我离家出走了！
Sito had wanted me to experience business class flights. But I wouldn't (let him) pay for it. Then, his miles were expiring, and enough to redeem one biz class trip to Taiwan or Japan. My Japanese is almost non-existent now and I didn't want to work my brain too hard so I chose Taipei. Tokyo would be colder as well, brrr...
Can't remember now but the dates were kind of limited even though we booked in July last year. Eventually we settled on mid Jan, and included a Friday so I might catch a play or something. Preferred term time to school holidays so the kids would be off Sito's hands for a large part of the day. Yes, Sito signed on as full-time 奶爸 for six days!
I started booking stuff in mid December - a Vietnamese shampoo, a private hot spring, and a play. Also prepared a note on my phone to share with Sito, detailing all the things that needed to be done while I was away - kiddy stuff, laundry and mopping - and how. Very OCD :p
I was feeling all anxious in the lead-up. This would be the first time I was away from three kids for so long! Last time was back in 2020 and for only one night. Yang and Yu didn't want me to go but Kai was fine *.* Sito assured me he would be fine with my to-do list :D
So off I went!
Monday, 15 Jan
Travel day
OOTD
Yes, I hiao, took a picture of myself in front of the mirror every day!
Anyway, I didn't sleep well. Dreamt that I was trying to steam gyoza and panfry spring onion pancake at the same time and pans were falling off! Anxiety about the trip indeed...
Dreams aside, I kept waking coz I was so scared of missing my alarm. It was an early flight at 8.10 am and I was afraid it might rain so I booked a taxi for 5.30 am.
Yang must have woke when I went in to see them. He came out to say bye bye. Always the sweetest :)
I reached T2 quite early as the driver and I were early. Gosh, I haven't flown since 2018! I found it quite easy to print boarding pass and baggage tag. A staff was present to help stick the tag to my suitcase. Then it was off to baggage check and I was free to roam!
Was surprised to see the shops all open at that hour. But I didn't linger. Went straight to the lounge:
Yang must have woke when I went in to see them. He came out to say bye bye. Always the sweetest :)
I reached T2 quite early as the driver and I were early. Gosh, I haven't flown since 2018! I found it quite easy to print boarding pass and baggage tag. A staff was present to help stick the tag to my suitcase. Then it was off to baggage check and I was free to roam!
Was surprised to see the shops all open at that hour. But I didn't linger. Went straight to the lounge:
- Need coffee! Had two cups - happy :)
- Pinched some food coz greedy, not hungry
- Checked on the boys via the camera; managed to catch all three boys :)
- Filled in arrival form for Taiwan using a QR code I scanned at immigrations earlier
- Scrolled phone. Realised that paying by credit card on the Comfort app attracted a 10% admin fee! Gosh, never again! I paid by PayNow for my return trip.
Somehow my plane was in T1 so I took the Sky Train to get there. During the security check, I had to remove my boots. I didn't realise I hadn't unzipped my right boot all the way and gave it too hard a yank - I ripped off a third of the base from the back!!!
Later on the flight, I asked the attendants if they had any glue - trying my luck. They didn't but gave me cable ties and rubber bands in case the base fell off completely. But I was in luck - an attendant found glue in her own bag and gave it to me, so nice!
For once, I could stretch out my legs fully and even lie down in my seat. But biz class or economy, one thing that doesn't change is the height - still bumped my head on the overhead cabin. And again on the return flight *.*
And I had suaku moments... Took earphones at the door but found a set of noise cancelling headphones in my seat *.* Also didn't know there was a harness on the seat belt; thought it was to hold the seatbelt in place! Later on the return flight, I saw the video talking about it. Did I miss that earlier?
Anyway, despite the bad sleep, I wasn't sleepy. I watched Barbie and loved it just 10min into it! Breakfast was lobster thermidor via SQ's Book the Cook service, yummy but not more than Margot Robbie :p
Spent most of the time scrolling my phone. I still remember some 20 years ago, I had to use a card or something to access in-flight internet. Now it's just a few clicks to get connected.
