Allure of the Sea: My Heart Will Go On

If you had a Dream, you should try your best to fulfill it. Going to Europe for Cruise and sailing on board the Biggest Cruise Ship in the World had always been one of my Dreams. I had book for the Royal Caribbean Cruise ($3139 each) for and the Singapore Airline Flight (S$1395 each) from Misa Travel. I had been able to fulfill two of my Dreams by killing two bird with one stone, the next one will be Africa Safari when the Ebola Virus dies down.

24th May 2015 (Sunday) Barcelona, Spain

We took Singapore Airline Flight SQ 378 from Singapore to Barcelona, Spain on 24th May 2015 (Sunday) at 0140 hrs, there is a two hours transit in Milan, Italy and we manage to arrive at 1100 hrs just half hour before the Check In to the Cruise Ship. The Taxi only take about half hour to get from the Airport to the Cruise Terminal and the trip cost €39 (S$58). I had subscribe WiFi Connection on board for 7 Days for two device for US$22.50 per day (S$31). We check into Room 572 at Deck 7 which is locate at Starboard Forward of the ship at 1300 hrs,

Ocean View State Room with Balcony

Bath Room and Toilet

I was not aware that there are free buffet lunch provided at Windjammer Marketplace at Deck 16 Aft as I did not spend time reading the Cruise Compass Daily Guide, we went to Beef Burger, Chicken Club Sandwich at Jonny Rocket at Deck 6 Aft for US$21 (S$29). The Mineral Water was not free on board, I had to purchase 12 One Litre Bottle at US$50 (S$68). The Es Galatzo Nature Reserve which I had book on-line had been cancelled due to operator boat maintenance, I had to change it to the Flamenco Show at Son Amar instead at the Shore Excursion Counter located at Royal Promenade at Deck 5 Centre. 

The Boat and Fire Drill were conducted at 1630 hrs at the Emergency Assembly Area, all Guest are require to attend to be demonstrate on the donning of Life Jacket and the Evacuation Procedure. This is something that was not done when we took Star Virgo five years ago to Penang and Thailand, so Royal Caribbean Cruise had done well in this area as compare to Star Cruise. The Ship depart Barcelona, Spain at 1800 hrs and head for Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

We had Pork Chop and Carrot Cake for Dinner at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 1830 hrs, the dinning hours had been set to two hours by default but we usually only took about one hour with half hour waiting time included. I am also not aware that Tooth Brush and Tooth Paste were not provide on board, I had to purchase it from the shop on board at US$11 (S$15). We went for the Ocean Aria Show at Aqua Theatre at Deck 6 Aft at 2045 hrs, it was an amazing display of Acrobat by the performers and it is a show worth watching. The reservation had been made on-line before we went on board and we had to be there at least 15 minutes before the show to ensure our seats are reserve for us. All the show on board is about 45 minutes duration and we return to our room at 2200 hrs and rest for the night.

25th May 2015 (Monday) Palma de Mallorca, Spain

We have Scramble Egg and Sausage for breakfast at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 0700 hrs, the breakfast is a la carte with semi buffet style for the restaurant while we can also choose full buffet style breakfast at Windjammer Marketplace at Deck 16 Aft. The ship arrive at Palma de Mallorca, Spain at 0800 hrs and we assemble at Amber Theatre at Deck 4 Forward for our Shore Excursion to Flamenco Show at Son Amar (S$93 each) at 0915 hrs.

The day trip was about 4 hours, we left the ship at 0930 hrs and return at 1330 hrs. We visit Bellver Castle at 1000 hrs, we had Tapas and Sangria Wine at 1200 hrs while we watch the Flamenco Show at Son Amar Theatre. We went for Bingo at On Air at Royal Promenade at Deck 5 Centre at 1545 hrs, we brought the US$48 (S$65) Package which give 30 Tickets and a T Shirt. We did not manage to win the Grand Suite Prize which worth S$67,000, so we decided to try our luck at the Casino Royale later by playing the Slot Machine.

Bellver Castle at Palma de Mallorca

Flamenco Show at Son Amar Theatre 

The ship depart Palma de Mallorca, Spain at 1600 hrs and head for Marseilles, France. We had Gala Dinner as a Cruise Ship Tradition for the evening, it is due to olden days where the Captain treat the poor during the long voyage when the poor ran out of self brought ration during the last few days of the cross Atlantic voyage. My wife had Chicken Soup, Salmon Fillet and Strawberry Cheese Cake while I had Lobster Cream Soup, Angus Beef Burger and Berry Yogurt for Dinner at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 1815 hrs. 

