TaiChung + Sun Moon Lake

From Taoyuan International Airport, we rode on the bus to High Speed Rail ('HSR') station at Taoyuan to change our next transportation to HSR which costed us NT540 per seat to reach Taichung in an approximately 45 minutes, if not wrong. The seats are comfortable and clean. Once reached Taichung HSR terminal, we took the shuttle bus to our hotel located at Feng Chia University a.k.a. Feng Chia Nightmarket.

The real headache was coming to us once we got off at Feng Chia University bus stop. See, we were in the middle of huge Feng Chia Nightmarket. It was crowded with people, motorbikes, cars and their cute pets (all kinds of breed dogs)!! We couldn't find Tomato Hotel (the direction given by the staff was confusing) so we just walked up and down the street, carrying the heavy luggages. After half an hour searching and calling, we FINALLY found Tomato Hotel! It was such a relief to see the hotel because I was damn tired from walking up and down and stood in the middle of the road where all the people and motorbikes passing by kept looking at us!

At night, we just walked around their famous and biggest nightmarket - Feng Chia. Next morning, we checked out Tomato Hotel and we rode on bus again to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung HSR station. After approximately one and a half hour ride on bus, we arrived at Sun Moon Lake. Pretty lake scenery! We seek help from the tourist information on the famous attractions and how to get there. The staffs were friendly and helpful. Information given also accurate and advised us to rent a bike for a day to save time and money, instead of taking bus!

Night at Sun Moon Lake was quiet with very few entertainment. Only the nearby area at Sun Moon Lake's pier was gathered with tourists and the tourists were entertained by the local natives' performance (singing and dancing) at the pier. Their local natives' culture fascinated me. A bit similar to our Sarawak's local natives.

- My triP tO tAiwaN-

It was my first time sleeping alone in the hotel! I was scared and worry. Fortunately, the rooms in Tune Hotel were small with so little space for you to move around. There's no more space for the 'ghost' to stay in there. The small room did made me felt more comfortable and less worry. But the noise from the people shutting the door, talking and walking at the corridor really annoying. I kept waking up by the noise out there!

Again, I felt proud of myself for being travelling alone, all the way from Sibu to Taiwan. I slept alone, took the bus alone, carrying the heavy luggage of mine and ate alone! I was getting mature and independent despite my "petite" body size. So after long queue for check in, I quickly went to grab a bite before boarding. I headed to McDonald's and ordered its breakfast set. I had an impression that McDonald's breakfast was not really that tasty after my last experience. Well, this time it really colored me surprise. The pancake and muffin taste good till I slowly enjoying my breakie without realizing that I was real late for boarding! I didn't finished my tea as it was so damn hot!

The international departure hall was quite far from McDonald's and need to take the escalator up and down. Somemore, need to stop for security checking. Oh my goodness, I was hastened by the airasia staff! There's another long walk to reach the plane. The plane was 'parking' so damn far away. Catching my breath once inside the plane, I felt grateful and at the same time, embarrassed as all the passengers were looking at me. Halo, I was not the only one late! There're some people also late and were running behind me as well. It delayed the plane took off. Mostly because there's a queue and air traffic congestion.

After 5-hours 'ass-pain' ride, I reached Taoyuan International Airport safe and sound. A bit nervous to meet my dear while felt excited for my trip!

-A Funeral-

A funeral. Everyone doesn't like the funeral because when there's a funeral meaning there's people dying. This is the life cycle that everyone has to go through, isn't it? I didn't like it. I couldn't accept the death.

I just finished attending the a funeral yesterday. A funeral that I had to participate in the whole process. Wait, the funeral was not someone from my side! It was actually my 'legally' husband's grandpa who passed away at the age of 91.

Anyway, since I was his 'legally' wife so I had to attend the funeral and my name was stated in the obituary as well. There's a lot of things and questions whirling in my head till I couldn't think. I was kinda confused and my feelings were all mixed up. See, I was kinda slow in receiving things that happened too fast. So it was hard for me to accept. Not only the death but also my presence at the funeral and to go through the whole process.

The funeral was a whole new experience for me, aside from my grandfather's funeral where I was still a kid with not much memories of it. I realized I was getting mature again. And I should give myself a good pat on the back as I was kinda shocked with myself for being tough and brave enough to face it and finally, to attend the funeral with open heart even though I was so struggling in the beginning. After all, I had to pay the respect to his grandpa although I didn't know him. The funeral was not as scary as I thought. I also understand that in the future, there're some funeral I shall attend as well and it made me felt depressed by thinking of it.