Immigrations was a breeze as our passport can go through the auto gates. And I was in Taipei!
Took the airport express to Taipei MRT. Kel lent me his Easycard which was already registered for bike sharing but I didn't rent a bike in the end coz 1) wearing dresses, and 2) scared of traffic! So I just topped it up to use for public transport. Spent some NT670 in six days, with NT150 x2 for the airport express. I must say their public transport is very cheap - most MRT rides cost NT20 and most bus rides NT15.
I chose to take the blue line to hotel and had to navigate through endless crowds! On the return trip, I chose the green line from hotel instead and it was a much smoother and faster walk to the airport express.
Surfaced to find Ximending crisp with a very light drizzle, so light that I was surprised to see people carrying umbrellas - mf, who carries a brolly for the slightest rain. So I happily pulled out my brolly. It wasn't very cold; my hoodie sufficed.
The hotel was a short though bumpy walk away. It was very nice! Found it on Booking.com and was attracted to its decor and price. Reception was friendly and gave me an upgrade to a slightly bigger room. She emphasised on "slightly". Indeed, it was still quite small, haha!
Got pulled into a shop to try beauty products. Bought a large bowl of mee sua NT75 - I said no oysters but forgot to say no intestines... I tried a couple of the intestines and gave up. The rest of the mee sua was really good though, especially given the weather.
Bought snacks from 红樱花 and 海边走走 as recommended by Kel. Sito and I have now finished them all - very nice! But not cheap. A box of eight 红樱花 cakes, similar to 太阳饼，cost NT280 while each box of four packs (with two sticks inside) of 海边走走 cost NT270 - I bought three boxes for NT780 to try the different flavours. Peanut butter and black sesame tied.
Was going back when I passed by 蜂大咖啡 Fong Da Coffee which was recommended by Kel. In fact, all the cafes I went to on the trip were all his recommendations... I had intended to visit this one later in my trip but since I was there, I went in.
Gosh, the auntie wasn't friendly at all! Asked me if I wanted cake. If so, order first as cakes were upstairs and she was going up now, else she would have to go up again. I asked for recommendations, and her response: 我会说不要点，这样我就不用上去！
The coffee smelled really good but I didn't fancy their cold drip coffee much. The crepe cake was a mistake, sighs...
And I had suaku moments... Took earphones at the door but found a set of noise cancelling headphones in my seat *.* Also didn't know there was a harness on the seat belt; thought it was to hold the seatbelt in place! Later on the return flight, I saw the video talking about it. Did I miss that earlier?
Big headphones
Must wear mask. Not so much for fear of COVID though. I started this habit almost 20 years back so I don't catch a cold during the flight. Works like a charm. No more running nose upon arrival at holiday destination!
Anyway, despite the bad sleep, I wasn't sleepy. I watched Barbie and loved it just 10min into it! Breakfast was lobster thermidor via SQ's Book the Cook service, yummy but not more than Margot Robbie :p
Easy to eat coz it was cooked and put back onto the shell!
Spent most of the time scrolling my phone. I still remember some 20 years ago, I had to use a card or something to access in-flight internet. Now it's just a few clicks to get connected.
Immigrations was a breeze as our passport can go through the auto gates. And I was in Taipei!
Took the airport express to Taipei MRT. Kel lent me his Easycard which was already registered for bike sharing but I didn't rent a bike in the end coz 1) wearing dresses, and 2) scared of traffic! So I just topped it up to use for public transport. Spent some NT670 in six days, with NT150 x2 for the airport express. I must say their public transport is very cheap - most MRT rides cost NT20 and most bus rides NT15.
I chose to take the blue line to hotel and had to navigate through endless crowds! On the return trip, I chose the green line from hotel instead and it was a much smoother and faster walk to the airport express.
