Taiwan trip 4th - 14 days loop

From the previous post, I finished up the excel file for the Third Aunt's lawyer and also poured away the entire remaining stash of Dad's old cheap wine, all in 47 bottles in one shot. It took me a while to do so for both and they were another one of those things you did once in your life and kinda remembered it for life cos it wasn't a fun thing to do.
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Taiwan trip 4th one so far, my second one this year, second time going out of Taipei to the various cities. This time more members cos the sinseh brought along his eldest daughter and my youngest sister also came along. So it is 6 pax instead of the previous 4. A new driver cos the previous one retired after his injuries. He had wanted to fetch us for this trip but the subsequent injuries put a stop to this and he retired.

We did put in a few conditions to mainly cater to my youngest sister who had to have enough time to stay in the hotel to do her dialysis. So we limited to 3 spots max. Wanting to go to those better spots instead of those "wtf?" small and 'duh' spots which Taiwan has quite a bit of. Cos in lesser developed cities and areas, their attractions can be really duh and you kinda of wondered why you ever came. There were fewer this trip but still some.

Tai Chung:

Straight off from the plane, we met up with the driver and had our dinner after half hour drive. After dinner, we continued on for 3 hours plus to reach Tai Chung (Feng Jia), our base area for 4 nights. The worst mingsu of the entire trip, our room was decent but the other room had no hot water. Complain and only after 2 days then change a room for them. Good thing was it was nearer to the Feng Jia night market where we revisited the Taiwanese oden that the elderly like a lot.

Day 2 - We drove out to Nantou. The Xitou Monster Village which is themed after the Japanese monsters myths. I read the review wasn't good and didn't expect to head there. It was okay for a single visit. There are lots to work on. I was happier going to the 7-Eleven and my sisters were busy playing the doll-catchers. One thing caught my eye - the inflatable 1000-tonnes hammer. Once I saw it, I decided I would buy it for Tab before we left. It was 100NT, so quite cheap for a few lame jokes, future cosplay. My mom and the sinseh enjoyed looking at the wet market section and bought fresh persimmon fruits which were super sweet though messy to eat. Nothing much to do in this so-called monster village. I feel it has yet to be fully developed. Think of it like some shops selling food, souvenirs somewhat loosely related to monster theme and some statues here and there. Performance wasnt much too. But I was glad to have bought that hammer.

Second place was Che Cheng, a old train yard, very big that is converted to an open space with some retail and some old trains. It was hot and sunny and I hid at the retail section. Think it is not worth going. It doesnt offer much except the 7-eleven was nice. I sat outside nursing a cold drink after going around a bit.

Lastly we headed to JiJi old street, which is like a very old train station in a small old street. Nothing exceptional, I just help spot out for those nickle presses for sister and the sinseh's daughter. They always make a bee-line for those. I help to provide an ever-ready supply of 10NT coins. Nothing much and we headed back in the evening.

The elderly and Geoky stayed back in the minsu while we go out to dabao dinner. Had to take orders and walk to the FengJia night market nearby. This time we stayed closer to the night market. This arrangement continued for 4 nights. I ate different food and actually less fried food than the previous trip. But I still had to help finish extra food and those cost me my waistline and my weight... sigh

Day 3 - We headed to the main headquarter of Paper Carton King. Had to pay an admission and go to every area to collect a stamp to exchange for a small gift. Verdict, it wasn't impressive to see more of the about the same Paper Carton King figures, same for other outlets except it had a dining, drinking and retail section as opposed to smaller outlets. I had my own fun when I saw the squirrel enclosure they had inside and managed to use the bird-seeds on the table (someone left there) and hand-fed an adult squirrel. The squirrel tail is really long and bushy. We had a drink inside then it was close to noon.

We were brought to Zhong Se Hua Hai (a govt run flower open park) There is a super big hawker center and we hid inside eating different food bought from different stalls. Not very good. The elderly and weaker decided to hide away from the sun. The three of us went to the flowers and took pics. Super sunny. It's Nov but Taiwan was hot and sunny. After an hour, we went back to the food center and also stopped at the small farmer's market. I bought an entire foot long sponge for 100NT. Not entirely impressed by the flower park. Flowers were not as diverse nor as big compared to those sea of sunflowers, tulips abroad.

