Taipei Taiwan 2009

I visited Taipei, Taiwan in Nov 2009. It was supposed to be cooling but it turns out to be another summer time in winter period. It was hot.

This was also the first time I travelled overseas with friends without parents or guardians by my side. I was very much a greenhorn as compared to my travel-mates as they had already packed their bags and visited countries alone without guidance.

It was also my first time learning the ropes on how to take care of myself abroad, how to do research online and sourcing for information instead of blindly following a tour group I’ve signed up.

The accommodation recommended by my friend was Rainbow Hotel located in Ximending. A popular place among the youngsters, it is a place of fast fashion, cheap deals and the hippest things. Hotel is situated in a great location. It is in the heart of Ximending and opposite the hotel there’s a convenience store 7-eleven and a 2 storey Watson (drugstore). There was also this Ah Zhong Mian Xian round the corner. Queue is a bit long but the staffs were fast in serving. Train station is around 10-15 minutes walk. It can be a challenge if you’re tired.

the mattress is quite hard

not beautiful, but clean

Do not deposit this train token into any slot. Scan it.

Ximending was actually quite a disappointment, well, just slight disappointment about it. What you usually see on TV, the vibrant streets of Ximending wasn’t that vibrant. It was lacking something. Something like lively atmosphere, noises and rowdiness. Yes, rowdy is the word. It was in fact, pretty orderly. 

ximending

To go to Jiufen, my friends and I proceeded to Zhongxiao Fuxing (opposite the shopping mall) to board a coach bus. The journey takes about 1.5 hrs to 2hrs. The return journey, surprisingly, took only an hour. 

Zhongxiao Fuxing

Along the way there wasn’t any much to see. But once the bus reaches Jiufen the view is magnificent.

this is candy. not what you think.

this is also candy

and it's from this shop!

Another famous restaurant you may hear about is the Modern Toilet. It serves its food on mini toilet bowls and such. Tables are made of bathtubs with a panel glass placed on top and the seats are real toilet bowl seats. But you can’t pee in it of course.

candy that you can bring home

Well, if you’re trying for the concept, by all means go ahead. If you’re going for the food, I suggest you eat something else as the food wasn’t at all tasty or up to standard. Cup noodles may be of better choice. I know it looks good but it is not. Really.

Taipei 101. A landmark. A building that can’t be missed. 

 

If you fear heights or isn’t keen to go all the way up to see the aerial view then please don’t proceed, unless you want to buy souvenirs or to see some pricey ornaments. There isn’t any much to do up there, but there are shops in the building itself, mostly branded situated on the first few floors.

Oh, the next thing I want to say is, I’ve also visited Shilin Market. My verdict is, don’t bother. It’s over rated, too crowed, too pricey, and too commercialised! I recommend Wufenpu situated at Zhongpo N. Rd., Songshan District ,Taipei City. MRT: Get off at the Houshanpi Station (Exit 4) and walk about five minutes west along Yongji Street to the corner of Zhongpo N. Rd. Train:Train from Taipei main station to Songshan, Wufenpu is located across the train station.

Il Dolce Freddo from Melbourne

ICE-CREAM!!!

Ice cream can be considered as one of my favourite dessert. It's easy to get hold of one but it's not easy to get hold of a good tasting one. 

Il Dolce Freddo from Melbourne.

Many may have already heard about it, especially students studying there. This was actually recommended by a friend who as been there for like 6-7 years.  

Its ice-cream is rich, no bubbles, not watery, not over creamy, and has even balanced taste. The flavours are not over powering. I had roche, rum and raisin, and two more flavours I forgot. Pricing is reasonable. (Less than SGD7-8 unless you’re buying a tub home) Sales persons are overall friendly and pretty.

Interior

Interior

 The thing that caught my attention was the variety of flavours it has. It basically has two counter fridges; one side is the classic tradition flavours like roche, rum and raisin and the other side has fusion? I’m not sure if I can use this word but it has pandan on its menu! I was like … uh!?

Address

Location wise is great. It’s located at Lygon street which is a foodie place. So after your meals, do hop by to try their famous ice cream. Not regrets. Satisfation guaranteed.

Vietnamese Food

Right now, I would like to share two of the best Vietnamese restaurants I've tried overseas. The prices are reasonable (less than SGD30) and the taste is just oh so unforgettable.

The first one is in Hanoi.

