Day 03 ... 31/07/07

Day 03

Another day has just passed just like that!! No No!!! Please stop! Haha… I know it is impossible but as far as I know, I have put my time this far to its best use.

Today I went to 忠烈池near 剑潭. It is a shrine that is built to honor those that had given their lives to establish Taiwan as a separate entity from China. The place gives one a sense of calmness and serenity, especially me. I love to visit historical sites. When I visited China with my parents before I got enlisted to the army, I made my parents follow a tour package just to allow me to visit the many historical sites in China and I have never regretted it. But this time round, it is much different. Since I am going on free and easy, I guess I have to make do on my own, less a tour guide. = P

The shrine is really nice, including the toilet too! I had to empty my stomach when I was there. I remember Felicia saying that in the toilets in Taiwan, you have a separate dust bin for all your soiled tissues. I couldn’t believe it until I saw it for myself. Haha… It was definitely an experience. But on the whole, it is still considered clean and acceptable tough.

I guess we have seen on TV there are guards that stand on raised platforms in front of the front gate to the shrine and MAN! I have utmost respect for these folks. I have seen for myself how they are made to stand in the middle of the scorching sun and not able to move, needless to say fidget. They are really disciplined! I witnessed the whole change of guard process and I feel like saluting to these guards. They are way beyond superb! Glad we managed to snap a few photos with the guards too.

After our visit to the shrine, we left for the aquarium centre near 士林. I felt the place was quite old but it seems to be very popular with the locals. Since we visit the place when the schools are having holidays, we get to meet a great bunch of students. We were lucky to get to meet one friendly guy who works at the aquarium centre. He provided us with many useful pointers on where to visit and how to get to the different places of visit in and around Taipei. Hee… He is quite handsome too!! I think Taiwanese are friendly and approachable people!

Time seems to be past quite quickly when we were at the centre and by the time we left it was already about 3 plus. I had to look for an internet café or what the locals call “网咖”. This search for internet café kind of triggered the little misunderstanding between me and Lorriane. I think she has her reasons and I have mine. But I never like the dead silence that followed after the misunderstanding. We were clearing not happy with each other and this is not very helpful especially when we are both in a foreign country together. Well, give in? Yup, I did that and I guess we both compromised.

I can go on for ages!! Haha… But I want to pen down my thoughts because I know somewhere down the road I will read back this passage with all the BEAUTIFUL memories that stay with me. = p

After I settled my bidding at the internet café, we left for the Ferris wheel at 美丽华. It was a great ride and we took so many photos till my camera’s battery went flat. ^o^ But I know nothing can speak better than pictures I guess. Haha…

Hym… I wished we could spend more time exploring the area but we were running short on time and had to leave for 士林 before it gets too late. Haha… Who defines late anyway?!

Shiling was awesome! At least it beats the previous night market that I visited. We got so carried away that we went straight to shopping before our hunger sets in and got a grip of us. = P Yup! We tried or3 wa3 mee3 sua3, 鸡扒… (the list can go on). We walked till about 2030 before Lorraine asked me “Do you still want to continue shopping?”

Haha… I get her meaning and well, I guess she wanted to rest. But, I was not willing to settle for that and I proposed she grab a drink somewhere while I go get occupied with the shopping. We agreed and before long, I was roaming down the streets hunting for stuff to buy. Hee…

I was back to the meeting place within one hour and what followed was an hour of standing in ONE VCD shop. *Faint* Haha… Not my idea!!

We took a cab back to the hotel because our hands were way too full with local products. The fare amounted to about SGD$14. Quite affordable considering it is being shared between 2 people. I had cup noodles because I didn’t grab anything decent to eat, overwhelmed by the shopping. = )

Well, not to complain but the internet service was down!? I could not get to check my bidding. Quite worried and this kind of affected me I guess. I was complaining that my hand phone was flat, laptop too plus the camera as well. Before I could even say anything, Lorriane went on the charger her hand phone. Well, since it is her electrical socket, I guess she has supreme authority over others. Haha…

Hym… As I am writing this, I can hear her snoring in the back! Argh!! Haha… Still dare to ask if I snore back when we were in Singapore. *No comments*

And guess what, tomorrow we are waking up late because she is tired. I can understand that but having to choose sleep over exploring the rest of Taipei? This is something I cannot understand.

No matter what it is, I will make the best out of my stay here! Hee.. So far so good. Come what may! I hope tomorrow would be better!

Cheers!