Surfaced to find Ximending crisp with a very light drizzle, so light that I was surprised to see people carrying umbrellas - mf, who carries a brolly for the slightest rain. So I happily pulled out my brolly. It wasn't very cold; my hoodie sufficed.
The hotel was a short though bumpy walk away. It was very nice! Found it on Booking.com and was attracted to its decor and price. Reception was friendly and gave me an upgrade to a slightly bigger room. She emphasised on "slightly". Indeed, it was still quite small, haha!
Nice smell in the corridor
Queen bed all the way to the corner
That's the welcome pack in brown card paper on my bag. Very nice - tear-off postcard, jigsaw piece to write a note for the hotel, a bookmark and a souvenir map of the area. Come to think of it, my postcard has not arrived!!! (I wrote that on 15 Feb; two hours later, Yang came home with the mail and voila, the postcard got here!)
I'm standing right outside the bathroom to take this picture
Yes, very small room!
Chatted 40min with the boys before I left with a cardigan and a coat. The original plan was to head for Shilin but with the rain, no matter how slight, it would be very irritating. So I walked around Ximending.
Got pulled into a shop to try beauty products. Bought a large bowl of mee sua NT75 - I said no oysters but forgot to say no intestines... I tried a couple of the intestines and gave up. The rest of the mee sua was really good though, especially given the weather.
The beginning of rounding up my face :p
Bought snacks from 红樱花 and 海边走走 as recommended by Kel. Sito and I have now finished them all - very nice! But not cheap. A box of eight 红樱花 cakes, similar to 太阳饼，cost NT280 while each box of four packs (with two sticks inside) of 海边走走 cost NT270 - I bought three boxes for NT780 to try the different flavours. Peanut butter and black sesame tied.
Was going back when I passed by 蜂大咖啡 Fong Da Coffee which was recommended by Kel. In fact, all the cafes I went to on the trip were all his recommendations... I had intended to visit this one later in my trip but since I was there, I went in.
Gosh, the auntie wasn't friendly at all! Asked me if I wanted cake. If so, order first as cakes were upstairs and she was going up now, else she would have to go up again. I asked for recommendations, and her response: 我会说不要点，这样我就不用上去！
The coffee smelled really good but I didn't fancy their cold drip coffee much. The crepe cake was a mistake, sighs...
You can see from the background - quite an old spot (but Kel said charming *.*)
I inspected them - really cannot save anymore. The soles were curved according to the boot at the front, middle and back. Wouldn't be able to find a replacement for repair. Anyway, they were 14yo!
I dropped the snacks and stepped out in socks and walkers to buy new boots. My walkers would be disgusting in heavier rain. And somehow they were cutting into the back of my heels even though they were not new. In fact, I wore them to work daily pre-COVID.
Found boots like my old ones but with a bit of a heel. They felt comfy - more toe room than my old ones! I put them on straight away but after walking to get supper, I found that the heels made my toes slide forward a bit and hurt a little. Rather a bit of pain than wet and cold feet!
Anyway, supper was 八方云集 but I didn't get gyozas as I had to wait longer. Dumplings would do. Ate them after a nice shower. Every night, I left the TV on - sometimes there were nice movies - and chatted with Sito and/or watched TV drama :)
Bubble tea of the day: Gong Cha - forgot the flavour!
Tuesday, 16 Jan
Pampering day
Pampering day
OOTD
I was disappointed when I woke at 7 am - that cannot be my 自然醒 right?!!
Maybe the toilet light was too bright... When I turned it off that night (and used Google TV screensaver as night light!), I slept way more. I tried with toilet light once more and woke early.. So yes, must be the toilet light!
Breakfast was at 永和豆浆 where I had, yes, soy milk, egg pancake with bacon and youtiao. So full!
I got a nice seat - perfect background to take photo!
Why is the egg pancake so much nicer than the ones I make??