Salmon Fillet

Angus Beef Burger

Strawberry Cheese Cake

Berry Yogurt

Actually all the guest had to be dress in formal for the dinner but I was not informed before the trip, so it is like back in the days when Boy meet Girl, Girl meet Boy, Boy love Girl, Girl love Boy, Boy and Girl meet Ice Berg, Boy Sink Girl Float. 

Rose with Heart of the Ocean

Jack in Velvet Pull Over

The dinner as compare to Star Cruise were not as good, it was a standard Western three course dinner (Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert)  throughout the entire duration of the cruise and we had to decide every meal on the eight type of appetizer, main course and dessert from the menu. The Star Cruise had six course Chinese or Western dinner for regular days and a ten course Western dinner for the Gala Night.

We went for the Broadway Show Tell Me on a Sunday at 2045 hrs at Amber Theatre at Deck 4 Forward, I had to book the show at the Guest Service Counter at Royal Promenade at Deck 5 Centre as it is not available for reservation on-line. The ship use the state room TV system to connect to the computer server where we can view the Message, Personal Calender and Account Summary, but we can't seem to change the reservation for show or restaurant which they claim. The Broadway Show was kind of boring to us and we decided to leave 15 minutes earlier before the show end and rest for the night.

26th May 2015 (Tuesday) Marseilles, France

My wife had Mushroom Cheese Omelette and Banana Pancake while I had Fry Egg and French Toast for breakfast at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 0700 hrs, The ship arrive at Marseilles, France at 0900 hrs and we assemble at Amber Theatre at Deck 4 Forward for our Shore Excursion to Panoramic Marseilles and Aix (S$233 each) at 0900 hrs. Marseilles is the second biggest city in France and it is the fourth biggest port in Europe. We visit the Markets at Provence in the Morning, had Lunch there and visit the Chapel at Notre Dame for Panoramic View of the whole city.

Fruit and Vegetable Market

Flower Market

We had Goat Cheese, Roast Chicken Drumstick, Rosie Wine and Apricot Pie for Lunch at 1200 hrs, the Goat Cheese had a very strong taste which make it hard to swallow but the Roast Chicken Drumstick and the Apricot Pie make up for the meal on the whole. I brought 12 Stainless Steel Fork shape as Sardine Bone €26 (S$39) and Propeller Key Chain €6.50 (S$10), I had a Mocha Flappuccino at Starbucks €6 (S$9).

Goat Cheese

Roast Chicken Drumstick with Mash Potato

The tour take about 8 hours and we are back on board the ship at 1715 hrs. The ship depart Marseilles, France at 1800 hrs and head for La Spezia, Italy. My wife had Seafood Soup, Bake Fish and Orange Cake while I had Potato Cream Soup, Sirloin Steak and Apple Tart for Dinner at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 1830 hrs. We went to Casino Royale at Deck 4 Centre for Slot Machine and manage to win US$26.50 (S$36). We went for Stand Up Comedy Show at Comedy Live at Deck 4 Forward at 2115 hrs, and again the show prove to be boring and we had to leave 15 minutes early and proceed to the Casino Royale for the Lucky Draw. We lost US$170 (S$230) while waiting for the Lucky Draw at 2230 hrs and again we did not manage to win the S$67,000 Grand Suite prize.

Baked Fish

Sirloin Steak

Orange Cake

Apple Tart

27th May 2015 (Wednesday) La Spezia, Italy

We have Oat Meal, Scramble Egg and Bacon for breakfast at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 0700 hrs. The ship arrive at La Spezia, Italy at 0830 hrs and we assemble at Amber Theatre at Deck 4 Forward for our Shore Excursion to Florence and Pisa (S$274 each) at 0850 hrs. We leave the ship at 0905 hrs and I brought an Ice Cream €2.20 (S$3.30) at the Gas Station when we stop for Toilet Break. There were a lot of walking around in Florence visiting the Cathedral and we had Salad, Pasta, Red Wine and Blue Berry Yogurt for Lunch at 1200 hrs. We proceed to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower in the afternoon at 1500 hrs and I brought another Ice Cream €4 (S$6) at Pisa. 

Cathedral in Florence

Leaning Tower of Pisa

We return to the ship at 1900 hrs. The ship depart La Spezia, Italy at 2030 hrs and head for Civitavecchia, Italy. My wife had Garlic Cream Soup, Tiger Prawn and Tiramisu while I had Vegetable Soup, Pork Shoulder Chocolate Cake, Lemon Cake and Strawberry Yogurt for Dinner at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 2000 hrs. The serving of dinner was very slow for the night and we only manage to finish the dinner at 2130 hrs, my wife was very disappointed when she knew that we had miss the How to Train your Dragon Ice Skating Performance at 2100 hrs at Studio B at Deck 4 Forward.

