Hong Kong Trip 17-21 July

Just returned from Hong Kong on Saturday night. Went there for 5 days 4 nights with my army friends Hongye, Hongzhen and Shou Woon. Been a really great trip and had loads of fun there. Visited quite a few places that I didn't visit when I went there 2 years back, namely Disneyland, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and seafood at Lamma Island, in addition to the usual places. We also went to Shenzhen for some cheap shopping.

We stayed at the same hotel which I stayed 2 years back: Metropark Mongkok. Somehow, the room seems a bit smaller this time round, maybe because we shopped quite a lot and filled up the room with shopping bags .. haha. This time round, I bought more stuff than when I was in Taiwan as the clothes here were more suitable for me, not as 'blink' as Taiwanese fashion. Food was great, especially the dim sum, wanton noodles, 'shao la' (roast), iced milk tea, iced yuanyang, eggtarts, the list goes on and on ..

Here are some highlights:

Day 1: Walked around in Kowloon and went to Avenue of Stars in the evening to watch the Symphony of Lights.

@ Avenue of Stars with Bruce Lee

Day 2: Went to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in the day, visited the Golden Bauhinia Square, followed by shopping at Causeway Bay. Went up to the Central Peak at night to visit Madame Tussauds and then dinner at one of the restaurants there.

Golden Bauhinia Square

At Madame Tussauds:

Anita Mui

Double Twins Effect

The Royal Family David BeckhamActing Jay ChouMy supermodel fling .. hahaDinner at the Peak .. our spread

Day 3: Went to Disneyland and took lots of pictures! Other than the very hot weather and running into some very rude and uncivilised mainlanders, the time spent at Disneyland was quite enjoyable.

The Sleeping Beauty castle .. I thought it was smaller than expected

With Minnie

Mickey the Pirate

Pluto and Goofy

Disney Waterworks Parade .. where they spray waterjets at you to cool you downNight Scenery

Day 4: Went to Shenzhen in the day for some shopping. In the evening, we took a ferry to Lamma Island for seafood.

Train to Shenzhen

Outside the seafood restaurant at Lamma Island

Day 5: Basically just did a lot of last minute shopping and in the afternoon we went to the airport and had dim sum there. Walked around the airport a bit before we checked in. After I went through the Hong Kong customs, I realised that the Krispy Kremes shop that Jess was telling me about was located in Hong Kong airport itself!!! Shucks! I was looking all over for it but didn't realise that it was right before me .. Sorry Jess! Haha.

At the dim sum restaurant at the airport

Well I guess no more overseas trips this holidays anymore. Now I need to get out of holiday mood and wake up! School starts in 3 weeks!!! Time really flies man.

Taiwan Trip 5 - 9 July

Just went to Taiwan for 5 days with Jeriel, John and Adriel. During the trip, we stayed in Paradise Hotel which is conveniently located near Ximending, the shopping area. The hotel facilities were not too bad for a three star hotel and there are about slightly over 100 channels on their cable TV (spoilt for choice)! We visited quite a few places in and around Taipei but we didn't travel out from Taipei due to a lack of time. 5 days is definitely not enough!

Taiwan is a food haven and there is an abundance of street stalls selling food everywhere. The food was really good and I found myself eating non-stop throughout the day. The people there are also really friendly and nice to talk to. I realised that most of the people in Taiwan, especially the young, know how to dress up well. In fact, most of them (especially the girls) look quite good. You can hardly find an ugly girl on the streets and about 70% of them are either average or good looking - lots of hot chicks around .. haha.

Things there are not exactly very cheap and I didn't really buy a lot of stuff. Found the clothes there a little too 'blink blink' and some are quite 'beng'. Spent most of my money on food instead =).

Well here is a summary:

Day 1: Reached Taipei in the evening. Spent the night exploring Ximending.

At Ximending

Ah Chung Rice Noodles, a must try! One of the dessert shops
Generous helping: Portion for 2 but can feed 4

Day 2: Travelled to this place on the mountains called Jiu Fen and spent the day there. Towards the evening, we went to Shih Lin Night Market.

At Gold Ecological Park, an old gold mining town

Outside the mining tunnel

The mining tunnel itself

Acting cute =)

Ancient concrete golf courseGreat scenery from the top
At Shih Lin Night Market'Smelly' Beancurd

Day 3: Went to Taipei 101 and walked around the shopping area. At night, we travelled to Huaxi Street Night market where snakes are killed for their blood and gall bladder (apparently they are very good tonics and good for health). After that, went back to Ximending again for further exploration.

Taipei 101

We took 37 seconds to reach the top of Taipei 101 taking this lift

On top of the tallest building in the world

View from the top

At Huaxi Street Night Market, the lady was going to feed the snakes with a rat. The cups in front of her contains tonics, snake's blood and juice from the gall bladder

We ran into a pyjamas party at Ximending

Day 4: Travelled to Beitou for a dip in the hot springs and later in the afternoon, travelled to Dan Shui (Fisherman's Wharf) to watch the sunset and beautiful scenery.

Indoor hot spring. You are supposed to be totally naked when taking a dip. No photos allowed but I quickly snapped a few when no one was around

Cold spring. For cooling down.

Outdoor hot spring. Here, you must put on swimming trunks =)

At Dan Shui

Taking the ferry to Fisherman's Wharf

At Fisherman's Wharf in the day

Sunset

View during the night

Day 5: Visited the historic sites in Taipei City itself. Mainly Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Martyr's Shrine. Chinese Temple and National Palace Museum.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial GateChiang Kai Shek Memorial HallMartyr's ShrineChanging of guardsA photo with the guard

Chinese TempleOutside National Palace Museum (we are not allowed to take photos inside the museum)

Yup .. Taiwan is quite a nice place and there are lots of things to explore. I haven't been to the other parts of Taiwan outside Taipei and it is one place I would definitely go back to visit again.