Kuala Lumpur to Taipei via AirAsia X

I went to Taiwan for vacation with my family during Chinese New Year 2010. Last CNY, we went to Jakarta. Comparing both the vacation, gotta admit that I enjoyed my trip in Jakarta more. Reason being, the vacation in Taiwan was superly rush (everyday move to new city, new hotel. Very short time to shop – practically can’t enjoy shopping).

Taipei, Taiwan

Anyway, I managed to sort out some pichas on Day 1 of my trip but I won’t be able to update the whole trip in details, otherwise, Dine with Annna would be Traveling Taiwan with Annna. *LAMAO* Well, I took more than 2,800 pichas (350 pichas a day in average) and I can’t possibly post them all up here. However, I’m sharing the pichas (still uploading) in Facebook and you may check it out to have an idea how the 8 days tour in Taiwan is like.

Map captured from AirAsia X screen

The 8 days tour covers 4 cities in Taiwan, namely Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hualien, and Taichung. Altogether, I think we visited approximately 20 (plus minus) tourist spots. We visited several famous temples and also those “tourist marketing” spots which makes us sit in a classroom to listen to some herbal stories and how good they are, namely, Ling Zhi, Deer plasenta, pearl powder, royal jelly and etc.. Not cheap lah! All those costs < RM1,000. To me, visiting those places are a waste of time because I have no interest in them, except sampling those expensive stuff. Plus, not like I can afford any of them. Piff.. Those time should be properly spent in night markets or shopping malls where NT (Taiwan dollars) are fairly well spent.

Few "thousands" richer

Anyway, I’ll just highlight some places of MY interest and MY makaning (eating/dining) experience in Taiwan. So, just bear with the sudden change of nationality of this blog and feel free to comment or enquire about the trip.

me at the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Upon arrival, we were brought to the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. We spent most of our time there taking pichas and me, camwhoring around.

Long neck & Co.

They have dinosaurs in Taiwan. *LOL*

They have this beautiful garden on the other side of the area. We were like sakais children who visited the garden of candies when we saw the Sakura trees (cherry blossoms).

Sakura trees

Sakura flowers

Love the sunset effects here. <3

We had dinner our first dinner in Taiwan at Taroko Restaurant. It was an eight course meal and it was a really good meal.

To-raku Restaurant

After dinner, we were brought to Shihlin Market, as if dinner was not fulfilling (how can not get fat).

Shihlin Night Market, Taipei

Shihlin Night Market is located in the Shilin District of Taipei City, Taiwan. It is considered as one of the biggest and well known night market in Taipei. There are 2 parts of the market; Eateries and Clothes. They are both just accross the road and we need to walk across via the underground bridge to get to the other side. Oh, jaywalking is a very serious offence in Taiwan.

The famous Super Big Chicken Chop Stall

The most popular food in Shihlin Night Market (according to our tour guide) is the Super Big Chicken Chop. It is NT50 (approximately RM5.50) for a gigantic piece of deep fried chicken fillet with seasoned powder on it.

The uber long queue

#Tips to shop for food in Taiwan: the longer the queue, the better the food. If you see a stall with a long queue, the food sold there must be good.

Needless to say, we joined the queue to have a taste of the popular chicken chop. It was a long queue, bro volunteered to wait in line while I hunt for the other Taiwan delicacies: Pearl Milk Tea and Taiwan sausages.

The satisfied brother

The long wait was paid off. Bro was satisfied with the chicken despite the long wait.

Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside *thumbs up*

I took a few bites off the chicken chop and it is indeed very good! Now I know why it is so popular.

Since Taiwan is the pioneer of pearl milk tea, it is the first item in our must have list. While bro was waiting for the chicken chop, I went to the next stalls (both left and right side of the chick chop stall) to buy a glass of pearl milk tea – original flavour.

Drink stall on the left side of the Chick Chop stall

Drink stall on the right side of the Chick Chop stall

The size is like Starbucks Venti and the price is averagely NT30-35 (RM3.30-3.80) each.

Verdict: Kuching’s pearl milk tea is much nicer =X

Another must have item in our list was the Taiwan sausage:

Ta Chang Bao Xiao Chang

There were many sizes of sausages to choose from. From big to small. The big ones are sold by weight and then, cut into smaller pieces for easy chewing. As for the small ones, they are slightly bigger than the ones we have in Kuching.

