Taroko Gorges

7-8 August 2013

HuaLien,

Stayed at Bayview Hotel.
Plus side:
It was one of my favorite hotels so far.
1. Room was well-decorated with attention to details
2. clean
3. no smell of cigarette residu (this is a major turn-off when staying in a hotel),
4. nice breakfast 
5. nice location near to the bay
6. and MEI-MEI

Downside :
rather expensive and far from downtown,
only 2 restaurants nearby.

How to get around Taroko:
Buses were available from train station to certain stops.
Hire car/taxi for TWD 3,000 (8 hours). Our taxi driver Mr. Chen was great and he speaks good English.

Route:
Pick up from Hotel/Train Station
1. Cingshuei Cliffs and Shakadang Trail

Forgive my uninsprising bottom. 

2. Entrance of Taroko National Park
3. Swallow Grotto Trail

4. Tunnel of Nine Turns (closed due to rock falls)
5. Tzu Mu bridge
6. Holiu Suspension Bridge
7. Baiyang Waterfall (Seven tunnels, almost gave up after the first tunnel, but it got easier)

Tit : I see the light, it's so beautiful

Pun : Don't look at the light!!!! It's a trap!!!

8. Taroko Gorge (Eternal Spring Shrine Trail)
Drop off at Hotel/Train station

To Buy:
Mochi.

All in all, Taroko Gorges was the most interesting part of Taiwan.
But do go there on Spring or Autumn, Avoid summer.

Kaohsiung

03 August 2013,

I. Foo Kwang Shan

The Eight Pagodas
How to get there:
From Zuoying Station, Take the bus on Line #5 from the bus stop for TWD 65 (prepare exact amount if you dont buy ticket from booth).

Attractions:
1. Old Part of Foo Kwang Shan
2. New Part of Foo Kwang Shan Old Section of Foo Kwang Shan is more interesting in sense of originality, less touristy (is this a word?).
From old to new section of fo kwang shan, 25 mins of walk or take a shuttle cart for TWD 20.

Nearby Attractions:
Eda Theme Park (Mall and Theme park)

Eeating :
Try the vegetarian food @Hailai Restaurant (a bit on price).


II. Spring and Summer Pavillions / Lotus Lake

How to get there:
From Zuo Ying station, take taxi for around TWD 120

Attractions:
1. Tiger and Dragon Pagodas
2. Guan Ying Pavilion

3. Guan Kwong (Guan Yu) Temple.
4. Temples
5. Lotus Lake

Eatings:
There were many small restaurants and eating places there. Also Shaved ice.


III. Liouhe Night Market

How to get there:
Take MRT to Formosa Boulevard station.
or Walk 4 blocks from Kaohsiung Main Station.

Must Try:
1. Papaya Milk
2. Dumplings

Taipei

Fisherman's Wharf, Taipei

02 August 2013

First day @Taipei.

After Chiang Kai Sek Memorial, we went to Fisherman's Whaft in the afternoon.

How to get there: From Taipei Main station, Take the Red line MRT to Danshui station. Take Bus R-26.

What to see:

1. Fisherman's Wharf.

2. Lover's Bridge

3. LOVE statue

4. Fullon Hotel (Cute rubber duck in front)

Nearby attaractions:
R-26 Bus also passes
1. Martyr Shrine (Watch the guards change shift)
2. Fort San Domingo
3. Danshui Old Street
Take a walk at Danshui old street, taste the street foods, get some gifts from old confectioneries.

Singapore Zoo

June 2013,

It always has been about shopping (and uh oh food!!!) when visiting singapore.
Decided to do something new (and healthier) in singapore hence the Zoo.

How to get there:
Bus + entrance ticket + tram for sgd 27 (check all kinds of tx at their wbsite). Tickets are widely available, got it at concorde hotel.
Take red line MRT to Ang Mo Kio station, take bus # 138 from Ang mo Kio interchange.

Animals:
1. Orang utan
2. Many kinds of monkey
3. Giraffe
4. Rhino
5. White tiger
6. Bear
7. Komodo
8. Crocodile
9. Snakes
10. Meerkat
11. Birds
12. Etc


Attractions:
1. Polar bear feeding
2. Seal show
3. Tram
4. Etc
5. And uh oh Ah Meng Cafe (though food there was .. a meh)

Salam from Ah Meng

Anyway, I'd seen better zoos but doing something new for a change is always fun