Busy with..

Recently while packing my things, I realised that I still have 2 puzzles that I have yet to complete.

These are brought when we 1st got married and was meant to hang in the living room for display.

After so many years, I only completed 2 out of 4 and keep dragging my ass in opening up the other 2.

I finally got around starting 1 of them last Sunday and have been spending an hour per night on weekdays on it.

Well, it certainly took me away from the PC, TV and HP. Haha.

Love the distractions from the electronics stuff and how at peace I am when doing the puzzle.

Now, I am hooked on it. I might start the 2nd 1 after completing this.

Almost done

Taiwan2014之梅雨的季节- 平溪线-菁桐站 (Pingsi Line, Jingtong station)

Pingsi Line (平溪线) is the most popular branch line of Taiwan railway and this is the 3rd time that we are travelling to this line. Having been to 十分(Shifen) the previous 2 time, we decided to skip here this time round due to time constraint.

Mr Love was disappointed but I promised him a better place than the farm in Shifen falls and he complied. Haha.

After placing our luggage with the hotel, we went in search for breakie and settled it at the 7-11 right outside our hotel. Reason being, I wanted to exchange for the Rilakumar cutleries which is sold everywhere in Taichung yesterday. Mr Love couldn't talk me out of the craze and hence left me to it and sometimes even went along with me when I requested him to drink a cup of coffee so as to be able to purchase the pens that comes with sale of 2 coffee. My hubsband dotes on me, I know. Hehe

Exchange for 3 at 1 go

We reached Taipei Main station at around 11am and we brought tickets for the next express train at 11:40am. Though there is another local train departing to Ruifang at 11:24 but it will reached at 12:16 while the connecting train to Jingtong will leave at 12:13. We will have to end up waiting for 1 more hour if we were to take the local train.

The point here is you gotta check the schedules before buying the tickets especially if there is a connecting train in between. Sometimes, the next departing train may not necessary be the fastest to get to your destination depending on the model of the train. I downloaded a useful app in my phone that enables me to check the timing of trains and high speed train in Taiwan.

New express train-Puyuma express

The train we are taking this time round is an upgraded version of 自强号(Tze Chiang) called 普悠玛 (Puyuma). It's speed is even faster than Tze Chiang train and would take 26min to reach Ruifang compared to 38min on Tze-chiang trains.

Tried buying our tickets on the automated machines instead of over the counter and I must say it wasn't as easy as buying over the counter. I mean it's automated but then whne it comes to choosing of seats, it doesn't give you much choices to sit side by side even though the train seems to be empty. If you are travelling in a big group, you might want to consider buying over the counter where the ticketing staff can choose the seats for you.

We end up buying seats in different cabins but of running sequence. I didn't even noticed it until we board the train and found someone sitting there. Only realised it after comparing the tickets and the guy was kind enough to take our ticket in another cabin. Thank you to whoever you are:)

Tickets

Inside the new cabin

 The interior of Puyuma looks pretty high class reminds us a bit like that of a plane cabin. Even the lights look like it. The back of the seats are design like that of the high speed trains too. If I did not remember wrongly, the pricing is the same of Tze Chiang trains. So if you are lucky enough to catch this train at the timings, this would certainly be more worth the monies as it is faster, newer and of course cleaner.

Lightings like plane

The lunch bento came on sale 10mins before our destination and I was deliberating whether to buy or not. As usual, my stomach rules over my head and I brought 1 to share. We finished the bento in record time (5min) as we are due to disembark at the next station - Ruifang. Haha. It helps that I have a army trained hubby who can gobble down food with swallowing or so I presumed.

Our bento

Lucky for us, there was no delay in the trains and we reached Ruifang at exactly 12:06 where we realised the ticketing system had changed. Previously, we were able to purchase the 1 day Pingsi line ticket at a counter on the platform but now we were told to go to the exit and purchase the tickets. With 7min remaining we ran down the stairs and up again to the exit.

There was a long queue at the counter and I was panicky. I realised that Pingsi line now accepts Easy card too. So we exit the station and re-enter by tapping in again. All we have to do is to tap out the station that we are exiting. God sent application.

Ran up to the platform again and managed to board the train in time and also snag 2 seats. Started to apply the insect repellent that Mr Love found in his backpack. Haha His army stuff. I was treating it like a sun block. Applying everywhere except for the face. The 2 angmos sitting across me was amused but I couldn't careless. By now my legs are full of the mossie bites and I am not a bit happy by it.

