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

Jiang Nan Tour 2012

Brought the 5 Days 4 Night Romantic Luxurious Shang Hai Tour Package by Gloree Tours & Travels at $238 per person from Deal Web Site, the Airport Tax for Singapore Airline Flight is additional $380 per person. Tip for Tour Guide at $6 per day for 5 days is $30, so the whole package cost about $648 per person. The tour package include Singapore Airline Flight with 5 Stars Hotel Stay and most of the Meals, it is consider a very good deal as we only have to pay for the Flight Ticket where the 5 Stars Hotel Stay and Meals are basically sponsored by the Speciality Shop which we have to stay for about 60 to 90 Minutes.

Day 1 Saturday 22nd Sep 2012: Shang Hai and Su Zhou

We arrive at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 on Friday 21st Sep 2012 at 2230 hrs and take off at 0115 hrs for Shang Hai. We arrived at Shang Hai Pu Dong Airport at about 0635 hrs, by the time we clear the Custom and found our Tour Guide Miss Zhu it is already 0715 hrs. By the time all the 16 people gather at the Bus which can accommodate 55 persons and set off is already 0730 hrs.


My Mum Making Sushi at Suntori Japanese Restaurant at East South East Culture Centre

Our first stop is East South East Culture Centre at Shang Hai, we arrive there at about 0900 hrs. We have Sushi Making Lesson and watch some Dance Performance there. We left at about 1100 hrs and have Duck Noodle at RMB 5 each ($1) for Lunch at nearby Eatery. We set off again at about 1200 hrs for Su Zhou.


Famous Combination Word by Tang Bo Hu which mean Every Day Can See Talent (Money).

The next Attraction is Tang Bo Hu Mansion at Su Zhou, Tang Bo Hu is one of the four Talented Scholar in Jiang Nan he is famous for many Painting and Poetry. I brought a Folded Fan with his Famous Poetry printed on it for RMB 20 ($4).

We check in at Su Zhou Days Inn Room 317 and 315 at about 1430 hrs, have a short afternoon nap and gather again at Hotel Lobby at 1630 hrs. We have Steam Fish and Meat Ball for Dinner at Local Restaurant at 1700 hrs. We visit Yuan Rong Times Square Shopping Mall at 1830 hrs to see the Biggest LED Display and return back to our Hotel at 1930 hrs and rest for the night.

Day 2 Sunday 23rd Sep 2012: Su Zhou and Wu Xi

We woke up at about 0700 hrs and have our Breakfast at 0730 hrs at the Hotel, we gather at the Hotel Lobby and set off at 0800 hrs. The first stop in the morning is Silk Factory and we arrive there at about 0900 hrs. Silk is a very good Material for Blanket as it can withstand Moisture, it remain cool in Summer and warm in Winter. Real Silk is different from Polyester, when burn with fire it will give off White Smoke and extinguish within seconds. I brought Leopard Spot Design Bed Linen Set at RMB 4480 ($896), Silk Blanket and Mattress Protector Set RMB 1470 ($294), it came with 4 x Silk Pillow and 2 x Silk Scarf Free, My Grand Aunt brought (Kid Size Silk Blanket and Mattress Protector Set for my coming Nephew at RMB 720 ($144). We also brought 6 x Silk Scarf at RMB 50 ($10) from the Tour Guide and get one Silk Scarf free.


Ling Shan Buddha

We have Pork Knuckle and Fried Prawn for Lunch at Local Restaurant by the River at about 1100 hrs, we set off for Wu Xi at about 1200 hrs. We arrive at Ling Shan Buddha at about 1400 hrs, the Tour Tram of RMB 25 ($5) was provided by the Tour Agency Free when we purchase the Additional Tour Package at RMB 500 ($100). We left at 1700 hrs

We have Pork Rib and Steam Fish for Dinner at Local Restaurant at 1800 hrs and arrive at Wan Da Shopping Mall at 1900 hrs. We left the Shopping Mall at 2000 hrs and check in at Wu Xi Ramada Hotel Room 8008 and 8010 at 2100 hrs.

