Friday @ ccw

So today I went and clean up the compost bay I made yesterday. There were termites so I need to remove the pallet.

After that I head home to rest. I bought back nasi lemak with beef. Yums!

In the afternoon, I just slacked on my phone, watching videos online. I tested my study desk and it is not bad at all. Works just as I hoped. However, the chair is small for my liking. So I decided to head to Ikea to try on some cheaper chairs (not markus).

Parked at Ikea, shopped at Daiso and Tesco first. Bought a pot and pair of gloves. Then makan hot dog and curry puff. Wanted to get chatime but the Q is too long so I meh it.

Walk around the Ikea showrooms, sat on some chairs. Found one that I potentially may buy. Gonna sleep over it first.

Bought 4 plants, another two white hanging containers. Happy with my purchase as I think all are air purifying plants.

Came home and set them up. Two are at my study table, the rest are in my room. I need to get the tube hanging towel thing for the bathroom soon so I can hang shit there.

Ended the night playing games at Ccw. Played NBA playground and jack box. Tried Tricia's earl grey cake. YUUUUUM!very soft and can clearly taste the early greyness! We also tried the snacks and SA white wine. I like the taro chips. The others just normal nia.

Nasi Lemak burger, insurance and upgrade to room

Upgraded my room with a table, for writing, reading and planning my shit. I think it will be more effective than me doing some "work" like these at the study table.

Watched inconvenient truth 2 yesterday. Perhaps I can do more with my effort at the garden ++ ?

I tried Nasi Lemak burger just now. Seriously taste as good as nasi lemak. :D Love it but for the price, I will recommend you to try once and that's it.

I am also switching my insurance from Prudential to GE. :)

Badminton + movies

Played badminton yday.

Watched movie, the Quiet American. Not bad the movie. Finally made myself to watch it.

Started to watch star wars rebels again. Yay! Downloaded all the remaining episodes for season 3.

Been following my goal list. So far so good! Must continue working on it!

Day 6 & 7

Day 6
Morning - the original plan was to head to the Shiziwan area + Cijin, but the hot weather made me feel like heading to Carrefour and Ikea. I wanted to check out Ikea morning breakfast but by the time I reached I think their breakfast was over as they closed the counter (i assumed to transition to standard meals).

I window shopped at carrefour's shops/outlets. Nike, Adidas, Puma, - nothing really super cheap to buy. Nike actually have some clearance items but they were long sleeves and jackets, which I don't need.

Went into carrefour looking to buy some snacks for friends

After that, under Gloria's recommendation, I head to Dandan Hamburg, which is a fast food chain restaurant. She asked me to try their mee sua, which I did, and I liked it. Though I have to say, I still dislike using spoon to scoop noodles. 

On the way to green bean dessert, I stopped by at the flea market for plants, bought two packets of seeds for TWD100.

I had Green bean dessert (cold). It was cooling, considering the weather (around 12-1pm hot sun). Gloria suggested to pay a visit to their new public library, which I did, and sort of regret going because:

1) mostly chinese books

2) highlight of the library is their rooftop garden (Super hot)

3) nothing much besides that

4) had to walk there under the hot sun

Anyway, I stopped by at a second hand book store (Mollie's), saw some english books but the reviews weren't good so I did not buy.

Decided to walk to Sanduo station and head back to hostel to rest for abit.

Head to Yanchengpu. First thing: Buy Milk tea from Hua Da Nai Tea. I ordered Pu-er bubble milk tea, not sweet at all, can only taste milk, so not as nice as my first cup from them.

Walked around Pier 2's other side. Luckily for me, there's a flea market (maybe every Sunday they have one?),  walk around a bit, took some photos.

HIGHLIGHTS:

1) Postcard with tea inside the postcard. Very interesting, should have bought one. :( Initially I wanted to buy after walking around but I forgot about it :(

2) Taiwan 18 Days Beer. That is the name of the beer, at first, I thought it was some kind of limited edition beer. But actually its a normal standard beer, just that you have to consume it within 18 days (for its freshness). I have to say it taste really good :D

3) Chair Dome - interesting structure/art piece they have at the park

I walked past hamasen railway cultural park, which was beautiful. You do not usually see this as there usually have more trees in today's park. Think of an open wide spacious park which are covered in grass, but no trees. Like a big padang. 

