Taipei 101 & Ding Tai Feng

Don't you just hate it when you are out and about but the weather just sucks by covering up the sun and you can't even get a decent shot of anything?? So, there you go, standing in full glory under the dark clouds, Taipei 101.

If you need more info on this magnificent skyscraper (height, location, its tenants, architecture etc...) then go ahead to wiki / google / youtube it, I'm sure there's sufficient info instead of getting them from me ^_^

But I can tell you, the elevator ride up is totally exhilarating. The elevators go from the 5 -> 89 floor in 37 seconds, reaching a speed of 1010 meters per minute which is totally unbelievable. Why aren't there technology like these in Malaysia??

Went to Ding Tai Feng to have a snack (well, not exactly snack but more of dinner). Wasn't that hungry hence only 2 dishes of food.

And I must say, although I'm a lady, I still find that the services of those waitresses at Ding Tai Feng is absolutely excellent. They greet/welcome/speak with a soft & gently voice that's strong enough to melt any icy hearts. Bowing curteously at 30deg to you when you pass by them, the rush of being treated like that is un-substitude-able (is there even this word?) in anywhere else in the world (well, maybe except for Japan)

Oh, by the way, that's Hua Diao Chicken (Chicken in Chinese Wine) which tasted a bit bitter (but accomodates well with in my mouth if added to some soy sauce) but excellent meat texture is worth trying. If I'm not mistaken, its listed a starter dish as it was served cold.

The ever famous Ding Tai Feng Xiao Long Pao (Some chinese dumpling with broth in it). To be honest, I'm not quite a fan of xiao long bao but this passed the satisfactory line. Skin although fairly thin, but strong enough to hold its contents. The broth in these little thingy tasted nice too. Thumbs up from me.

So, that pretty much sums up my trip to Taipei. Took me about 10++ posts to get them pictures all up.... Phew, what a job... In conclusion, this trip is pretty much up-to-my-standard-of-backpack-touring (if not for me down with serious flu, I woulda enjoyed myself more) and its just an eating trip all the way...

Will definitely go back to Taiwan for me but this time round, Imma visit the central and the southern continent.

Waterfall Does Help in Calming Me Down

Had been feeling a bit restless & distress lately due to various factors in my life (job, family, love, friends, just random stuff) that sometimes I wish how nice it would be if I could take a break from these pandemonium. Its been quite hectic in my life to say the least that I sort of lost track of what is my purpose in this world wtf..

When everything seems to become overwhelming, I sometimes tried to meditate but succumb to looking at my laptop instead which is of course a big time FAIL!!

Heard from someone (or somewhere) that humans tend to be drawn towards liquidy stuff (ocean, river, ponds, fountains) hence this post.

Am I calm now, you ask??

Heck Yeah!!! (Not...-_-''')

You guys don't leave me comments anymore... :(

So Sad!!!

Imma a bad blogger **sob sob**

Wu Lai's Hot Spring... My Love!!!

There are many hot springs in Wu Lai area (Taipei) therefore you might wanna be careful when you choose your destination as some of them looked quited dodgy to me (you know, peeling paints on the front, tile flooring, unkempt reception area..). Hence, I highly recommend this hotel that comes with hot spring services to you, Yolanda...

As you can see, the tub's really spacious. I booked a whole room to myself, you see.. And the water does not carry too strong a sulfate smell, just nice for me. Furthermore, I was extremely ill at that time and the water totally soothes me, and I became healthy once more wtf.

Super nice hair and body products that they provide. I mean, all of them are all nice smelling and they totally feel nice on the skin.

Forest on the opposite river bank. Don't worry, outsiders aren't able to peak inside (not sure why, but they said so).

Totally classy and relaxing..

Highly recommended... Thumbs up from me. Its NT1800 per room if I'm not mistaken.

My Christmas Presentssssssss........

After 2 hours of waiting, I finally got all my pictures up to my blog. Phew... What a dreaded job... Please internet and Blogger, do get along would'cha!! Takes me hours to blog...

So, here are some of my presents (yup, you read it right!! "Some" is the word used here cuz that's not all.. Still debating whether I should include the not-so-official ones in the blog... Oh well, we'll see!!) that I'd liked to share with you guys...

Now now, don't be hasty in judging me as a materialistic or shallow gal due to my quite exquisite pressies (I'm much more deeper than all of these wtf), I'm actually really really happy with all of the stuff that I'd got this year... A fruitful way to end this year indeed.

Perfumed Body Spray, After Eight Mint Chocolate Thin, Hair Clips & a Ring, and a Burberry box..

Oh, and here's a .... toy!!?? Nah, I'd asked for a teddy bear but I got this instead. Not that I'm complaining, but I do wish that the body could be bigger so that I don't have to hug it awkward (imagine hugging the head and its leg poking up my nose)

Highlight of the evening... My Burberry glasses.

A gal always needs to look at her optimum, therefore splashing considerable amount of money on some quality skincare products is a must. Biotherm Moisturisers, Lotion, Cleanser, Serum and Avene Sunblock

Last but not least, my all time favourites, MAKE UPS. Shu Uemura blush and lipstick as well as a Lancome Lipstick

So, what's your favourites present that you'd got this year?

A Not-So-Traditional Christmas Dinner

If you are wondering why does every plate is placed with a piece of sausage, don't even ask me, cuz I'm not the one who did that. Limiting our food intake, maybe?

