Day 2: Jilong Mountain > Jiufen Old Street (Part 1)

Day 1: SG > Taipei (Jiufen)

Day 2: Jilong Mountain > Jiufen Old Street (Part 1)

Day 3: Jiufen Old Street > Taipei Main Station (Ximending)
Day 4: Xindian (Bitan) > Wulai > Raohe Night Market + Rainbow Bridge
Day 5: Banqiao >
Day 6: Back to SG

Jilong Mountain

Start of our day

We woke up to a gloomy weather, cloudy morning. But after a quick simple breakfast catered for together with our accommodation package, we proceed to make our very FIRST attempt at hiking. 

Cloudy morning

Hiking... Walking

It was only around 10 minutes walk from our accommodation place and we at the foot of Jilong mountain. Along the way, there were warning signs to look out for snakes which was a main concern for me. But fortunately, we didn't encounter it.

The nice stairway up the mountain. The red color plate is the warning sign.

Further up the walkway.

And more steps ahead

The more we ascended, the colder it became.

We were still this far away and we turned back because it started drizzling. But behind us, there were still some people making their way up.

All we could see was the gloomy skies even as we descended.

We head back to Jiufen Old Street as the rain starting pouring.

》 Day 2: Jilong Mountain > Jiufen Old Street (Part 2)

《 Day 1: SG > Taipei (Jiufen)

Day 1: SG > Taipei (Jiufen)

I wrote the below 2 years ago but didn't post it.. Thinking I could actually revisit Taiwan again but sadly due to covid-19... Anyway, posting it now.

Went during Oct 2019, it was a rainy season. 

Took an afternoon flight... 

The good and bad about travelling in the afternoon.

"Good" = can check-in to our accommodation once we reached.
"Bad" = caused of the timing. Almost the entire day gone when we finally reach our accommodation area.

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A trip where I finally went for "trekking". 

My 6D5N Trip
Day 1: SG > Taipei (Jiufen)
Day 2: Jilong Mountain > Jiufen Old Street
Day 3: Jiufen Old Street > Taipei Main Station (Ximending)
Day 4: Xindian (Bitan) > Wulai > Raohe Night Market + Rainbow Bridge
Day 5: Banqiao >
Day 6: Back to SG

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It was a rainy day on our day of arrival. 

Transport

Fortunately we pre-arranged for a chartered ride to Jiufen accommodation. Our the driver did his homework beforehand so we were able to get our accommodation easier despite the heavy rain. Our driver was also kind enough to bring us to Ruifang Food Street to get our dinner before heading up to Jiufen.

We could have:

Alternative way to Jiufen was to take a bus from
Taoyuan Airport to Taoyuan HSR ->
Taoyuan HSR to Taipei HSR ->
Taipei Train Station to Ruifang train station ->
Ruifang Train Station change to bus again to get to Jiufen Old Street.
(Can save on transport $$ but have to spend more time on travelling with much inconvenience)

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Our Stay @ He Feng Xiao Zhu

The room

 The view from the balcony

My accommodation at Jiufen is at He Feng Xiao Zhu. I read from reviews it was close to Jiufen Old Street. Apparently they have 2 buildings and the one I booked with balcony view is nearer to Jiufen Old Street. Less than 2 mins and we were at Jiufen Old Street. My room was at level 3 and we had to carry our luggage up the stairs.

Prior to arrival, the host had given us instruction on the shortcut way to the accommodation place. So it was really easy getting there. The lady host was also very nice to share with us which shops to go for good food, where to walk and sip tea and upon hearing us wanting to trek, she shared with us a nearby mountain, Jilong Mountain trail which was just 10 mins walk away from the accommodation area.

Jiufen Old Streets

The empty streets and the red lantern 

By the time we reached, most of the shops at Jiufen Old Streets were closed for the day. There were still some people walking around the streets taking photographs. Despite the rain, it was nice strolling along the empty lanes with the red lanterns that lighted up the Jiufen Old Street. 

》 Day 2: Jilong Mountain > Jiufen Old Street

Finally my window photo viewer is no longer yellowish

Just one fine day, my window photo viewer become yellowish when I viewed pictures.

Being a "lazy bum", I ignored it as I assumed upon my next computer restart, everything will be fine.

But it didn't. 

The problem was there on for months till I became quite annoyed by the yellowish flaw due to frequent computer picture viewing. So I tried to find the solution to fix it.

It only took a while and I found this link which resolved my issue! So finally!! 

I get to view my pictures on computer without the yellowish problem! Thank you so much!

1.                                                                                                                 

2.                                                                                                                 

3.                                                                                                                 

4.                                                                                                                 

5.                                                                                                                 

Yeah~ And it's resolved.

