Tainan - an unexpected Trip 19-22 Sep 15

Having blogged about my Kending & Kaoshiung trip, i thought it's fair that I blog about my Tainan trip. Been a while since i last travelled with this friend of mine, and so we decided to do a short get-away. Just a short trip to Bangkok. But shortly after booking the air tickets, there was the bombing incident, and to play it safe, we decided to change our destination, and So, it's off to KaoShiung!

Since it's meant to be a get-away, a relax trip, we decided to keep it easy, and do a simple trip to Tainan, Fairyland lake(farm) and Fo Guan Shan @ Kaoshiung! Tainan was amazing, with it's culture. Visited Anping old street,the fort, the Treehouse (my favorite place there) and had quite a bit of snacks there. THe whole afternoon was spent exploring the old streets, not forgetting the majestic Mazu temple! We got a bit lost especially with the bus options that eventually, we decided to take a taxi back to town! But managed to visit the very big Flower Night market before going back to our little minsu.

Next morning, we visited Chikan Tower. Had the fortune to meet a retired teacher who served as a guide for us. Very informative tour, learning about the history of Tainan!Were too early and missed the chance to try the famous Noodles. well next time perhaps!

Next stop was to Fairyland lake. We thought it was near Tainan town but how wrong we were! Tainan is actually very big!!! managed to get a cab driver who drove us there (2 hours!!) and enroute, we detoured and vistied Cigu salt mountain and had the best seafood lunch there!! Super yummy!



Yummy seafood near Cigu Salt mountain

View from the Fairyland Lake

The farm was quite and peaceful and we really had the chance to sit and relax, playing with the little puppies (even for me!) and enjoy the sunset as well as the starry night! had a little tour in the morning before moving on to our last stop.

Our room at Fairyland Lake

Fo Guan Shan in Kaoshiung has always been a must "wish" for me. SO decided to go for it this round! tried but failed to get accomodation at the temple (due to our very limited mandarin and well time) we decided to stay at e-da (the nearest hotel to FGS). E-da is mostly a theme park and as a shopping mall, well it's kinda of boring for us.. But our visit to FGS was amazing! we spent more than half a day at the memorial hall itself with all the exhibits etc. loved the vibes there. Can simply stay and relax the whole day there!

but time is running against us, and it's time to go home. Shopped a bit at Zuoying before moving off to the airport and bid good bye to our little trip! loved taiwan!! every where is a different experience! and everywhere is full of fond memories!

FATE is a FUNNY Thing @ Kending & Kaoshiung (13-18 Oct 2015)

This trip with my 2 friends just happened. We had planned to travel together for years, but it never happened. Not even a short trip to Malacca! This round, just a prompt on air fare promo, and bingo, within 2 hours, the tickets are booked and the trip finally happened! All 3 of us were stunned!

And finally, on 13 Oct 2015, we went on our way, first to Kenting and then to Kaoshiung. There, we somehow met a driver at the airport and decided to take his minibus straight to Kenting (instead of the public transport as originally planned). The 3 of us were seated right at the back of the mini bus. But somehow, through the driver, at the end of the day, we met a lone traveller, seated right at the front! The driver kept cajoling us to travel together for the rest of the day to save on expenses, which after a bit of hesitation, we agreed! And there, it started a 4 pax travel for the next few days! We had so much fun together, though we just met! He’s a very nice guy, keep offering to take photos for us, and even when we offered to take for him, he would offer to take for us before himself!

with our travel mate!




And because of him, we had so much great photos of the 3 of us! Ended up, by miracle, we met again at the night market, without the need to spell out our location, and the following morning at the beach! It happened again when we went to the Liouhe Night market at Kaoshiung. We spent most of our time at Kenting together, 3+1 of us. Did jump shots together, climbed a tree together, ate together and shopped together! It’s amazing. I even gave him a crash course on his dSLR (I admit, I had a great time playing with his dSLR! Wahahhaa)





We went back to Kaoshiung together in the same mini-bus, and he happened to be staying within walking distance from our hotel. Met both nights to visit the night market together and we even had a KTV session together, all the way till 2am in the morning! It’s amazing night. The following night, we had a super nice dinner together and he helped us traced the location of the miffy’s shopping center and took the photos for me! After that, ended the “trip” with him after a walk at the night market till 1am! Basically he was our “consultant” at the night market, accompany us to buy things, and see things, but he didn’t even buy anything! Lol

Well, that’s fate! Haha seems like we are fated to meet the traveller on this trip, to join us for that few days, and be our photographer! Lol… well, let’s see if fate will con’t and if we will con’t being friends! Hahahaa……..

