Day 2 @ Yang Ming Shan 陽明山國家公園

Day 2 - After waking up and grab some bread from the bus station. The whole of Taipei main station is quite big and we tried to ask for direction to find the correct bus stop . 

Bus 260 leaves from Civic Blvd (outside Taipei Main Station) near to exit M1 for the park every ten minutes, traveling along Zhongshan North Road, and turning right onto Zhongzheng Road in Shilin. From Jiantan MRT Station, Bus Red 5 leaves for the park every 15 minutes

 Self made itinerary and guide for the trip ! My research and complied it to be more handy !

The whole Journey was about 1 hour. We alighted and the last stop which is like the Yang Ming Shan Bus  interchange. According to my research,it was recommended to go to the visitor center, we made our way there, not knowing that we could alight earlier. We thought the visitor center was like near to the main area at the bus interchange. Apparently, NOT !

unknowingly, we started our hike up and  starting to be breathless ! 

The hike was cooling with the temperature about 15 degree, I actually had my make up on. Due to the lack of exercise, the hike seem rough....and long...

Yangmingshan's original name was Caoshan (Grass Mountain in Mandarin), referring to the tall silvergrass that covers the highest slopes. Chiang Kai-shek renamed it Mount Yangming after his favorite Ming philosopher Wang Yang-ming (A.D. 1472-1529).

Finally, we reach the visitor center.. Hmm....  It just historical and culture of Yang Ming Shan.

The tallest peak, Mount Qixing (Seven Star Mountain), has an elevation of 1120 meters (3,674 ft), and its peak is the highest point in Taipei City. Trails leading throughout the entire park consist of basalt pavers, are steep in places, and can be fairly treacherous during periods of rain. Expect to be passed by septuagenarian locals who make the trip every week!

Below approximately 1000 meters (3,280 ft), the park is characterized by subtropical rainforest, whereas above 1000 meters, scrub-like trees and tall clumping grasses are the main form of vegetation

According to my research, there is an internal shuttle bus, 108. but have no idea where to take. Is actually available at the main bus interchange. It is said to be every 15 min but .........you just have to wait....

 Bus 108 is only NT15 per trip and the last bus is at 5.30pm

The mini-bus was packed with many people, and it was up the sloppy and curvy mountain, quite a experience.....

Our first stop :

Xiaoyukeng (小油坑) is the best-known recreation area in Yangmingshan National Park, and offers some of the most typical scenery. Located above the Datong Bridge along the Yangmingshan-Jinshan Highway, Xiaoyukeng is at an elevation of 800 meters (2,624 ft) and contains a host of volcanically-created fumaroles, sulfur crystals, hot springs, and landslides. Sulfur vents noisily spew forth gases, and hot springs discharge endless streams of boiling water. The bright yellow sulfur crystals that can be seen here are exceptionally lovely. Mt. Cising provides breathtaking views in all directions.

Our Second stop :

Qingtiangang (擎天崗), is a terrace formed by lava flowing to the north from Mt.Zhugao. This flat area is today an undulating grassland several kilometers across surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks higher than 800 meters (2,624 ft) in elevation.The area was once used for grazing cattle under the administration of the Taipei City Agricultural Association, and private individuals could send their cattle to graze here, and popular with picnicking students and familie

We set down at the hilltop, feeling the warmth of the sun and the cool breezy wind. The UV was so strong, that it turned ZP's transition glasses into sunglasses

Jinbaoli Trail (魚路古道), was built long ago as a shortcut over the mountains of Yangmingshan, enabling deliveries of fish from the sea. Starting at Jinshan, the route passes Payen, Qingtienkang, and Zhishanyen before eventually reaching Shilin, Dalongdong, and Dadaocheng, where the fish were sold in local markets. It is also known as the "Old Fish Trail." Still in good condition, the trail is surrounded by old cultural sites and splendid natural scenery. Walking the trail allows one to really appreciate the spirit of the long-ago Chinese settlers who opened up Taiwan.