Funny sign - noticed it only when I was reviewing the photos of the day
I asked the hotel staff about taking the bus - the last time I took a bus in Taipei was 2005! So I could enter and exit the bus at any door, and must tap in and out. Got it.
Google Maps directed me to Zushi Temple bus stop. But instead of a temple, I found this:
排骨大王？！
But many shops in the area make references to the temple. So I asked an auntie at the bus stop if there really was a temple nearby. She said it was across the road, further inside. But actually quite cool to name a restaurant after a temple? No? :p
The bus stop has multiple signs but only one combined digital display. The frequency was not high, with some waiting times like an hour??! I guess the MRT is the main mode of transport.
The bus stop has multiple signs but only one combined digital display. The frequency was not high, with some waiting times like an hour??! I guess the MRT is the main mode of transport.
Inside the bus! Why I so suaku? :p
The highlight of the day was Vietnamese shampoo!
See the list of things included:
For almost two hours, I sat or lay in the same "thing" which morphed from a chair with sink for feet, to a massage bed with a hole for facing down, and to a salon recliner with a hairwash/facial stand. Really head to toe! Wait, more like toe to head in sequence...
The foot massage was minimal. Most of the work was on the head and face. I don't know if it was the herbs or essential oil, but my nose cleared up towards the end of the treatment. They had Dyson hairdryers so my hair was quickly dried. The whole thing had a healthy end - fruits, green bean soup and tea. The soup was a bit cold, maybe coz I took some time to put on sunscreen...
My Vietnamese therapist said this was common in Vietnam but slightly different. She also said I looked under 30, haha!
Glowing inside out, I walked to 行天宮 and what a walk - the wind blew my dress up to my hips! Lucky not many people around. I quickly turned my back to a pillar, pulled down my dress nicely and carried on!
I'm happy this was the first temple I visited on this trip. I had long forgotten but when I read my post on 2005 Taiwan trip a few weeks back, I (thought I) saw that I wanted to explore more temples in Taiwan. So I visited a number of temples this trip. But as I'm writing this, I went back to the 2005 post and saw that I had wanted to explore temples in SG. I'm such a winner... I went to maybe six temples in SG since then...
Anyway, this time at 行天宮, I queued up for 收惊 by the old ladies. Had to shift my bag to my left and give my name. Later, I went to a counter that says 敬茶 but the lady said it was for me to drink, 喝平安 or something like that. In fact, all the temple staff said 平安 as a greeting.
With one bus ride under my belt, I thought I would take the bus to my afternoon tea. Had a hard time finding the bus stop! There were four such bus stops at the junction - in between the two carriageways so I must cross the road halfway to get there. Somehow I didn't manage to use the temple as landmark to figure out which bus stop *.* So I crossed roads halfway a few times. And it was very hot.
I was lucky to find the bus stop and my bus was waiting for the lights. This time, I managed to press the bell for the bus to stop, cheap thrill ha!
成真咖啡 Come True Coffee was located in a nice neighbourhood with interesting fashion shops but I really didn't need clothes.
I ordered a Soufflé pancake and a special coffee with guava juice. The coffee came in a separate container from the cup with the guava juice. The staff gave me details of the drink when she delivered it to my seat, and told me to test it first without and then with sugar sprinkled on the rim of the cup. She poured the coffee in and left me to savour it.
It was one of the nicest meals I had on this trip!
Chatted with Yang and Yu when I got back to the hotel; Kai was at tuition.
Had fun with these confetti etc :)
The highlight was 慈诚宫 which was behind the sausage stall. Didn't recall seeing this last time but Sito did - I definitely had baby brain that trip...
I first spotted signs of a temple on another street - there were temple arches above a nail parlour. I thought it was just the remnant of an old temple but when I turned the corner, gosh, nice temple!
仙童有零食
I asked the staff about the snacks in their hands. She said people would pray to them for a child (wa, lucky never pray to them!) and bring snacks to thank them. But people may also pray for kids to be good. That's fine. I went back to pray to them!