Steamboat ala carte or buffet?!

 Argh... How to choose between eating more or eat better?

It's difficult! 

• If ”Ala Carte“, I get to choose what I want to eat, and how much I set aside. But typically, I will spend more than buffet. Because I go for what I want to eat, without giving myself a strict restrain on the pricing.

• If "Buffet", I will tend to overeat. Because I will want to try everything in small portions. Once I am done with a round of food tasting, I will go for more on those which I really enjoyed. Which I will ended up overeating because I just can't stop myself from going for more. Especially since it's buffet and in order not to have food wastage, I will make sure to clear up all the food.

So conclusion is... NO CONCLUSION！

Most of the time, I will go for steamboat buffet because of the cost (fixed price) and wide selection (I can try all sort in small portion). As compared to ala carte, I normally will end up with a billed amount that's slightly above my original estimation.

HIGH TEA AT HOME

Had a piece of brownie at home. Had a block of viennetta ice cream (Chocolate flavor) at home. I took both together and what a nice combination! A nice brownie ice cream. Tasted superb! (Reminded me of mudpie!)

I paired it off with a cup of hot Lavender Earl Grey tea. The chocolate somehow brought out the aroma of the Earl Grey while there was still the lingering fragrance of the Lavender. It was such a great match.

What a nice high tea time within the comfort of my home!

Home Improvement: My own mockup drawing with Paint

My living room has quite space. When I reached home with big bags of groceries or other stuffs, I struggled to find an area to leave them on. It's either my dining table or the kitchen but I won't be able to close the door until I am done with unloading the stuffs from my hand. 

So I came up with the mock up below (did it with Paint)

But in the end, I overestimated on the space I had. The space wasn't long enough for such a table design. So I settled for a kitchen shelf, a bag hanger pole and a shoe rack with seat.

The mock up

I like to take photos

 Since young, I had always been a happy snapper.

Back then, taking photo was expensive. Having to buy the film and to have it developed. So I wasn’t allow to take photo “for fun”. It was very much later that I got the chance to be the happy snapper.

Nowadays, I can take as much photos as I like, as well as taking videos. Anyone with a mobile camera phone or a digital camera can do the job.

Few years back, I bought an beginner series DSLR (Nikon D40) but soon, I was blown off by the many accessories that followed. The camera lenses, the lenses filters, tripod, camera bag and the list went on. And the most crucial part was, I wasn’t a learner, I relied so much on my friend that I was just the one to do the snap, while the settings were all setup by him. After a year then I realized I only enjoy taking photos but like what the professionals or expert does… going into the setup, the framing etc.

And when the Olympus OM-D camera came, I quickly jumped right into it as I thought it would be more “idiot proof” for me. And once again, I let it become yet another white elephant.

And from then on, my mobile phone was my camera (and still is).

I definitely enjoy taking photos for my memories sake.

Photo taken with my Nikon DSLR D40

Photo taken with my Olympus OM-D (can’t remember the model)

Photo taken with my mobile phone

Always Check What You Bought

 Recap of my encounter

Went to the nearby supermarket to get some fresh noodles for dinner.

As usual, I was spoilt for choice. I couldn’t decide which brand to settle for. The type I was looking for was those that are fresh with moisture within.

I remembered my mother recommended this particular healthier choice brand. And it wasn’t difficult to locate.

I took a pack of it off the shelf.

A quick glance and I saw some milky liquid that settled with the noodle. Confused, I searched for the expiry date. And I was right, it had turned bad.

The expiry date was 28 Jul 2021 and today is 21st Oct 2021.

I found a staff nearby and alerted her about this. She apologized profusely before she quickly removed all of the affected batch off the fridge.

I did get the noodles I wanted but at another place.

So, always check what you buy especially those with expiry dates

• Check the content (if it’s viewable)
• Check the expiry date

Did you know that beauty products and toiletries have expiry date as well?

MY TUBE OF TOOTHPASTE

In the past when my tube of toothpaste was almost finished, I would still try to:

1. the motion of pushing the content from the end of the tube and till the front (just to check if it is indeed all used up);
2. bended and pushed the front of the tube till the extent the front part was almost folded (As there might be still content settled at the front base/round part);
3. to use the toothpaste clip which helped to roll up the tube while it pushed the content to the front;

After trying any or all of the above method and nothing could be pushed out, I would discard it.

But no no no…

Actually the best method is: Cut tube into 2 pieces and open the tube to get whatever that is remaining to use!

MY BOTTLES OF SHOWER GEL & SHAMPOO

How I tried various way to get the content out of the bottles. 

Be it my shower gel, shampoo or kitchen washing liquid, they are all in pump bottles.