Taiwan BIG sausages

Pricewise, they are pretty slightly more expensive by a few-ty cents. How funny, right? And we thought we would be able to enjoy cheaper Taiwan sausages since they are from Taiwan. Small ones cost NT25 (approximately RM2.75). Big ones cost NT100 (approximately RM11).

Verdict: Even though it is slightly more expensive, but tastewise, it is supremely yummy! Worth the price you paid for it.

Giant white bittergourd

The week before I leave for Taiwan, my colleagues recommended that white bittergourd juice it is a must try. I gave the “ewww..” face and they assured me that it is not bitter. Despite their assurance, I was still reluctant to try it. But mum bought it and I stole a sip to try.

Verdict: Not bitter, yet sweet and very very very refreshing!

Real white bittergourd

In case you don’t know how white bittergourd looks like, I took a picha of it (above). It looks fake and even feels fake! But it’s the real thing.

Lemon tea

They have a lot of this kinda drinks – something something tea. Didn’t try them because we had so much to try in hands.

These are among the look see look see inside the night market – eateries side:

The crowd inside Shihlin Night Market - Eateries side

So many signboards to blind the banana readers

Then, we stumbled upon this one Oyster Omelet stall with lots of “Corner wit Love” pichas at the signboards.

Some pichas of the stall with the stars from Corner with Love

Corner with Love cover with the celebs' autographs

Could this be the famous oh-ah-jien from the drama? We didn’t try it due to the time as we need to queue for it and that we had to leave the place to check-in to our hotel for the night. T___________T <CIS!!!)

The Oyster Omelet smells so good~

The oyster omelet smells so good, while the stinky tofu is damn smelly!

The 1 mile away smellable Chou Tofu (Stinky Tofu)

Varieties of food

Spicy Stinky Tofu

Since we don’t have the time to queue for the oyster omelet, I went to buy a packet of this stinky tofu since every corner of the night market, there is at least one stall of it. So, I reckoned that I should at least give it a try.

P/S: I don’t eat tofu.

Spicy Stinky Tofu @ NT50 (approx. RM5.50)

Verdict: The smell is already a killer. The taste is suicidal. First and the last try for this. *strangles self*

Here are some pichas of the other part of the night market which is just across the road from the above.

some cow tongue pancake

the other part of the night market with more shopping - clothes & accessories

preserved fruit stalls

About 5 minutes walk from the night market, there is this huge wholesale-like fruit stall which sells all varieties of Taiwan fruits.

fresh fruit stall

After loitering for about 1 hour an a half at Shihlin Night Market, we gathered at our coach on time and we were brought to our first night stay at Holiday Inn Express. As if the night was not tiring enough, we went out to loiter on our own after throwing our luggage in the room.

The supper part, will be in the next post…

Papaya Milk is well known to help boost up bust for the ladies. Bought this Uni-President Papaya Milk from Family Mart (Taiwan’s 24 hours convenient store) for TW$33 (approximately RM3.30). It tastes real good and not too sweet. When I go back to Kuching, I will ask marther to buy lotsa papaya and fresh milk. LOL

Beers in Taiwan is not expensive. A bottle of their local beer, Taiwan beer (big bottle) costs only TW$49 (approximately RM4.90). Other well known beers (Heineken, Carlsberg, etc) found in any convenient store costs TW$59-89 for the small bottles.

Little update:

So far, I’m enjoying my vacation here, although 30% of it, I’m either devastated because I lost/dropped something somewhere, or pissed off because I can’t shop due to time constraint! Can see look see look only and it is freezing cold here! Just for the record, I’ve tried Taiwan sausage, pearl milk tea, giant chicken chop, ice shave, and etc from Shih Lin Market. Quite disappointed with the food though..

I still have many days here and hope to venture more throughout the trip. I want to try Taiwan’s Malak Mien and Beef Noodles!

I miss everyone and I am fatting only over here. Gotta Level Up like gila when I return.

Yes, I’m emo in this island.

By the way, Happy Chinese New Years Eve!