Sausage wrapped with glutinous rice - yummy!
Authentic Singapore satay??
大侠请留步！Looks like a pub - had my 生煎包 by the roadside
Somewhat dissatisfied with my food, I bought some pineapples near my hotel. Couldn't finish so threw into the fridge for another day.
Packed some small gyoza-like thingies for supper too
Very sweet pineapples!
Bubble tea of the day: 50 Lan green tea macchiato
Wednesday, 17 Jan
Slack day
Wednesday, 17 Jan
Slack day
OOTD
I woke at 9.30 am :)))
It was such a warm and sunny day! :)))
Breakfast at Twin Brothers Coffee
I was staring at the making of the second roll before I realised it
Chatted about childcare and foreign domestic help in SG with the therapist.
I thought I was ready for some proper food and set off for 春水堂 but I was distracted by...
Singapore Barber??
Feel very old-school
And that lane led me to a queue.
See queue? Must queue!
Soft beef but too much noodles!
It was a huge cup of tea...
As I was drinking, I thought tieguanyin reminded me of Chinese temples. Maybe it's strong like the "Chinese tea" for praying?
I had time but not sure what to do so I roamed about the main station. In the end, I 败家 again - bought a pair of slippers :p
Went back to chat with the boys and watch drama.
Saw this on my way out
Finally visited this temple which I passed by many times to and from the Ximen station!
I find this very pretty :)
I sat down on a bench at the side to write down some thoughts. The carvings in this temple - and also others - are so beautiful. I saw a lot of devotees praying in temples. And in this temple, I saw people climb up floor by floor to pray to the deities on each floor. I wonder if they notice the building itself... Much thought had gone into the work done wot worship the gods.
Before I left, I went to smell the lilies again. It was a gentle waft, 时有时无，amid all the incense. I hope I can remember the peace I felt there whenever I think of or smell lilies..
Before I left, I went to smell the lilies again. It was a gentle waft, 时有时无，amid all the incense. I hope I can remember the peace I felt there whenever I think of or smell lilies..
On my way down - yes, 丰收就是快乐
饶河夜市 is just right next to the temple. I had forgotten what it was like - a very long street of food in the middle flanked by other shops on both sides! So much more organised than Shilin and so much easier to navigate. If I go to Taipei again, I'll just focus my effort here.
Standard - must eat this 福州世祖胡椒餅 Fuzhou Shizu Black Pepper Buns
The buns are cutely stuck to the sides of the round oven.
I really like this!!
Looks good but I didn't buy
Took a short walk to the rainbow bridge nearby
From the bridge - it's like a park connector with people doing night jogs
Full of locks - took a picture for Sito :)))
Finally found glutinous rice when I continued to stroll the night market!
I love glutinous rice stuff - the rice, peng kueh, nyonya kuehs, tangyuan, mochi, muah chee etc. So yummy!
Chanced upon a busker on my way back to the hotel
Also packed fried boneless ribs, chicken thigh roll and 释迦 fruit for supper. Later, I learnt that 释迦 and our local 红毛榴梿 aka soursop are very similar!
The ribs were less nice coz cold
Very sweet!
Heard that this day, Yu broke a bowl at dinner. Poor hub had to clean up :(
Bubble tea of the day: 春水堂 tieguanyin milk tea, Milksha 大王红茶拿铁加仙草
Thursday, 18 Jan
Hotspring day
OOTD
I thought I would head for Yangmingshan since I didn't go the last few times. But I was lazy. Yet I didn't want to go to Beitou again. Then I found Wulai. Better, I found a hotspring hotel with a shuttle. It was a 9.30 am shuttle from Xindian so I had to be mindful of my time.
In the end, I didn't sleep well after 2.30 am, kept waking every 10-30 min! Wasn't sure if I was anxious about missing my alarm or the toilet light - which I left on coz I was anxious about my alarm?!!