On our own though, we also had so much fun. It’s like we have been transported back 10-20 years, having fun like small kids, kicking sand at each other, “bullying” each other and even pillow fights… haha…..it’s been a long time since I had such a “HIGH HIGH HIGH” Trip!

Hong Kong Yet again 2012

After many discussions of where to go, for my Bro's vacation, finally it's Hong Kong, Yet AGAIN!!!

haha, me, my mum and bro just went HK 2 years ago and we covered quite a lot of areas in our last trip. For myself, this will be my 4th trip, and i really running out of fresh ideas, and attractions that I have never been!

Anyway, bought our air tickets via Priceline for Hong Kong Airlines at less than $400. Decided to spend a night at Macau, and after much searching, managed to get a 1 night day at the Venetian for SGD$300 a night. For HK, we got the 3 nights stay at YMCA Salisbury at Tsim Sha Tsui - Family suite at around $330 a night.

Will be flying off on the 5 April and returning on 9 April. Now still thinking hard of where to go. Have more or less settled my Macau itinerary. As for HK, decided to go Ocean Park this time round. Have never been there. As for the rest of the days, i guess it's very much F&E, with some relaxation time and SHopping! unlike my previous trips hahaha...

Guess will try to update again when i have gone for the trip.

Sun Moon Lake 2011 (Part 2)

And on Day 2 itself, after a great breakfast at our cosy homestay, we spent the whole day exploring Sun Moon Lake. Started off with the Boat trip (Price included with our dinner at the Home stay at only 243NT per pax!). The pier is just a few steps away from our homestay, less than 5 mins walk. After getting our hand stamped (it's a whole day hope on and off ferry service), off we go!

First stop : Was at XuanZang Temple. Took a short walk, and yes, you have to try the Ah Po's 茶叶蛋(Tea leaves egg). It's simply heavenly.It's just so yummy. We had one each, but it's not enough especially for my Aunt who loves it, and even until today, she keeps grumbling that i did not let her have a 2nd helping of the eggs! hahaa

After that, we boarded the ferry again, and off we went to Ita Shao, the Village of Thao. Had a walk around, bought some rice wine, and took the ferry back again. Kept our shopping stuff.

After a short break, we took the shuttle bus, and went on our way to the Ci En Pagoda. It's quite a walk up, approximately took the 4 of us around 30-45mins, but the walk's really worth it. It's so peaceful and serene up there, and when we went up the Pagoda, the view is fantastic! you get a 360 degree view of the Sun Moon Lake from up there. Simply like a view of the heavens..

Our last stop before heading back to our homestay, is at the Wen Wu Temple. A big and majestic temple. Although it's my 2nd visit to this temple, i still enjoy the peace and serenity there. And another not to be missed snack is the "BBQ taiwan sausage" sold at the little stalls just outside the temple. It's just different from the usual stalls. THe meat more tender, and juicer! Yum Yum.

And off, it'a back to the homestay, for another night, and off to Taipei the next day. Byee sun moon lake.

Ci En Pagoda

Sun Moon Lake 2011 (Part 1)

July 2011

Planned the trip and got the airtickets since Dec 2010 and after a long period of planning, we (my mama, Aunt and an old old friend) finally went on our way. Took JetStar and reached Taipei around noon. Transferred to the HSR (via the Ubus Shuttle) and a 40mins HSR ride took us to Tai Chung.

From Tai Chung HSR Station, we boarded the Nantou bus 南投客運bus which took us to SML directly. A very beautiful bus ride up which took approx 1 hour plus.

Stayed at this beautiful homestay, Laurel Villa 桂月村民宿 which is very cosy, and with very hospitable owners! Great location, and good food too! Really hit off with the owners. In fact, had a nice long chat with them over dinner that we almost forgot we were suppose to do some light shopping after dinner!

Beautiful Sunrise during the early morning. Woke up around 5 am, and took a walk around the lake. Much to see during the early hours. So quiet and yet, so beautiful. Really worth waking up early for the view.

Dawn break.