Then we were driven to the Windmill area. Basically giant towers of wind mills generating energy. A small area where can see the line of windmills. Can see the devastation of the previous typhoon, some were severely damaged. The sun was setting around 5pm during the winter months and tried to make the best of these 'not-fun' locations by at least exploring and taking pics.

Day 4 - We headed off to Wen Wu Temple in the Sun Moon Lake area. This part was ok cos it was familiar and did enjoy this area from the previous trip. Did the coin lot and for my job-search, not good... I didn't need a lot to tell me that with the current economic climate. Sigh... I put in a small donation and went to the retail beside. A pair of Shisa (stone lions) caught my eyes. There were green, blue and orange but the orange ones look cute and cheerful. Bought the smaller version of it and happily left.

At Ita Shao village, we bought a lot from a particular shop we patronised the other time. Left with a bunch of those wooden massage blocks and big bottles of citronella oil. I bought a bunch more to give to friends. We all tend to suffer from aches so a good massage block seems more useful. We revisited the 3 main streets of Ita Shao showing my sis and the sinseh's daughter around. Had an ice cream cone for the heat. I bought 5 bottles of Xiao Mi Jiu at a shot and my sis took 2 and mom took one. These were the 4% ones I bought last time, with a lot of enzymes at the bottom.

We headed to the nearby town of Puli, to the wine factory which turned out to be a small exhibition area with various vendors selling different wine/alcohol products. I bought a pack of two Jiu Dan (Shao xing wine poached eggs) and I ate them a few days later and it was good. The fragrance of the Chinese spirit penetrated through to the yolk and yet the hardboiled egg wasn't overdone. Yolk was still soft. Nothing much there.

The last place was a Guang Xin Paper maker, which I didn't feel like paying to attend the small talk about paper. So I accompanied the sinseh at the resting area to wait. They came over after 40mins and redeemed their tix for a drink. Basically its hand-made paper and making paper fans or prints which they didn't feel like paying extra to do. I sat there and stone until they came.

Day 5: We headed to LuShan and left the same minsu and shifted to a new area. First was to Cing Jing and let those who didn't experience to go to the Cing Jing Grassland. I stayed outside at the food area, happily eating my pork sausage with wasabi and salad. It was good but I didn't feel up for two of it. Waited until the 3 of them came out.

We left to the opposite mountain, Lu Shan which is lower altitude than Cing Jing but has hot springs. We were early and couldn't check-in, so driver told us to go to this spring to boil eggs. But he didn't want to drive and wanted us to walk. It was quite far for the elderly and half way, they decided they don't want to go. The driver walked to his van and drove over to pick up the elderly, while the rest of us walked up the incline slope to first reach the hanging bridge. Then after a while of photos, we walked a further distance inside to find the small spring (a worn-looking sink that has boiling water) and bought a bag of eggs to hang inside that sink and chatted for 20mins waiting. Then brought the eggs back to the van for the elderly. Not great but the air was fresh though not as cool as Cing Jing was.

We had dinner at a tiny street area nearby and I bought more Xiao Mi Jiu (12%) ones that were cheaper than the Ita Shao's and fresh persimmons. Tried to enjoy myself by soaking in the hot spring later on that evening. I even took a soak the next morning before we left.

Things were hectic (cos driver keep setting us to leave at 8.30am so it meant waking at 7-7.30am) and sleep very disruptive for me (cos my sis had to do her treatment every 4-6 hours especially downtime in the hotel. I just put up with it and stayed at my bed area and occupy the least space I could. I purposely don't nap during the journey and only sleep at night. Almost all nights, I slept like a log.

Day 6: Changing minsu again, we shifted to Ali Shan, staying overnight at one of the villages on the top. It got cooler as we drove up. A short stopover at the Fu Qi trees, which were just two big charred broken trees, we saw the mountain bird. Can't remember the name but it wasn't afraid of humans and hung around as we whistled to it. Then we reached the Ali Shan part, the temperature was 10 degrees. Surprisingly I could do with just my t-shirt and baggy pants. Didn't need a jacket nor scarf nor gloves though I packed them along. So I walked around the entire village being stared at by people cos I was the only one without any cold wear on. The rest of the family were all wrapped up.