I visited Hanoi in September 2007 and the weather was humid and warm. This restaurant happened to pop- up in the middle of nowhere, or should I say, in the middle of a busy road. I don't have the name of this restaurant or the exterior building picture, but it's pretty impossible to miss this restaurant as its exterior gives a feeling of relaxation and with a touch of resort-like feel. Overall, the exterior of this restaurant is alluring and inviting. But don't expect air-con, they use ceiling fans.

Pho

Pho

Like I've mentioned earlier, the weather was warm and people would naturally order something cold and cooling like ice-cream or iced-Pepsi. But what happened was I saw a group of Caucasians at the next table eating and it seemed delicious, so I decided to give it a try. Upon ordering it, I was hoping I could finish it as hot soup during hot weather just didn't seem right. The soup was refreshing; pho was so smooth that is slides down your throat. Beef was tender with the right amount of fats attached to every piece of meat.

And well, I did order something chilling and sweet. This is one of the better canned "teh-o" I've tried. But I can't seem to get it in any supermarket here. Either that or I'm blind. I think it's the latter.

The second one is in Melbourne.

I visited Melbourne in November 2010 and a close friend of mine brought me to this Viet restaurant whose exterior doesn't give a good feeling and the interior didn't seem well furnished. But I tell you, don't get fooled by what you see. The food is the main highlight. I think this restaurant has been around for quite some time already. If you look it up from the internet you should be able to get decent information about it.

Spring Rolls

I am so in love with this spring roll. I normally wouldn’t even bother to try any viet spring rolls here in Singapore (it’s always too dry, too raw and over priced) but I don’t know why on earth that day I ordered it. Well, the spring roll is stuffed with appropriate amount of filling and when eaten alone, it doesn’t taste too dry that makes the food stick to the roof of your mouth and it gives that “healthy feel” diet. It also comes with sweet tasting sauce, only much better than those yong-tau-fu stores we have in the hawker center. If my memory serves me well, I think there’s some peanuts in it. 

Pho with mixed meat

Soup is great tasting but I don't know why my meat turned out to be chicken. I specifically ordered beef.
I did a rough search on the internet and it's called Mekong, located at 241 Swanston Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000. They also have mixed reviews. 

The Europe Part 1 - Paris

The third stop and also the last stop was to Paris. Coincidently, Paris was also my last stop in my second Europe trip. Paris - A well known city of fashion, beauty and for its gourmet. Well, no food in this entry. Sorry for the disappointment.

Eiffel Tower at night

Eiffel Tower in the day

The tower goes bling bling for 10 mins in every hour during the night

Well, it was winter when I got there in Paris, so the sky was dark and misty like almost everyday in daytime when I was there. And the queue to get up the tower via the elevator was so loooong.

Eiffel Tower from below

Inside Musée du Louvre

Musée du Louvre

Mona Lisa

I guess it was a misconception that I had about the painting of Mona Lisa. It wasn't exactly as big as I thought it was. It was... Maybe around the size of A4 or slightly larger than A4.

The Opera House

During the night

It is amazing how pretty street lights can be. It changes the facade of a place in seconds.

Motre Dame

My room - Novotel Tour Effiel - 15mins walk to the Tower

Room's view

Room's View to the west - River Seine

Streets of Paris Champs Elysees

Here's a better shot

Champs Elysees is famous. It's like the streets of Orchard Road in Singapore. It houses fashions, cosmetics and cafes. It's simply a joy just by walking down and get completely mesmerised by its beauty. And at the end of the road, you'll see this:

Arc de Triomphe

Louis Vuitton along Champs Elysees

"Melting"Building in Paris

It is not exactly melting but the exterior gives you the illusion that it is. It's somewhere behind, near the building of Louis Vuitton.

Along Champs Elysees

The Place Vendôme

So any regrets I have in this trip? Nope. A big no. It could have been more fun if I was accompanied by my love instead of my mom. Isn't Paris a city of love? In any case, it was also this place I got my first branded bag - LV. That aside, Paris, specifically the Effiel Tower, was what I wanted to see when I was in my teenage years. I remember how I would google and take a video tour. Imagining how it feels like to be there in person. And ah-ha, I've been there twice already. Dreams do come true... When you least expect it. (Well, I never thought I would have a chance to visit Europe, it was more like a "Do you want to visit Europe?" and a reply, "Okay", got me there.)