stayed for 1 wk, we were charged the wkday rate even on wkends.

The fridge has got 2 btls of mineral water, 1 can of coke n sprite. There were tidbits in the drawer as well but the stupid us onli realised tat we can consume those food n drinks with no additional charge on the last day!!

So sad tat we onli consume the 2 btls of water everyday and nt the rest. Breakfast was included and it was from this cafe call 'Dente Coffee' near the hotel but for 1 wk, we onli had it once!! Haizz So damn wasted rite?? Tats bcos by the time we wake up, its always beyond the 7am to 10am period.

Anyway, let me tell you more about Taiwan of where i go, wad i eat!! =) Btw, exchange rate is about SGD 1 to NT 21.24

Day 1 : Xi Men Ding >> Hua Xi NM (6th May, Sun)

Alrighty, since we took the morning flight, we rch Taiwan Tao Yuan Airport around noon and manage to check in hotel at around 2.30pm.

There are several ways to get to the city. In fact, there are plenty of private cars trying to poach you to hitch their ride but it cost around NT 1000 so its definitely not worth it. Taxis start from NT 70 and it takes a pretty long distance before it start to job NT 5 but after midnight, the metre jumps faster.

So, i chose to take the coach back to hotel. There are several coaches tat takes u to different parts of Taiwan. I took Guo Guang bus to Taipei Main Stn. It cost onli NT 125 per pax. Cheap rite?

We took a cab to XMD after settling down cos its near to where we stay but most importantly, Mr Ng is lazy to take MRT.

The first thing we had in Taiwan was the famous 'Ah Zong Mian Xian' which is mee sua with pig intestines. Cost NT 40 for a small bowl and NT 80 for a big bowl. Mee Sua is also Mrs Lee's fave food. ;)

Later on, we went to 'Ya Rou Bian' located by the main road of XMD. Happen to pass by this place while taking cab and this was recommended by podders so decide to check it out.

We had a quarter duck and a bowl of mee. Its reali YUMMY!! But, the duck meat is abit saltish thou. Afterall, Taiwanese food are more on the saltish side. They even add salty veggie aka 'xian cai' into their soup noodles. It cost us NT350 for this yummy lunch!! =)

We were so full by then and so we just walked around XMD. My initial plan was to go to Long Shan Temple followed by Hua Xi NM after XMD but i suddenly felt sick. It was jus like when I was shopping at 'The Platinum Mall' in BKK with Mrs Chin the other time. I jus so feel like fainting.

Therefore, we adjourned back to the hotel to rest or rather slp. Afterall, i din had any slp the day before my flight cos Mr Ng and I went drinking with friends plus the last min packing of luggage jus did not allow me time to slp!!

By the time i wake up, it was coming to about 8pm?? I felt so refreshed after this short 2-3 hours nap!! The moment i wake up, I felt hungry so we quickly make our way down to Hua Xi NM for food!! One will never go hungry in Taiwan!! Never!!

This time, we took the train even though its near and alighted @ Long Shan Stn. The NM is jus walking distance from the stn!! Taiwanese are pretty nice ppl and they will be happy to give you directions!!

Hua Xi NM is worth checking out!! Its a food paradise and we practically bought any food tat we c to our liking!! This NM doesnt sell much apparels but there's a stall selling bra sets @ NT 150 each!! Pretty and cheap bra sets which i cannot resist and i got hold 2 sets of it!! Heezz

Tat's my first buy on my trip!! There's definitely more to come!! ;p

I've read so much about this snake alley @ Hua Xi NM which i so wana check it out but onli to get disappointed in the end. Haizz

Flowerpod was raving about how this snake alley has got 'Live' snake performance and showing the killing of snakes, blah blah..

But, when i was there, its actually jus another row of shops and eating places which sells snake soups. I've seen onli 2 shops with caged snakes outside their shops and it certainly freaked me out!! This shop owner was trying to get us to try their snake soup which supposedly is good for the body but god damn, im too freaked out jus by looking at the snake let alone eat them?! gosh..

Nonetheless, we left after filling our stomach with all the roadside food stalls which certainly is more hygenine than those in BKK. However, i onli managed to get a glimpse of how the famous Long Shan Temple looks like in the dark. Damnzz I'm definitely going back there during the day time again!! ;)

Day 2 : Hua Lien >> Shi Lin NM (7th May, Mon)

Did i not mention tat i bought the 7.10am tix to Hua Lien upon our arrival in Taipei?? Yes, tats wad i did!! It was a damn freaking early train ride!! But bcos the journey to Hua Lien takes about 3 hrs and therefore, we jus need to get the earli train tix!!

