Day 60 || End of Trip

Never had thought two months have gone so past and I am on my way back to home. Really glad that I have taken this trip, meet many new friends and people and done things which I would not have done.

Few days before Yvonne's and my official departure, Tomo suggested to have a dinner together - to celebrate after-exam party for some of the AIESEC-ers and farewell dinner. I think this is the first time I ever joined the local AIESEC activity during my stay in Taiwan >.< (can't help it hehe). Went to dinner at 1,2,3 Restaurant near Hsin Chu Train Station and head for a K-session near Tong Men Market till 3.00 am. (now that I think back...I don't know how I survived that long)

Before the K-session ended, Yi Hong suggested an emotional sharing period. As this is probably my first appearance from the many locally run activity, passing goodbye message to someone who you met for a day ... is bit too sudden (for me anyway). It was a bit funny to see how some stumbled on words to say during their turn, I would too if I were them or even worse since I tend to shy away from emotionally-involved activity.

In the afternoon, Mr Lin finally given me his Shuan Ming (Life Predicition) results. But sigh...no matter how much I beg him to give me more, he always reject. One and only thing he said for me to watch out was the year of 2015. Mm..whether his prediction comes true or not, let time decides (hopefully comes true though :) ).

Looking back at 2009, there has been many things where I felt I had many blessings from God.

Though this might be a very random post, I would still like to share it. I still remember the very first time I watched "The Secret” - I was so thrilled about it, but had never thought of how it changed some of my perceptive. Maybe to many, they might think it is a bullish thinking to just wish and hope it came true. However, I had never thought that wishing is that simple. When one wished of something, he/she will naturally do actions that let them achieve their aim.

Going on a DT trip in Taiwan, attending Robert Kiyosaki’s seminar, getting to know more about God, watching fireworks performance on a ferris wheel ride, to do live trading.Maybe to some, this is just a simple wish…but…to experience all those in a year has definitely made my life even more blessed. Can’t wait to see what was prepared for me in 2010!

Day 52 || National service in Taiwan

I have never been quite interested in a nation's national service till today when I visited CKS Memorial Park in Dasi, Tao Yuan. Apparently, Taiwanese males over 20 are obliged to do national service for 1 year at least. These national service are divided into 3 parts - Land patrol (Lu Jun? if this is the correct translation), Sea patrol (Hai Jun), Air patrol (Kong Jun).

Heard from my TN's son that the hardest to get in was Air Patrol and that the least anticipated was the land part as they were to do the most tremendous work (this is the very reason why girls are better than guys XD, at the very least they are not obliged to do national service). So how does one select their respective part? It all depends on their luck, i pity for those who get picked to do the land patrol.

But hey... they get salary too! heard that it was around 3000-4000TWD though~~

If this is so... then I think Indonesian males is the most blessed among all countries I have been as they are not required to do that service.

Day 44 || Taipei New Year

After Tai Chung trip, we went to Taipei the next day. It was really hard finding a hotel, in the end; we ended up staying at Grand Hotel (located at Yuan Shan MRT Station) for our 31st December 2009 and 1st January 2010 night. Frankly speaking, without the architecture, Grand Hotel would have been a simple hotel with EXTRA-ordinary customer service. One thing though, all of the hoteliers could speak English hehe.

Sigh…thankfully the TN family introduces us to their sister (Jenni) who studied in Danshui, Taipei..if not we would not have known of Shuang Lian – the 24hr non-stop food paradise.

So far we had eaten:
O A Mi Sua (Noodle Soup with oysters)
Hei Bai Qie (Noodle Soup)
Mo Cha Ping Gan (Green Tea Pancake)

Our first stop in Taipei was Danshui. Danshui is famous for their Lao Jie (Old Street)…it is different with Feng Jia or Shilin and any other night market as it resembled an old town. We were introduced to Jenni’s university which is located at Danshui. No wonder she choose there...the atmosphere is heavenly. Not to mention local night market and the infamous A-Ke restaurant nearby the university that awaits students ‘arrival. I would not have regretted if I choose to study there too.

-Hong Cheng Bao-

-Wishing Boards- - A Stranger's wish : "Wish I could become a handsome guy"- LOL -Oxford College Main Hall Back--Oxford College Main Hall Front-

Local Foods:
A-Ke

3Red Café (view from top of mountain is marvelous, could see the whole city at night)

31st Taipei 101 Countdown day was …mm…how could I say in 3 different words

FUN
for
- Watching the dance performance
- Watching the fireworks
- Watching Taiwanese singers and stars

TIRING
for
- Standing for the whole seven hours
- Holding out no to go to Toilet in case missing the good spot

UNFORGETTABLE
for

- The men-squeeze afterparty

Once in a lifetime experience (haha) … the place was overly crowded that I did not need to move my body to walk, everybody just push you around here and there. Felt like as if I was in a roller coaster ride for free. I could not have imagine if one fell down…I wonder their fate

-Taipei 101 at Evening-

-Taipei 101 at Night--Singer Performance--SHE-
-Rainie Yang--Fahrenheit--Lin Zhi Lin--Snow fall during Show-

Other memorable places was definitely the Modern Toilet Restaurant at Ximending. I had heard of such place back before I came here. Never had I realized that such themed restaurant is located just nearby. My sister and I went to Ximending (located at Xi Men MRT Station). Ximending is famous for their street walk. One could see it as Shibuya in Japan...not only they sell unique foods such as Dog Bowl Restaurant, Fish Tank Restaurant, Omelette Restaurant but also teenagers’ clothes shop. The place was really huge. My advice : never go there during night time..it was just too crowded

