Taipei, Taiwan.

This trip to Taiwan, is nothing short of an eye opener. I remember praying about a trip, and was certain for few months I was going to Vietnam. But God changed my plans, and said clearly to go Taiwan. Nothing attracts me there, I didnt know what to do. Reading up on Taiwan did not thrill me. It was a 9-day backpack, but I only booked 4 nights in Taipei, having no idea what I want to do.

But Taiwan is amazing. The people there are incredible. I first noticed it at the airport and then when I asked for road directions. They stop whatever they are doing, go out of their way, to take care of you, to over-satisfy your requests. They made sure you are safe, comfortable, happy. If they are unable to give you what you want, they made sure they find someone who can. If they are unable to give you street directions, they find someone who knows, google for you, or find someone to google for you. If their shops do not have what you want, they point you to shops they think can satisfy you. They may even walk you to the other shop, neglecting their own.
Many times, they left me wondering "what did I do to deserve such service and treatment?" They gave and gave and gave. Anything that does not have an official price tag to it, they gave free of charge. In shops, they serve you with dedication, politeness, respect. At times, I felt like I was royalty. They never gave a "face" when you didnt want to buy anything after serving you for so long, never pressured. They simply said "Very happy to serve you. Hope you can find what you want soon (:"

They addressed each other with respect. Using "Ning" instead of "Ni", and words such as "gui ping" (expensive guest).

I stayed in cheap backpackers hostels. The person tending the hostel is not even the boss, but he or she would put in so much effort to plan your trip for you. This guy once spent few hours researching the web, for bus timings, places of interest, eateries, etc to suit my convenience and plans.

The Taiwanese are amazing people. But the China Mainlanders I met there are no lesser. I remember a China Mainlander male graduate buying a bag of giant "bao-s" to give to everyone in the hostel, after saving money by sleeping overnights in the airport and on buses. I remember a China Mainlander undergraduate girl running across the rainy road to buy me a poncho (before I could say anything), and refusing a single cent back. I remember her sitting beside me to explain the tourist site we were in, because she knew I had problems reading "fan ti zhi" (traditional chinese characters) - and I never asked her to do it.

I remember walking in to their Taiwanese recording studio, asked the counter if it is possible to catch a "Zhong yi jie mu" (variety show). The person asked which artist do I want? Then asked me to take a seat (using words such as 'Ning' and 'gui ping'). 20 minutes later, he emerged and said "Pardon me for letting you wait so long. Are you alright? Our audience seats are full. But follow me backstage, I will show you around, give you chairs and you can watch the show recording" I walked into their artists make-up room. They offered me seats inside the make-up room, where the other artists are preparing themselves. I rejected, deciding it wasnt appropriate. 5 different persons-in-charge offered me seats several times. I felt that they would not give up till I was comfortably seated. Everyone was very busy preparing for the show, but they would stop to check if I am ok. Even the counter-man (who brought me in) would leave his counter job (3 floors down), every 15 mins, to make sure I am comfortable. His work ended at 7pm, but he stayed till 730pm to make sure I am ok. I did not pay a cent to watch.

I remember my entry ticket to Butterfly Valley was waivered for reasons I do not know. I entered foc. After enjoying their hot spring, I waited for the return bus near the ticketing counter. The officer (likely the same one who waivered my entry ticket), came out and said "Your hair is still wet. It is not good to sit in an air-con bus. Follow me into the counter office. I will give you a hair-dryer and inform you when your bus arrives". The hostel guy told me that when he backpacked through Taiwan, cars would stop beside him by the road and ask "where are you heading to? Let's see if I can give you a ride". He did not even stretch out his thumb to indicate he's looking to hitch-hike.

As a regular backpacker, kind deeds means alot. How successful and enjoyable a solo or duo backpack is, depends alot on the country's people. I've met amazing people in different countries, doing ridiculously kind things for me - strangers paying for my lodging (even after I rejected and proofed to them I had ample money), giving me shelter, food foc, knowing that they will never see me again for me to repay them. However, I believe that the people in Taiwan is the best I have seen. I wondered if I am alone in this. But Singapore’s mandarin morning paper today has an article, written by local artist Guo-Liang. He has been to Taiwan several times, and only now has he decided to write on how much the Taiwanese would serve you and to put your heart at rest.The day before going Taiwan, I celebrated my birthday. I prayed that I would learn how to "love one another" more. I guess God had shown me a little more.

Day 1: On our way up the Chiang Kai Sek Memorial, and we ought to be smarter backpackers by finding if there's a lift instead - there is.

The guard ceremony at the memorial hall.

