stolen colours

Dragged myself out of bed, tummy queasy and nose dripping slightly.

Thankfully the patient load was quite light today.

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On to the Taiwan blogging!

Day 1
Day 2: Petit Fancy, Taipei Water Park and Taipei 101
Day 3: hot springs, Danshui, Shilin
Day 4: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Mayday shop, massage
Day 5: Books and home
Random musings

Loot goes onto pupe.

Am having some pre-work blues. On call on Saturday. GARGH.

We felt very comfortable in Taipei. People here walk at the same speed as they do back home, unlike the bulldozers in Hong Kong. Their Mandarin is so pretty and lilting. The people are friendly but not overly pushy. Save for that ah soh in Karyn’s yarn shop.

And it’s a nation with an abundance of 爱心 (love, care). Posters and ads encourage one to show one’s love and give up one’s seats; or show one’s love and not litter. And they do it! And they stand on the right side of the escalator. Just one thing got getting used to: it’s pretty darned NOT obvious when the red man changes to the green man at crossings.

There’s an amazing number of TV channels, which provided good pre-bedtime entertainment. (Even two porn channels.) One evening we watched the Taiwanese version of Don’t Forget the Lyrics, which had 阿信 (of 信乐团) going all the way till the 2nd last barrier. Other nights we actually ended up watching Japanese TV programmes with Chinese subtitles. One night we finished Dangerous Liaisons. And this is why I envy the people in Taiwan: Japanese shows with Chinese subs, licenced releases of Jrock bands (a huge Plastic Tree poster stared at me in a record shop ~KYA~), occasional concerts..

Their hawker fare is really, really cheap. I’m not a fan of 小吃, but the usual stuff is very good if one has Hokkien tastebuds. My travel companions kept commenting that the food has a strong homecooked air about it.

Yes, would love to go back again someday. It wasn’t just the location; part of the fun of being on holiday is being with friends all the time. Next stop: Japan? XD

I’ll post my loot on pupe. Too tired now.

(I’ve also discovered that I’m able to have contact lenses in my eyes from 8am till 11pm. YATTA. And I didn’t get breakouts with the Ettusais foundation.)

Am back home.
Did something really stupid: took the wrong luggage bag and was halfway home when the irate owner of the bag called. Okay, I’m sure I’d be rather annoyed if I were in her place.

Our last morning in Taipei. Part of me was eager to go home and sleep in my own bed; but the larger part of me was dreading having to work again. Packed before breakfast. I had to open my foldable bag.

We checked out, then headed off to look for Kinokuniya again at 忠孝东路.

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Hello all. I’m now at Taipei’s airport waiting to board the plane home. These few days I’ve been eating, shopping, and doing some walking. I dread…my credit card bill! I changed too little money to begin with. More travel blogging soon.

Sunny day, not quite as warm as the Petit Fancy day, but not as cool as the previous day.

We went to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall in the morning.
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We awoke to a cool, windy morning. Headed for a hot spring resort at 新北投 (Xinbeitou), which cost us only 200yen per person.

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It isn’t that, as Singaporeans, we are unable to tolerate heat. No! We were merely extremely disappointed that the weather in a temperate country was the same as back home. One feels rather cheated of part of the airfare. A paltry 30 degrees is NOTHING compared to 34-35 degrees back home.

After leaving Petit Fancy, we headed over to an iced desserts shop for much needed resuscitation.

Mango ice: shaved ice generously topped with condensed milk and mango. The plate is actually the size of the large plates one finds at buffets.

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IT WAS BLAZING HOT. It must’ve been at least 30 degrees; and Taiwan isn’t all that less humid than Singapore.

The highlight of the day was going to Petit Fancy, one of the smaller scale Taiwanese cosplay events, held at Taida University. (Dang how come our university isn’t so happening?) We were worried that we wouldn’t be able to find the exact location..BUT! We saw Yamamoto on the train in full attire, very 帅气 – and I’m not even a Reborn fan. And followed her all the way XD

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