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

Hainan Tour 2013: Legend of the Phoenix (凤凰传奇）

Brought the 5D4N National Day Special Hainan Tour Package from Deal Website at S$238 each, the package include 4 Night 4/5 Stars Hotel Stay (1 Night Stay at 7 Stars Hotel at Phoenix Island), Tour of Boao Forum, Jade Belt Beach, Betel Nut Valley, South Mountain Cultural Village. As I have to attend the Wedding Ceremony of my wife younger brother on 14th Sep 2013 (Saturday), I book the 13th Sep 2013 (Friday) and 20th Sep 2013 (Friday) Jet Star Flight and book the Tour from 15th Sep 2013 (Sunday) to 19th Sep 2013 (Thursday). Jet Star is having a National Day Promotion where the Return Flight is Free, the flight had cost S$231 each which include 20 Kg Check In Baggage.

Day 1: 13 Sep 2013 (Friday)

We woke up at 0500 hrs and set off for the Airport at 0530 hrs. We arrive at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 0600 hrs and had Breakfast at the Airport after we check in our luggage. Brought Two Bottle of Liquor and Two Carton of Cigarette for the Wedding Ceremony at the Duty Free Shop before we proceed to the Boarding Gate. We took off at 0730 hrs and landed at Haikou Meilan Airport at 1100 hrs. As the International Airport had been relocated about one month ago, our transport only manage to pick us up at 1200 hrs.

We arrive at Wenchang at about 1400 hrs and have our Lunch at a Local Restaurant, we finally arrive at the Village at 1600 hrs after another hour drive from Wenchang. We took an afternoon nap and have Dinner at the village at 1900 hrs, I went to sleep early right after dinner at 2100 hrs as I have to wake up early at 0200 hrs the next day to accompany the groom to fetch the bride. Actually that is not really require but since it would be boring waiting at the village I might as well visit Danzhou.

Photo with Bride and Groom

Day 2: 14 Sep 2013 (Saturday)

We woke up at 0200 hrs an set off for Danzhou at 0300 hrs, after 4 hours of journey on the round island expressway we finally arrive at Danzhou at the West Coast around 0700 hrs. The bride side insist that the Bride can only leave at 0900 hrs for auspicious reason and we have to wait like an idiot for two hours. If we have known that earlier, we would have set off at 0500 hrs from the village instead. We were suppose to return to the Village by 1300 hrs or we would have miss the auspicious hour for the groom side and seem like the bride side is purposely stalling our time so that the Bride can dominate the Groom in the future.

We have Breakfast at 0830 hrs and started the Prayer Ceremony at 0900 hrs, the ceremony on the bridge side is also very different from the traditional Chinese Ceremony. Usually Chinese would require both the couple to pray to the ancestor together, but the bride side would require the Groom to pray first and make Cigarettes Offering (Usually Southern Chinese Offer Tea while Northern Chinese Offer Wine) before the Bride do the Prayer.

We finally set off and head back to the Village with the Bride and the Bride Maids from the bride side, the bride side only give a TV to the groom side which I find a bit less as my wife younger sister actually give a Fridge, Washing Machine and Water Heater to the groom side when she got married last year. After 5 hours of journey with a lot of stop in between for the bride side people to go toilet we finally arrive at the Village at 1430 hrs which is way pass the groom side auspicious hour and make prayer to the ancestor before they enter the Village. Most of the friends and relative on the groom side had already left after the Lunch and the Bride is also not willing to make Tea Offering to the groom side.

I finally have my Luncher (Lunch cum Dinner as Brunch is Breakfast cum Lunch) at 1530 hrs and the Bride finally agree to make Tea Offering after much persuasion to the groom side at 1600 hrs. I went to sleep early at 2100 hrs as it was a very tiring day for me today.

Day 3: 15 Sep 2013 (Sunday)

I woke up at 0700 hrs and set off at 0830 hrs for Train Station, we arrive at the Wenchang Train Station at 0900 hrs and brought the Train Ticket at 17.5 RMB (S$3.5) to Meilan Airport. The Train set off at 1100 hrs and we arrive at the Domestic Airport in just 30 minutes, another 30 minutes walk to the international airport to meet up with our Local Tour Guide at 1200 hrs.

