Second Day of my Taiwan Trip

Woke up around 0800 hrs to get ready to go around Taipei. Today I have a lot to cover and I need to rush to Freedom Plaza (自由廣場) to attend the Taipei Outdoor Bands Festival. It comprised of High and Senior High Band members and Flag bearers.

First up, I went to the Taipei Arena (台北小巨蛋）to take a look. It comprised of the indoor stadium and an outdoor stadium. In the indoor stadium, there is a Ice-skating Centre. I went out later to take a look at the outdoor stadium. There were also a outdoor track and a indoor basketball centre as well.

After that I went over to the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (国父纪念馆). This hall showed us the life of Dr Sun who is the founder of Republic of China. It was a huge hall. When u entered the hall, you would see Dr Sun's statue in the caverous lobby. Every hour you would also see changing of guards too. The same as the one in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

I walked over to my next destination, the Taipei City Hall (台北市政府). I went into the Discovery Centre of Taipei (台北探索馆) to take a look at whole Taipei became a cosmopolitian city.

The next one was the one I have always wanted to go.... the Taipei 101

Sorry everybody

I was so tired yesterday because I have been to a number of places yesterday!

I woke up at 0730 hrs so as to get ready for breakfast downstairs.

Yesterday, I started my trip by going the heritage sites of Taipei city. My first stop was to 2-28 Peace Park (二二八和平公园). This park was built to commemorate towards a massacre that began on 28 Feb 1947, an event that heralded the start of Taiwan's martial-law era. There were five main pavilions. As the 2-28 Memorial Museum and the National Taiwan Museum were not opened yet, I went over the Presidential Building (总统府). This was the best tour I have ever have. The guide was very good as she explained to us the history and culture of the building. This is where the President of Taiwan worked.

I went back to the 2-28 Memorial Museum (二二八记念馆). This place really told me the events and the repercussions of the 28 Feb 1947 massacre. It really gave me an understand of the event.

After that, I went over to the Freedom Plaza (自由廣場) that included Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (中正纪念堂), the National Drama Theatre (国家戏剧院) and National Concert Hall (国家音乐厅). I went to the National Concert Hall to get a tix to watch the National Chinese Orchestra concert at 1930hrs. After that, as I was about to proceed to the Memorial Hall, something caught my eyes. I saw a group of girls watching with their instruments. I think they were doing some rehearse for a competition. So I went to approach one of the personnel, he was Mr Tan. He explained to me what they were doing. These girls were from Taipei City Zhongshan Girls' High School. They were the best outdoor band in Taipei. They have represented the country for performance in the States. They were rehearsing for Saturday's Marching Band Festival organised by the Taipei City Education Bureau. I have even past him my contact so that I can pass him our SYF Outdoor Competition next year.

After that, I went up to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall or the locals would say Chiang Kai-Shek temple....hehe..... it looked like one actually. The first thing I saw when I reached the top was the Bronze Statue of Chiang Kai-Shek. Besides that, there were also two soldiers guiding his statue too. Every hour, there would be a change of arms. It was really interesting to see that. After that, I went to take a look at the history of Chiang Kai-Shek. It was really amazing.

After that, I went over to Da'an Garden (大安公园) and National Taiwan University (国立台湾大学) to take a look. The University was huge and I could see most of the buildings were traditional. I could also see a lot of graduates as well. Those were the days.

After that, I went back to National Concert Hall to watch the NCO's concert. They were playing Farewell My Concubine (霸王别). Overall, I found that it was fantastic. The hall was very traditional. One thing caught my eyes is that the seat's number is odd number at one side and even number at another side. That's weird.

After the concert, I went to explore one Night Market near Longshan Temple (龙山寺車站). I walked to Guangdong Rd and the first time I saw was the Snake Alley (华西街夜市). It was quite late so I only take a look at it. I was live snake skinned alive in from of me and the boss ever told me to come in to taste it....errrrr... not my cup of tea..... So I continued to walk out.

Outside the alley, there were a small nite market. So I went to enjoy the oyster Omelette. Everything is the same as Singapore however, they have topped with a sweet sauce and cabbage in it. It was really nice and unique.

After that I went back to the hotel to rest!! Another day again!!

Hey, all

Sorry have not been blogging for a very long time!!

I am blogging live at Taipei!! Yup, I am here backpacking! Currently in my hotel!!

I left Singapore today at 1350 hrs on a Jetstar flight. The journey was quite all right. I'm quite satisfactory with the flight. It was smooth sailing.