Day 3 Monday 24th Sep 2012: Wu Xi and Hang Zhou

We woke up at 0630 hrs and have our Breakfast at the Hotel at 0700 hrs, we gather at the Hotel Lobby at 0730 hrs and set off for Pearl Factory. We arrive at Pearl Factory at about 0830 hrs. Pearl come in different Colour, the most common one are White and Pink, Fresh Water Pearl got Purple and the very rare Black while Salt Water Pearl have very Rare Golden. Real Pearl can be determine by grinding it against Glass, no matter what the Pearl Colour is, the Powder will always remain White. Pearl Powder can be consume for Health or apply to skin for Beauty. Pearl is of no value if it is not Round and less than 8 mm in diameter, the most Rare one are at least 10 mm or more in diameter. My Grand Aunt Brought a Golden Pearl Necklace at RMB 8800 ($1760) and Golden Pearl Ring at RMB 5000 ($1000)


Li Lake Garden

We arrive at a Li Lake Garden at 1030 hrs which is built in remembrance of Fan Li and Xi Shi which is one of the Four Famous Beauty. Yue and Wu have been in War for many years, Yue Emperor Gou Jian was captured by Wu and have to taste Wu Emperor Shit to diagnose his sickness to gain his trust. He also taste the bitter gallbladder of snake every night to remind himself of the humiliation and seeking for a chance to revenge. He was finally release back to his country after three years and his advisor Fan Li suggest training a female spy which is Xi Shi to destroy Wu. Xi Shi manage to win Wu Emperor Heart and talk him into killing his most capable General. As Wu become weaken, Yue manage to conquer and take over most of the land.

But Yue Emperor grew weary of Fan Li and Xi Shi and want to kill them, the Lover escape to this Lake and live a seclude life until they die. As Fan Li have invented the weighing system and help to improve the Local Economy by teaching the people how to Fish, Plant and Trade while Xi Shi teach them how to Weave, the Local decided to use this Lake to remember them.

We left the Lake Park at about 1100 hrs and our next stop is Purple Sand Teapot Museum. We arrive there at about 1200 hrs and were taught on how to differentiate Real Purple Sand Teapot from the Fake one from the Sound Crystal Clear when knock and Feel Rough on the Surface , it also have a very good Absorbing Properties where it is able to dry up fast and can give back Tea Taste after some use without Tea Leave as the Favour is absorb into the Material. As Purple Sand can only be found in Yi Xing Quarry and unable to regenerate itself, it had become a very rare material for making Teapot. The most common one is Purple or Red in colour while there are also the Yellow and the Most Rare Green. My Mum brought 6 x Purple Sand Tea Cup at RMB 5 ($1) each.


Old Canal River Boat Tour

We have Pork Rib and Steam Fish for Lunch at a Restaurant near to the Tea Pot Museum at about 1300 hrs. We set off at about 1400 hrs for our first Additional Tour Package of Old Canal River Boat Tour arrive there at about 1430 hrs. The Boat Tour actually cost about RMB 100 ($20) each but we have to pay the Tour Agency RMB 150 ($30) each for the Tour Guide and Transport. It was like the River Boat Tour in Boat Quay and Clarke Quay in Singapore only the Building is more Traditional Chinese Style in Ancient China.

We brought 5 x Biscuit from the Tour Guide at RMB 20 ($4) each and get one Free. We finish our Boat Tour at about 1600 hrs and set off for Hang Zhou. The travelling time to Hang Zhou is about three and a half hours and we have the Famous Beggar Chicken and Dong Bo Pork for Dinner at Hang Zhou at 1930 hrs. We went to West Lake Night Spot at 2030 hrs and check in to Hang Zhou Heng Jing Holiday Hotel Room 520 and 521 at 2200 hrs.

Day 4 Tuesday 25th Sep 2012: Hang Zhou and Shang Hai


West Lake Boat Tour

We woke up at 0630 hrs and have our Breakfast at the Hotel at 0700 hrs, we gather at the Hotel Lobby at 0730 hrs and set off for West Lake Boat Tour. We arrive there at 0830 hrs and take the Boat Tour with visit to another Lake Garden. The West Lake is related to the Legend of White Snake as she is held captive by the Monk in the Lei Feng Pagoda located there. There is Three Lamp with Five Holes at the Centre of the Lake where they will light up at Night on Moon Cake Festival which will simulate a Reflection which create an illusion of many Moons. My Grand Aunt brought 8 x Scarf at RMB 10 ($2) each at the Lake Garden near to the West Lake.

Our next stop is Long Jing Tea Village, we arrive there at about 1000 hrs. The Tea Village belong to the Mei Family and most of them are with the Surname of Mei. We are shown how the Tea can absorb all the Toxin from the Rice which is contaminated by Iodine and explain on the benefit of drinking Green Tea. The Tea should not be brew with Boiling Water but with Warm Water at about 80 Degree Celsius which is left to cool for about three to five minutes after boiling.

We have Steam Fish and Pork Rib for Lunch at 1130 hrs at a Local Restaurant nearby the Tea Village. We set off for Shang Hai at 1230 hrs and arrive at Pu Er Tea Shop in Shang Hai at 1600 hrs. Pu Er is Red Tea from Yun Nan, it can be brew with Boiling Water and its favour become better with age. It also have good benefit for Health and it took few hundred years to grow into a mature tree. We are also introduce to the Tian Qi Flower which the First Year is White and Second Year is Yellow which only can cook as dish, the Third Year it will become Green which can be use to brew Tea.

