Food for thoughts

HuaLian, on the street, Oyster Omelet - There is a reason why I don't eat anything with a face on it, e.g Oyster, There's also another reason why I'm still a vegetarian because personally I simply hate the raw, empowering taste of oyster.


Taroko, TianSiang bus terminal, Peaches - It's freshly grown on the top of the mountain, the peaches are sweet and reminds me of cute little baby butt cheeks. Nonetheless, I made a fool of myself by asking whether the skin can be eaten together. Of course, after eating too much processed food. Since when we can find peach skin in a can, I blame myself for being a supermarket kid! We better know where our food comes from and how it is grown!

Day 12 - K' Inspiration

I say goodbye to Kester, and take the Ocean route bus recommended by the old couple I met yesterday. The bus ticket is more expensive than the train ticket but indeed, the scenery along the journey is breathtaking. Halfway on the bus, I check on my hostel address, located at DuLan, No, I'm not swearing in Hokkien, it really is DuLAn, it’s out of TaiTung city but still within TaiTung province.

Immediately, I check with the bus driver and realize the ocean route I’ve taken stop right in front of the town. Thankfully, if not, I’ve to take another bus from the train station to DuLan.

Both the hostel owner is not in so the kind occupants let me in instead. The kind occupants which turn out to be Ah Zhi and Lin Wei together with their cute son, Piter are such good company to hang out with. Ah Zhi is a Sita player, fantastic player escaping the city for the weekend just to practice his Sita.

BPDog hostel is amazing, I feel like I’m in Malaysia, It is very Kampong, yet the interior is bright and cheerful, kind of like Southern American, the illustrations on the wall is quirky and witty! I then dropped and ensue to discover DuLan. It really is a small serene little town with population of 500. Everyone knows everyone. I visited the prehistoric sight which is pretty disappointing after my long walk up the slope.

However, there is something Zen and artistic about this town which I later find out from my gracious hosts, Kai and party than nearby an abandoned sugar factory has converted into a creative avenue where artists, musician or bohemian thrive in. Later in the night, knowing Ah Zhi is an musician himself, when he asked if I want to visit Sugar factor, a café opens till midnight. I instantly jumped into his request. Even though it’s dark, I could roughly figure out what the buzz is all about. It’s chilled with like-minded, passionate and relaxed Taipei runaway from the city.

I was sitting with who knows Taiwan famous artist or composer, and when I started mumbling about a certain artist song; they immediately grab me and ask me for a song. As usual, I sang, and Ah Zhi with a guitar on his hand starts to provide the melody for the song I’m singing, they even compose a few tunes on the spot! Sugar factory indeed has a creative vibe; I even compose a few tunes myself.

When I first reached DuLan, I thought I’m in the wrong place but gladly it really is the right place I need to be in and I am certain I’m not mistaken ;)

Food for thoughts

HuaLien, on the street, Economic rice - I specially chosen Tomatoes with Egg and Kang Kong together with mee hoon for my dinner. This home cooked food is what I need when I’m overseas. Not too salty and of course, vegetarian healthy ;)



Zhen Xin Vegetarian, Zhong Zheng Road, Nan Chang Section 2, No.108 - GuoTie and QQ dry noddles, both are appetizing, the sauces is the key especially the QQ noodles is actually mee hoon kway. One thing I feel is too flour! A high Carbo meal!

Taiwan point of view

Taiwanese are very polite and considerate. How? Just go into any shop, you’ll find their friendly greetings,欢迎光临. It’s sweet but not as passive as Thailand. Just look at their public toilets, if you’re in country that starts with C somewhere in Asia, the chances are puking in the toilet not because you’re drunk is highly possible.

What's more, they love to Q, whether it's at one of the popular food stall in the night market, bus stop or train station. They are always in such an orderly manner, to certain extent, I get a little annoyed.

There is generally a kind of smell which I can’t describe, maybe it’s the food or the breathe after eating the stinking tofu. Nonetheless, their hygience is still acceptable unlike Viet.

Taiwanese are very caring, they'll wish you well and safety on the road whenever you're leaving. They even extent their concern to their pets, They treat and adore them like their children. In the park, we’ll see the puppies on a trolley or a colorful and funky pet cage.

They loves to cycle from one highway to another, the kind of sportsmanship is inspiring. I would love to plan a cycling trip if I come back to Taiwan next time.

Also, every hostels that I stay feel like a sleep over at my relative's house. The hosts are amicable, their warmth are sincere and memorable...like how they say, Hao Diao 好叼！(Fantastic and Excellent)

Shop to indulge - 阿之宝，花莲

www.a-zhi-bao.tw

Day 11 - A "Fruitful" day

I think this is the earliest I've woken up in Taiwan, 6.30am, all thanks to Taroko, one of the seven national parks in Taiwan and was named after the Taroko Gorge, the landmark gorge of the park.

