my place of thoughts: 我愛台灣 (2013年版, 第一篇)

I have to admit that every trip has something memorable, each one has its own value.

I have gone to Taiwan (Taipei) twice in the past 2 month, i.e. one month once in June and July, for different purposes: Play and then SYCO.

第一篇
台北: 木柵台北市動物園, 台大商圈, 師大夜市, 十分瀑布, 十分風景區, 九份老街, 士林夜市, 台五分埔, 饒河夜市, 北車站地下街, 西門町, 台北小巨蛋.

It was quite an impulse decision for the June Trip. Have to say that it was a very good one. Carefree and fun. Everyone was quite surprised that I am actually going for the trip because by that time I already knew that I will be going in July with SYCO. But still, I felt it was different. Like I said, I was really prepared to go on my own if no friends are available and willing to go with me. And I was really all out to get my Sodagreen concert ticket. A lot of trouble in between, but I'm quite lucky to be able to get 1 quite good seats ticket in the end. The seller was really kind and helpful enough to meet me at my convenience, and selling it to me at the original price. I have to say that because I'm doing something like that for the first time, I was feeling a bit skeptical and couldn't even believe that I'm going to the concert for real; until the concert started and no one came to me to say I'm sitting on his/her seat in the stadium. Haha! Silly thinking I know. But I'm really happy to be there, I must say. I was so so so excited to experience the whole thing, first time watching pop concert in a foreign country, my favourite chinese band now! :D

The concert itself: Have to say that it was a bit below my expectations. =P Not because they didn't sing well, I still enjoy every single part of the music. It's just the hype of the concert was less that I anticipated. Why no one cheer for them one?! I understand you all don't want to anyhow shout because 青峰 doesn't like to be disturbed when he's singing, but can at least scream at the end of the songs right? I was only disappointed in that area, because I totally wanted to scream and cheer for them, but no one is doing it, so I will just have to maintain a bit also. :/

The rest of the parts of the trip, it was more than enjoyable, other than the cannot-eat-seafood-and-egg part, which is so difficult to keep to. HAHA! The first day I'm there, the first meal (breakfast), I had to eat an egg because I ordered a pork cheese burger without knowing there's egg inside. Haha!

豬肉起司堡

Came across this shop coincidentally while walking around the 台北車站 neighbourhood. And they have so many varieties! I thought I chose the one without egg already! But it's really nice! :D

We went to the zoo! It's quite fun actually, and we get to see the pandas! :DDD And it's free! Their zoo is very big! Think the last time I visited that place was 3+ years old with the family - the first time we went to Taiwan, in 1990. HAHA! And I don't remember a thing. Lol. 團團圓圓 too cute already! I can't wait to see my 嘉嘉凱凱. (Is it that Jia? Hmm....) Btw it was very crowded and there don't seem to be any animal show going on. Crowded because it was dumpling festival and it's public holiday there! A lot of families with little children were there too. We walked until we were kinda tired anyway, decided to return to city for late lunch after an ice cream at Mac.

Me with the panda! :))) So cute!

When the panda walks near to the glass. The other one totally didn't move and was sleeping butt facing us. :/

One of the funniest photo! The monkey just stayed in that position for super long. Sun-bathing or faking death? HAHA!

When we exit the zoo. :)

Lunch was at 鼎泰豐. Actually it was already 3pm when we get to sit in the restaurant. Waited 45min for the seats. Yes, it was that crowded. Looks like it's the same everywhere. Food was good!!! My treat to sushitan because she said she agreed to come with me. haha! We had these:

小籠包 & their Bak Zhang (肉粽)

Pork Chop Fried Rice!

The food is really nice! I think it's the meat they use, it's kinda different from the Sg one. But that's when I had to eat egg again. -.- So I tried as much as possible not to take a lot of eggs.

By the time we finished our lunch, it was almost 4pm. We decided to go back to our hostel to freshen up plus allow me to change off my flats because the sole has already came off. (Well, I intend to wear that pair there and throw it because it's near its death. BUT I didn't expect it to die on the first day! Moreover, we had to walk so much, I was just praying that it wouldn't come out at the zoo. Haha!)