Anyway, took the ferry to Cijin. It was too late. Lighthouse sudah tutup. I rushed to the fort side to see the sunset. I recorded it using time lapse (best way i think to take the sunset/sunrise). Wanted to fly my drone but I couldnt connect it (later I realised this was due to a manual setting I made to save data). :l

I walked back towards the old street/ main part of the city, tried their tomato with sauce (ginger, plum and soy sauce). this was  the bomb! I can have this as snack any time!

Bought a prawn cracker back cos it looks famous. That whole shop only sell crackers leh! 

Took ferry back, had snowflake and ice cream before calling it a night!

SooChing wanted me to buy tea but I couldnt find it.

Day 7
Woke up, dressed up, checked out, left my luggage. Returned to the hostel TWICE to take present and receipts for gloria.

Had egg pancake before heading to ecological district station. Was early so I waited for 30mins for her.. She reached in her scooter, and decided to take me around in her bike.

We went off to see the dragon and tiger pagoda and the lotus pond for a bit, before heading for tea.

Then she dropped me at a station and I went back to grab my luggage and head to the airport. Passed me a gift in a shape of a cup with my name and a bump on the bottom.

Bought some souvenirs, not sure I want it or give it as presents to others. Bought a wine which I sort of regret buying . not cheap leh!

Sat next to a big size guy whose arm overlapped to my space.

Day 3

Woke up around 430am the next day to get ready to go up the mountain to see the sunrise. It was chilly.

Uncle provide briefing. He was kinda funny. We got try some local plums. Each of us were given a plate so we can view the sun more clearly later.

The view was beautiful with the plate. Otherwise, without it, you will just see a lot of glares.

After 2-3mins, everyone started to disperse. We head to view the 2nd oldest tree (probably in Taiwan) and then head for Breakfast. I had some Porridge with egg, 2 cups of soy milk and 2 mantau.

Gloria decided to sleep in as she couldn't sleep last night. I went for a walk around the area. Walked,  crossed a bridge to chaoping Park. I think it is covered with cherry blossom trees but as this is not the season, there's nothing to see.

Wrote postcards to my sisters and dropped them off at the post office.

Back to hotel, check out. We dropped our luggage inside the car and head out for a walk (second round for me)

Train to chaoping. walk walk sister pond, various trees, shouzhen temple, sacred tree, chuyin temple, back to hotel area. the trees were big and old. It is cypress tree. We actually sat down for a bit at shouzen temple and snack on our yesterday's fruits (mango and guava).

It was raining when we were about to leave. Had 7-11's onigiri and yogurt. Gloria had instant noodle. It was kinda chilly due to the rain.

Alishan trip back. 4hrs to ks. Stopped by at dongshan town, bought soy sauce marinated chicken parts. Quite nice, the heart and intestines. Egg just so so. Helped gloria to drive for like 20mins I think.

Dropped me at zuoying, bought speed train to taipei for 1445twd. I just missed the 6:55 train so I have to wait for 7:55, which will reach taipei faster than 7:25 train. Reached taipei at 9:30.

Ate mos burger (soso nia green curry chicken). Slept most of the time in the train. It was dark so I could not enjoy the view. Reached taipei around 930, head out to my hostel. It was about 10mins walk. Space Inn. Checked in, quite cosy. Sharing dorm with two Hispanic ladies and one Jap or Korean guy.

Showered. Play with snapseed. slept

Day 4 taipei

First morning in taipei.

Ran from peace park to Tai power building mrt. Bought bubble milk tea from 50 blue and some local bread from local shop.

Showered and rest for bit, plan the day. Decided to meet Ruby then head to tourist center.

Met with Ruby, had beef noodle. I followed her order. It's the mix three types, fat, beef slices and tendon? Tripes?. Anyway, the fat was surprisingly good that I don't mind it.

Anyway, good catch up. Can't believe she is planning to leave to us to secure her PR /citizenship. Is good for her. Hehe

After that, I head to yu chocolatier. Tried the chocolate tart. OK nia. Normal. I couldn't really taste the bitterness as was told to me by the employee. The chocolate was not overly sweet and I enjoyed using their cutleries. Great service too!