The elderly hid in the rooms and the usual three of us went out to dabao, convenience food from 7-eleven for dinner. We had a sumptuous lunch earlier, but we are considered small eaters for the portions they give. So even at night, when temperature reached 9 degrees, I was still in the same t-shirt and baggy pants. Ate a bacon cream pasta and had warm ginger tea. Just explored the entire village, cos though we could take shuttle buses to another village, but it was already getting dark and the bus services would stop in another hour. Not enough time to explore or risk being trapped in another village in the dark and having to walk the roads in darkness. Not worth it, so just walked about the village then returned back to the rooms. Slept with heating elements on the bed and thick blankets. I was ok in the cold but my mom and sis were quite miserable with the cold.

Day 7: We spent about 2 hours at the Jigong temple in Ali Shan to give thanks, later explore the small market place outside. Bought more of this very effective medicine called Yi Tiao Gen (one vein).

The usual three of us paid for admission inside this Jia Yi movie set place. It was really disappointingly dilapidated and not well maintained. So little to see and do, just very old movie sets. Did the best we could and took some silly shots here and there. Don't ever consider going there. There are better things to do with your life.

We reached Kao Shiung for the night and later driver drove us out to the Liu He night market to dabao food back for the rest. We could only walk nearby the hotel after dinner, and found a supermarket, which offered a different selection of items than convenience shops. Bought a box of tea bags.

Day 8: We went to another Jigong temple in Kao Shiung. There is a gigantic Jigong statue outside it. Stayed a while then we set off to Ping Tung. Went to the Aborigine cultural village entrance and paid to walk their Rainbow bridge. It was a long bridge but under the hot sun, not a whole lot of fun. Also paid for admission into the Aborigine village. Took the shuttle tram to watch the performance. But we were an hour early and nothing to do. So hid inside an exhibition area nearby that was rather small, you finish in 5mins. The performance was good, about 45 mins but leaving to try to reach the entrance. Had to squeeze with a large crowd to board the very slow frequency tram that can only seat limited. Took another 45mins to finally leave the village. Man, not worth it. By then I was mentally tired.

We headed for a long drive to reach Keng Ding, we reached before nightfall. The setting sun when we saw the long beaches was beautiful. Finally we reached our minsu which was just 2mins away from the night market. Again we were tasked to buy food for the elderly. 4 of us walked the very long stretch of road full of stalls. The good part was there was fresh sashimi. So I was very excited to eat my first Jap sashimi in Taiwan. Been there 4 times but never ate. I bought 10 thick slices of salmon sashimi for 200NT. Yumz, not the ultimate freshest but much much better than the cheaper grade in sg. My sis couldn't finish hers and I ate 14 slices in total. The room was spacious and nicely decorated. Our room had an entire wall cabinet of alcohol (mini) bottles lining every space and covered by glass and of course locked. I had a big queen bed to myself. Just too bad couldn't sleep late cos daily, set off at 8.30am... mostly. End up sleeping out of exhaustion.

Day 9: We set off for Hua Lian from Keng Ding and it was a long drive. We did go to the San Xian Tai, a worthwhile spot to go. There is a big pebble beach, the entire beach are pebbles, large and small. Then there is an arch bridge that has 8 arches linking to an islet. The three of us walked over the arch bridge and reached the islet and there is another long but flat path towards the main rock formation. We walked until the very end and it really looks beautiful but we were f*cked on the return journey cos so far away and also so many steps at the arch bridge back to the meeting point. Super roasted under the sunny weather. We set off to Hua Lian and stayed at this super luxurious minsu. The owner is a retired official and his minsu is really luxurious and the land is very good. Imagine, the back of the house is clear view of the Tarako mountains with very fresh air, yet quiet and still in the suburbs. We dabaoed food from the night market. The owner treated us to the Mango Shandy, super super super ultimate nice.

Day 10: We went to the Taraoko park and stayed there to watch about the Taiya tribe. Enjoy the fresh air. I had my first Yuzu tea. Delicious. Then we drove through the Taraoko range, that super most dangerous highway again. At least it was during the daytime and could see the view. Took a long while and we reached Yilan. The Yilan minsu had hot spring water, so I did another two soaking. Our rooms were joint and there was a separate bedroom suspended at the loft, with stairs that I slept up in. Walked to the nearby shops to find food, found some for the family and dabao back. I couldn't find the Mango shandy but I found another two flavors - grapes and pineapple, which paled in comparison with the Mango one.

