Trip to Taipei

Wed 14 May 2014

Mum and Dad arrived in KL in the afternoon, and went over to Abikia’s place.

The Skype session with Abi started around 8 PM. As I had to work late, I reached Abikia’s place at 10 PM, in time for late dinner consisting of vegetable and roast pork. It was a simple and surprisingly tasty meal. 

Thur 15 May 2014

Woke up early at 6.30 AM, and arrived at KLIA2 before 8 AM. We had plenty of time to explore the new aiport as our flight was at 10 AM. Arriving in Taipei, the immigration queue was very long with lots of tourists like us. It was raining heavily at the airport when we boarded the bus to town.

It turns out that the apartment was smaller than we had expected. It has the facilities listed in the website but would have been nice if it had been more spacious. There is just one room, with attached bathroom. After the initial surprise wore off, we adjusted to the size of the place.

Raining today so not much sight-seeing that can be done. Hopefully it will be better weather tomorrow. We decided to go to a nearby night market to get some food for dinner. Mummy likes the street food and we managed to get a good meal, very reasonably priced and tasty.

Man tou – NT40
Goose meat – NT150
Chung yu ping (spring onion cake) – NT45
Pickle carrot - NT50
Mango – NT180
Apricot – NT100

Fri 16 May 2014

We were up and ready by 7 AM. Turns out this is the first and last time we woke up this early. We decided on fish porridge (NT100) for breakfast, after checking out what was available nearby.

After breakfast, it was time to explore Taipei. First on our agenda was Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. The weather was cloudy when we arrived at 9 AM, which was perfect weather for outdoor walking. 

Posing at the archway entrance 

To the the left and right of the archway is the Concert Hall and the National Theater. Both buildings are almost similar except for the roof design. The CKS Memorial Hall is facing the archway at the other end of the square.

The Concert Hall

Ceiling in the CKS Memorial Hall

After learning up on CKS (with lots of photos and info at the CKS Museum) and witnessing the exchange of guard at 10 AM, we set off for the next destination.

Arriving at the Lin Family Mansion & Garden at 11 AM, it was a pleasant surprise. We had travelled back to the past, to a wealthy nobleman’s abode, with many gardens and ponds surrounding his abode.

After having a simple lunch of noodles, we headed to the Taipei Botanical Garden at 1.30 PM. Coincidentally a wedding shoot was in progress as we were taking pictures of the Lotus Pond.

Pavillion in the Botanical Garden

The Lotus Pond beside the Pavillion

We were back at the apartment, before Beh Ling’s arrival at 3.10 PM. Since she requested for us to buy her some food, we had a small bite in the afternoon.

In the evening, it was off to Shilin Night Market. There was just a slight drizzle, a major improvement to yesterday's weather. For our feast, we tried the oyster omelette, stinky tofu, soft shell crab, pork dumpling, man tou and herbal tea. Then it was late night shopping at Carrefour (near our apartment), followed by almond tea for supper.

Taipei Day 3 & 4

Sat 17 May 2014

The five of us ventured out to search for breakfast. We didn’t have to walk far. First round of breakfast consisted of bread with egg and cabbage, and yam cake. Our second round of breakfast consisted of yam porridge (NT45).

Then we headed over to Taipei 101, to view the city from 89 floors above, going up in the world’s fastest elevator. 

On the 89th floor of 101

View of Taipei city in the background

We had a late lunch at Wufenpu, followed by shopping at this wholesale market area. There are lots of small shops here. We made purchases of toiletry bags and socks for gift items.

At night, we went to the Siping Night Market. Although this night market closes early by 9 PM, we found gems at the beef noodle place and enjoyed the drinks from Come Buy.

View from our apartment

Sun 18 May 2014

We had a late breakfast consisting of sandwiches, yam cake, fish porridge, man tou and soya bean drink.

As today is the International Museum Day, it was the perfect time to visit the National Palace Museum, with free entrance to the adjacent Zhishan Garden and the permanent exhibits. 

Zhishan Garden

National Palace Museum

With a few floors to cover, we decided to focus on the jade and porcelain exhibitions. Lots of walking required and no photography allowed within the museum.

The NPM in the background

Info from Taiwan tourism website: To see the largest collection of Chinese artifacts in the world, head for the National Palace Museum. This museum was established in Beijing in 1925 but was moved to Taipei City in the 1940s. Just the building alone is worth viewing, as the interesting Chinese-style architecture sets the mood for what’s inside.

For lunch, we had beef noodle, followed by mango shave ice for dessert.

As Beh Ling had unfinished business to do, it was back to Taipei 101 for some serious shopping. We walked from Taipei City Hall to Taipei 101 for a spectacular view of the iconic 101 building.

After some heavy-duty shopping by Beh Ling for biscuits and tea (gifts for friends and colleagues), we had dinner at the 101 food court. With the night still young, Beh Ling wanted to visit another night market. The two of us continued with late night shopping at Xingnan. Fortunately this night market was close to the Metro station and we found it had lots of offer. After buying 2 pairs of shoes for myself, a pair of sport shoes for Mummy, it was Beh Ling’s turn to buy more gifts (shopping bags, shoe laces) for friends.   