Tiger Prawn

Pork Shoulder

Tiramisu

Chocolate Cake, Lemon Cake and Strawberry Yogurt

28th May 2015 (Thursday) Civitavecchia, Italy

We have Mushroom Cheese Omelette for breakfast at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 0630 hrs. The ship arrive at Civitavecchia, Italy at 0700 hrs and we assemble at On Air at Promenade at Deck 5 Centre for our Shore Excursion to Exclusive Best of Rome (S$480 each) at 0720 hrs. We tour the Vatican in the morning, we were able to go through the express lane and avoid the queue due to our tour operator had already made the reservation as early as three months ago. 

Vatican is the smallest country in the world and when you visit Vatican and Rome you are actually visiting two countries for the price of one. It was like Da Vinci Code when we walk around decipher the hidden symbols in the Vatican City. I brought a Book €9.50 (S$14) and Six Key Chain €10 (S$15) at the Souvenir Shop, we proceed to a five stars hotel for our Lunch at 1200 hrs where we had Pasta, White Wine, Red Wine, Champagne, and Pistachio Ice Cream. My wife had Salmon for her Main Course while I had Chicken, we proceed to visit the Colosseum in the afternoon.

St Peter Square at Vatican City

The Colosseum is one of the Seven Wonders of the World like the Pyramid of Egypt and Great Wall of China. I had visit the Great Wall of China twice during my trip to Beijing in Jan 2002 and Nov 2012, with the visit of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum, I had visited three of the Seven Wonders of the World and the next one should be Pyramid of Egypt (Remaining Three Wonders of the World: Stone Hedge, Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza).

Colosseum at Rome

We are back on board the ship at 1805 hrs. The ship depart Civitavecchia, Italy at 2000 hrs and head for Naples, Italy. My wife had Clam Chowder Soup Cheese Fig and Dates while I had Lamp Soup and Mango Yogurt for Dinner at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 1900 hrs. We both had Veal of Lamb for our main course as we both feel that it is very appealing. We went for the Headliner Showtime at Amber Theatre at Deck 4 Forward at 2045 hrs, the performance of 60s Music by Skoot is amazing and the crowd start dancing twist to the music toward the end of the show.

Veal of Lamb

29th May 2015 (Friday) Naples, Italy

We had buffet style Breakfast at Windjammer Marketplace at Deck 16 Aft at 0630 hrs. The ship arrive at Naples, Italy at 0700 hrs and we assemble at Amber Theatre at Deck 4 Forward for our Shore Excursion to Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii (S$315 each) at 0715 hrs.

We took the Hydrofoil Boat from Naples to Capri and took the Cable Car to the top of the hill for the Panoramic View of the Island. We visit the Garden on the top of the hill and brought an Orange Juice €6 (S$9), the use of toilet also cost €0.50 each (S$0.75) as Capri is an expensive place as compare to Sorrento which we are going to visit later on another Hydrofoil Boat.

Close Encounter with Sea Gull at Capri Hill Top Garden

We had Pasta, Chicken, Champagne, Red Wine, Lemon Cake for lunch at Sorrento at 1200 hrs. The tour guide bring us to a Speciality Shop which sell Wood Painting before we head to our next destination Pompeii by bus in the afternoon. Pompeii is destroy by Mount Vesuvius Volcano in AD 79, we learn the history through the ruin remaining after the archaeologist excavate the site. 

Married Couple on Horse Carriage at Sorrento

Corpse cover in Volcanic Ash at Pompeii

We are back on board the ship at 1730 hrs. The ship depart Naples, Italy at 2000 hrs and head for Barcelona, Spain. My wife had Caesar Salad, Thai Chicken Breast and Coconut Cake while I had Cream Mushroom, Prime Rib and White Chocolate Moose for Dinner at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 1900 hrs. We went for the Blue Planet Show at Amber Theatre at Deck 4 Forward at 2045 hrs, it was another amazing display of Acrobat by the performers and it is a show worth watching too. 

Thai Chicken Breast

Prime Rib

Coconut Cake

White Chocolate Moose

30th May 2015 (Saturday) At Sea

We had buffet style Breakfast at Windjammer Marketplace at Deck 16 Aft at 0700 hrs, we saw a group of Dolphins playing at the Starboard side of the ship when we are having Breakfast. I had book for the All Access Tour US$150 each (S$204) the day before at the Guest Service Counter at Royal Promenade at Deck 5 Centre three days ago, we had our buffet lunch at Windjammer Marketplace at Deck 16 Aft at 1100 hrs and assemble at Silk Restaurant at Deck 5 Aft at 1140 hrs for our tour. We start our guided tour around all the restricted area on board the ship from 1150 hrs to 1430 hrs, we were treated to Strawberry Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream at the Galley and Champagne, Fruit Punch and Orange Juice at the Crew Bar. 