When I woke at 6.15 am, I decided to just get up to see the boys. But I missed Kai already :(
My room - dressing table on the left and day couch on the right, partially shown
Soaking in the tub with a view :)
The water wasn't very hot. I had to keep the hot tap on the whole time. Wonder if the public bath would be hotter... But I was lazy to have to keep things in locker etc so I chose private. They gave me a reminder call after 50 min. Luckily I was already showering and ready to go, as the staff who showed me to the room said I had until 11.30am, which was wrong as I started way earlier.
I had a sip of tea at the lounge area before setting off for the town. It was a short walk to the bridge but not suitable for kids as the walking path was a narrow strip with cars zooming past. I saw that some hotel guests drove and some look like they frequented the place.
Narrow pathway for walking - see red line on ground
Very hot! Took off jacket but kept cardigan on so I didn't chao tah
At 烏來吊橋 Wulai suspension bridge - max 20 pax at any one time
But no one was around to enforce the 20 pax.. Lucky it was a quiet weekday... Btw, couldn't take it anymore - must tie hair!
Across the bridge is the 烏來福德宮 Wulai Fude Temple. Found a structure with both dragons and phoenixes.
Had to cross the bridge back to continue my way to town. 乌来老街 Wulai Old Street has plenty of food and stray dogs and cats.
Later, when I was enjoying my grilled mochi, the stallholder told me that these were abandoned by city folks so the Wulai people fed them. No wonder some of these dogs look pedigree! So sad...
Chose the last stall of the street for my wild boar sausage. It was not crowded like the other one. A random customer told me I made the right chose but she couldn't tell me why "for privacy reason". Um, ok whatever you say. Even the stallholder later told me she seldom saw such 热情的台湾人 in a sarcastic manner :p
Crossed 览胜大桥 to get to the log cart which brought me to the waterfall.
Very small waterfall??
There were some sakura trees along the street but I was told that there were no flowers yet coz it was a rather warm winter... Now that I think about it, don't the flowers bloom only towards spring?? Confused...
Decided not to take the cable car to reach the actual waterfall area - I was perfectly happy to view it from across... Instead, I roamed the street facing the waterfall and even bought some little owls for the kids. The Tayal aboriginals in the area consider them as lucky birds, similar to how owls mean no hardship 不苦労 in Japan. The shopkeeper charged me cheaper if I got four so I got one for our room too :p
Also chose a cafe to have coffee. The local pepper is called 马告 so I had coffee with this flavour. Kind of interesting. It was nice to sit there next to the waterfall and a young papaya tree, very peaceful. Until a group of local seniors came in - very loud, sighs...
The log cart came up and went into the tunnel to turn out at the far end of this picture
From here, the log cart enters the station to go back to town
Bonus - I saw half naked men along the river near the town! Haha!! There were a few women too but it was mostly older men in the hotspring by the river.
Back at the old street, I decided I should have grilled mochi 小米麻薯 and I chose condensed milk flavour. The mochi was fragrant from the grilling but otherwise quite tasteless so the sweet condensed milk helped. A black stray dog with matted hair brushed by my dress while I was waiting for my food :(
Grilling mochi
There was still time before my shuttle back to Taipei but I was tired so I rested at the hotel lobby. The staff came by to get those waiting for the shuttle. Paid NT50 per trip. Worth it. Better than to navigate public transport for such a distance.
Since I was at Xindian, I checked out the nearby 碧潭 which also has a suspension bridge that's even bigger than the Wulai one. Chanced upon someone training three hug colourful parrots - their windspan was huge! Lovely to see them soar across the lake.
Love these upturned eaves against the sky at dusk
Somehow found myself in 艋舺夜市 which was quite nice - got a fried egg spring onion cake to eat on the way back. But I somehow walked through 华西街夜市 back to the temple! Ok, better check google maps a bit more...