Ramadhan Bazaar (For Project 365: Day 152 August 26, 2009)

This year’s Ramadhan Bazaar was located outside the Jubilee Ground, Padungan. Throughout the years, it has been in the MBKS Dewan Masyarakat compound. But because the Ramadhan period clashed with the Kuching Festival, I think they moved further up/out. If they were to have the bazaar in the compound, the festival will have to close early (which was initially to close early but later cancelled) and they will need time to uninstall the festival’s stalls and reinstall new stalls for the Ramadhan Bazaar. Best way is to change to the location for the bazaar. Anyway, the stalls are operating for a couple of hours only.

varities of food stalls

My guess, there were at least 30 stalls in the bazaar. Selling varieties of food for those who buka puasa. Check them out more below..

one of the fully decorated food stall

Ikan Panggang (For Project 365: Day 158 September 1, 2009)

Just looking at the fish BBQ-ing there is already very enticing. Especially with the smell of it.

Left is RM 12; Right is RM15

They sell the fish based on the size not weight. So there’s no fixed price for it actually. Almost took out my measuring tape for it. LOL

BBQ fish says, "Ahhhh"

The fish is very boney. It has a lot of bones and have to be very careful when eating it. The flesh is sweet and juicy.

Ayam Panggang

BBQ Chicks

Die die must try! These honey coated BBQ chicken is a must try.

From Chicken Wings to Chicken Organs

Whole Chicken

Honey coated BBQ chicken is simply the best! Just eat it with plain white rice is enough to cover for a meal.

Umais

These are preserved RAW seafood ranging from fish, jellyfish, and prawns. Mostly preserved with big onions, chillies, garlic, perhaps ginger, lime and some with peanuts.

Umai Obor-obor (Jellyfish)

It’s very nice! Just the look of it is pretty gory, but close one eye, pop into mouth and really, no second thought of mouthing the whole thing in.

Umai Ikan (Fish)

This is my favourite! I love Umai fish. Raw fish is used in making umai. Of course when you eat it, it’s already cooked because the lime and etc ingredients does the cooking – food chemical reaction.

Big packet of steamed white rice @ RM1.00

We bought a packet of rice from the Umai store. We were surprised to see the portion of it when we arrived home. It’s so much!! LOL!! For just RM1.00 we got 2 person’s portion of rice and even 2 person can’t finish it!

Fried Noodles

Left is Fried Noodle @ RM2; Right is Fried Beehoon @ RM5

The RM5 packet of beehoon is like 4 times more than the RM2 noodles! hahaha.. Wanted to get 2 packet of the fried beehoon but in the end we decided to take all the beehoon they have on the plate.

Roti Canai Kosong @ RM1; Murtabak Ayam @ RM4; Murtabak Daging @ RM4

The Roti Canai Kosong is delicious! Crispy and the kuah kari (curry gravy) that goes with it is superb. It’s so unfortunate that we didn’t ask them where they normally sell. Now that the bazaar’s over, guess we have to wait for another year to taste it again.

All these are combinations of visits and food we bought from the bazaar. Prefer buying from the bazaar for dinner as we can go over after work and take away in a nic of seconds.

Sometime in June, z left a comment on Lunch Buffet at The Eatery, Four Points by Sheraton inquiring the current price for the buffet. I didn’t want to reply back then as I can’t confirm on the price and also because I was waiting for Four Points’ reply (found out they have Twitter, so I twitted Four Points). My guess, someone finally login to twitter after so many months registering the account and saw my message, hence replied my tweet. At least they replied. So, here’s their current price:

Lunch is RM 38++ and Dinner RM58++ (Sun-Thurs)/RM68++ (Fri & Sat)

Current Ramadan Promo is RM69++

Do you know that yesterday was Malaysia Day? September 16, 1963, was the day Sabah and Sarawak joined the Peninsula Malaysia to form a bigger piece Malaysia. I only realised it when I wrote the date on my notebook in class. KNS! How come no holiday??

* * * * *

PROcrastinator at her best

No make up nor touch up. Total nude face. Yesterday’s weather was so bright and sunny! A good day to run some backlogging errands and also some other stuff.

This is my Homer Simpson's Tee

Bro picked me after his class and we went to Fang Yuen for lunch.

Chicken and Char Siew Pork Rice @ RM5.00

*Slurps slurps* love those Char Siew Pork but too much lean meat, more fat would be fantastic.

