Starry Minsu at Cingjing

Cing Jing, a town situated in Nantou of Taiwan, has become a popular destination for travellers in recent years. Being at an elevated altitude, the weather in Cing Jing is relatively cool (in fact cold during the winter months) throughout the year and you can literally touch the clouds in Cing Jing. There are many minsu in this town, and I had a hard time to decide which minsu to stay in. I was looking for a minsu with a view, and the minsu has to be clean and accessible to all the attractions in Cing Jing. The more popular minsu are Starry and Misty, and after some research, I decided to give Starry Minsu (观星园）a try. As I was travelling with my parents, I did not want them to climb too much stairs, and we've hired a driver to pick us up from Taichung to Starry Minsu, hence resolving the transportation issue.

Here are the views of the room I stayed in and photos taken from the balcony of the room.

An introductory map of the places in Cingjing and the lovely breakfast prepared by the minsu owners.

Starry minsu provides transportation to Qing Qing Farm, and they will pick you up near Misty Plaza after you finishing touring the area.

The steamboat dinner.

If you are a meat lover, you can get a chicken on the way back to the minsu to add on to the steamboat dinner.

The minsu also helped us arrange for a hot spring visit to Lu Shan, where we had fun soaking in the natural hot spring water.

Overall, we had enjoyed our stay in Starry Minsu, and I'm itching to get back there soon to enjoy the cold breeze and fresh air. 

Starry Minsu Website: http://starry.nantou.com.tw/?ptype=info

Best Chicken Pie in Singapore - Oven Marvel

I'm not a food blogger, but good things are meant to be shared! Recently, my friend introduced me to Oven Marvel, a store selling chicken pies, muffins and curry puffs at Sunshine Plaza, and I'm totally hooked to its chicken pie!

I'm not a person who would sacrifice my calorie count with snacks or bites in between meals, but this chicken pie is something that I found it sooo hard to resist! Typical commercially sold chicken pie are usually with hard skin & dry interior, but the one from Oven Marvel is vastly different! The soft, fluffy skin with generous chicken filling makes it sooo delicious that 1 piece is never enough. It is bake on the spot, and runs out pretty fast. You'll have to wait for the next batch if you missed it! 

Do try it out in your next visit to Bugis!

Oven Marvel

91 Bencoolen Street

#01-51

Sunshine Plaza

Singapore 189652

Travel to the countryside - Bollywood Veggies

My friend and I decided to take a break from the concrete jungle on 1 Saturday afternoon and we paid a visit to Bollywood Veggies. We drove there for the sake of convenience, but there is a Kranji Countryside Express Bus from Kranji MRT station which you can take. It was a nice drive there, away from the city, passing by Kranji Reservoir and different farms before reaching Bollywood Veggies.

After paying an entrance fee of $2 each, we started exploring the area. There are 2 available trails - a 10 mins or a 30 minutes trail, and the trails are well marked so that you'll not lose your direction. Do remember to apply sun block and mosquito repellent before embarking on the trail. We followed the 30 minutes trail and passed by different plants and trees, seeing the food and fruits that we are familiar with right from their source. Each plants and trees are marked with descriptions too to deepen our understanding of the plant or the tree.

Lotus pond

Sugar Cane

After a nice walk, we had our dinner at Poison Ivy Bistro. The special of the day is their famous nasi lemak, and of course we did not want to miss it, and we also ordered a chilli kang kong as a side dish. Most of the ingredients were self-grown and freshly picked, and it was a fulfilling meal for both of us. You can also purchase some self-grown spices, freshly made bread, pots of greens etc from the bistro.

There is also a store selling handicraft next to the restaurant, and the handicrafts, although hand-made, are nicely priced. I bought a bag in support.

All and all, it was a well spent Saturday to experience a different side of Singapore. 

A once in a lifetime trip to Greece

In recent years, Greece has been in the news for incorrect reasons. However, nothing in the world can beat the Mediterranean atmosphere of the Greek's islands, with blue and white buildings matching the colour of the sky and the sea, coupled with the rich mysterious history of the Greek myths. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider visiting Greece at least once in your lifetime.