I'm so full of anticipation to visit Hua Lien cos its supposedly to be a very nice place, full of sceneries aka mountains. Yes, i love looking at mountains and being in the mountains area!! Heezz Weird of me rite?? But i guess tat its due to the severe lack of a decent mountain in Sg which makes me so excited when i c the big and high mountains abroad!! =)

I've arranged for a 1 day tour with Mr Chen Guang Fa, a tour guide in Hua Lien, which again, is by recommendations in Flowerpod. There were a few to choose from but its jus by feeling tat i chose him.

He picked us up from the train stn and there were another 8 Singaporeans who booked him as well on the same day as me!! Initially i was being quote NT 2000 for the both of us cos apparently, he charge by per car not per pax so its still the same price if you go in grp of 4. But, due to the additional of the other 8 Singaporeans, he charge me NT 500 per pax instead which makes NT 1000 for both of us.

Of cos, 10 of us couldnt squeeze into 1 cab so we were separated into 2 cabs as he got his fren to ferry the other 5. Btw, he's a taxi driver and in Taiwan, taxi drivers provide such tour services as well!! Every cab that we hop onto, there's always a name card with the cabby's number and services provided.

Anyway, the first stop he brought us to was the famous Taroke Gorge. We were being introduced to the interesting mountains tat resembles a mouse, an indian tribal man. Quite amazing cos it took us quite awhile before we sees it.

Ermm.. Taroke Gorge is the onli place which i rmb the name cos I simply forgot all the names of the other places tat he brought us to!!

There's this place he brought us to tat is another mountains area (basically, Hua Lien is full of interesting mountains tat resembles alot of things!! LOL) whereby he made some 'helicopter' using newspaper and let us let go of it to fly in the air. Very interesting!!

Another place i will not forget is this bridge (which i obviously cannot rmb the name) tat freaked me out. Its a very long bridge tat resembles the one we had in Sentosa but a longer one which is freaking high up from the ground aka river/sea. I felt so damn fragile walking on that bridge made up of wooden planks and ropes. I held onto the ropes tightly and looking down, the onli thing i c is water.

I'm totally freaked out jus by walking on this bridge. Damn scary k and its so long to walk across the other side!! The route back was easier cos i simply look infront and walked the fastest speed!! Its jus too scary plus Mr Ng is making fun of me by jumping on the bridge, making it shaky. Jus imagine how freaked out i was!! gosh..

Mr Chen asked us a damn funny qns and tat is if we wana have lunch. Damn bo liao rite?? Isnt it obvious tat we need to eat?? I felt its a super redundant qns. But, tat lunch will cost us NT 200 each. About SGD 10 each. Sounds alright rite? But it isnt!! Cos the food we eat doesnt justify for the amount we pay!!

9 of us sat together as the 10th person is a vegetarian so she were separated from us and sat alone at the next table. We had 5 dishes and 1 soup which makes up of mostly veggies!! Damnzz

NT 1800 for a table of veggies doesnt sounds rite to me at all!! Tmd Okies, it aint exactly jus plain veggies. There were fish slices to a plate of celery (i hate celery), sotongs to another plate of veggies and 1 plate of plain cabbages. Soup was made of up different veggies. Oh ya.. there was a 'San Ba' chicken as well but the meat is damn tough lor. Not tender at all. Haizz

We reckon tat part of the NT 200 each goes into the pocket of Mr Chen as commission but since its only a one time thing so we jus give lor.. But, its a nice experience to taste the local dishes. Very homely kind of restaurant in their mountain standard but coffeeshop to our standard.

As we din manage to get the after 6pm tix back to Taipei, we made do with the 4.20pm tix therefore, we were the first in the group to leave but i so wanted to check out the '7 Xing Tan' as mentioned in Flowerpod and Mr Chen was kind enuff to squeeze in this place for me though i onli managed to rch tat place and leave within 2 mins!! Hahaha.. but there isnt much to c oso. Jus a plain beach.

We rush off to get the muah chees which was being highly raved in Flowerpod so Mr Chen brought us to this 70 yr old shop to get the muah chees. I saw the Guo Dong (jelly) as well and i bought 2 packs each. I love the Guo Dong to bits ever since my dad bought it during CNY!!

Buying muah chee was my last stop in Hua Lien. Yeah..