We went to a hot spring area called Qing Shui Di Re, a much bigger and scenic looking area made for people to cook the food with the hot spring water. It was developed by the Japanese and numerous many cherry blossom trees lined the area, except they were bare in Nov. Imagine how it would look in spring. We had a relaxing time - boiling eggs and corn in the hot spring water and chilling in the cooler spring water then eating there in the late morning. Nice view, fresh air.

Then we went to the San Xin spring onions field at a grower that does DIY spring onion pie. So we paid and sat through a lesson kneading the doughball given and following the steps to make this twirl that is filled with San Xin spring onions and made into a circular disk that is fried for us and we can happily eat our own spring onion roll. This was a good experience.

We also revisited Ya Dian - a confection maker and I bought 2 rolls of the Japanese style kway lapis but much lighter, fluffier and less greasy. Had a 3 scoops sorbet ice cream with two doryoyaki making up the three piglets design. But nobody wanted to eat so I ate the entire thing. Man... dessert quota filled.

We left and reached Taipei in the late afternoon and checked into the minsu, it is very near to Ximending, my area. So we dabaoed food for the elderly and then I brought the other two exploring. First I showed them the sports arcade and we played until we worked up a big appetite. At first was too full from lunch. But after all the exertion in the very activity based arcade, playing games like basketball shooting, cycling, skipping. Got my sis to try out the indoor baseball and also shooting. Spent more than an hour inside. Then I showed them where the Modern Toilet restaurant was, in case the following evening, they wanted to go. On the way back, I saw the stall that sold the cheaper Angry bird plushies that time I went with my sis to Taiwan. Basically this stall sells the plushies at the cheapest in Ximending. This time it was pouches and some plushies. I bought two pouches for myself - a pokemon and a Totoro one. Started using immediately to put my wallet, phone, common wallet and coins. Worth the 100NT. My sister and the sinseh's daughter bought a whole bunch and I asked and gave further a bit of small discount for them.

Day 11: Then we headed to Shifen waterfall, I stayed at the front part, didn't walk in. Accompanied the elderly. Ok not great. Then we went to the Shifen old street. Finally walked it properly cos I was sickly the last time we came and didn't walk about.

We ate some food not spectacular and went to Jiu Fen. It was still very crowded during a weekday. The elders couldn't walk and stayed at the seats. We walked in the covered walkway. I found the Ocarina shop and bought Tab's request after checking carefully for cracks and flaws. Bought a small dark blue traditional one for myself. Didn't reach the tea house, didn't walk all the way through. We stopped and sat and eat the famous Sweet Potato Balls from the grandma stall. Then headed back out. While walking out, I saw the small soot ball plushie key chain, it was only 50NT and bought it. At least feel more 'Spirited Away' with it. Nice cute match to my Totoro pouch.

We were brought to the HouTou cat village entrance but nobody wanted to walk inside to see cats. We were brought to this confectioner to buy some sun cakes etc. I found the tastes too fine for my liking. Also pricier. My mom and sis bought a bunch and it was wrapped up in a box.

So we headed back to the hotel. With the extra time on hand, I brought the usual to the Taipei Central rail station underground mall. Then my sis needed to go to Q-square to buy some branded shoes that are cheaper in Taiwan at a mall nearby and we walked kilometres underground. Then underground parts have expanded hugely. Then at the supermarket, I bought two small boxes of teabags cos running low on luggage space. We rushed back to Ximending so the sinseh's daughter can buy a particular brand of pineapple tarts from this brand call Kubo Vigor which my entire family found to be ordinary in the last visit. I brought my sis to visit one of the confectioners that I previously bought from. She bought another box of sun cakes and they were cheaper and more pieces per box. I still prefer the taste, after trying it out.

Then the three of us went to the Modern Toilet to eat our dinner. First time for them both and they had fun taking toilet pics. Then we returned back for the night.