The Tour Agency Journey of Dream Pte Ltd seem to have forgot about my booking and made a last minute arrangement on 12th of Sep 2013 (Thursday) after I have send an official complaint to Deal Website when I could not contact the agency for two days to get my booking confirmation for the tour. It is no surprise as I have already expected that there were no other people in the group when the local tour guide met up with us on the Airport on 15th Sep 2013 (Sunday). The local tour guide told us that the Tour Agency had not transfer the payment to them yet and there was no arrangement of one night stay at 7 Stars Hotel at Phoenix Island and we have to pay 838 RMB (S$168) each for the Optional Tour Package.

We arrive at Haikou at around 1300 hrs but we were unable to check in the Hotel at Haikou as the Local Tour Guide was unable to contact the Tour Agency. We went for Lunch at a Noodle Shop nearby while we wait for the Tour Agency to reply the Whatsapp Message which I had send earlier. After trying very hard to contact the Tour Agency, they manage to confirm the booking for the 7 Stars Hotel in Phoenix Island and ask me to pay the Local Tour Guide for the Optional Tour Package and get the Official Receipt to claim from the Tour Agency when back in Singapore. We finally check into Room 1224 of Xing Yuan Hot Spring Hotel at 1400 hrs.

We take an afternoon nap after check in and have Cray Pot Bone Soup 126 RMB (S$25) for Dinner at 1900 hrs, also brought a Nail Clipper Set at 40 RMB (S$8) the Night Market near to our Hotel and Sleep at 2200 hrs.

天下第一寿： 生母七十，生老百年。

Day 4: 16 Sep 2013 (Monday)

The Tour Guide had arrange for Morning Call at 0630 hrs, we had Breakfast at the Hotel Cafe at 0700 hrs and set off for our tour. First stop is Five Sage Temple at Haikou and we reach there at 0830 hrs after 30 minutes drive. Brought the Photo at 10 RMB (S$2).

We set at 0930hrs and arrive at Qionghai for Early Lunch at 1100 hrs, we arrive at Boao Forum at 1230 hrs to take a Boat to Jade Belt Shore (a Reclaim Beach with Fresh Water on one side and Sea Water on the other side). Took Photos with Turtle at Jade Beach Shore at 5 RMB (S$1).

 Photo with Turtle at Jade Beach Shore

We arrive Xinlong Coffee Factory at 1430 hrs and brought some Candy for 60 RMB (S$12). We check into Room 6406 Bright Moon Holiday Hotel (which is very similar to Mahkota Hotel in Melaka, Malaysia we stay last year) in Xinlong at 1530 hrs. We decided to visit my wife younger sister at Xin Zhong Confectionery at 1600 hrs. I help them do some computer maintenance while my wife help them with the Bakery, we then proceed to a Steam Boat Restaurant nearby where they treat us Dinner at 2100 hrs. We proceed back to the Hotel and sleep at 2200 hrs.

Day 5: 17 Sep 2013 (Tuesday)

We got Morning Call at 0700 hrs and had Breakfast at the Hotel at 0730 hrs, the first stop for the day is a Chinese Medical Hall at Xinlong name Hundred Tree Hall. As usual my wife is not happy about the way I made fun of those fake Chinese Doctor which I did during the last Beijing Trip in last year November. The Master will always by chance visit the place for few days and he will always tell you that you got some medical problems which he found out from the foot messager or tour guide who chat with you before. He will always say he could either try to cure you with his internal strength and finally ask you to buy fake medicine from them. I walk out right after and my wife actually pity the foot messager and brought a cheap plaster from them.

We set off at 0900 hrs and I requested the Tour Guide to bring us for Additional Tour of Monkey Island near Sanya at 180 RMB (S$36) each. We reach Monkey Island by Cable Car at 1030 hrs and brought Monkey Food at 10 RMB (S$2) to feed the Monkey before we proceed to watch two performance. We left Monkey Island at 1200 hrs and have Local Specialty Noodle nearby before we go Betel Nut Valley.

 Betel Nut Valley

We arrive Betel Nut Valley at 1300 hrs after 30 minutes drive. Betel Nut Valley is a Tourist Spot with Tribal Culture, it is similar to the Tribe in Yunnan where they know Black Magic. They will put all the poisonous creature into a jar and let them fight and the last survive will be grind into powder for the black magic. It will be cast by getting the husband to ingest the powder by adding into his food, if the husband is unfaithful to the wife he will become very sick and no medication could cure him. The only way is to beg for wife forgiveness before the antidote is given to him.

