Third Day in Taiwan - Dream Mall, Shinkuchan Night Market & Big Beef Noodle

Date of Visited: 22 December 2010

Done with visiting the holy monastery at Fo Guang Shan (click here) and Hakka traditional village at Mei Non Hakka Village (click here), now it's time for shopping at Dream Mall.

Not only the largest shopping mall in Taiwan, Dream Mall is also the largest shopping mall in East Asia. It even contains amusement park on the rooftop. So when my family and I saw Hello Kitty amusement park on the sign board, immediately we took lift to highest floor.

But once we came out from the mall, it seems like very quiet and not that happening. Maybe because it was weekday on that day. The only Hello Kitty theme was the Ferris wheel, which is known as Kaohsiung Eye. As you are following tour, you don't have much time to buy the ticket and enjoy the ride on the Ferris wheel, or else no time for shopping.

Saw the stage behind me? There are some performance or concert will be held on the night of Christmas eve. Heard there will be a performance by famous celebrities such as Jay Chao, Jolin and even S.H.E. but too bad we are leaving Kaohsiung on the next day.

Next, we're heading for night market which known as Shinkuchan Night Market. Although this night market is not that fame compare to others, but this is one of the night market which filled with lots of teenagers, students and youth. Therefore, here is the best place for you to bargain for cheaper things.

Shop lots of things at here such as bag for my boyfie, belts for my sister and more.

Then, we came across MOS Burger. Besides McD, if you happen to spot any MOS Burger in Taiwan, go and have a try. However, be noted that it is non-halal fast food restaurant chain. The first time I saw this was in Japan but their signboard are green in colour whereas Taiwanese version is red in colour. What unique about this fast food is that their bun made of rice mixed with barley and millet which similar to the one we have in Sushi King.

Singapore got MOS Burger but why Malaysia doesn't have?

Finally, it's the dinner time again. For this round, the local tour guide decided not to bring us to the restaurant where we almost have 9 meals but brought us to something extraordinary.

Big Beef Noodle

Because my family and I can't have beef due to our religion, so we try on their chicken noodle.

The chicken is so juicy and tender and even the bone are edible. I almost want to have second bowl but each of us only being given 1 bowl.

After spending 3 days in Taiwan, I can said besides Taipei, Kaohsiung is one of the city I recommend for you guys to visit it. More place to sightseeing than Taichung. Taichung seems to be unfavourable compare to Kaoshiung.

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Mei Non Hakka Village

Date of Visited: 22 December 2010

In Taiwan, Hakka people form the second largest ethnic group on the island. And this Mei Non, is a famous Hakka district which located at Kaohsiung, Taiwan. For those who don't know what ethnic most of the Sabahan Chinese are, they are basically Hakka descent. I am Sabahan but I speak Hakka dialect a bit only because basically, I am Hokkien and Teochew descent, which mainly from Sarawak.


At this traditional village, we got the chance to see the traditional Hakka Handicrafts, such as hand-make umbrella, bamboo handicraft and many more. We also managed to taste some of delicious Hakka cuisine but the pay is of course, out from our own pocket. Not included in the tour fee.

The handmade doll and this represent kind of ethnic groups in Taiwan beside Hakka.

My all time favourite travel collection, fridge magnets and key chain. I almost want to buy all of these.

Besides strolling around, I also got myself a lots of souvenirs. Even though I am banana but I able to read some of the Chinese words. As the photo above, one for NT$40 and 3 for NT$100. Hahaha...

This is a good place for me to explore more on their culture but I don't think it is convenient to visit this place if you don't have a proper transportation. This place is out of the city.


[Credit to: Wikipedia]

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Biqque's July Lucky Follower

It's time for her monthly gift-away to her lucky Follower!

It's Biqque's July Lucky Follower!

Well, this is the first time I am joining this lucky follower contest in my blog. I had read Biqque's travel blog a few months ago and only recently I know how to add as her followers. Ok! I am bit lame =P.

