Places I Have Visited

Taiwan - Hualien - Taroko Gorge Dec 2010

2010-12-28T22:52:00.005+08:00

Came to Taipei, Taiwan again.
This time, we took a domestic flight and flew 45 minutes out to Hualien, followed by a local tour of Taroko Gorge.

Taroko means "Marble" in Aboriginal Language. Millions of years ago, this place was under the sea. After the formation of the mountain ranges, the river carved out the gorge over time to give its present look.

The place is simply majestic. The lower layers of the mountain is made of marble, with granites on top of them, I think.

The water is crystal blue at some areas, and sulphuric white at others.

Coupled with the cold weather, the feeling was heavenly.
I would like to visit this place again.
:-)

We also visited some temples and coffee places along the way, including walking along a suspension rope bridge across the river.

At the end of the visit, we caught the 4.30pm train and was back at Taipei Main Station at 7.05pm.

Bali, Indonesia Nov 2010

2010-11-16T19:01:00.002+08:00

Bali, Indonesia, an island about five times the size of Singapore.
Generally, the island is not very developed, with many old style houses, and the biggest tourist draw would be its beaches.

As it was an official trip, we did not get to have fun at the beaches or in the Kuta area.
Some photos here for a glimpse of the island.

Shanghai, China - April 2010

2010-05-04T18:00:00.003+08:00

Shanghai, neat, clean, and modern.

Places to visit: The Bund (west bank of the Huangpu River), Shanghai Xin Tiandi (various restaurants converted from restored old houses), Nanjing Road East Shopping Street (the longest shopping street in China), Dongfang Mingzhu (the Oriental Pearl Tower, with observation decks on several levels), Shanghai Aquarium (next to Dongfang Mingzhu), Yuyuan (Yu Garden, with Ming and Qing Dynasties architecture and scenery, and a huge shopping area surrounding it), People's Square (with Shanghai Museum and a huge underground shopping area).

Must try: A cruise on the Huangpu River (day or night cruises), and if time permits, try the cruises which goes upstream of the Yangtze River up till the Three Gorges Dam. Also, should try the Maglev (magnetic levitation train, which goes up to 431km/hr during non-peak hours).

Hanoi, Vietnam - Dec 2009

2009-12-17T20:27:00.012+08:00

What I like about Hanoi, Vietnam, is its natural beautiful landscapes. We visited the Muong Tribal Village in Hoa Binh district, and Halong Bay in Halong City. Halong Bay is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

The traffic is very chaotic though, and there are hardly any shopping malls, but we managed to get tickets to a unique water puppet show.

.
(click on the picture to see the larger version)

http://www.halongparadise-cruises.com/

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/overview/hanoi

http://www.thanglongwaterpuppet.org/homepage.asp

Taipei - Dec 2009

2009-12-10T20:09:00.006+08:00

I was in Taipei again in December. Somehow, the feeling was nicer this time probably due to the nice weather, which averaged 15 degrees celcius.

We went to the Hot Springs at Beitou (Xin Beitou MRT station), and at Wulai (Xindian MRT station, then change to bus 1601). Beitou is about 30 minutes MRT ride from Taipei Main Station, and Wulai is about 90 mins MRT + bus. The Bitan (literally blue lake, but is actually a slow moving section of the Danshui River) at the Xindian MRT station is also breath-taking.

Taipei 2009

2009-05-16T15:28:00.009+08:00

We spent five days in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
If you like food, this is the place to go to.

(pic 1 & 2) The National Theatre and the Freedom Square Gate at the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. We also managed to view the Guard Changing Ceremony in the CKS Hall.

(pic 3) The Taipei 101 building, seen from the Sun Yet Sen Memorial Hall.
There is a nice Japanese Buffet Restaurant called Wasabi at Level 4 of Taipei 101. About S$30 per person including service tax. Very fresh seafood.
To go to the Observatory Deck on Level 89, go to the lobby at Level 5 where the ticket booth is. S$17 per entry (per person). You get to take the world's fastest lift too.

There are many shopping centres, night markets and street shops in Taipei. You can shop and eat till you drop. Check out my food blog for some of the Taiwanese snacks.

(pic 4) Ximending, an area where the youths hang out. Lots of trendy shops and snacks stalls.

(pic 5) Rouhe night market

(pic 6) Long Shan Temple (Dragon Mountain Temple), built in 1738 by Qian Long Emperor.
Huaxi night market is just around the corner from the temple. Lots of food.

Two-third of Taiwan's land are mountains. I am going to visit Alisan and Taroko Gorge next time.

(pic 7) A sleepy town called Dan Sui. Take the Dansui MRT line all the way to the northern end.

We stopped by Xin Beitou, a few stations from Dansui, where the hot springs are. The water was hot, but it felt good after the dip.

(Pic 8 & 9) Keelung, on the North-eastern side of Taiwan, where the famous rock formations are.

Ann Siang Road

2009-05-06T21:13:00.003+08:00

It's a nice feeling looking at old buildings like these, and it's because they were given a new meaning with these colourful shades.

This picture was taken at Ann Siang Road, at China Town, walking distance from China Town MRT Station or Outram Park MRT Station.

