03 Mar 2009

Deciding I needed a break from Singapore once again, I asked everyone I was alright travelling with if they wanted to head out somewhere, suggesting Bali, since it's been a long time since I've promised my friends there to head back. Finally I got a response from the Diva himself who strangely decided to try out Taiwan. So off we went to Taiwan, via a connection in Hong Kong.

When booking the flight, both of us were hoping to get window seats, or at least seats together next to a window, but the flight was so full, our best option was one on opposite sides of the plane. I think it was also the first time I just couldn't wait to get out of my seat, as well as off the plane. I'm not sure if it's the seat or it was the plane itself, but it felt very stuffy and it was good I didn't suffer from Claustrophobia.

Good thing we could get to sit together on the 2nd flight out from Hong Kong, taking the opportunity to take stupid photos among the normal stuff I take. This was also where Airol let me in on the fact that they showed a the live video footage from the camera mounted behind the plane's front wheel. I guess I was too irritated on the first leg to even bother looking at what is available.

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The meal finally came, and since we asked for a seafood meal, which wasn't available, they didn't even offer a 2nd option which Airol could choose from, and so the poor boy had to look at me taking picture of Char Siew rice. And since we ate while waiting in transit (yes, the two of us will try to eat anywhere possible), I only tasted the meal, which was disappointing as it came from Hong Kong. I think they didn't pay the best chef well enough.

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Finally we touch down in Taiwan and Airol starts his modelling with anything and everything, anywhere and everywhere possible. First shot was right with a really sweet, but shy, cabin crew, followed by the travelator up to immigration, then the welcome sign before immigrations, and finally one with the information board while we waited for our bags.

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Once outside, he even posed next to the taxi stand. Wondering what would actually make him come to Taiwan since most of the food he will probably not be able to eat, I realised it might have been just to take photos and add it too his ever expanding album. Oh well, as long as I stay the behind the camera, he can pose all he wants.

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It was about an hour away from dinner time as we got to the hotel, and with the rain and clouds hanging low, it looked really gloomy from the room window. But crap weather or not, it can not kill our excitement of being in a new country, and the endless things we can go check out! So once we finished taking photos of the room, unpacked our toiletries, and got dressed to go out in the drizzle, we were out to get ourselves something to eat.

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Taipei 101 Among The Clouds

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Even The Rain Won't Stop Him

Directed by hotel staff, we were sent walking to some shopping centre that was full of stores carrying high-end, not-in-my-budget stuff, with no food that seemed really appealing other than MacDonald's. Finally we spot a 7-Eleven and decided to stock up on essential munchies and drinks, just in case we didn't find anything satisfying on the street. There was also the task of getting some rather 'special' bowl noodles back home for the good old memories. Then once we turned to head to 7-Eleven, we spotted a cart selling something like giant popiahs and since it was there, I got one for later.

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Onward we trudge and we walked passed a restaurant selling Chinese food. I don't know what caught Airol's eye, but he decided to give the restaurant a try. The drinks turned out great, with cute little straw 'decoration'. The food,, however, didn't turn out as he expected and u can see the disappointment in his face as I took a close-up of my drink. Basically, we ended up getting an order from room service so that he could go to bed with a belly that was satisfied. I basically ate as much as I could tolerate in the restaurant, and finished it off with my giant popiah in the room.

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The Lobster Bisque Was THAT Good!

The Giant Popiah would be every vegan's delight, and even a omnivore like me really like it as well. It definitely gave me enough for my daily fibre intake, with Alfalfa sprouts, carrots, mixed lettuce, shredded apples, peanuts and goodness knows what other fruit or vegetable available. If I found the vendor again I wouldn't mind buying one a day just to make it my wrapped salad. And it was deliciously washed down with a glass of Ovaltine. What a way to end the first night.

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The Giant Popiah

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Oh... not forgetting a Godiva Chocolate  dessert as well. 

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