I slp throughout my 3 hrs journey back to Taipei. Well, i din leave Mr Ng alone cos he was slping like a log too!! In fact, the whole trip, he slps so much more than me but he complains of being tired more than me!! hahaha

By the time we rch Taipei, the skies have turn dark. Well, apparently, the sun in Taiwan seems to rise up before ours so their 6am is like our 7.30am so bright!! And, their sun sets before us too!! So their 7pm is like our 8pm!! lOlxx

We left all the Guo Dong and Muah Chee in our hotel and left for the most famous NM in Taipei and tat is Shi Lin NM. To go there, alight @ Jian Tan stn and not Shi Lin stn. Jus follow the crowd and it will lead u to the NM.

This NM is damn big so its divided into 2 sections. 1 for food and the other for shopping. The first thing we head on of cos is food!! And its the famous 'Hao Da Da Ji Pa' tat i dearly missed so much!! It taste sooo much better than the Shi Lin chix we had in Sg. It is also damn big!! Bigger than my face!! Cost onli NT 45 each!! Cheap and good!! Yeah..

But, i simply couldnt finish it at all cos its jus too big!! I was so full by the time i attacked half of it!! Gosh...

Throughout our trip, we wasted ALOT of food cos the servings are jus too big!! Initially we ordered 2 servings but we reckon tat its way too much for us so we jus ordered 1 to share. Sometimes, we couldnt even finish tat 1 portion. Taiwanese are jus such big eaters.

There was this uncle i met who sells beef noodles who told me this. Alright, i wanted to buy dumplings from him but the serving comes in standard of 10 each so i asked him if i could have half instead cos i've still got other food and i wont be able to finish all!!

He commented tat Singaporeans are sooo small eaters cos the Taiwanese are able to finish a bowl of beef noodles and 10 dumplings EACH. Tats amazing.

I bought his beef noodles after hearing him rave abt how fantastic it is and there were articles abt it. Guess wad, i onli managed to finish abt 3/4 of the noodles and 3 or 4 dumplings. I reali wonder why the Taiwanese can eat so much.

Nonetheless, we eat as we shop or rather i shop while Mr Ng shops with me. lOlxx Apparently, he's jus the type of guys who doesnt shop at all so he helps me with my shopping bags!! =)

Btw, for those going Taipei, pls go to Shi Lin NM onli on wkdays. Never never go on wkends cos its too sardine packed and you wont be able to shop in peace!!

I love shopping @ Shi Lin NM. I bought 3 pairs of boots there @ NT 390 each, a jumper suit @ NT 690 which i saw somewhere else selling at NT 490. Damnzz

Later on, we saw a shop selling cute hello kitty car accerssories which i so wanted to buy on the spot!! But it aint cheap oso. Seat belts cost NT 290 and the head rest cushion cost NT 400 each!! Add up everything will cost at least NT 2000!! Gosh.. i reali cant bear to spend this money on Hello Kitty!!

So, Mr Ng, upon seeing tat i like these Hello Kitty so much cos its one of the things i plan to buy oso, he says he will sponsor half but i couldnt bear to spend SGD 50 on such soft toys thingy, i decided to give it a miss.

It was onli our last nite tat we went back to buy cos Mr Ng still have got NT left so he offered to buy for me instead. Heezz.. *beam with delight*

Day 3 : Din Tai Fung >> Wu Fen Pu >> Rao He NM (8th May, Tues)

Okie, DTF was part of my planned iteniary cos, Flowerpod was raving abt how good DTF in TW is compared to SG so i jus need to check it out!!

I went to the branch @ Yong Kang Jie and i had no regrets!! In fact, im starting to miss it now!! The skin of their Xiao Long Bao is much thinner than ours!! And we ordered 5 Xiao Long Bao, 5 Crab Meat Xiao Long Bao, 1 prawn dumpling soup, 1 prawn fried rice and 1 pork chop fried rice. Cost us abt NT 790.

it was indeed a hearty lunch tat i dearly miss!!

Later on, we went for desert @ Ice Monster located at the back of DTF. Well, again, this place was recommended by podders so i wana check it out. the serving is so damn big!! i ordered the mango ice and its yummy!! got mango cubes, mango sorbet as well.. Nice!! But portion too big oso.. cant finish..

