The one where it's like Penang (5)

When the farmer is happy, it tells a lot.

The uncle below later smiled and put up a peace sign. People here are unbelievably happy.

Taiwan is as young as Malaysia. But the society moves and acts like the it has been one for a long time. A homogeneous society means little infighting and everything is done for the greater good. Masks in trains, neat lines at train stations and toilets, very clean streets even with very few dustbins around.

And they love their dogs. In a purse, cradled in arms, a walk in the park. Loving animals is a clear sign of a caring and giving society.

But I guess they have their government to thank. I remember my ex-boss telling me when he was ambassador to Taiwan in the 80s, every bag and person going in had to be searched by the military. Government was authoritarian and stern. Needed given the fact they had a formidable enemy just across the straits. Furthermore, attracting investment was their priority, finesse can come later.

First came their agriculture, then manufacturing before today's high-tech industries. 90% of motherboards are made here, and the last time they suffered an earthquake, the price of RAM went up.

In the 90s, rich from 40 years of good policy, they started the road to democracy and creating the Taiwan of today. There may be some charades in parliament and political persecution, but those are rare dark moments. Because their 5 decades were highlighted with many fine moments, often bringing heaven a step closer to earth each time.

The one where it's like Penang (4)

Yehliu Geopark, an hour's drive away from Taipei. The sea levels were higher long ago, hence the waves carved the rocks into the formations left today.

Managed to crop the bus loads of people from the pictures. There were many many people climbing the rocks, crossing the red line into the danger zone, etc monkeying around. The security guard has to work really hard here.

This is the famous Queen's Head rock, they say her neck is getting thinner by the day, and will probably break soon. Oh well, she wasn't looking too regal to begin with.

The weather and blue skies/sea reminded me of Cape of Good Hope.
A man picking seaweed, he sells them RM15 a bag.
Dad and I striking a pose.
Then comes mum.

The formations at the rear remind me of Hershey's.

The one where it's like Penang (3)

Headed up to Beitou, a place popular for its hotsprings. Building below was a Japanese (1895-1945) bathhouse built some hundred years ago. Now converted into a museum.

Looks Victorian from the outside, but you can find tatami floorboards and rice paper doors within.
There's the original baths with tiles too.

Visited one onsen called Long Nai. Cheap public one, the good ones cost RM80 and above, the place I visited was just below RM10. You get what you pay for, believe me. It's almost 100 years old, and looks every bit it.
42 degrees and I couldn't stand 5 minutes without feeling faint, this was the cold pond, didn't dare to touch the hot one. The last time in Japan I felt the same - thought it was because I was dehydrated from sake, turns out me and hotsprings won't ever work out.

Later went to the CBD.
How apt, a Japanese fair was going on. With a GDP of USD30K, Taipei people are always out shopping. With a population roughly the same as KL, this place is so much more livelier.
And creative... this guy makes bubble candy in all shapes.
This little one didn't have the strength to puff the candy up, mum had to do it.
Bikes for rent around the CBD, very pedestrian friendly urban planning.
101 had their tenants display their own x'mas tree, Tiffany's:
Swarovski's:
Hermes':

The one where it's like Penang (2)

Taipei's Chrysanthemum fair, lots of flowers, even more people.

The flower exhibition takes place in many of the gardens at Chiang Kai Shek's former residence. The sprawling compound hosts many other activities; in a corner a violin player sings to hokkien songs, in another a tribal performance takes place, there's even a street artist who can cut your silhouettes while cracking jokes.

Below Taipei's MRT lines are kilometers of walkways and landscaped gardens - excellent urban revival and use of space.
The parents below the banyans.

Also made a 3-hour stop at the National Palace Museum - home to some of ancient China's greatest relics and amongst the world's top 4 museums, the other three being the Louvre, British Museum and the MET. Love love love the jade carvings and curio boxes. Too bad there's a no photography policy within. Love love love you too baby!

The one where it's like Penang

Fried oyster egg at Shilin Night Market

People and more people

And the food! This is going to be the start of another food series...

The one where TV kills TV

Read somewhere that there's a correlation between watching TV and having a short attention span.

After watching the telly for over 2 decades, I now find myself unable to concentrate and finish any series.

Stopped halfway through Dexter season 4 to watch Flashforward, which I stopped after episode 8 to start on Kings.

And who is Ted Mosby's kids' mother in all seriousness!

The one where See Khee got hitched

Since parents were around, and I was going to Batu Pahat for See Khee’s wedding, decided to combine both occasions into a road trip.

The plan, as all good plans go, was to start at 7h00 from Kuala Lumpur, subsequently

10h00: breakfast at Kluang Station, haven’t visited Kluang for almost 2 years, miss those charcoal toasted buns! And the lovely Kluang Town.

11h00: stop at Air Itam for some shopping, Claytan warehouse sale maybe?

12h00: lunch at my favourite Foo Chow shop at Wira Court, near the old The Store in Batu Pahat.

13h00: drop parents off at Old Town, while I attend the wedding lunch.

15h00: a hike at Bukit Soga.

17h00: head back to KL.

Reality was, I woke up 7, we left at 9.

We made it for lunch at the Foo Chow restaurant, my first order was the soft, oh-so very soft pao with creamy chicken curry in it. The lady told me they stopped selling it for 3 years now! Wonder how my post-curry-pao life would be.

Then I headed off to the wedding venue, which was next to Katerina Hotel, ground zero for Chua Soi Lek’s scandal. Was great to see some people I haven’t seen in years, especially Sze Giat, Hui Giak, tenants of JM7 and even Miss Chua!

Sticking to schedule, I met up with parent for Bukit Soga, this is possibly my most favourite hill to climb, not very challenging at 700metres, but a good one hour can be spent up and down again.

Anyways, stopped by Malacca for dinner, the famous cendol and laksa place was closed, so settled for second best – another cendol and laksa place, right next door!

And then I got lost in Malacca town! Couldn’t find the entry to the highway! Way to go Malaysian signboards!

Another round of being lost locating the NKVE from the North-South Expressway! Turned when I saw KLIA, ended up in Nilai. Brrrr…