I reached Taipei Tao Yuan International Airport at 1825 hrs. We past the customs with ease and quickly I'm out. I took a bus from the airport to Taipei Main Station. In the bus, I met 2 students from Singapore. So cool!

I was arrived at Taipei Main Station, it was really huge..... this is the main intercharge for city of Taipei and also inter-state trains as well. I went to look for my hotel. It was really a long walk. Nearly lost my way. Lucky I went around asking people for direction.

Finally at 2030 hrs, I reached my hotel. Check-in and bathe. Get change and moved out to my first stop: Shilin Nite Market (士林夜市）. I took the Metro (MRT) to 剑谭。There were really so many things to eat and shop. I have stream pan bao, grass jelly milk tea and of course, stinky tofu. A lot of clothes to buy as well...... to tempting.

After that I went back to my hotel to rest. Tomorrow will be a whole day trip as I will be visiting the heritage sites of Taipei. Will take some photos and upload it.

Take care everybody!! Nite from 台湾！

Today was a great day as I went for my Primary School Class Gathering for the so 10 over years.



We met at Stamford Building at a Japanese restaurant called "Curry Favour". I saw Ting Ting, Xie Huiling, Ren De (really cannot recognize him) Yeqiang, Jianneng and later on Wei Liang.



We talked about our Primary School days and really have so many memories!!



After that, we went over to Swisstel hotel to have a drink and wait the other classmates to come.



Mocai, Lizu and his girlfriend came later to meet us! It was really a wonderful experience!



Below are the photo my friend Ting Ting did for us! Thanks Ting Ting!!

Today is Lunar New Year Eve! I woke up early to actually pass Cher Hui his plant but I think he cleaned up his room late and could not woke up!

So I took 86 back to AMK to meet up Guowei for breakfast at MacDonald before we met up Jianneng at the intercharge to go to the Zoo! As Jianneng has a corporate card to the Zoo, so we went there to enjoy ourselves! We walked around the Zoo watching all the animals. We managed to catch a show performed by the Seals!! So interesting!!

After that, we went back to AMK to have our lunch! We walked around at centre. We bid good-bye to each other later!

I took the bus to Cher Hui's place to pass him his plant in the afternoon! He managed to clean his room!

I went back to home to help my mom to get ready for Reunion Dinner! Lots to eat and eat until I'm so full!! haha!!

Is coming to mid-night already, and HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR to you all!!

All the best in the year of the OX!!

Hey, all

I back to blog in the brand new year!

Friday 2 Jan 09, was indeed a messy day when all the students come back to school in their brand new classes. I currently the form teacher for 2N1..... taught them before so I have no problem with them expect for a few students! The usual things to do, that was administration!! Is actually a short day for us as we were dismissed at 12.35pm

After that, I stayed in school for a while before I headed out! I went to catch a movie that night. The title of the movie was "Seven Pounds". It was so touching that I nearly cried because I felt that Bruce Wills was really very compassionate that he donated this organs to people who he wanted to help. After watching this video, I realised one very important thing, we must really appreciate the people we love around us, or else they would be gone!! I love all my brothers and sisters!! Miss you all!!

Sat 3 Jan 09, our first Alumni Band Practice for the year! We welcome the members from Holy Innocent for our first practice. We started off practicing the theme from Rocky and subsequently Der Hoderler and this year SYF Set Piece, Overture for Winds, No 1. Quite all right as we only saw the scores today!!

Sun 4 Jan 09, I woke up real late so I quickly turned on my computer to watch the Service online. Pastor was talking about the vision and plans for 09. After watching that, I'm on my way to send the school magazine to Jia Xin at the Post Office in Orchard. While I was about to go out, I have a very bad flu, so I cancelled my gym practice that day..... goodness me! So I pop by at Plaza Singapore (PS) to get some stuffs to decorate a photo for my friend. I went to this shop called Made with Love at Level 3 of PS. There were so many crafts to make an ideal gift for anybody. After that, I went home to rest!!

I'm not going to bored all of you with my school stuffs unless is interesting..... so I will end here and tomorrow I will tell you about my trip to TP open house with my Sec 3 students. Take Care!

Dear all,

Was boxing day yesterday! This was where everything would start to take out their presents and open them.

I woke up around 10 am yesterday and I stayed home for a while to do some things.

I went out around 1pm to Marina Square and Suntec to get some stuffs for my friends.

Nothing much for today!!