Hong Kong 2008

2008-12-26T20:39:00.006+08:00

Christmas in Hong Kong.. :-)

This was the Modern Toilet (restaurant) @
Portland Street, Mong Kok, Mun Wah Building, level 3.
Exit C4 or E1 at Mong Kok MTR station, Kowloon.

The Giant Buddha at Lantau Island.
We can reach there by taking the Ngong Ping cable car at Tung Chung station.

Stanley, on the south side of Hong Kong Island, nice seaview and shopping and food.

Causeway Bay, the shopping belt on Hong Kong Island.
Places to go are: Times Square, Jardine's Crescent, Windsor House, Mitsukoshi, Sogo, Causeway Bay Plaza, World Trade Centre, Fashion Island, etc.

Try taking the Ding Ding (tram).
You pay only HK$2 (S$0.40) when you get off the tram.

Southern Ridges @ Singapore

2008-08-16T17:34:00.006+08:00

The Southern Ridges -
comprises 9km of nice scenic walk from Mount Faber Park to West Coast Park

<-- this is the Henderson Waves, almost 70m above sea level, the highest bridge in Singapore

<-- Canopy Walk between the Henderson Waves and the Alexandra Arch

Link to Southern Ridges

<-- HortPark, next to the Alexandra Arch
A very nice Gardening Hub, lots of photo opportunities

Link to HortPark

Tanjung Karang 2006

2008-07-13T17:24:00.000+08:00

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Patronas Twin Towers are in the background

Tea plantation at Cameron Highlands
This plantation belongs to Boh Tea

Strawberry farm on Cameron Highlands.

This plant is in a pot, for visitors' viewing.
Actual plants are in the farm behind.

Hong Kong & Guangzhou 2006

2008-07-13T17:08:00.001+08:00

Hong Kong / Guangzhou, China

Ngong Ping cable car, which travels about 5.6km to the Lantau Island Buddha statue. The view was superb.

It was closed for a few months in 2007 after a cable car plunged to the ground during a routine testing. No one was hurt. Reopened in October 2007.

Eiffel Tower behind the Niagara Falls??
This is a theme park in Guangzhou, which has many miniature replicas of Famous buildings and landmarks of the World.

A scenic river that we travelled on. Will include the name when I recall its name.

We also had a night tour on the Pearl River. The lightings along both sides of the river was very romantic.

Perth 2005

2008-07-13T16:49:00.000+08:00

Perth, Australia

Fish and Chips for lunch.
No plate, no utensils.
Only wrappers made from recycled paper, good way to save the earth, I guess

Melbourne 2004

2008-07-13T16:42:00.000+08:00

Melbourne, Australia 2004

Funny sign at Hard Rock Cafe

Philip Island, where penguins come out at night. We waited for a while for them to swim in.

Bintan 2004

2008-07-13T16:28:00.000+08:00

Bintan, Indonesia

Nice for a good relaxation. Can simply dip ourselves in the pool and stare at the horizon the whole day.

Bangkok 2003

2008-07-13T16:12:00.001+08:00

Bangkok, Thailand

Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak
The colours and smells from the food and fruits is simply captivating

Even taxis are so colourful

Picture taken from inside the Grand Palace / Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Sydney 2002

2008-07-13T16:00:00.003+08:00

Sydney, Australia

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Koala bear
There are not much things to do in Sydney, but we managed to book and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge !

We went out to Port Stevens too, where there was quad biking, and the sand slide thingy, as seen on left (at a small desert next to the sea). The view was superb.

Tokyo 2002

2008-07-13T15:55:00.002+08:00

Tokyo, Japan

I just love the cold weather, so relaxing, mystical, romantic.

Outside the Palace

Mount Fuji
We managed to go to the 5th station, and had some fun with snow.

Finland 2001

2008-07-13T15:47:00.001+08:00

Helsinki, Finland

There are two denominations of Christian Churches here, as seen

Tampere, Finland

This church looks very Russian right?
Finland has over 8000 lakes. What a wonderful country!

Nokia headquarters is also located here in Tampere. We visited the place as part of the package at our Conference. Very high-tech office and research facilities!

Kunming 2000

2008-07-13T15:41:00.001+08:00

Kunming, Yun Nan, China

Colour Sand Forest

Stone Forest
The cracked lines on the stones was due to an earthquake about 200 years ago

One of the Hong Kong TV serial Tian Long Ba Bu was filmed here

I just love these kind of sceneries

Phuket 1999

2008-07-13T15:35:00.001+08:00

Phuket, Thailand.

The water was clear, and the scenery awesome.

<-- they call this place James Bond Island, because they filmed one of the James Bond movies here

So mystical !!!

Beijing 1999

2008-07-13T15:26:00.001+08:00

As a Chinese, I feel that we should go back to our roots, to at least visit China once in our life.
It's wonderful in autumn or winter.

So here I was, alone in Beijing.

<-- Temple of Heaven
Qian Men
(Front gate to the Imperial Palace)

Look at the clear blue sky! But it was quite cold actually.

Great wall of China

There is a Chinese saying :"You are a man, only if you have climbed the Great Wall."

Thailand 1997

2008-07-12T23:34:00.000+08:00

Hotels on the river, which were actually rafts tied together. When we slept, we could hear the water flowing below.

We also travelled to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital city of Thailand.