Tribal Culture are dominated by Women where the Man must work three years in the Girl Family before he can ask for marriage. The first year he must learn to plant rice,  the second year he must learn to collect sap from rubber trees, and the third year he must collect enough Silver Ore to learn to craft 25 kg of Silver Wares as Downy for the Bride (A Head Dress, A Bracelet, Two Bowl, Two Pair of Chopsticks) before he can get married. If any time the bride family are not satisfy with him performance, they will give him a bag of rice and a red hard boil egg and ask him to leave.

 Phoenix Silver Head Dress which weight more than 15 Kg

The Silver Bracelet they wear have strong medical properties as they soak it in Medical Herbs for a long period of time after they have craft it. They usually wrap the Silver Bracelet in an hard boil egg and rub it on the body to remove any poison from themselves. The Egg and the Bracelet will turn Black after the treatment as it had absorb the poison from the body. They usually clean and polish the Silver Bracelet with Soy Sauce, Tooth Paste or Coke after it had turn black from absorbing poison. I brought a Phoenix Craving Sliver Bracelet for 1612 RMB (S$322) for my wife and also brought Two Packet of Honey Coconut for 30 RMB (S$6) and Two Photos for 30 RMB (S$6).

We left Betel Nut Valley at 1500 hrs and arrive at South Mountain Cultural Village at 1600 hrs.

View the Golden Goddess at 20 RMB (S$4) each and brought Blessing Ribbon at 30 RMB (S$6). We had Dinner at 1900 hrs before we go for additional Las Vegas Show at Beauty Crown Theater which recommended by our tour guide at 280 RMB (S$56) each at 2030 hrs.

Tower 5 Room 2003 at 7 Stars Beauty Crown Hotel in Phoenix Island

Finally check into Tower 5 Room 2003 of Beauty Crown Hotel at Sanya Phoenix Island which is the major highlight of the whole tour at 2330 hrs.The Curtain is Automated Open the moment we step into our room, all the switches are touch sensing type. The shower room have three different type of jet spray from the ceiling and a open bath tub at the balcony. With such a impressive Hotel Room of course it will be Sexy Time for me and my wife.

Day 6: 18 Sep 2013 (Wednesday)

We got Morning Call at 0700 hrs as usual and have Breakfast at Tower Three at 0730 hrs. As the Phoenix Island is a very big Reclaim Island ready for the Casino Project, the tour guide have to drive us from Tower Five to Tower Three for Breakfast.

First stop for the day is Dr Tea Tea Shop at 0900 hrs, I decided to buy some high grade Puer Tea as an investment for 1600 RMB (S$320) as it have very good medical properties and will age and increase value like vintage wine. Together with the purchase is a Tea Set that change color at high temperature, Low Grade Puer Tea, Kuding Tea which is local specialty. As usual my wife is not happy like the last time I brought the Tianqi Flower in Shanghai Trip last year September, but at least she very impress by the Color Changing Tea Set which I could have brought it at 10 RMB (S$2) at any Bazaar in Guangzhou.   

We arrive at Silk Factory around 1000 hrs, my wife brought five pair of Silk Socks at 100 RMB  (S$20). As we thought we could leave, the tour guide insist that we have to stay for 90 minutes to fulfill the tour package terms an conditions. My wife pity the Sale Girl who had just started the job two months ago and I have to buy a Micro Fiber Blanket at 680 RMB (S$136) which I could have brought at S$40 in Singapore or 150 RMB (S$30) in Guangzhou. The Sale Girl was very happy and sold us a 680 RMB (S$136) Silk Pillow to us at the staff price of 200 RMB (S$40), I was thinking what kind of bullshit is that.

Resort Room at Bird Nest Paradise in Yalong Bay

We finally arrive at Bird Nest Paradise at 1200 hrs, it was another additional tour which I have requested at 260 RMB (S$52) each. It was the famous Rain Forest Resort where the Chinese Movie You are the One 2 (非誠勿扰2) use as the shooting location. We visit the Hanging Bridge for 20 RMB (S$4) brought Photos for 30 RMB (S$6). The Famous Room which use to film the movie cost 9999 RMB (S$2000) per night stay, it use to be 4000 RMB (S$800) per night stay before the movie make it famous. We get to visit the Room for a 50% discount price of 50 RMB (S$10) each due to tourism down season and it come with one free photo per person. The weather suddenly turn bad with haze and thunder storm due to the Typhoon Season, but we were lucky that our tour have come to a fruitful end.