Eventually, I found a dessert place near the hotel and had 烧仙草 there. But it wasn't as nice as what I had in the past :(
Went to Carrefour next - bought instant bowl noodles woohoo! That's the souvenir I got for Sito, haha!
We have had half of these so far :p
Have I mentioned the social area? Post too long haha! Well, it's very nice and stocked full of food!
A whole pillar surrounded by snacks and instant noodles!
A reading corner near the snacks
Relax area on the other side of the lift
There is even a kids area with a tent and game console! But I only saw an adult play the game console when I was there haha!
Anyway, I tried to pack a bit but gosh, why more difficult than for Legoland??!
Bubble tea of the day: Teawater 茶水格格 cheese foam - but not very cheesy leh...
Friday, 19 Jan
Concert!
Friday, 19 Jan
Concert!
OOTD
One of the breakfasts this week was supposed to be a nice sandwich shop we had back in 2018. But it was temporarily closed?! So Sito found another place for me and it was near the hotel.
Had the 甘妹弄堂 NT175 set with egg pancakes and peanut butter in the bun - very nice bun! But I needed coffee. So I hopped into Starbucks on the way back.
Then it was drama time!!
Wrote a note for the hotel lobby wall before going out
The big temple was 大龍峒保安宮 Bao-An Temple. Found a statue of Confucious inside so I prayed hard there for the kids!
I also went to 台北孔庙 which is very near Bao-An Temple. I thought I would just go pray and leave but nope, I spent some time at the exhibits there - fave was learning about the evolution of Chinese words.
There was no altar at the main altar, just a plaque with the words 大成至圣先师孔子神位 on it. There were instructions on the floor on how to pray - my name, where I live, what I want.
Bought charms for the kids too - I think it's the best NT570 ever spent haha! But it took me a few days after returning home to finally open them and put the small packets of salt and lavender into the charms and then into their schoolbags. All the best for your studies, my boys!
Did I mention it was a very hot day?? I needed to get out of the sun.
Took a bus to tea at 永心凤茶奶茶专门所微风南山店 Yonshin Milk Tea Mansion and was glad to find it was in a mall! I had to wait a bit for a seat. So popular but not as nice as previous places. I found it too noisy. But the crepe cake was way better than my first cake at Fong Da! The plum tea was just nice for the weather though it was a tad too sweet. Packed a Swiss roll to eat back at the hotel :p
Queued for a doughnut on the way back - crispy
Those were Sito's fingers :p
They're enjoying themselves!
Left for the bus stop after hearing that Yu pooped in the shower..! Apparently, he shouted at Kai and some watery poop leaked out!!!
Ok, let me continue...
I really enjoyed the play! Actually, it was more like a concert. Before it started, I went to the house behind to take pictures. This area is known as 空军三重一村 Sanchong Air Force Military Kindred Village No.1 and the living conditions were preserved/reconstructed.
The food was from the 1960s era, including one 芙蓉蛋 - this was the third type of furong eggs I'd had! I asked the local lady sitting next to me and she said this dish was no longer common in Taiwanese cuisine.
It was part of the thank-you send-off at the end of any good old Chinese wedding. I took a picture and they gave me a candy. The cast for that day:
Took a bus back to Ximending and got myself a charcoal BBQ chicken and bubble tea. Unfortunately, it was chicken breast so it wasn't so yummy inside - I didn't finish :(
Had a late night foot massage during my supper. It wasn't as good as the first one though...
Ok, let me continue...
Did up my hair in case strong winds got in the way
Grabbed from online sales page
The backdrop was the village head's daughter getting married. So there really was a wedding dinner! And I really felt like a wedding guest who knew only the couple, haha!
These beads reminded me of those at Gramps' place years back!
