Taiwan Trip - Taipei #1

16 Dec
First night @ Taipei

Teammate JI was with Friend HL and I as we checked in the hotel, Itrip Taipei Inn and after that a walk around XiMenDing.


We brought different snack to munch along our way.


We also had a must-have when in XiMenDing, long-queue with local and tourist - Ah Chong Mee Suan! One of my regrets during my 3days stays in Taipei… I only had it once! Haha!


We then walked Teammate JI to her car. Gave her a hug.
That hug seems to be a “killer”… almost left me in tears. Haha!


Friend HL and I continued to walk/shop in XiMenDing.
The place is really big with many shops and alleys and junctions.
Though Friend HL did most of the shopping but I’m happy just to be in XiMenDing to look around at people and shops etc. I often heard and see XiMenDing on variety show/drama but now I’m actually there.


To walk back to our hotel is definitely a “challenge” as every alleys look the same. Haha!
The responsibility falls on me and thank God - with the help of map and some initial memory, managed to get ourselves back to the hotel.


The night ended with watching variety show, a must especially when you in Taiwan. Haha!

to be continued...

Taiwan Trip - Hsinchu #3

16 Dec
Last, half day @ Hsinchu

We loaded our luggage up to Teammate JI's car before we started our day. A rather cold cold day~~~

1st stop - Shen Keng
Despite the drizzling rain, we walked along the Old Street with many of the shops were under construction but it was a nice experience looking at what they sell - whether edible or inedible.


We took on a “challenge” - to eat coldcold icecream and cold cold tofu-alike dessert on the coldcold day. Haha! Nice taste!
One of which has an unique strong “burnt-smell”.


We also settled at one of the makan place for lunch, spicy tofu + duck blood, Shen Keng tofu and "oil rice". I quite like the "oil rice" actually, very very simple without any side dishes, just rice with sauce.


2nd stop - Jiu Fen
It was then another quite-long journey up the mountain to Jiu Fen - the place where the three of us almost freeze to ice. Haha!


To add on to the low temperature of 11degree, it was raining!


We squeezed through the crowd from shop to shop along their famous Old Street.


Till once we cant take it anymore so we quickly found a café and settled for a hot drink.


But the warmed-effect was gone immediately we stepped out of the café. -_-
After a short, very short walk… though there were still alleys we yet to conquer but we decided to end cause it was too cold. We headed back to the car in the rain + strong wind. Grrrrrhhhhh~~~

Teammate JI drove down the mountain before she had another long long drive up Taipei.


Salute her from the bottom of my heart - not a single moment of tiredness or sleepiness.
I very much wanted to accompany her so struggled BIG time to keep awake.. Haha! But I failed for a while, fall asleep but quickly woke up and continued to talk to her. =p


Thats the end of our trip @ Hsinchu!
A big THANK YOU to Teammate JI and Friend AN for their great hospitality and love!

From picking us from Taoyuan Airport at late late night (despite having an important event the next day) to sending us to Taipei to the many many long ridessssss. Not forgetting opening up their house for us to stay over.

Taiwan Trip - Hsinchu #2

15 Dec
Our second day @ Hsinchu

The day started early with just Teammate JI, Friend HL and I as Friend AT was sick so she stayed in.

Really appreciate Teammate JI from the deep deep bottom of my heart. It was literally a long drive-drive day. Apparently there are many places in Hsinchu where is quite difficult to travel to.


We were at this place with old buildings, streets and shops where we entered one to try their local make-it-yourself tea-alike drink.


Though it looks ok-ok but it has an unique taste. I like it!


It was then another drive to the next destination where we walked along the Old Street and also sat on a train to travel.. we wanted that experience but didn't expect it was a looooong journey. Haha!


After we "touched" down and continued a walk shortly before we left.


We headed back to Teammate JI’s house for a short rest before we went out for dinner, this time together with Friend AT who was feeling much better.

We went to this Beef Noodles Restaurant, opened by Friend AT’s uncle.
The noodles - texture good!
The beef - big and juicy!
The soup - tasty!
Overall - simply delicious!


After which, we went to a shop where they sell ladies' use - basically anything and everything. Check out how big the place is!


The night again ended with another cup of bubble tea - new flavor, Yakult + Green tea. This brand is a new brand in Taiwan, heard is quite popular. I like! Fresh and nice!


to be continued...

Taiwan Trip - Hsinchu #1

14 Dec
Our first day @ Hsinchu

We reached Hsinchu station successfully on our own.
Upon reaching, Teammate JI was there to pick Friend HL and me up.


As she need to be at her students’ care, we tagged along as well.
We just sat around and to see see look look when the children were doing artwork. And used the wifi available to catch up on facebook.


We excused ourselves shortly to the nearby 7-11 to have our lunch, cup noodles! Simple but nice!


Check out their 7-11, everything-also-have!


There was a moment where one of Teammate JI’s teachers brought us to her house which is opposite the church and shared with us the testimonies upon testimonies of her parents and family - we were amazed and blessed.

We spent almost half a day at the students’ care.
It was already past 7pm after they dismissed the children.

We then left to have dinner, a must-have when you in Hsinchu.
Pictures paint thousand words...


After which was a short shop at the Night Markets and some shops before we headed back home.


The night ended with watching entertainment show + bubble tea + fellowship... in the comfort of Teammate JI and Friend AN's house.

to be continued...