The name, Taroko, means the "magnificent and beautiful". It certainly is! There are many safe and exciting trails to follow. Since I’m following the bus timetable, there is no way I’ve the luxury to take my own sweet time, thus after some planning, I decided to go for the Shakadang Walkway, next to the headquarter, the tunnel is a bit intimidating but once you started, it seems much more comforting, just as long you see light at the end of the tunnel ;) It’s pretty amazing, the fresh, clear and emerald green water entices me to go for a swim, the walk way which the stone seems to crave its way for pedestrian to walk through. I love it!

Afetr the trail, I took a bus to Tian Siang, I wasn’t expecting the bus to stop in between the tourist spot but it did however terminate at this temple on top of the Hill, Siang De Si, it’s scenic, with 36m tall Kishitigarbha Bodhisattva gracing the compound. It’s astounding! It must have been my “precious” karma, I seem to have nuns or monks giving me book in this trip. I can’t help but to wonder if my backpack is going to make it. nonetheless, this time is no exception. It really is an enlightening affair!

The bus don’t provide loose change so I went to the nearby fruit stall and bought those cute little peaches that looks like rosy butt ;) At first, the fruit seller told me Yi Jin equates to the weight of 3 or 4 peaches. Who knows, it turn out 13 peaches in my plastic bag. It’s a great bargain for NT100! Thus, I begin to share my peaches on the bus, with the driver and a lovely old couple. That’s where we begin to chat from Tian Siang all the way back to Hua Lien. The wife is really warmth and chatty. The husband on other hand is educated and interested in learning in English. As usual, we exchange ideas on life, travelling and Taiwan politics. If not because both of them have something on tomorrow, they will offer me a ride to TaiTung. Sweet gesture!

I’m glad I made it to Taroko without signing up with the tour package. If not, none of the above would have happen, or perhaps more would have happen. I’ll never know and I don’t want to know…

Day 10 - An acquaintance

I left Camel Island, the hostels I've stayed for the past 7 days, bid farewell to my beloved Shawn & Tina, owner of the hostel and catch the next train to HuaLien. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, I feel like I'm travelling side by side with the ocean at certain point.

I checked into Colorful Taiwan, which again I don’t know why, they upgrade my stay from 10 bed dorms to 6 bed dorms. I really need to leave my cheapo face somewhere. It’s a sweet and cozy bungalow, with nicely decorated rooms. Occupancy rate is low, so you kind of feel like you own the bungalow and you’ve friends for sleep over. Friend indeed, which I met Kester, my fellow countryman, a fresh graduate, Catholic, and a fellow Scorpio in my dorm, he truly enthuse me. What makes him different from most Singaporean is that even though he is only 24, his fervor of wanting to contribute to the world is immense. The NGO spirit and strong interest about Buddhism, which is why his questions make me in deep thought, not because I’m perplexed but I see another side of Dharma reflected upon him.

I left my engaging discussion with him later in the evening for dinner, while I visit Jing Si Tang, A beautiful temple which showcase the work Tzu Chi have done. The sister whom guided me through the exhibition is inspiring. The hard work and effort that Tzu Chi has contributed to the world makes me grateful for what I have and where I come from. It’s a gem in the world!

I then caught up with Kester over dinner, talking about life, Singapore and ideals. A thoughtful and sweet boy that is hard to come across in Singapore. I appreciate people like that who try to make our world a better place to live in. What’s more, he’s young. A bright future, I wish him!

Day 9 - Casual leisure

I initially plan to go PingLin but realize from my Korean roommate that PingLin is not operating on Monday, so I go for my second best destination, WuLai which turns out to be great. The waterfall is not that amazing even though it is 80m tall, but just walking along the road to the waterfall is relaxing. WuLai is the hometown of Atayal.

There is a free walk-in hot spring which I wouldn’t want to embarrass myself but if you’re like me, you can choose to walk into any beautifully decorated spa, there’s a direct view of the stream flowing from the waterfall in your room while you’re soaking. I decided to do it in other part of Taiwan instead.

With ample amount of time where I could choose to rush myself to YangMingSan or take it slow in a bookstore. I decided to go for the latter. I miss this Eslite, book store right in front of my eyes the first time I visited Taipei 101. It’s simply the kind of place I like to be, café ambience, filled with arty farty design, creative inspiration is in the air. What more can you ask for a day but surrounding yourself with the smell of books! Can Singapore have something like this???

Seriously, I can stay in that place all day long, from day to night. However, I better get back to my hotel early as tomorrow I’m heading to the next town, HuaLien!