Shrimp Cocktail at the Galley

Strawberry Chocolate at the Galley

The chef in the galley were differentiate by Red, Blue and Yellow Scarf, the Red is for New Chef, the Blue is for Chef who had complete two contracts which over a year period and Yellow is for Senior Supervisor. We proceed to visit the Provision Store, Engine Control Room, Laundry Room, Back Stage, Crew Mess and Crew Bar, Navigation Bridge after that. The Engine Room and Engine Control Room is separated into two different compartment to fulfil the Dynamic Position 3 requirements.

Provision Store for Fruits and Vegetables

Engine Control Room

450 Kg Washing Machine at Laundry Room

Back Stage Prop for Blue Planet Show

Dynamic Positioning Control Console at Port Navigation Bridge

We saw a group of Killer Whale playing at the Starboard side of the ship from our Balcony when we woke up from our afternoon nap at 1700 hrs. My wife had Onion Soup, Seafood Platter and Lime Pie while I had Shrimp Cocktail, Beef Steak and Apple Pie for Dinner at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 1800 hrs. We went for the Ice Game Show at Studio B at Deck 4 Forward at 2015 hrs.

Seafood Platter

Beef Steak

Lime Pie

Apple Pie

31st May 2015 (Sunday) Barcelona, Spain

The ship arrive at Barcelona, Spain at 0500 hrs. My wife had Pancake while I had Smoked Salmon for Breakfast at American Icon Restaurant at Deck 3 Aft at 0700 hrs. We get off the ship at 0900 hrs and took a Taxi €39 (S$58) to the Airport. We had Muffin, Egg Tart, Potato Chip, Fruit Juice and Cappuccino at the Airport for Lunch before we fly back to Singapore by Singapore Airline Flight SQ 377 at 1300 hrs with two hours transit in Milan Italy. We arrive back in Singapore Changi Airport at 1030 hrs on 1st Jun 2015 (Monday) Vesak Day.

Taiwan: Love in Treasure Island

We book the 8 Days Splendid Formosa Taiwan Tour from Misa Travel for two at S$788 per person (S$1175 including the Airport Tax and Booking Fee), the Package include China Airline Flight Ticket, Hotel Stay, Tour of Attractions and Meals. The Tour was from 7th Feb 2015 (Saturday) to 14th Feb 2015 (Saturday, Valentine Day).

7th Feb 2015 (Saturday) Tao Yuan (桃园）:

Arrive at Tai Pei Tao Yuan Airport at about 1530 Hrs together with another older couple and check in to Room 600 of City Suite Hotel at Tao Yuan.The first day was Free and Easy, decide to visit  Zhong Xie (中协） Night Market (Taxi 500 NT about S$20) in the evening for Dinner. We had Chicken Chop 50 NT (S$2), Pumpkin Fries 40 NT (S$1.60), Peking Duck Roll 40 NT (S$1.60), Bean Curb and Grass Jelly 70 NT (S$2.80) and Cherries 150 NT (S$6). The Chicken Chop here came with bones which is very much different from the one I ate in Singapore, maybe it is a way that they prove that the ingredient is real.

8th Feb 2015 (Sunday) Tai Pei （台北）to Hua Lian (花莲）:

We wake up in the Morning at 0600 hrs and had Breakfast at the Hotel, we set off at 0730 hrs to Tai Pei after another East Malaysia Family meet up with us. We took the Bullet Train from Tao Yuan to Tai Pei, the train was traveling at about 200 km per hour and we arrive at Tai Pei in 20 mins. The first stop at Tai Pei is Zhong Lie Shirne which was build to honor their President Jiang Jie Shi (蒋介石）, we visit the Cake Shop near by and purchase 3 Boxes of Pineapple Tart 1000 NT (S$40), 3 Boxes of Sun Biscuit 1000 NT (S$40) and Milk Candy 1000 NT (S$40).

Zhong Lie Shrine

We arrive at Jiu Fen (九份) at about 1130 hrs, we brought 4 Package of Ginger Tea 600 NT (S$24). We had Beef Noodle and Wanton Noodle 145 NT (S$5.80) , also Brought 8 Bottle of Cocktail Wine 1000 NT (S$40) and 13 Package of Winter Worm Herbal Tea 3000 NT (S$120). Brought a Sausage 40 NT (S$1.60). Jiu Fen (九份) name came from olden days when they discover gold in the mountains, the miners had to bring stuffs for the local there when they go up the mountains to mine the gold. There are nine families in the mountains and so the stuffs the miners bring are always nine set, Jiu Fen is the Chinese for nine set and that's how the name came about.