Taipei Day 5 & 6

Mon 19 May 2014

Due to popular request, we had fish and yam porridge for breakfast. We decided to take some pictures at the lobby area before Beh Ling went off.

Family photo

After seeing Beh Ling off for the 10.25 AM bus to the airport, we headed off to Tamsui, which is at the northern part of Taipei. Unfortunately it was raining most of the time while we were there, so we didn’t get to enjoy every part of this coastal town visit.

At the Fisherman's Wharf

After walking along Fisherman’s Wharf, we bought some snacks as gifts for friends. For lunch, it was an expensive meal (NT660) near Fort San Domingo as it was raining heavily.

British Consulate Residence

After visiting the British Consulate Residence and Fort San Domingo, it was again pouring cats and dogs while we were walking to the Little White House. We stopped for shelter and waited for the rain to subside before continuing. Unfortunately, it continued to drizzle the rest of the afternoon and we decided to head back to the train station. 

Back at the apartment, Mummy used the hairdryer to dry our shoes as we recuperated from the wet visit to Tamsui. 

For our final night market visit, we decided to go to Xingan Night Market, just a train stop away from our apartment. Lots of shopping took place with Dad buying a pair of shoes (NT800), Bikia a pair of casual shoes (NT400) and Mummy buying two pairs of shoes (NT350), 2 blouses (NT180) and a pair of pants (NT100).

We had a satisfying dinner of mee sua and rice with minced pork while Mummy had pork knuckles. Cost NT155. Then we had two fish dishes (cod NT120, local fish NT100) and tofu dish (NT100). Definitely the best dinner we had so far. 

Before heading back to pack, we bought milk tea from Come Buy. For NT45, it was definitely cheaper than buying it in KL. Back at the apartment, it was down to brass work as we started our packing. Surprising, all things fit into our luggage and hand-carry bags.

Tues 20 May 2014

After seeing Mummy and Dad off for their 6.25 AM bus to the airport, it was back to bed for a bit more of beauty sleep. For breakfast, we had our final bowl of fish porridge. It was still delicious even though we had it 4 times in the past 5 days.

First stop after breakfast was Daan Park, located just outside of Daan Park Metro station. 

Sunken Garden in Daan Park

Just as we were getting to the pretty part of the garden, it started to rain so we rushed back to the Metro station.

Ecological Pond

Next stop, we headed over to Spot Taipei, a former US consulate. The location for Taipei Film House, it was an artsy place for the culturally inclined.

SPOT Taipei

Cafe in SPOT Taipei

Zhongsang Hall

Our final stop was Zhongsang Hall. Then it was a mad rush back to the apartment. Not only did we missed the 12.50 PM bus (took the next bus at 1.20 PM), there was a horrendous jam due to road construction and we arrived at aiport at 2.40 PM. We managed to check in just in time at 2.55 PM for the 3.55 PM flight. It turned out that there were other passengers who were even later than us.

After the long immigration queue, we walked to the boading gate and boarded the plane. Arriving in KL on schedule at 8.30 PM, I can’t believe the 6 days Taipei trip is over.

Wed 21 May 2014
Back to work...

April Photos

Here are some charming photos of the young Royal family. The newest arrival in the family will be taken on a tour of New Zealand and Australia, with his parents. Just before the trip, this family photo, taken from Kensington Palace was released.

April 7: Day 1 of the official visit to New Zealand, with Prince George looking effortlessly chic and cute.

April 9: Photos from Prince George on his first official engagement at a playgroup

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10786864/Royal-tour-Prince-George-steals-show-as-Duke-and-Duchess-of-Cambridge-bid-farewell.html

Prince George stole the show once again as he and his parents waved goodbye to Australia at the end of their three-week tour Down Under. Dressed in a red cardigan and red and white candy striped shorts, the nine-month-old shook hands with dignitaries and tried to wriggle out of the Duchess of Cambridge's grip as they boarded a flight home.

He shouted out as his parents chatted to Tony Abbott, the Australian Prime Minister, waving his arms and legs and wearing his trademark grumpy face.

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-george/10787579/Prince-Georges-Royal-Tour-scrapbook.html

He may still be in nappies but Prince George managed to upstage his famous parents during his first official royal tour of Australia and New Zealand

While the Duke and Duchess received a warm welcome everywhere they went, it was often Prince George who captured the public's attention. The young prince was showered with gifts, including a personalised skateboard and a wombat. Even a square in Adelaide was named after him.

March 2014

River's debut with her new hairdo. 

Wondering who her personal stylist is ?

Hint: it's not her Dad who is busy watching her to make sure she doesn't fall off her horse

Someone can't wait to go out and see the world ?

Another outfit from River's personal stylist

Meanwhile, River's uncle Danny has been busy with his diving trips. With trips to Tioman and Krabi, it has been a busy month checking out the underwater world.

Here are some photos from Abikia's Krabi trip in March, featuring a treadmill and a stunning sunset.