When the contents are almost all used up, the pump just couldn’t get any more content out of it. (Or maybe just a bit more with numerous press.)

What I did, was to remove the lid to pour out the content.

However, the content doesn’t flow out instantly and/or completely within a short time.

I tried by adding some water to make the content less concentrated. It worked well.

(But do take note if I placed the bottle upright, after some time, there will still be some content settled at the bottom of the bottle.)

Fried Rice

Due to circuit breaker, had to cook more often as compared to previously. Had so much leftover rice and after searching the fridge, managed to get enough ingredients for fried rice. 

Ingredients

2 pieces of garlic, peeled and diced

1 stalk green spring onion, cut into 1/2 inch long

1 white onion, chopped/sliced

1 carrot, diced

1 bunch of long beans, cut into 1/2 inch long

1/2 pack mini size hot dog, sliced into 1/2 cm thickness

2 piece of chikuwa, sliced into 1/2 cm thickness

1 cup of leftover rice (straight from fridge, do not need to thaw)

1 tablespoon oil

Methods

1. Heat up the cooking pan/wok with a tablespoon of oil.

2. Add in garlic till light brown 

3. Add in hot dog, carrot, white onion, chikuwa, long bean and green onion, item by item and stir fry for another 5 mins

4. Add in leftover rice and stir fry till well cook.

Note

1. Can add in a beaten egg after method step 4. Have to be fast to stir fry the rice with the egg so that each rice grain can be coated with the egg

2. Add in any desired vegetables or meat at step 3. The first ingredient to be add in at step 3 has to be the one that takes a longer time to cook (raw meat, followed by veg and then cooked item)

Movie Review Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Watching the movie...

First time watching a musical movie. An invitation to watch this show by a friend and the actress Emily Brunt attracted me to step into the theater for Mary Poppins Returns. Didn't know about the story line so when the characters seemed to know who Mary Poppins was, I was wondering if there was an earlier movie. Indeed there was and it was closed to more than 50 years ago!

About the movie....

The show was simple and easy to digest. A family dealing with a series of unfortunate events and have a very happy ever after with the return of Mary Poppins.

For an adult like me....

If I were to watch this when I was young, I would be full of joy and happiness. Now that I am all grown up, it felt like an impossible reach to be that happy as portrayed by the characters.

In the movie...

There were a lot of singing. For those like me who never watched the first movie, I wasn't sure if Jack(the guy singing/riding on his bicycle most of the time) and Jane had a close relationship during the first movie but it certainly felt that they were right for each other.

Review On Hotel: Batam Harris Waterfront Resort

Batam Harris Waterfront Resort

Stayed on 6th Oct 2018 - 7th Oct 2018

Transport: 
took the ferry to batam waterfront terminal via sindo.

Availability:
- the pickup for harris waterfront and holiday inn shuttle was readily available.
- the shuttle bus to nagoya shopping mall were already full as there were only 15 pax/shuttle. We got a cab from hotel instead to the shopping mall arranged for a 2 ways ride. Just indicate the timing for them to pick up at the shopping mall and they will be there when the requested pickup time comes.

Journey: 
- from ferry terminal to resort, less than 3 mins and we were already at the resort.
- from resort to nagoya, approx 30mins by cab.

Room: 
The room I stayed in had a balcony but as said, it was partial sea view and it was quite low floor. (There were rooms on the other side which was facing the pool view though). The room was clean and tidy. Apart from the usual complimentary drinks, they also had a plate of cookies. The room does looked slightly worn out, wear and tear on the curtains, wooden funiture and aging tiles.

Enviroment: 
Really nice place if it's quiet. One side is facing the sea, the other side is facing the pool. A pity the room I stayed in was the side facing partial sea view with mostly trees.

Noise control:
- Can hear people talking at the corridor. Uncertain if it's the staffs or the people staying at other rooms.
- On Saturday night: there was some function and the music treble to up room at level 3.
- On Sunday morning, there were groups of team bounding activities.

Breakfast: 
Breakfast crowd was quite packed and seemed low on manpower. The tables weren't cleaned in time and when we requested, the staffs could only handled 1 round of cleaning before being requested by another table to help out. So while they were quite fast to react, it would be even better if the hotel mgt can allocate more staffs to manage the cleaning during breakfast time. Even the utensils weren't enough and we were offered plastic ones to substitute. Food selection were slightly limited. I liked  the hashbrown, hotdog and omelette.

Customer service:
I had to say, their customer service were great. A smile on their face, the rooms were already ready when we reach at between 12-1pm. No problem with communication.

Note: Although there were free shuttles to Nagoya Shopping Centre, but when we checked in on the day itself and make enquiry for the free shuttles, it was already fully booked （as there were only 2 shuttle service daily (so we had to take a cab instead)