View of Kee Lung Port from Jiu Fen

We arrive at Ye Liu (野柳） at about 1400 hrs, we visit the Erode Sand Rock there and brought a Ice Jelly (爱玉冰） 40 NT (S$1.60). We were suppose to travel from Tai Pei to Hua Lian by Train, but the Tour Guide suggest that we travel by the mountain path so that we can see the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean. The whole mountain path trip remind me of the AE86 Tofu Delivery Car in the Japanese Comics Initial D, 4 out of the 8 passengers got motion sickness in the process and me and my wife were not one of them. I had injure my ear drum when I surface too fast during scuba diving when I study in Polytechnic and my sense of balance had not been sensitive after that incident, I had never get any motion sickness since then.

Eroded Sand Stone at Ye Liu

 We arrive at Hua Lian (花莲） at about 1800 hrs and had Fried Fish, Prawn Sashimi, Chicken Chop, Chicken Soup and Fried Sweet Potato for Dinner at the Aboriginal Restaurant. We check in to Room 630 of Liga Hotel at 1900 hrs, we decide to visit Zhi Qiang (志强）Night Market (Taxi 200 NT about S$8) and had Two Stick of BBQ Scallop 60 NT (S$2.40).

Parrot Mimi at Hua Lian Aboriginal Restaurant

9th Feb 2015 (Monday) Hua Lian (花莲） to Tai Tung （台东）:

We woke up at 0630 hrs and had Breakfast at the Hotel, we set off at 0800 hrs to visit the Hundred Lion Bridge (百狮桥）, Chang Chun Shrine （长春祠） and Taroko Gorge （太鲁阁峡谷）. The Hundred Lion Bridge is the Bridge that the Aboriginal Tribe cross when they when to the mountains to hunt and harvest, as there are a lot of people had lost their live in the past a hundred lion statues were place on the bridge to subdue the evil spirits. Chang Chun Shrine is build to honor the 212 Heros who had help to fought the war at that area in the past, the shrine was move from left side to right side of the Hundred Lion Bridge after a lighting strike destroy the shrine due to Feng Shui (风水）. 

Hundred Lions Bridge

We visit the Ling Zhi Shop and learn about the two treasures of Taiwan (Chinese Herb Ling Zhi and Mei Hua Deer Unborn Baby Powder). Ling Zhi (灵芝） is a miracle herb in the past in the Legend of the White Snake, it had very good anti cancer properties. Mei Hua Deer Unborn Baby Powder (鹿胎粉） was grind from the unborn baby of Mei Hua Deer (梅花鹿）, the Deer ate a lot of herb in the mountains and the Aboriginal Tribe set trap to capture the deer and get the unborn baby and use it to grind into powder. The powder was known to cure the Asthma of the Taiwan First Lady Song Mei Ling (宋美龄）， it is also known to cure a lot of illness too but as we find it is a very cruel practice to get the unborn baby we do not support the sale of the powder.

Taiwan Treasure Ling Zhi

 Taiwan Treasure Mei Hua Deer

We had Pork Knuckle, Fried Egg, Sausage, Kung Bao Chicken for Lunch at Hua Lian at 1200 hrs and visit the Guan Shan (关山） Waterfront Park at 1430 hrs. Brought the Fish Feed 10 NT (S$0.40) to feed the Japanese Koi at the Waterfront Park.

Japanese Koi at Guan Shan Waterfront Park

We arrive at Tai Tung (台东） at 1500 hrs and brought Beer, Milk Tea, Titbits 300 NT (S$12) and Carrying Bag 300 NT (S$12). We arrive at Master Bear Resort at about 1600 hrs and check in to Room 507 U4. We walk around the Resort and saw some Goat and Goose, we also encounter a brown dog and brown cat at the Convince Store which seem to be very friendly and get along well with each other. We had Steam Fish, Steam Prawn, Steam Pumpkin and Meat Ball Soup for dinner at 1800 hrs, we join the event at 1900 hrs at the resort where we had quiz, dance and sky lantern. We wrote our wishes on the sky lantern and set it off into the sky so that the heaven will see it and grant our wishes, that was the grand finale for the night.

Level Two Bed Room at Master Bear Resort

Level One Living Room at Master Bear Resort

Goats at Master Bear Resort

Goose at Master Bear Resort

Cat and Dog at Master Bear Resort

Sky Lantern at Master Bear Resort

10th Feb 2015 (Tuesday) Tai Tung （台东） to Gao Xiong (高雄）:

We wake up in the Morning at 0600 hrs and had Breakfast at the Resort, we set off at 0730 hrs to Gao Xiong (高雄）, we stop by at Tai Tung （台东） Fruit Market and brought 5 Banana 50 NT (S$2), 3 Water Apple 100 NT (S$4), 4 Mandarin Orange 100 NT (S$4), 3 Peach 100 NT (S$4), 6 Custard Apple 650 NT (S$26) and Mango Ice 150 NT (S$6).