While waiting for the internal shuttle bus, realise that there was a shuttle bus - "Xiao S" back to Jiantian Subway. But we actually wanted to go see the cherry blossom ( the reason why we are at Yang Ming Shan) 

Walked again to the park and they were selling the Taiwan Sausage, it was delicious and nice especially in that weather.

The park ranger said that the cherry blossom isnt that pretty now, but then again, Singapore doesnt even have them. And is reported the cherry,  blossom 2 weeks earlier....

It was something we could see in Singapore and anytime of the year.

We wanted to go dan Shui to catch the sunset. Unfortunately, after the 1 1/2 hours of standing in the bus back to Jiantian Subway, We could only see the egg yolk on the bus and it set earlier in the winter.

Finally, we reach Jiantian which is also where the Shilin Night market is, where Zul is craving for the authentic Chicken cutler. Before we reach the chicken cutler, came across the night market game when they use the BB gun... What is new ?

Amazing result ,,, 9/10

Finally, it was some chicken time !

 And a slow walk in the night market after the tiring hike....

Had the mee sua and awesome fried mushrooms.

We just needed a foot massage after the long hike and walk

Brought some supper back in case i am hungry later...

Warning : Do not buy any fruits from the fruits stall at Shilin Night Market, it's a rip off ! These 2 packs of fruits case NT 400, about  S$20.....

Since we decided to take the cab, we grab some taiwan goodie from the stall beside.

Day 2 shopping : Mainly at Sasa - my SK2 essence 330ml, NT 4900, about S$210, got some free gidt and discount als0

After a short rest, it was some time for night activites

Clubbing at Luxy

Different environment.

Had our drinks. First and second round














called off the night at 0345 hrs..What a long day we had !

reference :  http://wikitravel.org/en/Yangmingshan_National_Park

Day 1 - To TPE

We were so blessed that our good friends that came back from Japan few hours before we depart, came and fetch us to the airport, so we squeeze the luggage into the compact car, but still we manage to do it...

The Newly Wed, Din and Ying that just came back from Japan few hour ago !

A quick mcdonald breakfast to show our appreciation and off we go,and your truly went to buy her foundation and sun blocked.

Then walked to the end of terminal, and always got to rushed ! Damn !

While in the flight, after dozing off a while, and read some magazine and some movie on my own ipad. After almost 4 hours, we finally reach our destination !

Found the place to find the buy ticket to buy coach to Taipei Main station !

Apparently, when we arrive at Taipei Main Station, i got a bit loss, because Taipei Main Station is actually quite big and I mean really big, i only research the exit number of hotel but forget to research on the location of the station.

 After carrying and pushing the luggage, we finally manage to locate the hotel check in office which is at Exit Y3, cross the carpark.

The entrance to the building is Via the starbuck exit of Q-Square, to the 5th Level and change to Block B lift to the designated floor.

We were given the french theme room

Nice cosy room with basic amenities and excellent service

Was so tired and hungry, wanted to grab a bite and rest before heading off to Ximending. Walk via the Taipei main station underground but couldn't find food, u-turn and went back shopping center for some bread.

After the rest, was to Ximending, walking around and looking for eyelashes and realise i didn't bring my eyelash curler.

Somehow, we manage to find the hot pot that I visit together with the team. oh my God, It was so shiok, but dare not drink too much cause we are going to yang ming shan  the next day.

Awesome steamboat, love to mix the ma-la with the tomato soup ! Sweet and spicy !

 And off to some more shopping and rest for an early night.

Review of Day 1 : The bed was so comfy and provided us a good rest. 

SIN>TPE>HKG>SIN

Taiwan trip and Hong Kong trip confirmed ! Taking one way Tiger trip to TPE then HKG/SIN via Cathay pacific.

Did some research , read some reviews, and some calculating of budget. As some of you may know, I don't consider myself high class or rich, just that I need to have my own toilet and a clean sleeping environment. So I don't mind paying a bit more for comfort so is decided that itaipei services apartment via Agoda, about $120  per night inclusive of tax.and for HKG , we are gonna stay at IBIS Hong Kong & central, (for the night view and the wifi in the room)  about 140 inclusive tax.