How many of you notice the yellow fences around Ang Cheng Ho area and the Cat Statue?

Digging for gold?

Did someone discover gold or something? Hahaha.. Guess they’re doing some drain works.

After a long hot day outside, we went to the Spring for free aircond. There were some postage stuffs to do (there’s a mini post office on the Basement level). Then, we went up to MBO to get the “Where Got Ghost” movie tickets for bro’s friends. Apparently, the 8pm show is full house….AGAIN!

Tsunami

Saw this “Tsunami” movie poster while waiting for our turn at the Ticket Kiosk. Looks good. I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully it’s not fully booked during the Raya weekend.

On the way down, we stopped by Fitness Concept and checked out their treadmills. I’m looking for a good yet affordable treadmill. Need to get one at home since I stopped gyming a year ago =X Starting to feel fat. Need to lose some fat! Weight is not an issue, fat is. But a treadmill would cost up to RM5k!! Huuhuu..

The cheaper or FOC way is to do jogging every morning, but the problem is that it’s so hard for me to wake up early and feel so lazy to run in the morning. Perhaps run around my own living room, can? lol.. At least with the equipment at home, I can run on it whenever I’m free.

with the punchman

Am still considering whether to get it or not, but it’s a bit over my budget. Left the place with my two new  4lbs. dumbbell for RM18 each (quite cheap). teehee.. Time to tone up. Look at that arm!!

Yoghurt Ice Cream @ RM2.00

We stopped by Sugarbun for ice-cream. They were selling the new flavour, YOGHURT (which was typo error there). The lady serving us was promoting the new flavour and kept persuading me to try.

Me with RM2 yoghurtish ice cream

Nuff said, her persuasion succeeded. I bought myself a RM2 yoghurt ice cream while bro didn’t want to risk it, stick with the RM1.50 original ice cream.

The yoghurt ice cream is tasty and yoghurtish. It’s like eating yoghurt itself, just colder and more fattening. It’s a bit sour, sour like yoghurt. It’s still soft and smooth like the regular ice cream. The portion is still the same despite the extra 50 cents.

Dua Ringgit Malaysia Sahaja

For yoghurt lovers, you’d absolutely like this BUT ignore the fattening facts.

]]> http://annna.net/project-365-day-173-september-16-2009/feed/ 18 http://annna.net/mbo-cinema-and-kbox-embassy-ktv/ http://annna.net/mbo-cinema-and-kbox-embassy-ktv/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:44:08 +0000 annna http://annna.net/?p=3848 Wehh.. Last week, I went to tHe Spring and saw this:

Even blogged about it: MBO Cinema in The Spring

And now, I got this:

“Subject: Tweet Tweet! The 2nd Floor is Opening!!

Join The Spring as it celebrates the opening of its 2nd floor tomorrow 19th August!

Nicknamed the ‘ Harajuku Floor’, there are 26 new stores catering to the young-at-heart who embodies everything trendy and hip! And don’t forget that MBO Cinemas will be opening in September; but they will be selling membership cards tomorrow with free goodies for the early birds!

26 new stores, MBO Cinemas and KBOX Embassy KTV; it is without a doubt that The Spring always has something more!”

I am devastated.. It’s not the opening of MBO Cinema but the opening of the 2nd floor. MBO Cinema is only opening in September wehhh.. I thought of going to watch movie in the new cinema this week. Piff piff..

Well, look at the bright side, at least now, we have an extra floor to shop. *senses danger in that*

Plus, a new KTV centre, KBOX Embassy KTV, in town. Oh yea oh yea.. Star Rising time. In case we lack of rain, I can go over and sing for rain. LOL!! My guess, the KTV will probably be ready before Christmas. So, at the time being, let’s practice in Meetoto first. Hahahaha!!

Anyway, at least the new cinema is opening. Just a matter of time only. I’m going to get the MBO membership cards tomorrow – main factor that attracts me to get it is the free goodies. LOL!!

The sky today is beautiful. Enjoy while you still can. lol

Guess every Kuchingkia knows about the tall white building in town. It’s a new hotel, Pullman Kuching, sitting at the top of the hill, several footsteps away from Kuching High and also a short walk away towards Hilton Hotel and Riverside Majestic.