After lunch is SHOPPING TIME!!! BIG BIG SHOPPING TIME!! The best place to shop in Taipei is Wu Fen Pu. Its a wholesale centre for almost the whole of Taiwan. THe clothes here are cheap n nice!! Although there may be more pricey ones but i go for the cheaper ones ranging from NT 100 to NT 390. Yea.. gotten a few tops @ NT 100 onli!! which is abt SGD 5!! =)

I bought so much clothes from here tat i gotta get a big plastic bag to put everything together for easier carrying!! You know those type of gigantic plastic bags? yea.. tats the one!! its damn heavy k.. but luckily i got Mr Ng to help carry for me. My previous trip i oso carry the same BIG plastic bag but i carry myself.. so heavy.. =(

Nonetheless, i had an extremely happy time shopping!! Thats wad i prefer TW over HK. Shopping is cheaper!! Simply GOOD!!! I like!! Heezz =)

We move on to Rao He NM after shopping cos its jus across the road onli. I love this NM too!! Lotsa yummy food (again~!!) so we eat (n waste food) n eat!! Had beef noodles at this stall with the old man selling and its yummylicious!! Ordered the dumplings as well and its marvellicious!!! NT 5 for 1 onli which is like SGD 20 cent for 1!! OMG!!! There are dumplings sold everywhere in Taiwan and usually cost NT 40 or NT 50 for 10 dumplings and tat equals to abt $2 onli!! Wow...

We make our way back to the hotel after Rao He NM cos that BIG plastic bag is jus tooo heavy!! =(

Its nice to chill in our hotel room switching between the 115 channels!! Simply spoilt for choice and we even ended up 'snatching' channels to watch!! He wana watch those 'man' shows while i wana watch the 'woman' shows like Nu Ren Wo Zui Da.. hahaha

Day 4 : Wu Lai >> Clubbing @ Luxy (9th May, Wed)

I was so excited about going to Wu Lai cos of the famous Wu Lai waterfall. I was filled with much anticipation of how magnificent this waterfall is gonna be!!

This waterfall is located at the end of Wu Lai so we decided to go for hotspring bath first. We took a bus to Wu Lai and alighted somewhere in the middle of the mountains and went to Urai Hotspring situated at the start of Wu Lai. I guess this is the most high end hotspring cos the ones we saw later looks more cheapo.

They had a resort here as well for ppl to stay in Wu Lai. We took the private room with hot n cold water. Pretty great experience to soak urself in the water if the mountains n sea jus next to u. Nice!! But it cost us NT 1250 for 1 hour which we reckon not quite worth it cos they basically jus put water from the tap and the cold one is jus plain tap water!! Gosh...

Totally different from the one i went in Yang Ming Shan previously. I went to the public pool (yea and saw lotsa naked aunties) and its great!! Reali feel that the water is different from normal water and the cold is reali freezing cold!! Mr Ng commented tat this hot spring resembles tat of the bath tub which we can also have our own hot spring in the hotel!! I pondered abt it for awhile n cant help but to agree!!

We move on to Wu Lai lao jie which is the town area of Wu Lai. Nice street with lotsa food and souvneirs. We had lunch at one of the restaurants there and ordered some of the local dishes. They had lotsa different veggies which we dun have in SG and we chose one based on the recommendations of the lady. It was another yummy lunch tat is so local feel!! Great!!

We took the tram up to the waterfall area and cost us NT 50 for 1 trip per pax!! Reminds me of a too-too train. So interesting.. Heez

When i finally see the waterfall, i was soooo disappointed. It aint tat magnificent afterall. its jus water falling in the middle of mountains. Haizz And the waterfall isnt realli as tall as wad i imagine it to be. Haizz And the whole area is up there is so boring. But, for the sake of that experience. Yea.. lOlz

We make our way bac to the hotel and rest (again) to prepare for Ladies Nite!! We had to go before 11pm as cover charge will be cheaper but its free for gals on wed onli.

Luxy was the place to go cos apparently, tat is one of the most happening clubs in Taipei. Ask any Taiwanese and they will recommend tat place too!! Luxy reminds me of Chinablack cos gotta take a lift up. Its on the 5th level and we rch at 10pm, the place is freaking empty!! The crowd came at abt 12 onli, unlike our Dragonfly. haha

We ordered a btl of Black Label bcos Martell is not in their list. Wanted to get Chivas cos its in the list but they say they not selling anymore!! TMD So, no choice, gotta take the 'cockroach drink'. Hahaha.. They have promoters for Black Label n Heineken in the house too!!

Apparently, there were LOTSA singaporeans in Luxy tat nite. The waiters even ask me isit school holidays in SG if not y is tat so many Singaporeans recently!! I guess the reason is bcos Luxy is so highly recommended so everyone is going there!! Hahaha

Yea.. we had a btl to both of us onli so, me being a lousy drinker, confirm got drunk lor. We played 5-10 and i lost (as usual) and each stake is half a gls so jus imagine how potent it is!! We started drinking at 10pm and by the time the crowd comes in at 12, i was already knocked out!! Totally!! Gosh... The kick came in later n suddenly. I couldnt recall anything at all!!