Decided to climb Xiangshan, Yolo with my slippers. Was all sweaty N at the top after 25mins or so. The view was great! Worth coming definitely. Though pls be prepared ie shoes, attire. You will GET  sweaty!

Head back, rest bit before heading to ximenting. Stopped at snow King to eat funky ice cream. I only end up trying sticky rice and basil. They have more exotic ones like curry, beer, taro, chili.

Was thinking of buying hot star fried chicken at shimenting but didn't in the end. Thank God.

After sightseeing at xmt, head to ningxia. Ningxia was written as no frills, just food. I enjoyed my rice bowl.. Should have looked out for the lao sa bao. Saw a lenglui enjoying herself playing the games at the market. You can fish for prawns, throw hoops, shoot the balloon, sit down N play with machine. They even have the Mahjong tiles where I guess you play it like bingo. Not sure.

After ningxia I decided to visit shilin too. Saw the long queue for fried chicken. Had a sausage.

Day 5

Taipei.

Woke up. Packed. Checked out.

Had braised pork rice and another rice bowl (rice wrap) for Bfast. Head to shihfen using Google.

Reached. Hot. Crowded. Took some photos. Saw that this is the area where they light up the lanterns and fly it to the sky. Is that all? That was my thought at that time.

Was heading to shihfen waterfall when the lady in front of me asked a guy who was walking back from the waterfall for direction. The guy added that the view was....  disappointing. He shared his photos and it was OK. The waterfall looks normal, but perhaps it was not in season, whereby the water gushes down. I walked a bit more and decide to turn back too.

Took the next train back to taipei. Reached around 2pm. Met up with gloria for like 30mins,before I left to get my MI powerbank, tried the bubble tea Jojo recommended, I find it OK nia, the one in ks is better.

Talked to gloria about my silly trip to shihfen with no plans of getting a lantern. She asked me to go visit a temple near the station, which is meant for single people. Lol.

After bubble tea, went to buy kammos biscuits and collect luggage, head to hsr. Wanted to take hsr to see the view along the way, but was disappointed because it was overcrowded. Not only I couldn't see anything, I have no seat either. Thank God it was only a 1.5hr ride.

Tried some baked bun, taste like siew pao. Next, checked in, Showered, head off to. Ruifeng night market.  Tried angel fried chicken (super crispy), some jelly, taro milk + watermelon.

Head back to. Hostel..now waiting to charge phone and blog while waiting.

Day 2 ks & alishan

Kaohsiung morning, ate Porridge at hostel.  Waited for gloria but she ended up only able to meet at 12 so I Googled for places to sight see and ended up at Pier 2. I bought an umbrella and adlay and brown rice milk along the way to formosa station.

The art is OK, but freaking hot weather makes it unbearable. I was only there for like 30mins or so, with umbrella and a Chinese fan, yet when I was leaving I was soaking wet!

Anyway, gloria picked me up at zuoying station, we headed to Alishan. It was a big Ford car... We stopped at dong Shan resting area. Got Starbucks and I got a pork sausage.

The road up to Alishan is like genting or Cameron. Curvy and foggy. Quite dangerous.

We stopped by at fenchihu. It was a some village, main attraction is the train to chiayi and alishan. But they no longer operate the train to the mountains. We walked here for a bit. Saw the Wasabi plant, tried a chewy persevered​ egg. Tried a tree tomato juice and bought pink Guava and aiyu seed.

Managed to reached around 5/6pm.

We unpacked and left for dinner. Had hot pot.

After that we stopped at 7-11, bought a local Taiwan sweet beer, drank outdoor and chitchat.
Went back, shower, rest, sleep.

Oh,  apparently most of Taiwan were out of power.

Day 1 KS, Tw

Highlights

Rode on a motorbike. It was awkward I was the passenger. It's been more than 10yrs since the last time I was on a bike, so I felt kinda nervous and thrilling, like anything can happen ie accidents.

Street food. 10 wantan for NTD40. Apple juice + watermelon juice for NTD90. Cheap Cheap.

Had the most delicious milk tea and chewy bobas ever! At a mrt station. According to gloria it originated from her uni campus. It is local kaohsiung brand.

The hostel I am staying in has a hot spring. But I didn't go in. Too tired.

Weekend, Liverpool and family

Saturday morning went hiking at Gasing. Tried a new route but turned back because it was less traveled and many mosquitoes.

