Taiwan - Day 7

Departure day. 

I had a couple of mantou, a sausage and soy milk for breakfast. 

We checked out at about 10:50am and proceeded to Dream Mall for lunch. It was very kind of the bus driver to fetch us there. 

On the way, we passed by Ai He (愛河), a popular dating spot for couples.

 

Finally reached our last destination before going to the Kaohsiung International Airport. 

 

Christmas is round the corner

The food court is located on the basement floor. There were lots of food to choose from. I made my choice to have a pork bento set at NTD170. 

One of the worst inventions ever. 

Seems cool at first but practicality is zero. Right-handed people will never understand the inconvenience of being a left-handed while using this spork. 

MOS Burger looked interesting so my sis and I ordered one. 

Rice patty burger. First time trying this very filling burger. Tasted like sushi at first then the taste got blander. 

One hour in the mall, and we were out again. 

Saw this tour bus on the way to ours. 

Kaohsiung to Hong Kong

Double tickets needed to go back home. 

Richelle and me at Kaohsiung International Airport
 

Departure gate en route to Hong Kong for the next transit three hours later. 

Ginger chicken rice with a pineapple cake and orange juice

I could not finish the rice. I ordered a cup of Oolong tea to complete the meal. 

Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur

While waiting to board our transit plane at 7:40pm, we had some snacks at Tasty Noodles and Congee, 正斗. There is a branch in Gurney Paragon on the 5th floor. 

The queue was so long! 

The menu

Roast goose at HKD148. Pricey but definitely worth it. Yum! 

I was left with HKD23 and I tried to scout for something to buy. I could not even buy a packet of snack with that amount of money. So sad. 

Time to board at Gate 2

Halfway through the journey, we were distributed mini pretzels and drink of our selection. 
 

Coke and mini pretzels

We thought there were no more dinner but we were served with food after half an hour or so. 

Tomato cheese macaroni set with a cup of red wine. 

Watched a couple of movies plus a good sleep in the plane. It seemed just like a second and we were awoken to the announcement that we have finally reached KLIA. 

The trip to Taiwan had been wonderful. No matter what, I am glad to be back. Always a Malaysian girl at heart, I am. 

Taiwan - Day 6

Morning call was a half an hour late today for a relaxing itinerary.

And I only woke up at 7:40am. The slumber was too deep. 

So what's for breakfast at Golden Pacific Hotel?

Rice with minced pork. The only thing I was interested in. 

The interior of the restaurant

Bought a magic scarf at NTD100 outside the hotel. 

I have a cardigan transformed from the scarf.

Pearl Gallery (真主管)

First stop to another shopping place to look and possibly buy some pearl powders. 

Michelle Obama wearing the same pearl necklace sold here

I wonder if this is made from real pearl

I want this rabbit!

We were introduced to the benefits of peal powder in another separate room. Another opportunity to gain some knowledge. 

We did not buy any. :P

Fo Guang Shan Monastery (火光山)

A huge monastery in Kaohsiung. 

Photo to prove I have been here  

It's a huge monastery but I am on one spot relaxing under the umbrella. 

Time for lunch. It's an all-fish meal at 味香山海店. Yum!

Steamed mince fish with a little pork

Fried fish with a slight sourish taste. Nice! 

Vegetables 

Fish rolls

Fish in bean sauce. Looked like tofu. 

Deep fried fish. Looked like Shilin fired chicken. 

And the best of all...

Fish and clam soup

The soup had that natural sweetness which made me took three bowls. 

On the way to E-DA World, we passed by some pineapples. 

Taiwan - Day 5

Another breakfast, another exciting day to experience new things and places. 

Tea Plantation (台埔觀光茶園)

First time experiencing tea plucking. What's more exciting was we are going to pluck Oolong tea leaves, Taiwan's native tea. 

The mini tea plantation especially set aside for tourists to play as tea plantation workers. 

The tea leaves harvested by tourists would not be processed as the quality of the leaves here were more inferior to the leaves from real plantations high up in the mountains which are used for mass production. 

All starting work soon!

Prepped ourselves with a basket and a hat, we did look the part. 

Oolong kuli for a few minutes

Tea plantation 'boss'
 

After a few minutes, we knocked off. What a job to only work for a few minutes. It was everyone's dream job. 

We adjourned to the tea shop and toss the tea leaves in the warm basket. The aroma was so invigorating and refreshing. 

Tea time in the morning

Take a break, have some Oolong tea.

A couple of cute goats outside the shop

Taichung to Tainan

About an hour's drive, we finally reached Tainan. 

An Ping Old Street (安坪老街)

The only stop in Tainan is An Ping Old Street. 

Mazu Temple, a 300-year-old temple

A wishing tree

The peaceful street of An Ping. 

Bustling place for shopping. The things were pretty cheap too. 

Coffin Toast

This toast is not for the superstitious. 

Do you prefer a small or big coffin? 

Our lunch here consisted of the famous street food in An Ping. 

Marble soda drink

There is a marble in each bottle. It's a traditional drink from many years ago. 

O-Chien

Prawn dumpling. Tasted like HK Chee Cheong Fun. 

So many coffins in one plate!

Prawn rolls and fish porridge

My coffin toast had a savoury surprise. Tasted like mushroom soup. 

Yam cake. Made from mirepoix yam, the taste was more authentic than those made from yam paste as I could taste the  texture of the yam. I am not a fan though. 

This was my marble. 

On the way out of Tainan en route to Kaohsiung, we passed by the oyster shop which supplied the share of oysters we had in our first dish just now. 

Goodbye An Ping and Tainan!

A river along Tainan City

Tainan to Kaohsiung

An hour and a half hours later, we reached Kaohsiung, the final destination for the next two days before we make our way back to Malaysia. My tour in Taipei a few nights ago seemed just like yesterday. Where did all the time went? 

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔)

An iconic architecture of Kaohsiung since 1976. 

Sitting comfortably in the dragon's mouth 

Second group photo in front of the pagodas

The lotus pond

Yet another temple 

Nine dragons 

Lotus pond without the lotus 

The view from the other side

This cute little birdie was resting after flying aimlessly in the pavilion in the middle of the lake. 

Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市)

A straight road night market selling food and many other things. 

From the start of the night market

There were more healthier snacks - steamed items here compared to other night market.

Steam salted crab

Fishball

Lobsters

So many fat lobsters!

A huge grouper

Highly recommended papaya milk at Liuhe

An hour and a half later, we checked into our hotel for the final two nights. 

Time to rest for more fun tomorrow!