I was talkin to this group of Taiwanese gals next to us and that's the last ting i can recall!! When i woke up, i found myself on the bed in hotel room. I din get to enjoy at all!! Haizz.. So wasted. Tats the result of being too drunk. You miss the fun!!

According to Mr Ng, i went to the dancefloor with those gals n dancing wildly (oops) so he send me bac hotel and i vomitted like 3 times!! Once in the cab as well when i was gettin off!! In the end, he paid the cabby NT 300 instead of the metre NT 125~!! Hahaha

I will definitely go Luxy again!! It roxx!! =)

Day 5 : Taipei 101 >> New York New York >> Warner Village >> Shi Da NM (10th May, Thurs)

I woke up late today @ 2.30pm!! Gosh.. first time i wake up so late when i travel cos im the sort who prefers to wake up in the morning so as to start my day earlier!! But, well, i was dead drunk the nite before and i onli sober up the next afternoon so u knw how bad it is!!

I din bathe at all too!! Was too knocked out n i jus hit the bed to slp immediately!! Tats bad.. reali bad!! =(

But, i woke up feeling a severe hangover!! i pause to tink of how i landed back in hotel while i tot i shld be at lUxy?? hahaha

Anyway, i nua alot before i get my bum outta the hotel!! decided to go Taipei 101 cos its the most relax place to go liao esp in the state of hangover tat im in!! No appetite n mood to do or eat anything at all!!! =(

I wasted food again!! The pasta i had went to the bin cos after taking a few mouths, i jus dun feel like eating anymore!! haizz

We head down to Taipei 101 by train to the City Hall stn and took a cab in cos im too lazy to walk tat distance!! Althou i walked durin my previous trip!! lOlxx

Taipei 101 is not a place to shop unless u're those rich tais tais cos it consists of all the high end brands!!

But, my purpose there is not to shop but to take the world's fastest elevator up the 89th storey!! Apparently, Taipei 101 is the world's tallest building and i've wanted to go up during my previous trip but it was closed on Monday!! TMD

Nevertheless, i finally made my way up!! It cost NT 350 each pax jus to take tat world's fastest elevator up 89th storeys in 37 seconds!! gOsh.. so expensive.. but damnz it.. its all cos of the experience onli..

The service is damn great too!! Mus be wondering how come go up elevator oso got service rite?? Apparently, this has become a new source of income for Taipei 101 cos it is now a tourist attraction!! Therefore, they have the 'lift ladies' to introduce the world's fastest elevator up the world's tallest building!! Cool eh.. yea

But up at 89th storey, u can get a magnificient view of the Taipei city. Its priceless cos u c mountains at one side n buildings at the other side!! Totally different from the view u get from New Asia Bar. However, i started to feel abit giddy which i reckon tat being in a state of hangover up at 89th storey aint ideal. I felt sick so after hovering around for abt half an hr at least, we went down.

Next on, we went to New York New York cos i wana buy the famous Mister Donut which Flowerpod is raving abt. The previous trip i saw a LONG queue outside but apparently, its pretty empty this time round. I took pleasure in choosing the donuts which looked yummy but i din eat it cos i had a severe lost of appetite!!

We decide to catch a movie instead at the nearby Warner Village!! Spiderman 3 was a craze there as well and tats the movie we've been wanting to watch oso so there we are, queuing up for the tix!! Its kinda long q but nt tat sorta crazy snaky queues!! Thank God!!

But, guess wad, the tix is more exp than in SG!! Our wkend tix cost $9.50 rite? Guess how much their wkday tix cost!! Its a freaking NT 285 each!! Its about $13.50!! *pengzz* But well, again, its for tat experience plus we're too nua to walk n watchin movie is the best thing to do!! =)

The movie was great and initially we wondered if they are gonna talk in Chinese but thank god it didnt!! Still in English with Chinese subtitles!! Phew... I will reali faint if Spiderman is gonna speak in Chinese!! Hahahaha

After the movie which ended around 7pm+, we're left with no programs again. Although the famous Room 18 which alot of celebs goes to is jus at Warner Village, we jus aint in the mood for booze. Therefore, we decided to head for some NM.

I was left to make the decision (again) so i decided on Shi Da NM cos apparently, this NM is supposed to be the NM which sells the cheapest food cos it caters to the university students at the nearby university but the food aint exactly cheap!! The pricing is jus like tat of any other NM!! But, i reckon tat its bcos this NM which supposedly be the cheapest has become another tourist attraction which explains y there is no reason for the stall owners not to earn tat extra monies!!