I just want to have a real enjoyable trip for both of us, hopefully I won't nag at him too much! I just hope that I can buy what I want to buy! The last trip last year was my first, and was more like exploring and visiting tourist attractions, with limited time to shop and breath.

So research started and hopefully, we have enough time to explore each and every place, hahah.. i doubt so ! Most of it is through google and people's blog

Research, research and research ! Starting to compile and printed in at work!  ahhah  oops ! 

 

Counting down to 7 more days ! We need a break ! Oh wait, also doing research for phuket in April, hahah !

New Camera Lens

It started with just window shopping, and walked into courts, find the lens and see see. So the price of 18-200mm is $1199... Been thinking it for 2 years but sill never buy. As we looked at the boxes in the display cupboard, we lower down our head because of the price and saw another box, but the price was $599, our eyes open again.... we read carefully, is a 55-210mm..... We did some research over our iphone then went back home did some more research, 18-200, there's no need to change the lenses but you got to carry a big len around, and the price is double. For the 55-210mm, it cover the futher range of the current len but need to switch around and the pice is only half of 18-200mm.

After much of waiting and researching, for the price and the feature. In Singapore, someone is selling the second hand of it at about $380/400 SGD. Was contemplating and we surf around on the website. Bookmark to my ipad, in case I need it next time. We decided to get the SEL55210 so to cover the range of 55-210mm from the current 18-55mm...

One not so fine night on 2 Jan 2013, came home feeling lousy and piss from work, told ZP to pass me the computer and i said I want to buy the lens to cheer myself up. Type the keywords and voila, saw from ebay, the cheapest, $286 USD ( About SGD $350 with FREE expedite shipping.)

Waiting for the payment to be clear, and the item was marked as ship quite soon after. Saw the site again, it say about 4-5 days, OMG, i know i wont be home the next few days to receive, hopefully someone from home will receive it. 7th Jan , haiz, true enough, I saw a piece of paper with my name, and I need to collect from the Post office again... Another one day wait.... I finally got to see my baby on 8/1/2013, 2pm after going back to the post office after missing the parcel at home.

Nicely wrapped in a brown box, with many bubble wrap, and a bag of air to prevent it from shifting too much.... Open the un-commericalize packaging , and tried it to zoom the camera close enough, from one end of carpark to another end of the carpark which is Brandon's house, hahahah !( Was there cause i was craving from nasi lemak)

But then again, it started raining heavily, and i couldn't really test the lens. We had to wait until the weekend for Zp to try the lenses on the climbing events.

Due to the location of the place and the wall, we are not really able to access to the front, so taking of pic is mostly from far, like 20m away. So ZP was happy when he was able to zoom in all the way and still take picture, unlike the current one, the zoom has quite limited range

Christmas 2012

After enduring for countless day, and negotiating to get my xmas present earlier like before the 20th dec and finally i manage to receive my present on the 23rd Dec 2013, Midnight just after finishing work.

It has been something I wanted,  Bottega Veneta Wallet... Just few weeks ago, Azhar and myself was walking into the boutique and I still can't swallow the $1200 price tag. It was a truly a blessed christmas and a belated birthday present. My "kutupat" wallet ! Love the new leather smell !

The Exterior and Interior

This is what I can do with the new wallet after a few days, may this wallet bring me more wealth !
Thank You baby !

This is from me to him. After much research on this brand and with luminox. I still prefer this design on him, 

glad that he love it ! Can be used on Land and Marine ! The design is very him !

On the Christmas's Eve, bought the log cake dear been wanting to have it ! It was delicious and tasty, with the blackforest flavour and the icing.

 Quiet and Blessed Christmas ! No party, no service due to work.....Dear attended service himself...

Happily Shopping for Christmas's present, oh well, we got quite a good deal for my niece at cash converter !