So we rested for (quite) a while, and headed out again to 台大商圈, and then to 師大夜市. We took us quite a while to shop the whole of that place, and I didn't think we even finished. Spent a lot of time at Watsons, that night and other nights also. haha! By the time we got to 師大夜市, which is quite a distance away, it was kind of late and a lot of shops already started closing, considering it a weekday night. We managed to stop by a few shops though, got some clothes and some good food. A pack of 滷味, a pack of 甜不辣 and a 刈包 (gua4 bao1) each. Heard it's really nice. And they even have different combination of meat you can choose from: fatty only, skinny only, combi of fatty and skinny, combi with more fatty, combi with more skinny. So don't be afraid that you don't want to eat so much fatty meat! :) I had a combi while Sushi had the skinny one. Lol!

The 割包: Very nice, I'm not a parsley person, but it's good! You can ask the person to leave it out anyway.

The big packet of 滷味 that still taste good the next day. HAHA! Good thing we didn't eat in the room 'cos the smell was really strong.

甜不辣, 鹽酥雞 Store. Look at the spread! Just have to take 1 piece and they will put in for you!

Actually, we spent a lot of time at the clothes shop, so much so that most of the rest of the shops are closed, we had to head back. And still, it was kinda late when we returned to the hostel. Sushi fell asleep for quite long while I eat my own bao. We didn't eat any of the other 2 packs of food. LOL!

The first day was really long since we got there at 6am, so we slept and decided we will wake up early to go 十分 and 九份 in the morning.

I think we woke up quite early for a record there. HAHA! But things still didn't turn out to be planned. Plan was to go to 十分，九份，淡水 then 士林. We had to give up 淡水 because we didn't have time to. But I say it's a new experience. The last time I went to 十分&九份, we had a full day transport to bring us. I did my own homework to bring ourselves there this time. Just that... it was a bit fail at some point of time, although nothing was lost.

See, our ticket to the change station, we only managed to get a standing ticket btw. So we stood for about 45min throughout the train journey. But it wasn't that bad lah. haha

Just that, the train was delayed for a while and so we also missed the connecting scenic train at Ruifang. A train came, the 2 of us 還沒有搞清楚狀況, we just board the train, only to realise the rest of the people waiting at the platform are STILL waiting at the platform. The train is practically empty. We find it a bit suspicious. We reckoned that we took the wrong direction. haha! Alighted at the next stop called 暖暖, crossed over and try to find some answer. In the end we asked someone waiting at the station, coincidentally she's also going to 十分. She told us we should take the next train and explained to us why we have gotten on the wrong train. haha! A pity that we spent too much time trying to figure that out, we didn't managed to take any photos at the 暖暖 station (which a lot of couples like to go and take photo cos of the Fish Leong song, also one of my fav song). If you really have time, can go there and have a look, it's really a quiet place.

The lucky thing was we get to sit through the train ride to 十分車站, it was really crowded. haha! The person was very nice, explained to us, and afraid that we will lose our way (although by now the rest of the passengers going to 十分 are also already on the train). It was quite embarrassing because we were sitting at 2 ends of the row of seat and she passed the message over to tell us we should alight at that station. (Okay, I know where I'm supposed to alight)

Yes, on the train track when we arrived. There's a sign to say do not walk or stand on the track, but I think everyone is just doing the same! haha!

We gave ourselves 1.5h to walk around until the next train came. But we didn't fulfill that also. We went to 放天燈 first. Basically we just took the first shop that approached us. The owner was very nice anyway. We had quite a good time writing our wishes. We were almost ready to release it when a train is approaching, so we had to siam first. Boss helped us to take photos.

This is damn funny, but really what we need. HAHA!

Us releasing the 天燈 - just before we let it go

The boss took multiple shots. There's even smaller view of it in the sky! Very pro.

Then we walked to the fall. Didn't have the chance to visit it the last time. Well, from the photo above, you probably can tell that rain is coming. It did and while we walked, the rain became heavier. And somehow I think we took the longer route, thus taking us longer time to reach the fall. And realised that we need to pay to see the falls, 80TWD, not that we are calculative, but we walked so far and we still got to pay leh. And since we have, we have to go in to make sense. Take some photos before heading back, decided that we will follow some other people because they were taking a different route. True enough, it was shorter. But tbh, one part of it was really steep, so if we had came from that side, it's quite dangerous too.