I bought a bag from one of the roadside stalls!! Its a damn lovely cool bronze big bag tats a love at first sight!! plus it cost onli NT 200 onli!! Less than $10!! Tell me how can i not buy??? Gosh..

The bag has got a scratch on the bottom and tats the last piece so no choice, i jus took it cos i reckon tat after being in my hands for awhile, its bound to get more scatches and its on the bottom so its not tat visible at all!! Plus, its onli NT 200 onli.. Aiyah.. jus buy already!! Dont tink so much!! ;)

I caught my eye on the black tights displayed outside this shop and i went in cos i need to get a pair of these black tights which are so popular in Tw nw!! Almost 2 out of 5 gals on the streets are wearing it!! Pairing with those tops tat are too long to be a top yet too short to be a skirt!! lolx

But, guess wad, i ended up buying another 2 dresses as well!! Thanks to the Auntie sales girl who keep showing so many clothes to me!! And tempt me!! Hahaha..

If not for the hungry Mr Ng standing outside the shop showing me the 'I am very hungry, can stop buying first n let me eat' look, i would have continued browsing the whole shop, making sure there isnt anything tat i like which i din buy!! Heezz.. ;p

Hao Da Da Ji Pa is spotted here as well!! They have a branch here oso!! Amazing!! Thought its onli at Shi Lin NM which they have 2 stalls there!! 1 at fashion street the other at food street!! I bought 1 piece back to hotel to eat!! Yummy!! Though i feel it taste much better 2 yrs ago!! But well, i reckon tat after gaining much fame over time, standards drop. Haizz

Shi Da NM is a small NM and we finished walking n eating within 1 1/2 hours and took a cab back hotel for more tv watching!! 115 channels in all lehz.. Heezz =)

Day 6 : Jiu Fen >> Kee Lung NM >> Clubbing @ The Luna Bar (11th May, Fri)

Again, we woke up late today or rather Mr Ng woke up late AGAIN!! He never wakes up before 1pm. Damnzz I was always the one to wake up earlier and we miss breakfast everyday except on Monday when we were going to Hua Lien.

We took the Guo Guang bus to Kee Lung which is about an hour ride. You can take the railway train also but there's timing and we gotta wait an hr before the next train ride so the Guo Guang bus suits us better!!

The piggy us fell asleep throughout the whole bus ride n the driver had to wake us up at the terminal stop!! Hahaha.. Its a 'fast' one hr ride indeed!!

From there, we change another bus to Jiu Fen which is another 45 mins ride. If we had set off earlier, i would love to visit Jin Gua Shi but well, time jus doesnt allow us to do so!! My initial plan was to visit Ye Liu as well!! To c the geographical park of the stones resulting from natural corrosions!! hAixx.. but Mr Ng is in the least bit of interested to c stones.. :(

Anyway, Jiu Fen is famous for the lao3 jie1. Feels similiar to Wu Lai lao jie as well except tat this one in Jiu Fen has got tea houses, therefore, for the experience again, i ask Mr Ng for tea when we pass by one.

We were given the tea leaves, pots n cups as well as a kettle of hot water to brew tea as well! The lady boss taught us how to do it and we realised its so easy!! hahaha.. Nice feeling to have tea on a relaxed afternoon by the mountains!! oh my.. im becoming mountainy!! hahaha

The tea aint cheap too!! Cost Mr Ng at least NT 500!! Quite pricey cos tea is supposedly so cheap but they sell so expensive!! Nonetheless, its a gd experience!! yeah.. im mountainy!! ;)

This street sells lotsa food too!! They have this popiah skin with peanuts n ice cream!! Its yummylicious!! They even add the disgusting 'xiang cai' aka corriander leaves which i so HATE but the twins LOVE it!! Hahaha.. I reali wonder y is veggie added to ice cream!! Why why? Tell me why!! Farnie lorzz

Anyway, we finished this place in like less than 2 hrs!! Very fast!! We head bac Kee Lung to go their famous Miao Kou NM.

This NM is marvellous. You know why??

It is a FOOD heaven!! They sell sooooo many different types of food which u cant find in other NM in Taipei!! Gosh.. again, we ordered 1 portion of any food we took to a liking and throw away when we dun reali like it or cant finish.. hahaa

But, we, having the small stomach jus couldnt manage to try every single food tat we see even though we like it!! Its amazing how much food Taiwanese can eat!! Wow!!

We went bac Taipei, jus in time to go clubbing!! Decided to check out The Face since the webby looks as cool as the Luxy webby!!

But, it turn out to be another BIG disappointment!!