1. Greek myths and legends that you grow up with (unknowingly)

We all know that Achilles heel refer to weakness, but do you know that this expression comes from a Greek mythology? We always use opening up Pandora's box to describe actions that may be deemed as small but comes with unforeseen consequences, and do you know that this phrase comes from a Greek mythology too? Have fun exploring the Acropolis of Athens and the Acropolis Museum to view and gain insights to ancient Greek buildings which are closely related to these Greek myths and legends.

2. First Olympics

There were many Greek mythology related to the origins of the Olympics Games, and the first modern Olympics Games is hosted in Athens' Panathenaic Stadium. The Stadium is easily accessible via public transport and do pay a visit to this significant location of the Olympics Games!

3. The white and blue houses of Santorini
There were many imitations all over the world, but nothing beats visiting the real Santorini to catch a view of the famous sun setting over the blue and white houses in Oia. Pay a visit to the Atlantis Bookstore in Oia, stay in 1 of the many cave houses, hike up the caldera in Fira and collect black sand at 1 of the black sand beach to complete your visit in Santorini!

Our trip coincide with Good Friday, and we took part in the celebration at Pyrgos, where the entire village was light up in the evening with candle. Regardless of your religion, it is an awesome sight and great fun to take part in the celebration.

4. The other islands
Greece has thousands over island, each with its own charm and many of them are easily accessible via ferry. Depending on your preference, visit Mykonos, Paros or Corfu and get yourself a nice new tan.

5. Soaking in Mediterranean atmosphere

On top of watching the changing of guards in Syntagma Square, seeing lamb roasting in the streets of Monastiraki Flea Market, spend sometime at Lykavittos Hill, the highest point in Athens, to have the best overview of the Mediterranean city, with the Mediterranean Sea within viewing distance.

Where to stay in Athens

Athens is highly accessible via public transport and I would recommend staying somewhere near the Acropolis. I stayed in Airotel Parthenon Hotel which is a comfortable hotel within walking distances to the Acropolis and metro.

10 reasons to visit in Taipei

I was told that on the average, a Singaporean would visit Taiwan 5 times in his/her lifetime. For myself, I've already visited Taiwan for 3 times, with 1 more in plan. What makes Taiwan such a captivating country to visit, and Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, one of the favourite destination for Singaporean?

Why do tourists visit Taipei? Here are the 10 reasons:

1. Sunset at Danshui

Everyday, many tourists and locals, armed with sophisticated camera equipment, flock to Danshui's Fisherman Wharf to view and capture the sun setting into the Straits of Taiwan. 

Quite unfortunately, out of my 2 trips to Danshui, I missed it by 15mins in my first trip, and it was too cloudy on my second trip to view the complete sun set. Hence, it is better to reach there earlier to enjoy the sea breeze (and pray for good weather) than to be late and miss the whole thing. 

After the sunset, lovers can cross the Lovers' Bridge, which is nicely lighted up at night

Danshui is also famous for the Danshui Old Street, where you can buy Ah Gei (阿给), as shown in the picture below, Ah Por Tie Dan (阿婆铁蛋), fish cracker (鱼酥) and not forgetting the Ginger Tea from Black Old Legend (黑金传奇)。

Direction: Take MRT to Tamsui station. Danshui Old Street is within 5mins walking distance. To reach Fisherman Wharf, take bus (Red 26, 836 or 857) at the bus terminal below Danshui station, or alternatively, take a ferry from Danshui Ferry Pier (situated near the middle of the Danshui Old Street).

2. Hot Spring at Beitou

The first hot spring hotel in Taiwan was opened in Beitou, and soaking in a hot spring is supposed to bring you some health benefits, such as better blood circulation and complexions. You can either choose to take a hot spring bath in a public pool, or if you prefer more privacy, you can book a room at one of the many hot spring resort, like what I did, where I stayed 1 night at Aqua Bella.

Around Beitou, there are also some sight seeing areas, such as the Thermal Valley and Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch.