Yay! At the falls! It was still raining btw, had to throw the umbrella aside quickly to take the shot.

Just outside the gates to the fall. Along to train track actually.

The whole day ticket for the scenic train. Actually, we got it at the platform when we go and they didn't check when we come back.

Went back had one of the best 香腸 while waiting for the train to bring us back to 瑞芳, and then proceeded to 九份, now we didn't get that wrong. Haha! It's great to be back at 九份 again. It has all my favourite food and I really liked that place for the street itself. But it seems like there's one part of the place I never had the chance to visit. I will, the next time. :) We got a lot of food from there. Spent quite a lot of time there too, taking leisure walk through the street, stop to eat as and when. Love it!

Fish paste soup and 貢丸 soup. Not bad at all.

My first 冰淇淋花生卷. It's really nice! Comes with parsley also but I op-ed out. haha! But it's really brilliant stuff. Okay, maybe because I like peanut and ice cream anyway. :)

賴阿婆粉圓

The paranorma view at the top of the end of the street. Pretty. :D

The store we got our owls at. God, she's so spot on. I don't know how but she bought me over. I wouldn't say what is it, but go and experience it on your own! I'm sure you will get one of those as well. But probably you need to get to the correct person. Ask for more info! :)

Gotten the 郭金山花生糖 (My fav), and some 海燕窩 too. I haven't had the chance to do it yet. hehe!

And then, finally, we are going to 士林夜市, I've been walking the whole day in flip-flops. Finally, the chance to get shoes. :DDD And you know what happened to the shopaholic... For the whole trip, I bought 9 pairs of shoes and 1 pair of slippers. Lol! They are cheap since they are on sale! A pity that I couldn't find any sandals that suits me. We had some obligatory food from 士林 before shopping, except for the 豪大大雞排, because I'm still contemplating if I should eat due to the allergy. In the end we were quite full so we didn't.

The next day, wanted to wake up earlier but I guess both of us are a bit off our energy. HAHA! We wanted to walk around 台北車站 before heading to 五分埔. And so, we were nua-ing quite a bit in the room, we only got out after finish watching a movie and all the washing up at almost 12pm. Lol!

Lunch was at 鬍鬚張!!! 滷肉飯!!! It's damn nice!! And cheap. Haha. Let the picture do the talking. :)

The oh-so-good 滷肉飯!

The pork chop is definitely nice too. Plus a soup and veg. We basically cleared everything.

Shopping time at 五分埔, but didn't really buy a lot. Bought a dinner dress and a few tops. But considering that fact, we spent quite some time at the place before proceeding to 饒河夜市. We are kind of early, so most of the stalls are not opened yet. We finally went into a reflexology shop where sushi does her foot massage while I just rested on the chair. Like totally just fell asleep. LOL!

Then it was food at the night market! :D They have lots of good food and more varieties! :)))

(Top to bottom, left to right)

爆漿玉子燒: we ordered the fish roe flavour.

三兄弟藥炖排骨: nice soup. we ordered 滷肉飯 as well :)

Chicken wing with glutinous rice inside: nice and crispy. (top and bottom) Bottom is before we eat it.

銅鑼燒: Hazelnut chocolate filling. Erm... not fantastic, not warm at all, unlike those japanese fish-shaped or round pancakes in sg.

日本圓圓燒: Japanese egg pancake (Like those we see in pasar malam, the square ones), only round-shaped.

Returned to 台北車站 to shop, until the shop closed. We were kind of early. Was outside the Starbucks at the station and wondering if the prices are cheaper there. We went in to see and then the staff asked if we are ordering and told us that the drinks are on 1-for-1 until 8pm, and they will count us as the last customers if we want. OF COURSE! :))) But we were still full, so a tall-sized was good enough to make us happy.

Cool kind of promo! :D

Tried our luck on the dolls machine because there's a very cute Captain America. We are really lucky not because we are good at it, but the staff was really nice. If you get what I mean ;) Got 2 pairs of the shoes from collection here too. In fact, cheaper, but because there was less size choices, thus my selection was limited.