View from Bukit Mata Kucing

Remember in my previous post, I mentioned something about crazy shopping for Christmas?

There’s also a new shopping mall, Hills Shopping Mall, attached to the newly built hotel. Well well, what do you know, another mall to add in our craze

There were sales everywhere!! Hate sales. It is that time of sales that I would spend the most. MNG sales is a killer. Luckily, I walked out with just 2 tops; a black half body length long sleeves cardi and a blue three quart (bought this blue because I don’t have this type of blue top in my storeroom). Then, I bought a Tee from BodyGlove with Gladys.

2 tops at very reasonable price

Spending money did not just stop on clothing. There were crazee promos in Ta Kiong. For example, a packet of Lays was sold at RM8.95 for non members and RM7.95 for members. Normal price is RM9.95. Ugh..

Lays Weekend Promo at Ta Kiong, tHe Spring

End up buying all the Salt & Vinegar Lays they have in stock. =X

100 Yen Store

Mum said that the store is just like any ordinary “China” product stores like 100% discount store or One Stop Discount store. =X simply because the things displayed inside are mostly kitchen plastic wares. Had to agree with her on that. =X

Everything at RM4.90 each

Everything inside is Japanese products and sold at one fixed price, RM4.90. I took a quick tour inside and didn’t find anything much that would be interesting enough to buy. Furthermore, some of the items seem to be pretty expensive at RM4.90.

Reluctant to leave the store empty handed, I bought myself a can of Jap Mountain Dew. Man.. It’s been ages since I last seen Mountain Dew in Kuching. Teehee..

Mountain Dew (For Project 365: Day 86 June 21, 2009)

Bahasa Jepun habis!

Mum on the other hand, bought this banana hanger. Later that night, she purposely go hunt for bananas to make use of her new “asset” in the kitchen. -______________-|||

Banana Hanger

Overall, there’s nothing much interesting stuff to buy apart from its Japanese utilities, food and crackers. We were told that there will be more stuff coming in on the 29th (which is tomorrow). Will drop by to check out the store again next week.

Kim Yu Li - Kueh Chap Special

Kim Yu Li is located opposite Sunny Hill School. In the same spot as third mile’s old market. Just before the traffic lights to Batu Kawa, the coffee shop is located on the left side and you can see the KIM YU LI signboard which is so big, even the short sighted can see it without glasses! lol..

Several days before, we planned to have coffee drinking on the Hot Sunday Afternoon at Deli Cafe as Alex Wong recommended the place. But the plan was postponed because there was introduction of 15 finalists  of Ethnic Beauty Pageant Miss Fair & Lovely World Harvest Festival 2009 held at the Spring. We love to take pichas so we were there for the pageant.

15 finalists of various ethnics

Will post a proper post for this pageant as I took many pichas of the finalists. Some are really hot and pretty like No. 1 – Janet Bennet who won the Miss Spring Time 2009. Congrats to her and all the best! She won a free return  flights to Singapore via JetStar airline.

After the pageant, we went window shopping around and I……………….saw shoes in Vincci and…………………………………I went to see only and…………….tried a few and………………………totally loved the ones I tried but……………………….I can’t have all of them because………………..there were no Sales, but………………….there were preSales (20% discounts) for Vincci members and…………………….Evey has the membership, so I………………………………accidentally bought two pairs. =X

Vincci shoes

We spent hours in Vincci, ok.. not hours, just an hour plus in Vincci waiting for me to decide which shoes and which color was suitable for me and which ones I love more. Teehee.. Thanks for being so patience, Darrel, Evey, TMOT and Ting!

Ting, Evey, Na and TMOT (with his new Billabong jacket)

A group camwhore picha before we leave. Where’s Darrel?

for Project 365: Day 15 April 10, 2009

Today’s the official opening ceremony of Crown Hair Studio. The salon is located behind Parkson, opposite the “red shop” selling CDs.

Crown Hair Studio (formerly known as Crowning Glory)

They have various packages. One of them, which I think is the utmost exclusive one is the RM50 Hair Wash package for the whole month. Hair wash for the whole month for just RM50!! Now, why do I bother buying shampoo and wash my own hair at home? *piff piff* Somemore, they will blow my hair “pong pong” and “sui sui“.