We arrive at Gao Xiong (高雄） at around 1200 hrs and had Braised Pork, Steam Fish and Sausage for Lunch. We visit the Exotic Marine Life Museum （海洋奇珍园） and Cheng Ching Lake （澄清湖） at 1300 hrs. The museum use to be a bunker for Nuclear War, it had a 5 tons steel door install at the entrance. It was brought over by a business man and convert into an Exotic Marine Life Museum later after the cold war was over, the Cheng Ching Lake serve as a Fresh Water Reservoir.

Light Vented Bulbul at Cheng Ching Lake

We went to the Teressa Teng （邓丽君） Museum and Pearl Shop at 1430 hrs, Teressa Teng was a famous Chinese singer in the past. The pearl in Taiwan were different from other countries as it is breed in mountain spring instead of Sea or Fresh Water Lake, the Pearl Powder had various medical and cosmetic properties such as curing fever, stopping bleeding and smoothing skin.

Jewellery of Teressa Teng at Teressa Teng Museum

We arrive at the Dream Mall at about 1530 hrs and took the Farris Wheel Ride 300 NT (S$12) on top of the shopping mall. We check in to Room 619 of City Suite Hotel at about 1700 hrs. We visit Liu He （六合） Night Market for dinner at 1800 hrs and had Pork Roll 100 NT (S$4), Chicken Chop 60 NT (S$2.4), Fried Bun 60 NT (S$2.4), Papaya Milk 50 NT (S$2), Bird Egg 50 NT (S$2) and Eight Treasure Soup 40 NT (S$1.60). We went for the Love River (爱河） Boat Ride 240 NT (S$9.60) after that, the legend say a pair of lovers committed suicide at the river long time ago and the local change the name from Da Gou （打狗） River to Love River after the incident. Da Gou （打狗） was the old name for Gao Xiong (高雄）, it was change by the Japanese later when they rule Taiwan for a period of time.

Farris Wheel at Dream Mall

11th Feb 2015 (Wednesday) Gao Xiong (高雄） to Ali Mountain （阿里山）:

We wake up in the Morning at 0600 hrs and had Breakfast at the Hotel, we set off at 0730 hrs to Ali Mountain （阿里山）. We arrive at Jia Yi （嘉义） Eternity Suspension Bridge （天长地久桥） at 1000 hrs, it was believed that any couple who walk the Eternity Suspension Bridge will had a relationship that last till eternity.

Chameleon at Eternity Bridge

We arrive at Feng Qi Hu Old Street (奋起湖老街） at 1200 hrs and had Chicken Drum Stick Lunch Box, Salmon Fish Lunch and Bamboo Shoot Soup for Lunch. The Lunch Box Meal was the specialties there and it is a must try when you visit Feng Qi Hu Old Street, it was the main meal for the worker when they had to travel deep into the mountains by the train in the olden days.

Train at Feng Qi Hu Old Street

We visit the Ali Mountain （阿里山） at about 1400 hrs, there are a pair of Sister Lake （姐妹潭）  which told a legend of how two sisters fell in love with a handsome guy and decided to commit suicide at each of the lake so that the other sister can be with the guy and find happiness.

Sister Lake at Ali Mountain

We check in to Room 216 of Long Yun （龙云） Mountain Resort at around 1600 hrs, the resort is locate at 1500 meters above sea level on top of Ali Mountain （阿里山）. We had Steam Fish, Steam Chicken, Deep Fried Wild Vegetable for Dinner at 1800 hrs, we join the Night Walk at 1930 hrs to see the Flying Squirrel and Fire Fly.

Sea of Cloud at Ali Mountain

12th Feb 2015 (Thursday) Ali Mountain （阿里山） to Tai Chung （台中）:

We wake up in the Morning at 0600 hrs and had Breakfast at the Resort, we set off at 0730 hrs to Tai Chung (台中）. We arrive at Nan Tou (南投） Ji Ji Train Station （集集火车站） at 0930 hrs, brought a Banana and Milk Ice Cream 80 NT (S$3.60). The Ice Cream were a bit dull in taste but the Biscuit for the Ice Cone was made fresh on the spot and was very crispy and nice.