Anyway, back to toilet restaurant, one can easily find it at:

Modern Restaurant
2F No 7 Lane 50
Sining St Road
WanHua District
XimenDing

The foods are all placed in toilet-related items such as toilet bowl, urinating bowl, etc etc. At first I thought that the food would have either been very expensive or taste poorly. Surprisingly though, it tasted and priced reasonably well. All foods are between 180-300 yuan and all come with a free drink and free ice cream. Nice eh? Can see more info here

Taipei travel has been crazy. Not expecting that there would be lots of people travelling on Saturday, I did not booked any hotel for another stay. Bleh…thankfully, we found a hotel near the Shuang Lian MRT station (Green Peak Hotel). Teehee

After the New Year party, my sister and I went to the infamous Xin Tian Gong and their infamous fortune reading street. We found that fortune tellers were located underground tunnel (which is weird), I thought they will be located inside the temple…

When we first stepped into the underground tunnel, no one were there. I think my sister and I were the only two visitors there. To my surprise, these tellers could actually speak Japanese language too! (O.O) and some could even provide Japanese, Korean and English translation. Do you know what am I thinking while I was strolling through these shops?

–Wow, are they for real or are they working as translators too? –

Knowing how some could speak many languages and friendly faces, makes me suspicious of these fortune readings. Nevertheless, my sister and I went to have our hand and face read for a mere 500 Yuan. Reading Ba Zi (the most complete fortune reading) could easily reached up to 3600 yuan. My sister and I were confused whether to continue with Ba Zi or stop with just the hand and face..but we went not to continue as once said never to give people your birth time and date to any people. Oh Well …

During the last few sessions before we head back to Hsin Chu, we went to Taipei and Zhong Shan Underground Mall. This underground mall is probably the longest underground walk I have encountered. You could actually walk to Xi Men MRT Station to Shuang Lian MRT Station from just the Taipei Main Station. Along the walkways were food and clothes shop. To my surprise, some of them cost even lower than Hsin Chu!! There is even a maid café in there too! We wanted to go inside but looking that there are only male customers…we changed our mind from going in XD

Talking about MRT station in Taipei, the MRT ticket..or should I say MRT coin is what I found to be very interesting. In Singapore, we would be given a piece of card where we could tap it before and after the train trip. However, in Taipei..it is a bit special :D .. which I find it to be very cute. The ticket is shaped like a coin, coloured in blue. Before entering the train, we would have to tap the coin to let the entrance machine, but when we went out, it is no longer the usual tapping, instead we would have to put the coin inside the hole of the machine (just like you are saving your coins in a piggybank).

On the last night of our Taipei Trip, we went to Miramar where we ride on a ferris wheel. We were given a choice to either go with the transparent car or non-transparent one. Of course, being us, we choose the first option, however we would have to wait for 20-30 minutes before we get our turn since there are only two of those from the big circle. Bleh

I love the experience nevertheless. One lacking bit : fireworks attraction while on riding on the car XD

If only I could spend another night in Taipei ... would really love to visit the Doctor and Nurse Restaurant ><

Day 38 || Tai Chung Trip with Sister

Many thanks to my TN and company who allow me to take a week break to accompany my sister travelling around Taiwan. Our first stop was to Tai Chung city as it was famous for their Tai Yang Ping (Sun Cake). I remembered back when I was in Indonesia, there is one shop selling Tai Yang Ping in Surabaya and I would always asked my parents to buy some back when they are on the way back from Surabaya. So here I am with my sister to do a Tai Yang Ping Hunt. Hehehe

However, the search was not as smooth as we thought it would be as this would be our first time travel without my TN’s guidance. Thankfully there is a visitor information centre at the Train Station, if not we would have difficulty finding the destination.

Maybe because of differ taste between Taiwanese and Indonesians, I found that Tai Yang Ping in here taste less sweet than the one in Indonesia. Not only have I found Tai Yai Ping to be quite tasteless, but also some other food. Or perhaps…Indonesians just enjoy sweets much 

After the hunt of Tai Yang Ping, we went to “Yi Zhong Jie”. "Yi Zhong Jie" although smaller than Feng Jia is located near Tai Chung train station. Maybe because I prefer a location that do not have too much crowd...personally I prefer this than the infamous "Feng Jia Night Market".

Different bus treatment: In Tai Chung, unlike Hsin Chu where we had to give 15 Yuan straight to the bus driver, in there, each passenger is given a card where we would hold it till we depart. The amount charged individually depends upon how far you went. The minimum is 15 Yuan and the maximum is 35 Yuan.

Next we went to “Jin Ming Street”. Stepping upon this street, I could feel myself walking around Australia, the place where beautifully crafted. Seats everywhere…to let visitors rest and have a cup of coffee. Lights surrounding the seats

…ooh… how I missed Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

Last stop being to Feng Jia Night Market. Feng Jia Night Market is located near Shin Guang Shan Yue.

-Christmas Snowball infront of Shin Guang Shan Yue Mall at Tai Chung -

My best advice for any foreign travellers, take bus no 77 from train station to the mall before taking a taxi. Waiting bus no 33 and 36 to go to Feng Jia Night market straight can be very tiring since they only depart at a specific time.