Apparently, the name has been changed to The Luna and its pretty near to Luxy too!! Along Zhong Xiao Dong Lu 4 Duan oso. This place sux big time although they were offering freeflow for 1 price. We paid abt NT 1200 for both of us and we can drink all we want!!

But the place is so empty cos the crowd aint enuff to cover the entire place. We drank from plastic cups and had to go to the bar with the same cup for the next drink and they dun change the cup for u!! So, if you have vodka cranberry than whisky dry, u knw hw er xin it is. Well, tats how i felt!!

12am came and the place is still empty. Despite having 4 dancers n 1 black guy who sang rNb songs on stage. But, it jus aint exciting enuff!! They were uncomparable to tat of our singers n dancers from St James!! Haizz

Mr Ng started feeling feverish so we decided to head bac to the hotel since the place was boring too. On the way back, i was feeling a little hungry so i asked the cabby for intros to nice supper places around the area.

So, he drove us to this street with a couple of eateries and recommended us to 'Xiao3 Li4 Zi2' which sells Taiwan porridge aka our friendly Teo Chew porridge.

I order 5 dishes n 2 porridge to take away and its yummylicious too!! mayb cos im hungry which makes it more appetizing?? Cost onli NT290 which i tink its reasonable!! Cos the Taiwan porridge at Oasis is damn expensive at supper hours!!

We ended the nite with Mr Ng down with fever and he felt so damn hot at 4am in the nite with a such a high temperature at the room temperature of 16 degrees so i decide to go out to buy some panadols for him.

However, i learn from the hotel staff tat the bian li dian aka 7-11 etc in Tw doesnt sell medicine at all!! Onli food n drinks!! Gosh.. I couldnt believe it so i went ahead n found tat its true!! I went to every other bian li dian in sight and all dont sell panadols!! Onli food n drinks!!

So, im left with no choice but to get a btl of those energy drinks similar to H2O as recommended by the hotel staff n mix with some warm water to let him drink.

This resulted me not slping well n much. haizz

Mrs Chin is amazed when i told her i went out in the streets at 4am!! Thinking back nw, im quite amazed by myself too!! lOlzz

Day 7 : Shin Ko Mitsuosku >> Shi Lin NM (12th May, Sat)

Its the last day for me to have breakfast and i know i need to wake up earlier today so since Mr Ng is down with a fever, i forgave him for sleeping.

Therefore, i took the breakfast coupons out to redeem the sandwiches at the Dente Coffee and walked around the hotel area.

I went on to Shin Ko Mitsuosku, better known as 'Xing1 Guang1 San1 Yue4' which is simliar to our friendly Isetan. Its a joint shopping mall between Taiwan and Japan and this shopping mall is everywhere in Taiwan!! Big malls with more than 10 storeys!!

I wanted to get new press powder cos my current Biotherm is finishing soon so i decided to get Chic Choc which i read from Flowerpod (again!!). But, i fell trap to the salesgal cos i was being 'intro-ed' aka 'psychoed' into buying more products!!

Therefore, i decided to get this 4 color eyeshadow which is the current one tat she is using after hearing from her how to apply etc DESPITE me having LOTSA new eyeshadow at home!! haizz..

Then, she went on to ask if i wana top up XXX amount den i can get a free gift comprising of a nail polish, a sweet pinky mirror and some misc skincare pdts.

There i go, fell trap into her hands n gotten myself a red lipstick as i reckon tat i need 1 too, due to my new job. So, i got the sweet pink mirror!!

The best part is, i gotta choose the casing to my press powder as well!! Pink n black to choose from so its obviously which one i chose rite??!?! Hahhaa

I spent SGD $100 here!! Gosh.. within minutes!! Haizz.. Tat shows how vulnerable i am to sales ppl even thou im a sales person as well too!! Nbz

Later on, i continued walking around the mall till a lady gave me a leaflet. I took it n move on and before going up the escalator, another lady told me tat i can get a free sample. I stop to listen more n i became a prey again!! haizz

Apparently, the free sample is a moisturizer recommended in Nu Ren Wo Zui Da and in magazines as well. Its also one of the top products which alot of stewardess use n recommend.

But, she let me try this eye mask which they were having promo on. Usual price was NT 5000 and they selling NT 1380 now thou i wonder how true it is. LOL

There were 50 pieces in each box and after trying, it felt pretty good so decided to get 1 box since i've been looking for eye mask as well as after calculation, i deduce tat 1 mask will cost abt SGD $2 onli!! Not too bad i guess!!

Than, she went on to let me try this exfoliating gel on my hand which helps to scrub up all the dirt and exfoliate ur skin!! Its also recommended in Nu Ren Wo Zui Da cos they put up print ads of it at the counter!!