There's an old tradition of Chinese saying that when someone was passing away in the family, you either get marry within 100 days or after 3 years. Now here comes another problem. To get marry within 100 days is too rush and we are not prepared for it yet. Then only left one choice, need to wait for 3 years again. Guess that I was destined to wait and get marry at an old age!

-May his grandpa rest in peace-

-Shimino Japanese Crepe-

Oopppss, I kept thinking that the name was Shimizu but it's actually SHIMINO!

Each time I was in KL, I would definitely paid a visit to this Shimino Japanese Crepe booth located at the 5th floor in Pavillion. Just opposite of GSC. I love their crepes with ice-cream and fruits fillings! Unlike the crepes that sell inside of Sg. Wang - 'Hot and Roll', if not wrong. Their crepes were crispy and hot, hmmm consider a heavy dessert as well. They put hotdog, cheese, crab stick something like that for their fillings. I didn't like crispy crepes. So I prefer Shimino instead! You should go and give it a try too if you like crepes. I would recommended either kiwi or mango crepes with add on ice cream. ;-p

-Safe Haven-

I was a big fan of Nicholas Sparks's novel. I love all of his collection. He has a well founded reputation for being able to craft romantic stories that touch people's hearts. Most of his novels made me hard to put down.

Recently, I had finish reading one of his novel, 'Safe Haven' in a 5 hours time during my flight to Taiwan. This book totally engrossed me from the first page to the last. A gripping tale of love and survival. Safe haven was actually talking about a mysterious 27 years old girl named Katie appeared in a small town and avoided forming any personal ties with people. Her sudden arrival to town raised questions about her past. Her mysterious personality and beauty also caught an attention of a single father, Alex who lost his wife 3 years ago. Then gradually, Katie began to let down her guard and fell in love Alex. However, her dark secrets still haunted her. She was actually running away from her abusive husband.

As written by Nicholas Sparks, love hurts. But in order to learn to love again, you must learn to trust again. In the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

I was so deeply engaged on the story till when I looked at my dear, I was kinda terrified that he would abused me in the future or afraid of the psycho cum control freak 'man'. I had to keep telling myself to jump out from the story and that it was only a fiction. There's a split second I couldn't differentiate between the fiction and reality. Not so serious, just a temporary mixed up feelings!

Anyway, 'Safe Haven' was really a good read and highly recommended. Not only Safe Haven, but all of Nicholas Sparks' novels are a riveting page-turner. To name a few of his famous masterwork of art - The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, A Walk To Remember, The Last Song and Dear John. The ending of his novels alway put tears in my eyes. Well, mostly you will be surprised with his ending. There's a twist and turn that pulls everything together and makes you glad you read his novels.

- Did yOu see the Apple?? -

I was actually doing a backward post. This was supposed to be the last post on my trip to Taiwan but anyway, no difference also!

This vacation had caused me a big hole in my savings!!! @.@ I spend lots of $$$$ both in Taiwan and KL. Sakit hati nya! Didn't even dared to look at my purse and savings account.

I had to spend a night in KL before heading back to Sibu. Since it was a night flight back to Sibu the next day, I had a half day in KL where I could do some quick shopping. This time I decided to check in the newly opened 'theme style' budget hotel - Apple Hotel, located at Jalan Alor. I was wondering whether is it also under Airasia. Because they looked so much alike.

Since it was a budget hotel, so do not expected a 5 star facilities and grand room. The room was damn small. We couldn't move around after putting our luggages. The bathroom was small too. Exactly like Tune Hotel if you had checked in Tune Hotel before then you'll understand how small the room is! But the location was good - just walked out of the hotel door and you'll find rows of stalls or shops offered a variety of food that was mouth watering.

Orh ya, forgot to mention the theme. Seeing the hotel's name, it surely came across you that it was related to Apple. Yes, 'Apple' is the main character and their main color is green! An apple a day keeps the doctor away and to go along with today's hot issue - 'Go Green!' concept. So it was actually a Green Apple! The security is great and the staff is friendly too. Except the small room and small corridor!

Now did you see the Apple???

Cute Apple Lamp

Cute Apple Washbowl

Cute Apple Rotan Chair

And now I want to introduce my 'Miss White' with a cute pInk Rabito!