How many of us can do this?

We pulled into Jingtong at 13:02 and skies were black. Didn't know where to go as I reckon we can just follow the crowd or to see the signages since this is a tourist attractions.

This is quite a disappointing town since the streets were pretty quiet. Shifen on the other hand are more lively in comparision. We walked along the main streets and came to a food store. The greedy cat in me woke up the the sight of food.

Jingtong old street

Its a seafood store selling the deep fried finger food we had in Lukang. Decided to order a portion of "Monkey prawns" (directly translated) to share. There was no pricing and we were charged NT150, not sure whether was ripped off or not.

There was a Singaporean middle age couple beside us who couldn't read the Chinese words, end up translating for them. Mr Love always find me to be a bit Kaypoh when I offered to help others though I am a tourist here myself. Haha

Monkey prawns

Mini crabs

We walked towards the right hand side of the street from the shop to check out what the other side have to offer. There isn't much, only some small shops offering souvenirs which we have no intention to buy.

Old school road signs

Our newly brought finger food

Chicken rolls

Found a small provision stall selling chicken rolls at the corner turn and brought a small portion to share again. The aunty at the counter wasn't exactly the most friendly vendor and in fact I was pretty pissed with her attitude.

There was benches across the shop and we sat there to enjoy our food. The monkey prawns was as great the one we had in Lukang and I couldn't taste any chicken in the chicken rolls. There was a stronger taste of yam and it puts me off big time.

Small portion

Due to the rain we decided not to venture any further from here and turn back to the train station. Along the way, I was drawn to a shop selling ice cream and brought a tofu flavour. It's pretty bland and nothing to rave about. Seems like all the food we brought here today was quite disappointing.

Tofu taste ice cream

Colourful signs

Fan shaped depot model

We got quite bored walking aimlessly along the street and ducked into one of the shops that sells all kinds of trains related stuff. Came across a paper model of the Fan shaped depot that we visited in Changhua last year. Wanted to buy it but have no where to display back home.

We spend quite a while in this shop oohing and ahhing over the displays but brought nothing. Hurhur.

Caution signs

With Train master mascot

There was a coal museum to the left of the train station and we went in for a look. Nothing much again except for some pictures and tools of the coal miners. The tour was done in 10mins and we were left with nothing to do again as there was a sudden downpour.

Dismayed, we decided to end our tour here and move on to the next destination. Was still thinking whether to get down at Shifen along the way but decided otherwise since it was raining heavily and it will be difficult to trek to the waterfalls not to mention it will be impossible to light a sky lattern in this weather.

Selfie on the platform

Bye bye Jing Tong

And so we bid goodbye to Jingtong under the heavy rain and took the 14:28 train to Houtong （侯硐） which is expected to reach our destination at 15:09. It was a short trip to Jingtong lasting only 1hr plus and we didn't venture far from the train station since the weather was not good and it was pretty quiet around the town.

Don't think we will be returning here any time soon in future trips unless there are new attractions featured.

Superman is back;슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다; 超人回来了

I wanted watch this show after reading an article about the cutie pie Choo Sarang in a I-weekly write up.

I couldn't find it on my apps but accidentally stumbled across when I realised I have KBS channel on my cable and I got to watch an episode and fell in love with Choo Sarang.

She is really very adorable. I hope if I ever had a daughter, I hope she will be as cute as Choo Sarang. Haha.

The cutie Choo Sarang

 Back to show, its show casing how dads handle their kids when mom is not around.

The twins featured are also super cute with one bullying the other. Haha. The dad had his hands full while handling the 2 kids. Its also funny to see the kids ignoring their dad when mum is around. Hahah

In short I love this show though there are other like "Dad, where are we going?"

The adorable twins

Maybe it's the kids who are featured here appeals more to me and I love to see the interactions between the dads and the kids.

Now I need to figure out how to go find the previous 29 episodes of the show.

What are the odds...

What are the odds that out of 6.1billion (at year 2001) people on the planet, the person I like would like me back?

2001

A miracle happen to us in 2001 and this year in 2014 we celebrated our 13th year anniversary as a couple.

A simple love story, a smooth relationship and a happy marriage.