So, i was tinking, since i've been looking for a GOOD exfoliator, this might be the one!! Therefore, i decided to get it since they were having buy 1 get 1 free promo and it cost NT 1500 each.

Ultimate came when the lady gave me a deal. She asked me if i m keen to get that moisturizer as well but i din wan it cos it cost a freaking NT 3800 each k. Bloody ex so she said if i get 3 of tat moisturizer (NT 3800 x 3) and 1 of the eye mask (NT 1380), she will give me additional 4 of the exfoliator gel (its buy 1 get 1 free anyway), 1 anti-wrinkle cream, 12 masks as well as another box of eye mask which makes a total of 12 pdts thou im onli paying for 4.

Sounds gd yea.

Total amount to abt NT 13 500 which is abt SGD 600+ but the products are good!! You dun get it in Singapore so i fell into trap and signed for it. Haizz

Luckily as tourist, i get tax refund for purchase of above NT 3000 and tat allows me a refund of NT 700 at the airport. though it amounts onli abt $33 but still, its monies leh.. better than nth rite.. lOlz

Morevover, i reckon tat im getting on in years (yes, becoming lao cai now. haiz) and since im gonna join the air crew nw which makes it more important tat i need to take care of my skin more due to air pressure n stuff AND since, its so highly recommended by other stewardess as well as Nu Ren Wo Zui Da, i took the plunge n sign for it.

I decided tat's the last stop cos i need to stop buying so i need to stop seeing else i fall trap again!! =(

I bought lunch as well as the much needed panadols and head bac to hotel!!

Mr Ng was shocked to c me with big shopping bags AGAIN!! He asked me how much i spend AGAIN and was shocked to hear NT 14 000. hAizz

We rest awhile more before heading Shi Lin NM at nite.

Turns out to be nightmare cos its so damn crowded!! Ppl were squeezing each other among the crowd n its impossible to shop in peace!! Luckily we alrdy went during wkday and i've managed to shop peacefully den and bought all tat i need/want!! hahaha

So, word of advice,

'Never go Shi Lin NM on wkends!!'

We gave up after about 2 hours when we make ourselves full from all the eating!! hahaa..

Fyi, Ah Zong Mian Xian opened another branch in Shi Lin NM as well!! And they've got seats inside.. Somemore air-conditioned wor so spare u from standing in the street to eat the famous mee sua like tat in XMD!! ;)

Day 8 : XMD >> Home Sweet Home (13th May, Fri)

Its the last day of our trip and we had to check out before 12 noon so Mr Ng has got no choice but wake up earlier today. I went out to collect breakfast and bought this beef noodles n dumplings which is so recommended by the boss himself (yes, i fell prey again. haha). Taste not too bad but the dumplings cant be compared to the ones i had in Rao He NM!!

Mr Ng din have much appetite so the hotel breakfast was untouched by both of us cos i had the beef noodles instead of the sandwiches!!

We check out at 12 noon sharp n left our luggages at the hotel n make our way to the nearby XMD to nua/kill time/eat.

Coincidentally, we bump into S.H.E who were having a autograph session there!! Its amazingly to c how the fans all sit down in neat rows on the ground!! Very amazing indeed of how orderly they are!! Not like in SG where everyone squeeze to get a place to stand!!

But, its very weird cos all the reporters were up on stage with S.H.E and they practically surround them blocking the whole stage!! I managed to catch a glimpse of all the 3 thou. Their mums were there on stage as well cos they were doing this Mothers' Day show.

Mr Ng pulled me away after awhile cos we cant see anything at all due to the massive reporters on stage with them.

We walked ard XMD thou he prevent me from seeing too much in case i feel tempted to buy again. Hahaa

Had lunch at the famous 'Tamagoya' aka 'Dan4 Dan4 Wu1' located jus outside the MTR stn!! Its a restaurant tat serves all egg dishes!! Suprisingly unknown to me, i ordered the same dish i had 2 yrs ago!!

I knew abt it onli when the dish was served n i was wondering how come it looks so familiar.. Hahahaha

We decide to head to airport earlier after lunch @ Tamagoya cos Mr Ng jus din feel like shopping anymore.

Again, we took the Guo Guang bus back to the airport and thank god for the free internet access outside our belt which kept me entertained for the 1 hour!! =)

Our journey back pass quite fast!! We watch tv, eat and took playing cards n play dai-dee!! Of cos, penalty was beer!! lOlzz

It was an enjoyable trip afterall!!

I will be going TPE again!! Yeah!~ = )