Sunday, September 17, 2006
Taiwan (5th day)
8/9/06
This was one of the most memorable days. Why? Cos we attempted new stuff and I got fed a whole lot of yummilicious food! Who said food can only work its ways to a guy's tummy? My tummy too!!! =)
Anyway, we first headed to yangmingshan nature park. Was supposed to indulge in more nature, not that Kel was looking forward to it. But you know, Yangmingshan iis quite popular in Wuxia tv serials... and I seriously wouldn't have minded a trek. But when we finally arrived there, it was ulu-ated and it was pouring meow and woof! So we ended up taking shelter in Starbucks. Yeah, there's a Starbucks at Yangmingshan! Next time those wuxia heroes can date their shi-mei at Starbucks.
This is Kel enjoying his daily tea intake at Starbucks.
Since the rain wouldn't stop, we deliberated over going straight to the hotspring. We decided that going to Beitou, which is known as the most popular hot springs area, was more convenient if we were to head down to Danshui. So off we went in a bus. I insisted on orienteering to the specific hot spring hotel stated in the guidebook. Kel obligated. So off we went stomping into puddles, getting all drenched in that heavy downpour, as we orienteered through the winding roads to Asia-Pacific Hotel. It was a good choice, as compared to the other places we checked out along the way, which only offered a bathtub filled with hot spring water. (Didn't know they could make such baths sleazy. The reception always asked if we wanted a bed. Hello! I just wanna dip into the hot spring which is beautifully designed just for the kick of it!)
You get a 2-hour dip, with a nice dressing room for you to change, with hair-dryer, sterilizer for the hairbrushes, nice towels, kimono, etc. This was the hot spring. A private one, with your own toilet bowl, shower and all. I don't see myself going to a private one where people just strip in front of you! Pretty huh? Natural rocks, for perches inside to sit on.
Refreshed after the 2-hour dip, to enjoy the ambience of the hotel's exterior. Quite Japanese-like. Taiwanese are quite into Japanese and Korean culture, I realised.
We headed to Danshui afterward. We made it all in good time, thanks be to God. There was free shuttle bus to the train station, or else we would have to make our way down the hill, through those long winding roads....
This was at the train station, when Kel told me to pose properly and not give those ridiculous poses. Bleah.
We arrived in time for the sunset. Tourist area, but I don't mind... since it's so pretty! Good food and I get to take the boat too! We tried all kinds of transport! Air, rail, road and sea! =)
This was taken to capture the sun's rays. The atmosphere scatters the short wavelength blue rays first before leaving the longwavelength red and orange rays, hence giving us a pretty sunset. (Trying to sound intellectual here.)
Becoming perfect at taking our own shots...
Trying to capture both us and the Fisherman's Wharf's bridge in the background. Reminded me of the bridge at Kallang...
Now on to the food! The best part of it all!
Guotie. Long skinny ones. The chives one just make me crave for more!! Moderation!! And cheap they are! Only 5 cents each!
My big big lighted ice-cream! I just had to hug it! =)
Pink guava! How many of you have eaten pink guava?? Seldom found back home. What a waste. It's sweet and juicy, unlike the white ones we have....
Oh... my cuttlefish! To die for! It was grilled to such perfection that it was still soft and tender!! -Slurp-
This was the best of the best. Deep fried variety of mushrooms. Shitake, golden mushrooms... -licks fingers- YUM!
Yep, a satisfying, eventful day. Loved it.
This was one of the most memorable days. Why? Cos we attempted new stuff and I got fed a whole lot of yummilicious food! Who said food can only work its ways to a guy's tummy? My tummy too!!! =)
Anyway, we first headed to yangmingshan nature park. Was supposed to indulge in more nature, not that Kel was looking forward to it. But you know, Yangmingshan iis quite popular in Wuxia tv serials... and I seriously wouldn't have minded a trek. But when we finally arrived there, it was ulu-ated and it was pouring meow and woof! So we ended up taking shelter in Starbucks. Yeah, there's a Starbucks at Yangmingshan! Next time those wuxia heroes can date their shi-mei at Starbucks.
This is Kel enjoying his daily tea intake at Starbucks.
Since the rain wouldn't stop, we deliberated over going straight to the hotspring. We decided that going to Beitou, which is known as the most popular hot springs area, was more convenient if we were to head down to Danshui. So off we went in a bus. I insisted on orienteering to the specific hot spring hotel stated in the guidebook. Kel obligated. So off we went stomping into puddles, getting all drenched in that heavy downpour, as we orienteered through the winding roads to Asia-Pacific Hotel. It was a good choice, as compared to the other places we checked out along the way, which only offered a bathtub filled with hot spring water. (Didn't know they could make such baths sleazy. The reception always asked if we wanted a bed. Hello! I just wanna dip into the hot spring which is beautifully designed just for the kick of it!)
You get a 2-hour dip, with a nice dressing room for you to change, with hair-dryer, sterilizer for the hairbrushes, nice towels, kimono, etc. This was the hot spring. A private one, with your own toilet bowl, shower and all. I don't see myself going to a private one where people just strip in front of you! Pretty huh? Natural rocks, for perches inside to sit on.
Refreshed after the 2-hour dip, to enjoy the ambience of the hotel's exterior. Quite Japanese-like. Taiwanese are quite into Japanese and Korean culture, I realised.
We headed to Danshui afterward. We made it all in good time, thanks be to God. There was free shuttle bus to the train station, or else we would have to make our way down the hill, through those long winding roads....
This was at the train station, when Kel told me to pose properly and not give those ridiculous poses. Bleah.
We arrived in time for the sunset. Tourist area, but I don't mind... since it's so pretty! Good food and I get to take the boat too! We tried all kinds of transport! Air, rail, road and sea! =)
This was taken to capture the sun's rays. The atmosphere scatters the short wavelength blue rays first before leaving the longwavelength red and orange rays, hence giving us a pretty sunset. (Trying to sound intellectual here.)
Becoming perfect at taking our own shots...
Trying to capture both us and the Fisherman's Wharf's bridge in the background. Reminded me of the bridge at Kallang...
Now on to the food! The best part of it all!
Guotie. Long skinny ones. The chives one just make me crave for more!! Moderation!! And cheap they are! Only 5 cents each!
My big big lighted ice-cream! I just had to hug it! =)
Pink guava! How many of you have eaten pink guava?? Seldom found back home. What a waste. It's sweet and juicy, unlike the white ones we have....
Oh... my cuttlefish! To die for! It was grilled to such perfection that it was still soft and tender!! -Slurp-
This was the best of the best. Deep fried variety of mushrooms. Shitake, golden mushrooms... -licks fingers- YUM!
Yep, a satisfying, eventful day. Loved it.
# posted by Banana Saviour @ 5:03 PM 