The menu
One of my faves, the other one was the glutinous rice :p
"Couple" went from table to table to toast the "guests"
Took a picture with the cast
It was part of the thank-you send-off at the end of any good old Chinese wedding. I took a picture and they gave me a candy. The cast for that day:
- 村长岑永康
- 太太罗美玲
- 女儿那祈
- 女婿杜伟诚
- 婚礼司仪老李吕绍齐
- 婚礼帮手段彦希
There was another celeb present but as part of the audience - Mayday's Masa! No pictures la, don't disturb people...
Had a late night foot massage during my supper. It wasn't as good as the first one though...
With this my last night, I decided to stay up more. Watched drama!! And I also had the Swiss roll for a very late supper. How late? Like 1.30 am late...!
Bubble tea of the day: 永心凤茶 plum tea, 清心福全 - forgot flavour!
Saturday, 20 Jan
Going home :)
OOTD
I woke at 8 plus but thought it was 7 plus coz the Google TV screensaver was somehow an hour behind. Lucky there was still time before I had to leave for the airport!
Went to a nearby breakfast spot to eat with the locals. Forgot to ask if I could do a siew dai :p So my coffee was way too sweet for me...
Went to a nearby breakfast spot to eat with the locals. Forgot to ask if I could do a siew dai :p So my coffee was way too sweet for me...
Beer at the lounge!
Not hungry so had only a coffee and beer when I found it. Beer is always good, burp :p Motivated, I bought some beer at Changi duty free :)
It was a pretty uneventful flight home - no broken shoes coz at Taoyuan, they didn't ask me to remove my boots...
It was a pretty uneventful flight home - no broken shoes coz at Taoyuan, they didn't ask me to remove my boots...
Oh wait, flight very eventful - I had a lunch date with Tom, haha!
In the meantime, kids were having Saizeriya for dinner...
And then I was finally home!
Aftermath
So nice to finally see my babies! But they weren't terribly warm coz watching TV? Haha!
I asked them what they missed. Expected answer - 陪陪 time.
Mama: But Papa also 陪陪 you, right?
Yu: We watched Papa play three games and he sat with us for only one minute!
Yang: We only watched Papa play games. I miss your hair and tummy!
Yes, my tummy.
Mama: Papa also has a tummy...
Yang: Not as jiggly as yours...
Wow, thanks ah...
Kai sent me away T.T
What did I achieve with this trip?
1) I finished a drama "Only for Love" during my trip, yeah! Speed x2! But I must admit, I watched the last episode on the taxi home and later in bed :p
2) Spent money on myself!
Total damage = $1395.42 comprising:
- Flight: $83.60
- Taxis to and fro Changi: $48.02 + $44
- Hotel: $438.43 or NT9,947
- Play: $132.19 or NT3,000
- Hot spring (Klook): $51.05
- Vietnamese shampoo (Klook): $63.75
- Boots: $87.78 or NT1,980
- Cash: $606.60 for NT14,000, got back $160 for NT4,000 unused
3) Enough bubble tea to last two months! But Sito said we haven't had much since moving to HV so treat these as make-up...!
4) Not wash hair at hotel at all! I was afraid the dryer wasn't good and I would end up cold in the room. Sounds gross but I washed on Sunday night at home, Tuesday at Viet shampoo (Dyson hairdryer), Thursday at hot spring (hot day), and Saturday back home. Ok la, right?
5) Self care :) Viet shampoo, foot massages, wa nice... Also spent time with myself. I haven't lost touch yet, can still do many things or nothing when alone.
Would I do it again? Maybe not until the kids are old enough. Want to spend more time with them, see their cuteness as much as possible before they become... not cute.. :(
Would Sito be tempted to do the same? Or, would I let Sito do it?? Eh, he did before in March 2017 leh, went to KL to eat eat eat haha! Kids were way younger but we had a helper then. Now the kids are older and I have plenty of experience taking care of them on my own even with COVID and without a helper. So yes, laogong, if you want a break, let me know! (With a smile, and not a menacing one :))
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