Day 88 -- Taipei 3 (Hsin Chu)

It's day 3 up in the north and it's time for the city of wind -- 新竹! Glad to have my cousin, Fun-ny, to be our guide in Hsin Chu because she had been studying there for 4 years!

Our main stop was 內灣, one of the tourist attractions within the Hsin Chu County. It's very much like 十分, just that I feel it has more cultural things as compared to ShiFen. We walked down the old street where vendors sold Hakka related food items. What interest me most was the fact that they used wild ginger flower for many of their foodstuff and surprisingly it tasted really nice!

Then we head towards the suspension bridge, and this being my 3rd suspension bridge visited in this trip, I wasn't expecting much. But when I saw it, I was so excited, because it's the authentic kind of suspension bridge with wooden planks, not something that had been maintained to carry tons of tourists. So, this explained why I was so excited!

Although it was supposed to be the city of wind, but the weather was dry and hot when we were there and it was driving us crazy. We ended up chilling by the stream, doing nothing, just enjoying the cold waters of the stream and the shade provided.

By the time we returned to Taipei from Hsin Chu (because we need to catch the bus back to Kaohsiung), it was already 8.20pm. After much rushing around and getting lost in the huge interchange, we only managed to board the southward bound bus at 9.20 pm. It was already past 2am when we reached KS. Yes, that was how long our day was and needless to say, we were so so so tired by the time we reach our dorm!

And yes, this is the end of our 3-day trip to the north. We didn't really do much for these 3 days, but it was a rather relaxing one!

Day 87 -- Taipei Day 2

Went to 乌来 today! This was a sudden decision because the initial plans was deemed too time and effort wasting. But even so, the trip today was a great one!

We went to 乌来 for its waterfall, but it wasn't as magnificent as the one we saw at ShiFen.. It was more like a steady stream that flowed from the top of the hills. Nonetheless, we had a great time taking pictures with the waterfall!

We then took the log tram down to the old streets and visited the Attayal Museum! I loved the museum because I could learn so much about the aboriginals in Taiwan! Everyday, I am learning something new of this land I'm in!

After the trip, we went to 永康街.. Wanted to try some cafes there but in the end we settled for shaved ice instead. But it was a popular store, so I'm not complaining too!

Can't wait for the last day tomorrow!

Just a sidenote... Seems like there's this wave of nostalgia in almost every part of Taiwan, because there will always be a 老街 as an attraction somehow.

Day 86 -- Taipei 1

Took an overnight bus to Taipei again! And coincidentally,  we were given the same 3 seats as the previous trip! And because of the training we had earlier, I was asleep for almost the whole journey!

Went to 十分 after with all of our baggage. And after much anticipation,  I finally 在十分放天灯了! Wrote our wishes and seeing it go up the skies with the lantern was really a great feeling! We also went to the 十分瀑布, which was another nice scenic place I think I won't regret going! Although I'm quite turned off by businessmen who made use of natural attractions to earn profits. Oh wells...

The next stop was 淡水 where we walked at the old streets as well as went to the fisherman's wharf! And of course, we took pictures at the famous lovers' bridge!

Ended the day at 师大夜市 because our hostel is within walking distance to it!

Yup so practically this was my first day in Taipei. Was really tired from the lack of sleep, but I think it's all worth it! :)

Day 85 -- Mid terms results!

Got back my mid term and assignment results today and I am really happy with them! Got 83 for one of the mid terms, although it's a group work, at least we passed it! So all I need to focus now is the 2nd individual assignment and the finals and I am good to transfer my credits!

And as for the assignment, I got an 'OK+' for it. God knows what it meant, but I believe it means above average! (Think positive!! LOL) And for this module, I'm also just left with one more individual assignment and finals!

And I just realised I only have 6~7 weeks left in Kaohsiung! O.M.G. How time flies! It seems like yesterday when I first reach this foreign land and now I am counting down to my going home!

Alright, I'm going to stop now because I am going to Taipei tonight! :D

Day 84 -- Some much needed quality time with myself

Went to the Lotus pond today to train with the international team as the 'drummer'. But because there wasn't any drum on board, I was just there to count the pace. Sound easy? But it took me a while to count correctly. And though I haven't been to that place before, I did not tour it after practice just now because I'll be back again next Wednesday for another round of training.

Went to the Dogpig Arts Cafe afterwards for some me-time. Well, I can only say they have great ambience. The rest? There wasn't much choices of food for me to choose, neither where the beer as well. They do have some imported beers, but when I asked the waitress about some of the little options available, she appeared to be as clueless as me. Well, I don't blame her, perhaps she doesn't drink or maybe she's new. But no, I will not recommend anyone to go, unless you are there for some exhibition.

So I had this Belgium Floris, which is a passion fruit beer, and I love the sourness of this fruit beer! But then again like most fruit beers, it tasted more like fruit juice than beer to me. I was looking for special brews I haven't tried before, but I'm disappointed. Oh wells, I shall continue exploring these small shops and who knows, I may get a surprise somewhere somehow :)

Day 83 -- International cultural fair / Training in the rain

For 3 consecutive days starting today, there is the international cultural fair happening in school. I went to have a look after lessons today and it really seemed like a huge carnival happening right in the heart of the main campus! There were performances as well as stalls selling food from different countries. So I had Russian puffs, Kaya toasts (yes, I know, again!), Creme Brulee and Slovakian Potato salad and mustard chicken. Ok, i know that's a lot to consume at one go, but I just couldn't resist! But I will not go there again because I think I am done with the stalls and performances. 

On the side note, I got The Great Gatsby for only NTD 80! Although it's a second-hand book, but I think the previous owner was super gentle with the book it didn't looked used at all! So happy with my buy today!

And today's pool training was done in the rain. Yes, it started pouring the moment our training commenced and it didn't stop until I was making my way back from dinner. Even though it rained, but it did not dampened the spirit of those who went for the training! In fact, I thought we are improving, although there are still a lot of absentees :( 

Day 82 -- 膝盖不争气

Skipped training today because my knees were hurting so bad I could not even do the warm ups properly. Ended up coming back to dorm and watch The Great Gatsby.

It was really a good show, apart from the superficial romance plot, but more of the underlying theme of the show. I love how subtly the original author had made it and how the director actually filmed it. So near, yet so far; perhaps these are the 5 words most appropriate to describe the theme.

But now, I'm going to sleep early and hope the pain will subside by tomorrow morning. This sucks big time!