Cute Apple White iPhone!!!!!

Because of her, there was a huge hole in my savings and now I need to work for months to get back my savings!! =.= Can't even think of 'resign' this word, not at the moment! I hate to admit but I found that I was really getting old because this 'high tech' smartphone was giving me a headache. Now I was still trying, exploring and figuring it out. On the first day of using iPhone, I sulked and confused with its function and everything. Really thought of switching back to my old phone. Easy and user friendly. Not so complicated! How I missed my pInky LollipOp - LG!

But after few lessons from my brother, I started to like it already...... because I was connected no matter where I go! Games and so many applications to entertain me. That's pretty cool, isn't it?! I didn't have to worry to get bored and when I was alone =)

- I am Back! -

Dragging my tired body and legs, yes, I was finally reached home. Bed sweet bed. I missed my bed, my pillow and my blanket. I felt sad! Because I was getting tanned and gained kilos!!!!!NOooooo~ Now I need to lose weight and using whitening products....extremely, desperately and whatever, as long as I can shed those kilos and get my yellowish fair skin back~!!

It's been a week I was totally disconnected from the internet and the world out there. I nearly lost track of time and date. Too concentrate and enjoying my holidays till almost forgotten that I still need to work and face the reality when back home. sh*t. Anyway, I felt good for not answering any phone calls, replying message, sitting in front of the pc for long hours and worrying things !!!

Alright, need to sign off. Have to let my body taking a rest after being tortured for week, carrying those heavy luggages, walking for hours and not even de-toxifying yet. Sh*t. No wonder I was gaining weight. Sigh. Back to work tomorrow and put on my best big smile~!!! =D

-I am oN leaVe ~~~!!! -

Yes. The day I had been waiting for so long finally came. I was going to take a break from my soap K-drama as well as the internet, computer and facebook-ing. Oh no! How can I survive being disconnected from 'internet world'?! I need updates on what happened around me and the world out there.

Lolz. Sounds like I was going to stay in the jungle. I know, the globe was connected and no matter where you go, there's always a wifi. The world was connected unless you really stayed in the middle of jungle then very sorry.....

Alright, nothing big deal was going on. I just go for my vacation!! Sad to say, my phone neither have an international roaming nor internet assess like those smartphones. So I was totally disconnected from the world for the whole week (unless there's a laptop!!).

No one can call or find me because of my useless phone. The advantage - I can have a peace of mind and relax. No worries over the work. Just put behind everything and enjoy!

But but but but, I was going to miss my K-drama.....badly !!

-Beastly-

-Love is Never Ugly-

Beastly was a romance fantasy film based on Alex Flinn's novel and it was actually retelling of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast set in modern day. I was attracted to the film because of its title and romance story. I like this kind of paranormal or fantasy romance. However, this film was a disappointment. Hmmm I would blame it on the cast and maybe director.

Alex Pettyfer is good looking even though he looked like a beast with those ugly scars on his face, I still think he is a handsome hunk! I would fell in love with him too even though he looked ugly. The way he protected and care for the girl. I was envious. As mentioned previously, Alex Pettyfer was still inexperienced and need to polish his acting skill. He's good but still lacked of something. Same went to Vanessa Hudgens. The love sparks between them was weak. Somemore they were not compatible at all. Vanessa is kinda petite and I think she doesn't look pretty at all while Alex is tall and mature. So it spoiled the film! Sigh. I really love the story. Despite all that, Beastly was actually a nice film and I believed it could do better.

Okay. The story was actually about Kyle Kingsbury (Alex Pettyfer), a popular, wealthy, handsome and arrogant high school student. He disrespected a classmate, Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) who was actually a witch in diguise. So she casted a spell on Kyle with a term that he had to find a girl who love him until the next spring or else he's gonna stayed a beast forever. So the arrogant Kyle met the kind and loving girl, Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens). There you goes, the romance sparkled between them (which I personally think not so great and touching) and suddenly, Lindy said she loves him after Kyle avoided her because Kyle thought that Lindy only treated him as a good friend. And then all the curse gone and Kyle was back to his handsome look. The ending, yes, they kissed.

So if you are extremely bored and looking for a relaxing film without those gruesome bloody killing scenes or the loud car bangs, firegun and scared the hell out of you movie, then you can really, really watched this film on your weekend.