There is a Story of a Wood Chopper who accidentally injure a Monkey in the forest, he realise the Monkey wound recover very fast within a few days. So he decided to injure the Monkey again and follow it, he saw the Monkey using the Leaf of Tian Qi Plant to dress the wound and that led to the Discovery of one of the Greatest Chinese Herbal Medicine in History. The Root is usually grind into powder and use for treating wound, the Famous Yun Nan White Powder is actually made from that. It also help to thin down the blood to prevent Stroke and Heart Attack, which is similar to the American taking Aspirin but without the side effect. I brought a Big Can of Tian Qi Flower at RMB 600 ($120) and it come with Small Can of Tian Qi Flower and a Box of Flower Fruit Tea Free

We have Steam Fish and Sweet Sour Pork for Dinner at Thai Culture Village at 1830 hrs. We went for our Additional Tour Package of Shang Hai Circus Show at 1930 hrs. The show actually cost RMB 160 ($38) each but we have to pay the Tour Agency RMB 350 ($70) each for the Tour Guide and Transport again.


Night View from The Bund

We went to the Shang Hai Night Spot Xin Tian Di at 2130 hrs and The Huang Pu Park and The Bund at 2230 hrs. We have to pay the Tour Guide a Tips of $30 each for $6 per person per day and Luggage Transfer RMB 40 ($8) each at RMB 10 ($2) per luggage per night. We check in at Shang Hai Rhea Hotel Room 2332 and 2331 at 2330 hrs.

Day 5 Wednesday 26th Sep 2012: Shang Hai

We woke up at 0630 hrs and have our Breakfast at the Hotel at 0700 hrs, we gather at the Hotel Lobby at 0730 hrs and set off for Tong Ren Chinese Medicine Hall. We were explain about the Basic of Chinese Medicine, where the Five Organ is related to the Five Elements. Liver is Wood, Heart is Fire, Stomach is Earth, Lung is Metal, Kidney is Water. With this concept we will be able to understand how each organ actually affect each other and there by affect our body.

The Master of the Chinese Medicine Hall actually choose Me and My Wife for diagnose, and speak to us about My Fatty Liver Problem and My Wife Cold Womb Problem. He actually claim that he had the correct medicine for both of us which is only available there and cost a few thousand RMB. When I told him that I will need a second opinion and reconsider his offer, he became very work up and start to throw temper at me. I calmly state my observation on him as his lip is black from excessive smoking and his eyes were red from lack of sleep and heat trap in the body. The discussion did not go as well as I thought and my wife blame me for making fun of Chinese Medicine.

Our next stop is Jade Factory and we arrive there at 1000 hrs, the Boss Son came to explain to us about how to differentiate Real Jade and Emerald from Fake one. My Wife start to take revenge by revealing all the answer before he could speak. We became like Martial Art Expert of the Ancient China smashing the Sign Board of every Martial Art Hall as we go. It is like the Return of the Condor Hero all over again.

Jade and Emerald have very good Heat Absorbing Properties, Real One can be determine by trying to burn Hair or Plastic Bag wrap around it. The Hair or Plastic Bag will never get burnt if it is wrap around the Real One, and the Plastic been the more reliable test for it. Jade have a Hardness Index of 4.5 while Emerald have a Hardness Index of 7.5, to differentiate between Jade and Emerald is by try whether it can cause any scratch on Glass which have a Hardness Index of 5.5. Of course Emerald will scratch Glass while Jade will not base on the different Hardness Index. Jade and Emerald value is determine by its clarity and colour, the longer it is been wear the clearer it become and Bright Green and Purple got more value then Yellow and White.


Yu Yuan Shopping Street

We have Xiao Long Bao and Steam Prawn for Lunch at Yu Yuan Shopping Street at 1230 hrs. We visit the Cheng Huang Temple there at 1330 hrs and go Free and Easy for our Shopping Spree there. I bring My Family to the Forth Sign Road where things are cheaper, we brought three packet of Fried Dumplings at RMB 5 ($1) each, 500 g of Chest Nut RMB 20 ($4), 10 x Silk Scarf at RMB 10 ($2) with One Free, 500 g of Cherry at RMB 20 ($4).

We arrive at Nan Jing Road Shopping Street at 1500 hrs, I help Uncle Chia to search for some Chinese Medicine along the street and he was very grateful to me even though we did not manage to get what he want. We took Maglev Train to Airport at 1700 hrs which cost RMB 40 ($10) each which come Free with our Additional Tour Package. Our Flight was delay and we finally fly back from Shang Hai at 2000 hrs and arrive back n Singapore on Thursday 27th Sep 2012 at 0130 hrs.