We returned back to our room and after a while, decided that we are wasting the night away being back so early. It was only 10pm then. So we decided to go to 士林 again, because they open till 2am on weekends! :) Yes! More shopping. And in fact, we couldn't even finish the whole 士林 I feel. Or maybe we just got a bit lost walking through the different cross junctions. haha! So anyway we only returned to the hostel at 2+am, when all the shops are almost done closing. :D

Next day!! Sat, the important day!! :DDD

We reckon that it will be a late day since 西門町 is not opened so early anyway. But anyway, we wanted to eat the 阿宗麵線, and didn't know where was it so I just asked a random shop staff, she say it's really ok only, and asked if we want to eat something else like sausages. We went to find the stall she said, and it was really nice!!!

Waited quite a while for it, but it's awesome! The juice and tenderness of the meat! (Y)

The 阿宗麵線, we shared one bowl

(On a side note: during the trip in July, Fenghua also mentioned a very good sausage stall at ximending, and I think it's the same stall. But he said that he couldn't find it and heard it's not there anymore. Hmmm.... if you are there, try to find it or ask around)

Shopped around, walked pass a CD shop and realised there's a crowd, turned out to be 黃義達's new album event. No, we didn't wait for it to happen. Plus we were a bit looking for place to change money. So practically we walked around almost the whole of ximending. And I got a blue rabbit soft toy (the craftholic look-a-like)! The first time I see that colour, so I just bought it anyway. Haha! Need to go back to our hostel first before proceeding to next venue since need to change money at the 星光三越 nearby anyway. (TIPS: They don't have money-changer everywhere like we do, have to go to bank or big departmental stores but at lower rates. Some hotels do offer, but at a very very very low rate, eg. 1SGD=20TWD when it's about 23.5TWD in SG. Some departmental stores do offer, but don't accept Singapore Dollar, so do take note and do change enough money if you think you will spend a lot.)

Went to my JJ's shop!! :DDD Bought a cap, knew that he won't be there anywhere since he has an fan event on that day (which I got chosen to go! T.T but I think I mentioned that I gave it up). Anyhows, I would have wanted a few more but well, I need to choose lah because I shouldn't buy so many anyway. And then we walked all the way to ChiaTe. Erm... it's actually quite far from where we were. Walked for about 20-30min, in that hot weather. But quite worth it because the 鳳梨酥 are really nice! (my sis said I should have gotten 鳳黃酥 because it's nicer, it's with salted egg yolk btw). 老婆餅 & 奶油酥餅 also nice!

Poor friend had to help me bring back all the things because I'm heading to 小巨蛋 down the street. Hehe! She even had to help me take photo first before going off. HAHA! But well, she gets to go do more shopping and help me search my stuff also (she went back to ximending). As planned, went to ximending to look for her after the concert. Oh well, I expected the concert to end later than that actually, although it was already 3+h long, but for charity, they already donated all the proceeds of the concert, having none left to extend the venue. Anyways, decided that we will watch a movie since it's the last night in Taipei. We will be on the plane next noon anyway.

Me outside 小巨蛋. Apparently it's impossible to take me and the whole place together. It's just too big.

Back of the ticket. Their tickets are so cute and customised!

To some surprise, there were still push carts selling stuff and food. 乘勝追擊, buy some more things before we go for the movie. It's kind of impromptu. haha! Anyway we watched "Now You See Me", well, great show!! Didn't have the time to watch it in Sg, so not a bad choice! :D After that went back to hostel to pack.

The movie ticket. And they have some promotional price if you buy the ticket after a certain timing. Not exactly sure, but I'm sure we got it at a cheaper price. HAHA!

LAST DAY! Actually we didn't plan anything. And we knew we got to leave around 10.30am to take bus to the airport. Quick bite breakfast from Macs. Sausage McMuffin (pork) with milk tea. :) When I was at the counter, a guy after me asked for 'Iced Milo', he didn't even attempt to say it in Mandarin. Hais. Well, they don't have lah. Then, asked for 'Hashbrown', no attempt too, the staff also don't know what he's saying. I had to save the day by saying, '薯餅', but apparently their breakfast time finishes at 10.30am! Unlike the late s'poreans who goes for breakfast at 12pm on weekends. Haha! Which I appreciate that timing for local Macs. Hehe.

And then we were back. Fortunately for the food, there isn't much food available after we got to the airport, probably we are at the terminal with lesser facilities. Oh! Gotten some airport limited versions of Stitch there. <3 much! :)