Level 1 of the memorial hall - His life, history and possessions.

Outside the Memorial Hall.


We went to this amazing restaurant, Ding Tai feng. You need to queue up to get into this restaurant. When we reach there, it was already 3pm plus, and we still need to wait 20mins to get in. This place is famous for its xiao long bao. Yes, the Xiao Long Baos are extremely good. It is the first time I see him put one into his mouth and went "Oh!". And we ordered the most expensive xlb there. It's called pork truffles xlb if I remember right. It's expensive, 5 times more expensive than the normal ones. It is supposedly made of rare ingredients. When ordering, the waiter would ask you when exactly do you want it to be made, and when exactly do you want it to be served. When it is served, they give you a new spoon for it.
The waiters and waitresses there are amazing. I asked for directions to "Hua Shi" (the recording studio), and she went to get the counter to google and print the directions for me. It was a fantastic experience here.

Took the Jie Yun (mrt) to Hua Shi. The shoe-shaped building behind me, is their recording studio. I plan to go there and ask whether it is possible to catch a Variety show (Zhong Yi Jie Mu), during my stay in Taipei.

I walked towards the information counter. The security guard was alerted and stood. The man beside the guard also stood up. We obviously do not look like we are guests here, carrying bags. We asked them if it was possible to watch a show. The man replied "who do you want to watch?" Then, we were told to take a seat for 20mins. He re-emerged and ushered us in, escorted us all the way into the artists dressing room. There was a jacky wu show soon, and the audience seats were full. However, we were allowed to watch the show with the backstage crew. He was so kind and hospitable. He took care of us, and made sure that we were comfortable. We were very grateful. Here he is, below.

However, we waited and waited to take a picture with the star. But he did not show up. As tourists, our time is limited. So we decided to leave, not very satisfied with how the star displayed his higher status by making us wait. Thankfully, while waiting, the man talked to us, and he gave us tips on where to go. So we went to Taipei 101 and the 'atas' (high-class) shopping complexes around. I wasnt very impressed with 101, and did not go up for the view. We went to Xin Guang Da Dao, their orchard area. It looks pretty much the same as orchard. With amateur street performances.

Shopping in Taiwan is also a very good experience, especially in Xi Men Ding. I bought many jenes and a shirt from this shop in Xi Men Ding, whose service is great. The lady would take my measurement and correct the length of the jenes on the spot, quickly. I really love such services.

Bruges, Day 1

From Brussels, I took a train to Brugges, all ready, excited, worried and relieved to meet Tom, a Belgian. Worried, because if he doesnt turn up due to some last min stuff, my planning is screwed. Excited, for what he could show me of Brugges. Relieved, for I did not worry about where to go and where to sleep and being alone. He texted me that he'll be slightly late. Alright. At the train station, I sat there waiting for Tom, who shortly appeared. We walked out of the train station, and I saw the hugest carpark of bicycles. Tom came with a car, and I deposited my bag into his car. He took me for a walk, round the small but really really pretty town of Brugges. I remember Heather said she loved this town. I can understand why. Brugges is really pretty.

1st picture of Tom and I, in Brugges.
And we catch up on each other's lives. Tom is a good tour guide :). Having a local friend is cool. I worry and stress not about getting lost, trying to figure out the history, culture and things to see and do.

 Shared some truffles which I bought in Brussels with Tom.

Very detailed, life-like expressions

The town of Bruges

Tin Tin came from Belgium

On the way to the Grand Place

Then, we walked to the Grand Place of Bruges. Another square with the most beautiful buildings and architecture around. Typical European central Town.

The Belfort
I am quite impressed with the Belfort's majesty.

From the Belfort, Tom showed me around the little streets of Bruges.

 Under Construction.

As Tom struggled with map reading (of his town!! expect him to know this small place on his fingertips already!), I realised that this map is really really special. Its woven. Yes, and you can see the building through the map, this map is loosely woven. Cool eh. Problem is, you need to figure which side to look from. That took a while.
After a while, he got it figured, and off we go to walk the streets somemore, and visit a small pond with lotsa swans.

This town is really really quaint, quiet, and nice. A good place to lead the simple life. Part of me just hoped that I was born here, and lives here. Owns a humble shop and lead a happy simply life.

I can own a chocolate shop (:.


Finally reached the pond. It really is full of swans. I've never seen so much swans in my life.

More swans in the pond.

Near here, I met this Malay Malaysian couple from Brussels again. They were rather lost and asked Tom for directions.

Me: "You 2 just came from Brussels right?"

Them: "Yea how did you know?"