Had rajus after that.

Went to the garden, place the cardboards from Ccw house.

At night watched Liverpool came back from a goal down to lead against Watford, but end up giving a late late goal to Watford. 3-3.

Sunday, packed for Taiwan, exercised when I woke up for the first time in some time. Had popiah and laksa.

Dinner with cousins at go noodle, followed by Fluffed!

Dream

I dreamt about Alicia about a week ago. I was in Sydney for a visit and without thinking, I texted her to ask if she is free to meet up. Right after texting, I thought about all the consequences and how awkward it could be. :l

This is the first dream about her for a long time.

Hong Kong and Xiamen highlights of my trip

Travelled to HK with Brandon and sister on 1/8

Reached airport,  met with dad, parted ways with Brandon as he follow dad to kuma whilst sis and I check in.

The airbnb is OK, good location. We put our luggage, I changed my shirt cos too hot. Then we headed to kuma's.

First night dinner was with hin pek and ah chi's family.

Second day we went straight to kuma's house, and went off to dim sum lunch with bun wai. He brought us to his house after, which is a very isolated area. Helped him with his laptop and booked dad flight back to Aus.

Dinner with Vivian! Long time no c. She's pregnant already! Happy for her. :D we had Shanghai food.

Third day,  went to the peak, tried Yat lok duck (nothing great to shout about), ate Tai Cheong egg tart (Yums, but then again,  most of their egg tart s are Yums). Then headed to the Golden bauhuvia square,  the one with the golden flower, before taking the ferry back to Kowloon side.

Dinner we had Steamboat with bun wai,  hin pek and bun hor's family

Last day,  dad's not feeling well. Hin pek and wife came over, had chap fan downstairs for lunch and dinner.  Lol.  Bought Porridge for dad.  Visited Tsim sa Tsui N Kowloon Park. Visited kuma at the hospital. Bought a citizen watch for HKD2k. Ate local food ie tofu fa and bubble milk tea.

August 5-7 xiamen
Landed at Xiamen about 11am. Watched chips on the plane. Simple and funny movie. No expectation from these type of movie makes it easier to watch.

Checked in but could get into the room until 1.5+ hrs later.  Rested at the hotel while we wait for dad. Dad reached about 4+. Head to big uncle house right after. Ate Xiamen popiah and Porridge. That's our dinner and lunch. Went to gym with ah chi after that

Next day, tour around Xiamen on a hot morning. We had local breakfast, guided by aunty to the nearby shops. After tour, we went for a grand lunch. Included were Xiamen salted fried rice, oyster egg and sea worm.

On the way back to the hotel,  our Cousin's wife's brother took us to this place where the road looks uphill but it is actually downhill.

I believe the cause was the sea worm jelly. Had stomach ache the whole night till today as well.  :( but of course now is way better d.

Came back on 7/8,  picked up by Nizam
Called UMobile to request to reverse the charges. The customer service person is not able to do that and asked me to email, which i did. I some to another customer service person the best day and war tools they could not reverse the amount, even though I threaten to leave UMobile.

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Sekinchan

Trip to sekinchan last week.

Picked up SC and head to Cady's house. Went to Chong Kok kopitiam. The queue for the nasi lemak was crazy long. We didn't order that, just took the packet one. In fact, I didn't order anything except milo ice. The girls, they ordered eggs, buns and nasi.

After breakfast we bertolak to sekinchan. 1.5hrs. We stopped at this nameless shop for rice. They serve rice with stingray and Prawn curry with egg. Super good!  Very tasty kuah/curry.

Then, we drove to the beach, managed to try out my drone! It was great but the freaking hot weather made me not want to be under the sun for too long. Cady and SC also thrw the coin with red ribbon of good wishes onto the wishing tree.

After that, we went to yumcha at n16, the bus. We didn't eat cos still full so we ordered drinks + cake. No view of pretty paddy cos it is not in season.

Then beli nasi from the paddy factory, before adjourning to a seafood restaurant. The food at the restaurant OK nia.

Head back to klang after that., damn tired driving! But the girls decided to go for cafe so we went to Bkt tinggi. Tried daily press cafe. It's quite fun cos they have Bg there for you to play too!

End up with shopping at mix convenience store before heading home. E