I know I am blessed to have found him as my partner.

On that particular day in 1999 when we met, started off an innocent friendship that no one can predicts will lead to marriage.

2014

I thank god everyday (maybe not when I am angry) that we found each other, for the faith, the trust, the support that we gave each other.

Happy 13th Anniversary Mr Love though this is a late post.

I love you, you know I always do:)

Random post # 1234567

>> Last night was the 1st sister gathering that we did not take a full load of selfies. Guess everyone is too hungry and too tired from a long day at work. Nevertheless, I had a great night out bitching to them the recent happenings. Love ya all.

>> Totally love the new Melissa petals shoe I got from Zalora recently after they offered me a discount on final purchase. Its super comfortable and easy to match any clothes with the safe grey colour. Love my current favourite brand of shoes.

>> Am contemplating whether to buy more pairs of Melissas since the outlet is having promotions using OCBC cards. But then again, I have quite a few pairs now and they r still in good conditions. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to miss out on promotions which equates savings.  Aggrrrr..

>> I am in a foul mood the whole week due to someone at work. Though felt better after talking to many but still felt angry every time I get reminded of the issue. Damn you for spoiling my week. I hope you sneeze a lot last night when my sisters took turns to comment about u. Haha okie. Petty minded but it makes me feels better. *Bleah*

>> I very much wanted to start baking using my air fryer but I haven got a mixer yet and have no clue how to bake. Time is always not enough these few weekends and I wonder why. Have neglected cooking recently too. Must get my ass to start before I give them up totally out of laziness.

>> Read an article about happy marriage recently and realised that I didn't have much to complain during bitching sessions about my hubby. Is either he is doing a good job or I am just going easy on him haha. Whichever it is, it meant that I have a happy marriage. Lucky they did not include bitching bout the extended family which I will fail big time. Hurhur

>> My Malacca trip fell through because of mummy's over thinking and caring over how others will feel and say. Needless to say, I am pissed. How come we cannot lead our own life without interference from others?

>> Suffer from writer's block recently as I cannot seems to finish posting my 2014 Taiwan trip. No inspirations.

>> I wan to eat cheesecake.

Dreaming

I never had the idea of becoming my own boss since I always reckon that it's easier to an employee. Hehe But as I was buying coffee the other day, it suddenly hits me that how nice it would be if I am able to open a cafe.

A cafe that serves my favourites cheesecake, cookies, puffs, colourful cupcakes (all self baked) and of course coffee.

In this way, I can bake and eat and earn monies at the same time. It need not be a big space. A pink interior which 2 display counters for cakes, 5 small tables that seats 3 in each. A row of high chairs seating where the coffee bar is right behind it. Viola, my dream cafe.

My fav-Cheesecakes

It would be a cosy setting where girls and their friends can come in and chat over a cuppa and of course have a variety of sweet looking cakes to choose from.

Exactly of what we went to in Houtong. Though I am not fond of being my own boss, but having such a cafe would be a dream come true for me.

1 day, I will learn to bake all these, 1 day...

Mr Love was saying that I would end up eating more cakes than selling them.

There are of course some teething problems like I dunno how to bake and of course the lack of capital. Muhahah

Of course it is all just my day dreaming, part of the Pisces character :)

Enough of dreaming, back to reality where I need to iron the clothes for next week's work.

Who knows 1 day my dream will come true? Just saying.

A tale of 2 city...BAGS

Recently mummy and bro made a trip to the US for holiday and I jumped at the chance to get them to help me buy bags from the Coach outlets that they are visiting.

Since its my 30th birthday this year, mummy say she and bro will each sponsor a bag for me from the trip. Hehe

Prior to their trip, I downloaded a lot of photos from Instragram and other platforms that have latest designs from the outlet.

Mummy did managed to get 1 of the design that I gave her but she brought 1 more out of the haste in the 2nd outlet they went to thinking that they will be not visiting a 3rd one.

The design I choose

The one she got in the haste was paid by piggy brother who also threw in a matching wrislet and lanyard. The bag was not the trendiest looking one that was offered and to be truthful, it looks auntie in fact. Was joking that I will keep it till my 40th birthday and I will start using it since it wouldn't suit my age now. Mummy was suggesting that I sell via website if I don't like the design.