Hair cut for ladies is RM22 (for all hair length).

Hair cut for gents is RM18.

Hair coloring/perming….etc with chemicals is RM100*

Additional charges for extra; e.g. highlighting.

Products: Schwarzkopf, Joico, Ezo and etc..

All chemicals and products are well known brands. I must say, it’s worth every cents you’re paying.

Now, anyone want to join me for a month date in the salon for hair wash?

selling at RM3.95 each

How different can the taste be, despite its colour?

- Spring Poppies I © Susan Hazard 2005 -

(=pop)

They

.

.

.

.

.

.

until one popped in Kuching.

The first Poppies is located at Island Road, Sibu. It was doing well and so, they another one in The Spring, Kuching. Located at the 1st Floor, in between Nokia Centre and Wonder Toys, above Sushi King, opposite MPH.

The whole Poppies is so BIG and there are many new things in there that we don’t normally see in other mummy-children shops. There are varieties of goodies, be it toys, apparels, baby food, milk powder, diapers, push carts, children car seats, mummy’s apparels and many more. So, for those mummy-and-daddy-to-be and those mummies and daddies out there, here is the one pop stop for you. So, start popping into Poppies.

Be sure to join POPStars Membership to enjoy exclusive discounts, such as Mamypoko Jumbo Packs for RM35.90. You also get to enjoy free gift wrapping during the holidays. Your kid will get a free Thomas Bouncy Castle! You get to accumulate points (RM1=1point) each time you shop at Poppies. Once you collected 1000 points, you are entitled to Rm50 Cash Voucher. So, in a way, each time you shop at Poppies, you automatically get 0.05% discount. Other than that, upon registration, you are also given a card with 10 empty boxes on each side, 10 boxes for Diapers and 10 boxes for Milk Powder. Every purchase of selected Milk Powder or Diapers entitles you to 1 stamp. Every 10 stamps entitle you to 1 selected Offer in Poppies.

All that for a membership fee of RM30 and it’s for lifetime!

POPPIES

Lot 111, 1st Floor, The Spring Shopping Mall,
Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak.
Tel: 082-237553 Fax: 082-236553

Kuching has one of the best kuih in the world, the Onde-Onde also known as Kuih Momok by Shyang. He even drew a comic character, Momok, inspired by the kuih.

Few days ago, I saw a similar Momok in a supermarket. It’s Momok crackers. Gosh!

I wonder how it taste like. I didn’t buy it and now I’m so curious to know how it looks and tasted like. Maybe one day, I’ll go back to the supermarket to get it. By the way, it’s RM1.20 per packet.

Meanwhile, why don’t you guys hop over to EnjoyingBoredom. There are some comic strips by Shyang and if you want more of them, you can buy his comic book (I have a dream) online. I’ve bought one and I enjoyed it very much. Pretty much portrays Kuching Life!

Today, you can buy the Teh C Peng Special’s sugar syrup at any supermarket. A bottle of it would costs up to RM9.50.

Sold under the brand of “Leaves”.

I think one bottle of this can make up to 20 glasses or more of Teh C Peng Special.

It’s Happy, Cute,Smiling and it’s a Pau! Hence, I named it Happy Cute Smiling Pau!

Andrea came over to my place today and we made some paus, more like hundred of paus!

There were so many paus, that I think I can sell them off at RM0.50 each and make a fortune out of it. Maybe I can start selling pau when The Spring opens!

Hohhhohohohoho.. Then, you guys must come support me by buying my Happy Cute Smiling Paus!

Will anyone buy at that price?

Next post, the making of Happy Cute Smiling Pau only when I come back from the beach. Hehe.. I’m going to Santubong Beach Resort tomorrow…again!! Not for holidays but for some work. PRAY that they got INTERNET CONNECTIONZ or WIFI there, so, I can at online when I’m bored. It would be different going up with friends.

Not forgetting, CONGRATULATIONS to Edmund!! His blog has reached 1000 posts!!! WAHHHH!!!

Let’s celebrate together~ To celebrate the BIG event, Edmund is hosting a contest starting TODAY until 18th November 2007. Put your brain back into your head and start joining the contest. For more info on the contest, just go here. C’mon, it’s just a click away! Haha..