Rich and Poor

My Taiwan trip has been a journey rich in:

sight - of the MTR rush, night market culture, and the daily routine life of its people,

taste - the tantalizing textures of every bits and bites of the variety of local food, delicacies, street food, desserts, etc,

smell - the aroma of gluttony and the smell of rain,

sounds - the inviting calls from the vendors, "Huan ying guang ling. Qing kan kan oh." (Welcome. Please have a look.).

Of course, my wallet was a lot poorer...

Our last breakfast in Taiwan: Xiao long bao

Oct 22: Another nondescript but busy stall

I hope one day when I've saved up enough, I'd visit again you again - but minus the rain.

Rainy Day

For the most part of our trip, it was raining nearly everyday except on the first and second day where the weather was gloomy and there were the occasional light drizzles which stopped just as suddenly as they've begun. I was saddened by the fact that we had travelled so far to a different country only to see its dark and cloudy weather, but it did not deter me from enjoying myself.

Next to my traveling companion, the umbrella was my most reliable friend.

The second last day of our trip saw us travelling in a taxi to the county of Yilan. Yilan is well known for its natural volcanic hot springs, fresh seafood, beautiful beaches with brown volcanic sands, homestay farms and panoramic views of mountain terrains.

Alas, it was also the day with the heaviest downpour of rain - non-stop, from the previous day until the next day. 

 Rain, rain, go away...

Oct 21: Yilan

Nevertheless, we ate fresh seafood, dipped in jacuzzi tube filled with clean hot spring water in the privacy of our rented motel units, were treated to some local food by our taximan, tasted Yilan's oolong tea and bought lots of local biscuits and products from Yilan.

We were oblivious to what was happening to the rest of Taiwan as we travelled snugly in the comfort of our chartered ride. It was only towards evening as we were heading back to Taipei that we saw the current news on the mini satellite TV in the taxi.

There were flash floods in the lower parts of Yilan only 20 minutes away from where we were enjoying ourselves the whole day, strong gusts of typhoon wind tearing through Taipei city centre and landslides in the mountainous tourist region of Hualian which  had trapped many groups of tourists in the mountain and took the lives of a whole busload of visitors from Hong Kong.

I was very thankful that we were safe and spared of all the unfortunate events that were happening on the very same day that we travelled the furthest from the county of Taipei to Yilan.

It was just so ironic - there we were enjoying ourselves and there were others who had their holiday, and lives, cut short...

Quaintness

I thought the streets of Taipei are most charming. Rows and rows of shops, with their colourful and unique goodies attractively arranged in the shops. 

The quaint but clean alleyways between the shops are very different from those at home too - but then again, I was an easily mesmerized tourist in my holiday mode.

Alleyway

Oct 20: Danshui

This exudes a sense of peace and calmness - with almost a nostalgic and melancholic feeling to it. Maybe it's  the lanterns. I was most drawn to this specific alleyway.

I Love Wasabi!

Succulent, lip-smacking, taste bud-tantalizing salmon!!!

Oct 19: Wasabi, Taipei 101

=D``````````

These thick slices of salmon were just so, so, so good. Smooth, melt-in-your-mouth goodness!

Had these at a buffet spread at Wasabi Restaurant, in Taipei 101. Apparently, this joint is so famous among the locals and tourists alike. The queue was nearly 30 metres long, snaking along the wide corridor. And that's for diners who have made reservations. I doubt those who just show up without prior booking will be able to gain entry at all.

Lunch time buffet was from noon til 2.30 p.m. at RM57 per person. Service was quick and efficient. Friendly staff.

So classy and exclusive that they did not allow any photography of their impressive buffet stations. There were different stations for sushis and sashimis, tempuras, soups, makis (rice hand-rolls), roast meats, veggies on skewers, drinks and ice-creams.

*BURP!!!

Mighty Rock

On the second day in Taiwan, we ventured out of the city centre and visited a few scenic tourist spots: Jiufen, Yehliu, Jinshan and finally, Shilin night market.

My favourite spot is Yehliu, a seaside geopark. It's a place where unique and natural rock formations were crafted by the forces of wind and waves.

Wish I had more time to slowly explore the place. It is really beautiful!

Stormy waves

Oct 18: Yehliu

My favourite pic of the place. Love how the waves are hitting against the rock. But this is a poor composition. Should have captured less land, more ocean.

Bitter Better?

I was falling sick just two days before my Taiwan trip. Falling - because all the tell-tale signs were there.

It was a trip that I had really looked forward to. Not willing to take any chances, I went to see Dr C to get my bag of medicines, just in case. Didn't want my trip to be ruined.

I really fell sick on the day I arrived in Taipei and the medicine came in handy.

And this was my poor attempt to quell my coughs, the Chinese way - drinking bitter herb. Just too bitter.

Bitter, bitter, bitter drink

Oct 17: Herbal shop, Wufenpu, Taipei

Did it work?

Of course not. Not with all the interesting fried street food, cold drinks and ice-cream that I was pigging myself with as I explored the streets of Wufenpu and Raohe.

Nella Fantasia

Such a beautiful Italian song!




(Youtbe upload by CelticLadies, May 26, 2007)

(Youtube upload by crediatv, Dec 5, 2008)

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo giusto,

Lì tutti vivono in pace e in onestà.

Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,

Come le nuvole che volano,

Pien' d'umanità in fondo dell'anima.

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo chiaro,

Lì anche la notte è meno oscura.

Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,

Come le nuvole che volano.

Nella fantasia esiste un vento caldo,

Che soffia sulle città, come amico.

Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,

Come le nuvole che volano,

Pien' d'umanità in fondo dell'anima.

English Translation

In my imagination I see a just world,

Everyone lives in peace and in honesty there.

I dream of souls that are always free,

Like the clouds that fly,

Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

In my imagination I see a bright world,

Even the night is less dark there.

I dream of souls that are always free,

Like clouds that fly.

In my imagination there exists a warm wind,

That breathes on the cities, like a friend.

I dream of souls that are always free,

Like clouds that fly,

Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

Source: Wikipedia