Food:

Baked macaroni with cheese and ham, deep fried dory fish, deep fried battered prawns, honey coated ham, grilled curry chicken, boiled cheese sausage and prawn salad with mango and lettuce

A Christmas Cake For You at This Time of the Year

Hey, Merry Christmas everyone... Here's a cake to share... Now now, don't fight, everyone'll get a slice (cuz my viewers ain't that many :`( )

Happy New Year as well ^_^

Some Food in Shilin Night Market 士林夜市

生煎包 Pan Fried Dumplings. This is really good even though when it is cold. I can imagine it being all juicy and succulent when it's warm.

Then, feeling quite daring, here's a pot of "smelly tofu" (臭豆腐) mini steamboat.

Some duck's blood to go with it. To be honest, I'm not a fan of smelly tofu but this one is really really good. Its not your normal kind of fried smelly tofu, it actually doesn't smell, and the texture is smooth and somewhat chewy.

And I just absolute adore the broth. Spicy and herby, can I say "heaven"!!!! Kept on indulging myself by slurping up most of the soup. Just plain OMG!!!

This is the infamous Shilin XL fried chicken chop being cut into pieces. It isn't that good. I think I chose the wrong the shop to buy the chicken. I mean, its not even thin for a start, and there's like bones in there!!! Friggin B.O.N.E.S. Maybe this is the authentic version of how Shilin chicken chop should be but I ain't liking it as I'm more used to the flatter boneless version that Malaysia's got to offered. Pure disappointment.

Close-up shot of the chicken's blood. Get ready to puke. Well, its not that bad actually, but I just can't seem to put into my mouth and start chewing on it as it gave off this weird wobbly texture that I can't even describe.

Oh, this one is good. Polo bun.

With a thick layer of butter in the middle. Crispy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside, and sweet & salty bursting in my mouth.

This is .... deng deng deng deng (chinese will know what this music is)..... Fried Milk.

O_o  right?? I'm totally like that too...

But trust me, this is like the best thing that could ever happen to me. Super OMG with capital letters. Its like ... ummm.... fried fish ball but softer inside. You know how much I love sweet stuff, right? This isn't that sweet but I still love it. Yes, its kinda crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside (what'sup with the describing how it is inside and outside). Uber delicious.

Ancient Palace of Taipei 故宫

I think I'll just let the pictures do the talking. Massive historic structure are my absolute favourite. Yeah, and there were so many tourists that almost every pictures I took was filled with them. Pretty damn annoying.

Aren't you happy guys now that the holiday season is here and the festive spirit is so high?

Can't wait to unwrap my presents... ^_^  

KFC Goodness

Alright, I'm not even going to describe how this taste like cuz there's KFC every f**king places so just head out and buy. But in Singapore, there's this Ultimate Filler Meal that consists of  piece of crispy chicken (I always ask for thigh meat), zinger burger, mashed potato and a drink. Costs about S$7.15 (if your drink is lemon tea). See!!?? I can even remember the price as I buy it ever so often.

Despite me always getting a tummy upset after eating this (I think its due to the fact that the chicken is kinda oily), I still treat it as my comfort food as I absolutely love KFC.

KFC, that's where I wanna be ^_^

Teddy Bear Restaurant Taipei 小熊的木屋餐厅

Alright, so there's nothing teddy bear-ish about this place but the food here is absolutely heaven. Pretty hungry as I can be, here are some food that I ordered.  

 

Its a scrumptious meal . Dessert, appetizers, main course, side dishes, soup, tea...

 

Nuggets are tasty as ever. And I do mean exceptionally good since its from Taiwan.

 

A mediocre cake really, but the rich creamy smooth chocolate topping saved the day. Yes, me and my chocolate, nothing can do us apart. And why am I showing you the dessert 1st?

Some accompanying dishes which tasted amazing. They weren't skimping on the ingredients and flavours. This is by far an absolute favourite of the whole meal. The braised tofu with peanuts was excellent (smooth and chewy), the leafy green bak choi (is it?) was superbly crunchy and fresh, and the cabbage was just heartily wholesome.

 

Before you start getting sick of my praises and all, you gotta listen to me on this dish. I think its fried chicken in some thai chilly sauce. But its totally nothing like the normal thai chilly sauce. Its more in depth than just spicy and sour and sweet, it had this amazing taste of... I don't know, its so hard to describe. Just a mouthful of delightfulness I'd say. Not to mention the crispy chicken coated in some kinda flavoured batter. Just marvelous.

 

Here's what it looks like from the outside. I will definitely come back again (if I can still remember where, I think its near Shilin Night Market). The price was alright (sh*t, forgotten again), not too expensive.

Its a 9.5*/10* rating. And I seldom give such high rating to food except for mum & dad's cooking.

I Can Feel Christmas Everywhere

I certainly do wish that it started snowing already. I mean, snow always makes everything seemed perfect and peaceful and calm and just makes you all drowsy and wistful. Alright, I'm not making much sense anymore, am I?

I think there's like magic in those white fluffy stuff. People tends to feel super happy when they see snow (I'm not saying blizzard kinda snow) and snow always is associated with the holidays and Christmas. And yes, I normally get my way out of snow as I dislike them melting on me which makes me all wet. How ironic is that?

So, the main point of this post is to make you feel happy and dizzy.

Happy holidays in advance!! ^_^