We had Late Lunch nearby at 1430 hrs and proceed to Bamboo Factory at 1530 hrs. The Factory is specialize in Bamboo Charcoal and Fiber, Activated Charcoal created in vacuum condition at high temperature of 2000 Deg Celsius is good for absorbing toxic substances from water and air, it is commonly use in Water and Air Filtration Equipments worldwide. It is also known that acidic water is good for cleaning the body while alkaline water is good for consumption. Activated Bamboo Charcoal have the ability to turn water into alkaline and absorb toxic substances. 

Bamboo Fiber is a new concept which was develop recently during the Shanghai World Expo few years ago. It does not turn moldy like cotton and has higher absorbent rate of three to four times of cotton. It also have a natural anti bacteria properties which make it an excellent choice for clothing over cotton. I brought a Thermos Flask, Seven Towels, Two T Shirts, Five Pair of Socks, Six Pair of Underwear, Two Boxes of 12 Pieces Activated Charcoal Cube, Two Tube of Tooth Paste, a Tap Filter, a Soap for 1847 RMB (S$370).

I was given two chance in Lucky Dip Scratch and Win, the first try didn't get any luck but the second try got me first prize. I was entitled to buy two pieces of Jewelry at 85% Discount so I brought a Sapphire Ring and Necklace for my wife at 1944 RMB (S$390). My wife scold me stupid and choose to ignore me for the rest of the trip but she didn't know that I actually knew how they play the trick and kind of play along with them.

The trick is very simple, there are two bowl of lucky dip. one with all the no prize tickets and the other with all the first prize tickets. They will let you pick from the first bowl and get nothing, then they will let you pick from the second bowl and get first prize. The jewelery price have already been adjusted to 85% more and with the discount you are actually buying the jewelery at the normal price. I remember I did brought a Sapphire Necklace at Penang, Malaysia for my wife few years ago when we went Star Cruise. It cost about 900 Ringgit (S$390) and now I am getting two at the same price instead of one, the only problem is whether it is real or it is of the same grade. 

We finally set off at 1700 hrs for Haikou, the tour guide say he left his tour guide license at the resting room and turn back to search for it, but we know he just went back to collect his commission for the sale. At least it will make him work harder to please us and keep hoping that we would look for him again the next time we visit. The weather had turn very bad with heavy rain as we head back, the tour guide suggest we stay Xinlong for the night as it is not very safe for a drive at the highway in this weather condition. We were lucky that the weather turn better after a while and we stop by at Huangzhu for dinner at 1930 hrs.  

We finally arrive at Haikou at 2100 hrs, the tour guide told us that the 2030 hrs Special Effect Light Show was canceled due to weather and suggested to replace it with Massage. I found out later from the internet that the show ticket was 165 RMB (S$33) each while the Massage was only 65 RMB (S$13) each from the Massage Girl. I have to pay additional 50 RMB (S$10) for an hour extension and 88 RMB ($18) for my wife facial. We check into Room 1011 at Xing Yuan Hot Spring Hotel Haikou at 2300 hrs and pay addition 350 RMB (S$70) one more day extension. My wife realize that she had left her purple gold earring at the Massage Parlor and I had to call the tour guide to go back to search for it. 

Day 7: 19 Sep 2013 (Thursday)

We woke up at 0800 hrs and have Breakfast at 0830 hrs at the Hotel Cafe. We waited for my wife younger brother at the Hotel before we went for Lunch at 1230 hrs. Our plan for shopping was disrupted by the heavy rain and decided to head back to the Hotel. We meet up with the bride family for Dinner at 1900 hrs as it is Mid Autumn Festival. We went for Foot Massage at 2100 hrs and proceed back to Hotel and sleep at 2300 hrs.

Day 8: 20 Sep 2013 (Friday)

We woke up at 0800 hrs and have Breakfast at 0830 hrs at the Hotel Cafe. We set off for Airport at 0900 hrs and arrive at 0930 hrs. Our flight took off at 1200 hrs and landed in Singapore at 1530 hrs. It was told that the Phoenix cast itself into the fire and reborn again, traveling oversea for tour is just to learn the different cultures and try to get along with it. A Tour is like daily life, you can choose to ignore all the setback and learn to enjoy it or you can give up and cry about the petty things and spoil the whole purpose of the tour.