But on the other hand, since this is the 1st birthday pressie that my bro brought me and also all the way from US and I cannot bear to just leave it in the cupboard to rot.

The set piggy bro brought for me

So I gathered all my courage this week and start to use the bag. Haha. I was still mindful of the design, asking Mr Love every morning whether the design look old on me.

But as I carried it, I decided to ignore the nagging feeling of it looking auntie as this is the thoughts of my brother when he brought this for me.

Was bugging him to buy me another bag next year but he said to wait till I am 40 and I think he is not joking. Haha.

Finally used the bag this week

Well, I guess I need to be more confident of myself that I look good when carrying anything. Haha

Taiwan2014之梅雨的季节- Onward to Taipei/ Park City Hotel Luzhou (成旅晶赞饭店,泸洲）

 We woke up early today to prepare to move up to Taipei. Since our hosts need to work, we decided to leave the house with them and take the 7:39 train which is scheduled to reach Taipei at 8:12am.

Due to morning rush hours, the train is pretty pack and hence it is not possible to get seats nearby and we were arranged to seat separately but in the same cabin.

Platform of Hsinchu HSR station

Overlooking Liujia station

Selfie while waiting for train

 The hotel that I booked this time round is in the outskirts of Taipei in Luzhou （泸洲）. As we confirmed our trip too near to departure date and also the lack of hotel rooms in XMD and Taipei Main station, I have no choice but to look for alternatives since those still available in XMD is doubled of what we paid for this hotel.

Park City Hotel Luzhou is a pretty new hotel located just above St Ignatius station on Luzhou Line (Orange). Travelling time from Taipei Main station MRT is around 20min where we have to take Danshui Line (Red) and alight at Minquan West street(民权西路） station and transferred to Luzhou line.

There is also a shopping mall -St Ignatius Plaza connecting the hotel to MRT station.

Bathtub

We were impressed with the room when we 1st entered. Was allocated to the 12th floor, outside view was nothing to boast since all around us are residential areas.

Toilet bowl

But the room itself is much bigger than all of those I stayed in Taipei but at partial of the price only (SGD100++)/night and this is a 4 star hotel. A similar setting in XMD would set us back by SGD 150/night and the room might not be as big and nice.

Shower area

Mr Love was happy to find bathtub here which means he can enjoy the soaking. There is also a separate shower area in the bathroom.

Corridor leading to the room

We were told that they upgraded us to a bigger room and the bed is like super king size! ! I think it can easily accomodate 4 if not 3 persons on the bed. There is also a long luggage rack which is just nice for 2 luggage to be placed on it.

This is pretty essential if u asked me since I need to pack our clothings daily and I welcome the spaces to place the luggage instead of lugging it up and down had there been not enough space.

There was nothing to complain about the bed and comforter provided. Since the bed is a super big 1, we had a big comforter that can wrapped around us when it gets too cold at night and furthermore, it is pretty thick.

The only thing I think they can improve is to provide another pair of pillow and that would be perfect. 

Super big bed

View from our room

We are most impressed by the breakfast spread of the hotel. Though not considered to be an international spread but it is good enough. We also saw many foreigners coming to breakfast for the 3 days we were there. It says quite a lot about the spread since I have encounter foreigners walking out of the restaurant when they saw the spread.

Love the pancakes here

Lots of bacon and sausage

Although they didn't change much of the menu while we were there, but there are a few variances add in everyday save for the more common dish like bacon and sausage.

Fried egg

Fried rice

Breakfast here is always crowded but the top up speed if pretty fast. Didn't have to wait too long if the dish runs out. There is also another breakfast restaurant on the 8th floor which caters more to tour group. Since we did get seats here on the 6th, we did not venture to the other.

Cold dish

Salad bar

Juices and milk

Cereals

Large selection of porridge condiments

Personally, I have no complaints of this hotel. Location is a bit on the rural side but it is not too bad since travelling on the train in Taipei is pretty easy. Our favourite night market Shihlin night market is nearer to here than XMD and Taipei Main station.

There are also interchange stations to Bannan(Blue) Line and Xindian (Green) Line along this line towards Nanshijiao station. Therefore the hotel is not as inaccessible as what many thinks if you are willing to travel a bit more which we did. 

Hopefully the price of the room will not increase too much if it gets popular in time to come and we will be sure to return on our next trip to Taipei :).