:: The.Stupendous.Life ::: vacation

The following pictures aren't even a quarter of all that was taken during this trip. We took a total of 616 photos, believe it or not. Just looking at the photos alone is making me tired, before I can even start uploading.

Day 1:
We headed to Shihlin Night Market on our first evening to get a taste of the popular taiwanese delights.

It is bread stuffed with chuncks of chicken, tuna, prawn, pork, pineapple, corn & porridge

Variety of all kinds of food such as: oyster mee-sua, smelly toufu & fried prawn omelete

Patiently queuing for the renowned Shilin's big-big chicken cutlet

This could've been a very nice photo if not for the f**king intruder. Notice the blurred background which makes the two of us 'stand out'..

Fion & her big big chicken cutlet

Day 2:
We took the Taipei MRT to Danshui (Tamsui) where located along the Danshui River is Danshui Old Street which offers tourists a wide selection of restaurants, arcades and stores specializing in traditional handicrafts. And this is where you find the well-known local specialties such as: Ah-ghey (crystal noodles stuffed in fried bean curd, served with a mild hot sauce) and Iron Eggs (eggs which have been stewed in a mix of herbs and spices until pickled).

After some walking, we took a ferry to Danshui Fisherman's Wharf, located further downstream from the town itself and offers a broadwalk, chic coffee shops, seafood restaurants, and is a departure point for tourist boats travelling along Taiwan's scenic northeast coast. The "Lover's Bridge", a single slanted tower cable stay pedestrain bridge, that is modelled after a sailing ship's mast and rigging, spans the harbour.

In the late afternoon, we proceeded to take the MRT to Xin Beitou (New Beitou) in a northern district of Taipei famous for it's hot springs. There are many hotels and traditional baths located around Qingshui Park (previously known as Xin Beitou Park). This park is located directly across from Xin Beitou MRT Station.

A natural spring where water gushes out from a gas hole and the tempreture is usually between 80 - 100 degree celsius.

Water from the hot spring is acidic, also known as green sulphur and users of the spring baths are advised against using soap with the spring water.

Due to the strong stench of sulphur

Dinner was Yong Kang beef noodles and dessert was Mango Ice situated along Yong Kang Street. To get there, we took the MRT to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station followed by a 20 minutes walk to the mentioned street. But it was all worth it because the food was superb.

Day 3:

Was a day of frenzy shopping at Taipei's apparel wholesale market, Wu Fen Pu. A market place where clothes for the young and old are sold at drop-dead cheap prices. However, individual customers or tourists may sometimes be rejected because the majority are buyers who purchase in bulk. (Nearest MRT is Hou Shan Pi Station).

By the time we ended our shopping at Wu Fen Pu, it was already near sunset. Once again, we took the MRT to Taipei City Hall Station and from there, we took a shuttle bus to Taipei 101 Building.