Day 13: We headed out to Sheng Keng Toufu street and stayed a surprisingly long 2 plus hours. Helped bought the cute cat shoes but unfortunately Taiwan shoe sizes were slimmer and smaller... I ate 2 of the smelly tofu. We waited until the stall open and bought a whole bunch. My lunch was grilled smelly tofu with different pickled toppings.

We headed out to Dan Shui old street and I am still underwhelmed by it. Walked the wharf and bought ginger tea. The Yu Ren fisherman wharf is also underwhelming, except we ate an entire meal of sea food that consists of crayfish, lala, clams and abalone. Not my cup of tea. I prefer sashimi instead of these clams. I wasn't in a very good mood cos I tio my sun allergy and already suffered for two days the pain. Won't go these few uneventful places ever.

That night we had a massive laundry washing and drying. I spied a small pasta stall, near our hotel while looking for coin laundry. Dabaoed that for my sis and myself. Also managed to buy more Mango shandy from Family mart. Strange that 7-Eleven just don't carry the mango but can find exclusively in Family mart. Had a delicious and cheap clam pasta dinner (70NT) with Mango shandy (37NT). Happiness and bliss can just be simply so in simple things (merely S$4.90)

Last day I was glad to be back cos it was exhausting by then. The early mornings and travelling and walking about had taken its toll. We flew back on a Kitty flight. My lower calorie special order meal was good - good old chicken breast meat with vegetables. Kept the plastic utensils. Now dunno what to do with them.

This time I spent S$888 for spending monies. Lower than before excluding air fare, insurance, driver and accommodation of S$1,630. Total is $2.5k, half of a Japan trip?

No Octobeer nor Halloween this year - blind boxes instead

Coming out from Muar kinda made me lose track of some stuff that I had in mind to do, to remember. I came back with more 'legal and accounting' homework. I did do up the accounts in Excel file. Then later that night, I did some manual calculations on paper which I haven't transferred into Excel format yet. I was rushing to do it out then my mom told me it can wait, so my progress slowed. I shall try to finish up the Excel files before I fly.

Then got other stuff taking up the time:
Going for KM, going out meet friends, going out to visit, errands to run, settling monies for upcoming trip.

Things to do:

I have to pour away another 2 container cases full of cheap wine. I poured like 15 bottles in one night and didn't continue. Still have 2 cases. Let me also pour them away before I fly.

Going to start the packing of the travel luggage on Wed. Don't like last minute packing and I am trying to bring minimal though the weather is cold, maybe coldest is 12 degrees? Good thing is alcohol is cheap. If needed, I can always get a pre-mixed bottle at any convenience shop.

Tidy up my Dad's files and put them away until needed. They are taking up my limited space in the room. Hope to go back to my small space enough for exercise on the floor. Now it has become so cluttered, there is barely space.


Fun stuff:

Nothing much. Met up with Tab on Monday, which incidentally is the actual Halloween (but a school holiday due to the Deepavali weekend). We met up in Nex, partly to get food there, for me to return library comics and borrow more and also to get the Blind boxes. I was aiming for one Kidrobot Yummy World vinyl figure and Tab was keen to get more Pusheen. A pity that the Pusheen plushies that were at the gift shop were gone. In my visit, I saw the surprise boxes and was tempted too.

We bought ours and headed to the Graffiti cafe to eat wanton mee and wantons. Updated with regards to the 'Game of Throne' and how I've realised that at least my Mom and I were more naive and honest people... that we don't look at others with schemes. I think I rather remain as I am.

After that we bought some grocery and went to Tab's place. Helped her film another Unboxing video and vice-versa. I got another fish-related item. I got a Sushi (more Ebi than Salmon) though the color kept making me think it's salmon instead of prawn. With the cute prawn tail, it was bullied immensely by Tab's numerous Pusheens. There's the big one, the medium Sherlock, and the three small ones. All bully the poor sushi. The name on the Kidrobot site is Eri Ebi, a boy. Sounds funky. So that's our Halloween this year of 2016. A rather mild year compared to previous pictures from years ago - not that we did anything crazy but more dressed-up. One with the full make-up (but slimmer figure then) and the masked one with Haagen Dazs ice cream as the saviour. Did make myself two drinks - Rootbeer gentleman whisky and oishi lemon tea with lemoncello.