Taipei Day 1

Yippeeeee……after a long stint in China, I am forced to leave the country or I would become in illicit with the law. The destination that I have decided to head to is Taipei.

Have never been to that country but I have a lot of friends from there and watch heaps of Taiwanese shows. It was a long wait at the airport waiting to check in. I was so early that the check in counter wasn’t even open.

I chose to fly with EVA airways. The staff crew were really nice and friendly and I was pleasantly surprised with the food. It was delicious, I think it is definitely at the top of my list from all the airlines that I have been on. Check out the food review here.

Got to the airport and was out within half an hour, went to pick up my youth travel card which is actually a key chain! It was quite late by the time I was settled in the hotel. The hotel is really great, the staff was so helpful and was there at every step. It’s great when you get wireless internet access in the room as it means that I can seat anywhere within the room. It is a Japanese inspired styled room where you even have a section for 泡澡！

So excited to finally be here that I decided to walk around the streets and grab a bite to eat. By the time I head to bed, it was way past midnight! That is my first night in Taipei!

Toilet Manners

Have departed Shanghai and am now in a city called ‘Zhang Jia Gang’. It’s definitely a really small city. Requested for a non-smoking room of which they don’t have any more available unless I upgrade to a bigger room. For an extra 7 quid, am happy to pay that so that my lungs will be happy. It is a really nice room and the amount of space and amenities is much better. On my second night, I even received a little ducky key chain. So cute!

There is definitely more room and space in ZJG. Shanghai is just massive and the amount of people is just incredible. What puzzles me is that in a city with tons of people, everyone seems to walk really slowly. What is more annoying at times is groups of 3 or 4 people who link arms together and occupy the entire pedestrian walk area and because of their slow speed, they are seriously causing human traffic jam here. Yet, they are so oblivious to the jam that they are causing!

Another amusing incident was going to use the ladies in a hotel. Very posh décor and the door to the cubicles were made of glass. It’s not entirely see through as the glass was shaded in alternate stripes so there is still a bit of privacy. Imagine my surprise when I open the door to the ladies and there was another lady in a cubicle who didn’t even bother shutting her own cubicle door. I have no idea what was going through her mind when we glanced at each other for a few seconds while I walked to an empty cubicle.

I never thought that I would say that toilet manners need to be taught!

Time Out Shanghai

A few days into my trip here in shanghai, I chanced upon the Time Out Shanghai monthly magazine and got myself a copy. This was the March 2010 issue and the front article on the best markets was enticing!

Anyhow, there was a restaurant that was recommended in the magazine under the 'Off the Beaten Track' food section which is called 十味观. This restaurant was highlighted for its variety of coloured ‘xiao long pao 小笼包’. In a land where you can get 小笼包 at nearly everywhere you turn, coloured ones is something unique and it immediately piqued my curiosity to try it.

After a long day at work, we left later than expected for dinner and was worried that the restaurant might be close. The taxi did not even drop us at the location and we had to walk around to find it. Didn’t help that we were walking in the rain in the wrong direction before we realised that we had to double back.

Can you imagine the look on our faces when we got to the restaurant and what did we see? A truck parked at the front of the restaurant and workers lugging out the kitchen stove. Tables and chairs have been totally removed as well!

Seeing that scene before me, I think even in my food deprived brain, I'm pretty sure that the restaurant has closed its business. Not happy! How can Time Out recommend a restaurant in its latest monthly magazine which is the March 2010 version and have that restaurant shut down in just a few days into the month? It’s only been less than a week into March!

What is going on Time Out?

古筝的愿望

我从小就很喜欢从古筝出来的音乐。 这么多年来都很遗憾没那个机会学，也没向父母提过这个兴趣。


新的一年已开始了，我就下决心， 提起勇气去找个老师和古筝。在伦敦真的不容易找，而且堂堂课也不便宜，更加不用说买古筝的价钱了！老师说一定要每天在家练习，可是没有古筝的我，怎么练呢？ 上第二三堂课都没意思啦!

我对自己说，反正我会跑去亚洲一堂，就在那边买吧！
去了马来西亚和新加坡，找不到适合的。到了上海好幸运的找到几间,特别有一个的服务非常的好, 价钱也比别的店更真实.

本来打算上一堂课,然后买了古筝带回家. 时间就要等两个月因为我的工作不容需我在这几个月能回到家.

今天就上了第一堂课, 可是我好糊涂,忘了需要练习的时间 , 不然都不能上后堂的课. 真的好烦, 一次以一次的阻碍. 这几个月需要到处跑中国, 背着一个古筝也不会是一件容易的事情. 也不知道航空公司会不会接受古筝当行李. 我真的没办法了!

Shanghai days...

A slight drizzle and haze in the sky greeted me in the morning in Shanghai today. Weather has turned colder as well.

Was taken out for dinner last night again and we went to a restaurant that has amazing décor. Think ‘20s and ‘30s décor charms with high ceilings enhanced with oriental carvings and furniture. I had to pause and admire the architecture for a while before being led to the table. Food was good, as is the culture here. There was way more food than could have been eaten by our group.

After dinner, went for a massage at a spa that was recommended. At RMB108 for over an hour traditional massage, it was hard to say no compared to the prices that you will have to pay in London.

5 minutes into the massage and I had to stop myself from screaming, my muscles have become really tensed. I guess lugging a 10kg bag on one shoulder with all the travelling has created its toll. I could feel all the tender spots on my neck too! Somehow midway through, the muscles have relaxed and I actually fell asleep. I didn’t want it to end.

Can’t wait to make my next appointment even though my back is really sore.