Ji Ji Train Station at Nan Tou

We visit the Sun Moon Lake (日月潭） at 1030 hrs, the Boat Ride cost and additional 1000 NT (S$40). We found out later that the actual price for the Boat Ride is only half of what we pay the Tour Guide later when we arrive back at the Jetty, guess this is what most tour guide do to earn extra income from the commission they get from the shops and changing the tour itineraries (saving the cost of Train Ticket and suggest to take the Mountain Path instead).

We visit the Xuan Guan Temple （玄光寺） and had the Famous Ah Po Tea Leave Egg （阿婆茶叶蛋）, the Temple had the Holy Relic of Tang Monk form the Journey to the West. The Mountain Ridge at Xuan Guan Temple represent a Green Dragon and a Pagoda which signify a Sword is place on its back to destroy the Feng Shui. The Sun Moon Lake were originally separated by the Naru Island, the Sun Lake was round in shape while the Moon Lake was Crescent in shape, the Japanese had build a dam for the power generation and divert a mountain stream to fill up the lake to serve as a reservoir. 

Sun Moon Lake view from Xuan Guan Temple (Naru Island at the Centre)

We had Steam Fish, Braised Chicken, Stir Fried Pork, Stir Fried Mushroom for Lunch at Jing Sheng Lou (景聖楼）, this restaurant had survive the Year 1999 Earth Quake as it had a very good name when sound like The Only Building Remaining (仅剩楼）in Chinese. We visit the Wen Wu Temple （文武庙） and Peacock Garden (孔雀园） after Lunch which are just near by to the restaurant. The Wen Wu Temple is the only temple which house the Civilize and War God under the same roof, it had a pair of very eye catching Red Lion Statue.

Red Lion Statue at Wen Wu Temple

Peacock at Peacock Garden

We visit the Aboriginal Product Shop and Tea Shop in the afternoon, their specialties are Ling Zhi and Deer Unborn Baby Powder as usual. But in additional they also selling Royal Jelly, Pollen and Honey, they are trying very hard to sell me Royal Jelly 9000 NT (S$360), Pollen 2800 NT (S$112) and Honey 1500 NT (S$60) but were unsuccessful. I told them I don't drink Royal Jelly, don't eat Pollen and I can buy at least 5 bottle of similar Honey in Singapore at that price. The older couple brought the Pollen just to ensure that we could leave the shop early, while the East Malaysia Family turn down the Pollen offer after the Credit Card Payment didn't get through.

The Tea Shop suffer the same fate as they are trying to sell the Tea Leave from 2000 NT (S$80) to a discount price of 800 NT (S$32) which led us to our suspicion of raising the products to very high price and later giving very attractive discount to cheat the customer. From my previous experience, most the Specialty Shop usually increase the price from 100% to 500% higher and the Tour Guide usually earn about 25% to 200% commission from the shop.

Eagle and Bee Hive at Aboriginal Product Shop

We arrive at Tai Chung （台中） and check in to Room 302 of I Deal Hotel at 1700 hrs, we went to Feng Jia （逢甲） Night Market for dinner and had Banana Pancake 60 NT (S$2.40), Cheese Chicken Chop and Cheese Chicken Pop Corn 100 NT (S$4), Silk Stocking Milk Tea 40 NT (S$1.60), Big and Small Sausage 45 NT (S$1.80). I brought a Sweater with the print of Kitten for my wife at 500 NT (S$20), she brought a pair of Black High Heel Shoe to suit her Red and Blue Dress which she will be wearing for the coming Chinese New Year at 300 NT (S$12).




13th Feb 2015 (Friday, Friday the Thirteen) Tai Chung （台中）to Tai Pei （台北）:

We wake up in the Morning at 0600 hrs and had Breakfast at the Hotel, we set off at 0730 hrs to Tai Pei （台北）.  We visit Zhong Lie Shrine （忠烈祠） at 1000 hrs to see the Guard Changing Ceremony, we also visit The Grand Hotel （圆山大饭店） which use to be the prominent building which represent Taiwan until the Taipei 101 Tower was completed. The Zhong Lie Shrine was build to honor Mr Sun Yat Sen （孙中山） and all the heroes who had lost their lives during the call of duties. The Grand Hotel was use to entertain all the Foreign Minsters when they visit Taiwan, one night stay at the hotel will cost 7000 NT (S$280). The Feng Shui of the Hotel was destroy by the Highway and the Xing Guang Building （星光大厦） which look like a joss stick position right at the main door.

Guard Changing Ceremony at Zhong Lie Shrine

The Grand Hotel

We had Mongolian BBQ Buffet for Lunch and visit the Pi Xiu （貔貅) Shop and Beauty Product Duty Free Shop after that. The Pi Xiu Shop is located at the Underground Basement like most of the Casino which I had visit over the years, they strongly believe that Underground Basement had the ability to keep fortune in the study of Feng Shui even the Vault at most of the Banks are located at the Underground Basement. 