She went to so many countries including USA and Australia. What I envy with her the most is that she has a loving and sweet husband with her wherever they go travelling. So sweet... How I wish my boyfie could do so. Anyway, support your blog, Biqque!

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Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Date of Visited: 22 December 2010

First day at northern and second day at central of Taiwan.
Now, we are heading to southern part of Taiwan, Kaohsiung on the third day trip.

The first place that we visited in Kaohsiung is Fo Guang Shan. Does this sounds familiar for the Chinese? For those who unsure about this, no worry I will give a little bit background of this.

Fo Guang Shan literally means "Buddha's Light Mountain", is an international Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monastic order based in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and one of the largest Buddhist organisations. The one that located at Kaohsiung, is the headquarters which evolved from a mountaintop bamboo forest into the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.

No-duality gate

There are many statues all over the place.

Visiting this monastery required you to have a strong stamina because there are hundred of stairs you need to climb on.

The main shrine

L.O.V.E. and P.E.A.C.E.

Finally, we saw the tall standing Golden Buddha statue and surrounded by 480 smaller golden Buddha statues.

I thought it's Winter, therefore I wore long sleeve but who knows it is such hot weather as in Malaysia. Maybe because located at southern.

Map of Fo Guang Shan

Fo Guang Shan branches are located almost all over the nations including New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, USA and etc.

If you love scenery and peaceful place, this is the place that suits you. Lots of things you can see and more knowledgeable you will gain from here. Our tour guide said that he ever brought a tourist somewhere from Europe. At first, the tour guide thought that fellow most likely will be around 2 hours and plus but at the end, that fellow himself and had being toured around for more than 6 hours.

[Credit to: Wikipedia, Fo Guang Shan Monastery homepage, Sinotour.com]

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Second Day in Taiwan

Date of visited: 21 December 2010

Before we went to Window On China Theme Park (Part 1 & Part II), we were brought by the tour to an old street which outskirt of Taipei. I forgot what is the name of this old street but nothing much to sight at here. Just an old and quiet antique street in the early morning.

The dog is wearing winter wear. Guess the weather must be very cold for it.

After the tour around Window of China Theme park which had taken almost half day, we went to tangerine and orange mandarin farm. At here, we can direct pluck the fruits from the tree and eat. Because it is free, we pluck as many as we want.

Although it was winter season at that moment, but we able to enjoy the fresh and sweet orange mandarin without need to wait until coming Chinese New Year. Thanks to the local tour guide, Mr Bruce Wang for giving me and my brothers the really sweet orange mandarin while on the other side, my mother always pluck on the sour orange mandarin. :|

Then it's time for dinner and here is the end of our second day tour. We're having the steamboat dinner somewhere located around one of Taichung famous and largest night market, Fengjia Night Market. After the dinner, we were given some time to shop around the night market.

Spot Hello Kitty fish cake? Feel so guilty to eat it.





Don't forget to try these long ice-cream when you are in Taiwan



These boots are made for walking. It is so cheap which some of it cost less than RM20 but unfortunately, the size I want is out of stock. :(

After the dinner, after the shop, we went to check-in hotel. For this tour, almost every night we went back early to the hotel. Since it was just around 8 pm, my brothers and I went to explore more because there are many shops and cafe nearby the hotel that we stayed.

Taken by my bro. Therefore, so blur. Inside a high class shopping mall which just located beside the hotel. There is even a cinema inside.

If you are a shoe-string traveller, I recommend you to have your meal at 7-Eleven. Not only in Hong Kong and Japan, even at Taiwan too, there are variety of foods that you can choose from.

You can check out my first Taiwan entry on their 7-eleven here (click)

Before going back to the hotel, my brothers and I tapao (take-away) McD. My brothers and I weren't that hungry but we love to try different type of McD at different places and cities. I think someday I will show you "McD Meals Around the World". Hahaha...

Grilled Chicken Burger from Taiwan. If not mistaken, that time Malaysia stop selling this before recontinue to sell again currently.

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