Direction: Take MRT to Xin Beitou Station

3. Pacific Ocean at Jiufen
Jiufen used to be a gold mining town, and is now transformed into a tourist attraction, with shops selling taro balls, sausages, peanut ice creams and many more along the Old Street. There are also many tea houses, where you can sit down, relax, and have some tea while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Direction: Take TRA train to Ruifang Station then transfer to the Pingxi Line. Alight at Shifen. From Shifen, take a train back to Ruifang, cross the road, board any buses heading to Keelung. Alight near 7-11.

4. Sky Lantern at Shifen

Do you have any unfulfilled dreams and want to let your wishes known to the deities in the sky? You can go to Shifen, write your wishes on a sky lantern, and release it to the sky.

Everyone's dream

If you are not a believer, you will still be enchanted by this rustic old town, especially in the evening when the sky turns reddish yellow while you are taking a walk along the railway tracks with lights from the shop houses shining by the side.

Direction: Take TRA train to Ruifang Station then transfer to the Pingxi Line. Alight at Shifen. 

5. Queens Head at Yehliu

Yehliu is home to many rock formation, and the most famous rock formation is the Queens' Head, as shown in the picture below. Yes, all these rock formation are naturally formed over thousands of years through waves attack and rock weathering, so after a visit to this Geopark, you'll most likely be amazed by how wonderful and powerful is the force of nature.

Direction: Take Kuo Kuang Express Bus bound for Jinshan Youth Activity Center at the Taipei West Bu Station Terminal A, alight at Yeh Liu

6. Flowers at Yang Ming Shan

Fancy being surrounded by flowers blossoming around you? Pay a visit to Yangmingshan National Park in spring, where you'll be surrounded with cherry blossom (from Feb to March) and calla lily (from March to May). They are also many different types of flowers that grows in this National Park throughout the year. I visited Zhuzi Hu and Xiaoyou Keng during my trip to Yangmingshan in autumn. Although I can only see withered cherry blossom and the leaves of calla lily, it was great to escape from the city fumes and be surrounded by fresh and crisp air in the mountain. 

Direction: Take bus 260 from Taipei Main Station (outside exit M1) to Yangmingshan bus station. You can also hire a driver to arrange for a 1 day trip to Yangmingshan, Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen.

7. Street Food at Night Markets

A visit to Taiwan would not be complete without going to at least 1 night market, and try street food such as black pepper pork bun (Hu Jiao Bing), chicken cutlet, stinky toufu, spring onion pancake (Cong You Bing), oyster omelette, mee sua etc etc. The most famous night market in Taipei is Shilin Night Market and Rouhe Night Market, and these night markets are easily accessible via the MRT. 

Direction:
Shi Lin Night Market - Take MRT to Jiantan
Rouhe Night Market - Take MRT to Houshiping

8. Starbucks at Taipei 101
This extraordinary Starbucks is situated at the 35th floor of Taipei 101, and is a good alternative to the top floor of Taipei 101, as you can also view the city from a high altitude, with a cup of coffee, tea or juice in your hands.

Direction: Take MRT to City Hall Station (Exit E2), walk to Taipei 101. Enter the office part of the building

9. History at National Palace Museum

I'm not a fan of museum, but this is 1 of the few museums in the world that I would recommend people to pay a visit. National Palace Museum is one of the world's largest museum that houses ancient Chinese arts and artefacts that belongs to the collections of China's emperor. Most of the pieces were brought to Taiwan during the Chinese civil war. 

Direction: Take MRT to Shilin and take bus Red 30 to National Palace Museum.

10. Easy accessibility to other parts of Taiwan
There are so many places to visit in Taiwan - Cingjing and Alishan for the mountains, Kenting for the beach, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaoshiong, Taitung, etc etc.  Most flights from Singapore fly directly to Taipei, and you can plan to spend a few days in Taipei before or after visiting these locations.

Additional tip: While planning for a trip to Taiwan (and if you are Chinese savvy), visit Easy Travel website to check out hotel rooms booking and alternative packages.

See also: Itinerary to Taiwan and Hong Kong