Two very big Pi Xiu Statue are right in front of the entrance when we enter the shop, Pi Xiu is believe to be a rare mystical creature which is the ninth descendant of the Dragon. As it eat monsters for food and does not have an ass hole, it will vomit gold and jewels from its mouth after it had digest the monsters. So it had been a favorite ornament for most of the business man since ancient times.

The shop ask me to represent the tour group to receive the fortune, I had to place both my palm on the head of the statue and turn three round anti clockwise and then move all the way to the tail. We went in to the room for the Feng Shui Talk right after that, the shop talk about how having 4, 9 and 13 stroke in the name will bring great fortune. Like the Tradition Chinese Character Luck (運）which is 13 stroke and had a roof, a car and a ship in the character, it also look like an army on a ship too. But if you are aware enough, you will realize that the character actually had 12 stroke instead of 13 stroke.

The shop continue say that Singapore was once name 星嘉坡，星加坡 and later become 新加坡, the Traditional Chinese Character 星 9 stroke 新 13 stroke 嘉 13 stroke 加 4 stroke and 坡 9 stroke. But if you are aware enough, you will realize that the character 嘉 actually had 14 stroke instead of 13 stroke, 加 had 5 stroke instead of 4 stroke and 坡 had 8 stroke instead of 9 stroke.

The shop continue to illustrate on the Singapore Currency and say that most of the Currency had Octagon (八卦） on it, from the S$1 Coin to the S$50 Note. The $2 Note had Bat （蝙蝠） which mean Blessing （福）, $5 Note had Mandarin Orange (甘桔) which mean Lucky （吉）, $10 Note had Bronze Coin (铜钱) which mean Wealth (财） and $50 Note had Peaches (寿桃) which mean Longevity （寿）.

$2 Note with Bat

$5 Note with Mandarin Orange

$10 Note with Bronze Coin

 

$50 Note with Peach

The shop goes on and and say that I lack Metal Element and my wife lack Wood Element in our life, and wanted us to buy the Metal Element (White Jade) and Wood Element (Green Jade) Pi Xiu Statue at 600 NT (S$24) each to help in our fortune (The Water Element is Black Jade, the Earth Element is Yellow Jade and the Fire Element is Red Jade.). But I turn down the offer and walk out of the shop. Guess all the Octagon on inside my wallet had manage to destroy the Feng Shui of the shop and fail to retain my fortune inside their shop. The same fate happen for the Beauty Product Duty Free Shop as their products are found to be much more expensive than the normal products sold outside.

We went to the Fishermen Wharves （渔人码头） and visit the Lover Bridge （情人桥） at 1600 hrs, we check in to Room 1122 of Paradise Hotel at 1800 hrs. We went for Dinner at Xi Men Ding (西门町）Shopping Street and had Pork Intestine Vermicelli 50 NT (S$2), Chicken Chop 70 NT (S$2.80), Passion Fruit and Green Tea Drinks 170 NT (S$6.80). We decided to visit to Guang Zhou Street （广州街） Night Market later as Xi Men Ding Shopping Street became a bit boring after some time. My wife had BBQ Corn 50 NT (S$2) while I had Maltose Candy 50 NT (S$2) at the Night Market. The Maltose Candy was soft and nice as compare to the hard one I found in Singapore.

Lover Bridge at Fishermen Wharves

 14th Feb 2015 (Saturday, Valentine Day) Taipei （台北）:

We wake up in the Morning at 0800 hrs and had Breakfast at the Hotel, we went to visit the Tai Pei 101 Tower 1000 NT (S$40) at 0900 hrs (Taxi 250 NT about S$10, with additional 20 NT for the Chinese New Year Period). The Tower is 508 meters high, with the Fastest Elevator which travel at 1010 meters per minute.

Tai Pei 101 Tower had a lot of Feng Shui in the design, the Logo of the building are Bronze Coin (财） forming a Wishful (如意). The building is form by 8 Trapezium （聚寶盆） which look like Bamboo (節節高升). We check out of the Hotel and set off for the Airport at 1200 hrs, we had Noodle, Dumping and Bubble Tea 550 NT (S$22) at the Airport.

View of Tai Pei City from North of Tai Pei 101 Tower

Taiwan is an Island fill with Treasures and Love, we had seen the Ling Zhi, Mei Hua Deer, Cat Eye Stone and Pearl and we had visited Love River at Gao Xiong, the Eternity Bridge at Jia Yi, the Sister Lake at Ali Mountain, the Lover Bridge at Tai Pei. If you really want a romantic tour with the one you love, Taiwan would be the best choice.

Love Sign at Gao Xiong Love River