Me: "Well, I saw you in Brussels, we were at a shop selling wafers. You asked for the price and I noticed your English accent. It had to Malaysian or Singapore Malay"

Them: "Oh wow. Yea, and we came from Amsterdam before Brussels. Did you?"

Me: "Oh yea I did. That's really cool."

Them: "We are from Malaysia. You are from Malaysia/Singapore?"

Me: "Singapore"

Them: "Cool. Thanks for noticing us"

And all the while, the guy had his camcorder on me. His camcorder perpetually on. Im in some random guy's honeymoon video log.

Thereafter, Tom decided that he was really hungry, and should get back home for a quick meal. So we went back to get his car. 

And I noticed that beside the carpark, just outside the train station, is a huge bicycle-park! Look at the number of bicycles!

As I sat in his car, I got kinda excited to visit his countryside.
On the way, he asked at what speed do we usually drive in Singapore.

I said "90"

He was amazed, because he was already driving at 130, and I didnt noticed. 90 was like real slow for him. Well, we dont have vast lands of countryside roads like big countries do. (And I remember Tom saying that Belgium was really really small and didnt believe that Singapore was smaller. He wikied it in front of me and was convinced. Wahliew)
On the way back.

Cows, Cows, Cows of different colour. The ride across the countryside was sweet, peaceful, restful, despite him going at 130, it feels peaceful.



We reached the countryside and this is where Tom lives.

Reached Tom's house. It looks like a worn-down farm at one-side. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to sound offending. But Tom exclaimed "my house looks like a old farm from this side yes? Well, you will see the rest after I parked my car"

The rest of the house was simply amazing. Like the dream house I always wanted - Glass walls crystal clear looking across vastless grass and cows.

And to my surprise, Tom's entire family lives together. His elder brother, him, his parents. Which is really rare, cause most of my Western friends dont live with their family. They rather move out and have an apartment of their own. And moreover, Tom is very very thoughtful towards his family, reminding me not to make any sound at night, when his parents are asleep. To walk softly, not to bathe etc. It reminded me of the old traditional asian family.

His backyard consists of a farm, though the farm does not belong to his family. His father is an architect and his mum is a nurse.

Saw this very pretty basket in his house. The dried roses looks good. I kinda like dried roses more than fresh ones cos dried ones kinda signifies eternal love. You never know when the fresh ones will be thrown into the bin. Its the dried ones that stood the test of time and situations.

Whatcha eating Tom?

As we were eating, his mum came home, and we had a very good chat. We talked about some hospital stuff and I told her how NSFs in Singapore loves to go to the hospital for therapy because that means they get to book out. They are the only ones, who walks into a hospital with a huge smile.

Me: "The army boys are the only boys in the physio and orthopedics department who's always smiling and happy, and the nurses are happy too"

She: "Why? In Belgium, I see sad faces when they come to me with injuries. It makes me sad."

Me: "cos we get to escape from tough training if we get to book out for treatment (:"

She: "HAHAHAHAAHAHAAA"

I was shown my humble guest room. It was a small and sweet room. I liked it alot.

Next, her mum recommend that Tom bring me to the beach. I was like "You have a beach here? How come I never read of it". With an expression of shock with a little hint of insult, she replied "Yes, we have a beach. A very nice one". I humbly acknowledged and accepted the recommendation of the beach.

Tom also had to run an errand, to deliver a letter to his uncle, for his mum. Looks like an even rarer case of extended family living in the same town.

His uncle's house is like those in the cartoon, with gnomes figurines. Next stop, to the beach!

On the way to the beach.

The small town beside the beach.

The beach

Strange architecture along the beach.

On the other side of the sea, is England.

 

Our footsteps, which I tried so hard to capture while he keeps running away.

There's a restaurant by the sea, ahead.


Beside the restaurant.

Its a very nice place to have a meal, in summer. Now's too windy and cold.

But windy also means, lotsa surfers. Though I dont understand how they can stand the cold, freezing waters. Neither do Tom.

On the way back!

There was a hitchhiker by the road. He wrote on a cardboard stating the place he wants to go and looks like he's been standing there for very long. Tom actually stopped to check the place he's going and chat with him. Unfortunately, its not along the way and Tom didnt pick him up. I was very surprised that Tom would pick a hitchhiker up, saying that in Singapore and probably in Asia, nobody would do that because it is not safe. Moreover, Singaporean mentality is such that they would not care about other people's business. Tom says that if he was in the guy's shoes, he'll want people to pick him up too, so he can understand.

I managed to catch the sunset, on the way back. Its been a good day. The first day on my trip, that I had a friend to guide me. It feels safe and good. End of Bruges, Day 1.