XXXIII: Quirky

For the most parts, Taiwan is similar to Malaysia. Except everywhere it's in Chinese with English in fine print (if you are lucky). Or there is no public uproar if you decide to bring your pooch around in a responsible manner. Heck, they are more than happy to show off and let you pet (the dogs). Food is available around the clock (depending on where you are). Instead of mamak, they have tea shops at every other corner. The people are friendlier, more civilized.

OK, sorry. Maybe Malaysia and Taiwan are worlds apart. According to AirAsia, it's about 4hours 10minutes apart to be more precise.


We flew in on Tuesday 15th Nov night and arrived shortly before midnight. By the time we got into our accommodation and settled down, I already turned into a mouse 33 years old. It was in Zhongshan district and the roads here can be quite confusing. After about 2 days did it finally dawn on me that the E in Minsheng E Road stands for East. Their roads area apparently long and could stretch from one end of the city to the other. Think Old Klang Road.

To be honest, if not because it was cheap, we wouldn't have picked this place in AirBnb. While the host is accommodating, the place itself was rather deplorable. For starters, it is located in a rather dodgy/dead part of town. Nothing touristy. I could only give Klang (the old, original town) as the closest comparison. It gives a rather seedy air at night and in the morning, it's livelier with office folks about.

Our accommodation is a single room cum apartment. Open the door and there's a bathroom on your right. Only slightly bigger than my college dorm. Came with a washing machine and detergent which are handy if there's a place for you to hang your laundry.  Oh, there is a window with a balcony ledge with the air conditioner compressor smack by the side. If you stretch your hand a bit, you can touch the next building. I kid you not. The room came with a queen bed that'll give you the imperial experience as it's almost rock solid hard. The comforter/sheets looked like they could use some washing. There was a dressing table with mirror and hair dryer. A cupboard to hang your clothes if you don't mind risking bugs.

Of course, I almost wanted to cry but  no point crying over spilt milk. Nothing like a nice meal to lift the spirit. Plus the full moon was too beautiful to be sad on your birthday in a foreign country. because that would really depress me.

I've never known the Taiwanese to be that open sexually but they do have one or two of these in each district. Or perhaps we did stay in some really dodgy part of town =\

During our entire stay, we relied mostly on the train and occasional bus rides to travel around. This food vending machine can be found in most of the train stations and while I can't read Chinese, the video seemed to suggest that you pay for fresh hot food to be prepared. When will this arrive on our shores? It'd be nice to give this a go. So good for foreveralones who don't want to go eat alone or do takeaway since our government has banned polystyrene boxes. 

Massage parlors are plenty in Taipei which is understandably because by night fall, my feet was literally falling apart. I've probably walked more during the trip than I did for the first half of the year. While we were tempted, the fees weren't exactly cheap. Sorry, no idea if they offer happy endings but it's funny how the people thought that we were Japanese and called out to us, "Konbanwa".

Passed by this place on our last night in Taipei and it was difficult not to be amused by its name. L'idiot is dedicated to the use of handmade delicacies using fresh seasonal products from its own farms. Or so its website claims. Maybe one day I'll know for sure.

Ms Spears back in her heydays. Wonder if she got paid any royalty fee for this.
Not sure what she's selling here as I can only read the red characters (woman, nv ren).

These are not sex toys but biscuits which are openly and widely available in their night markets. Would you buy a box or two home for your relatives? They made me blush a bit so I gave them a pass. Plus, such a crass gift. Funny, yes. Appropriate, if I got too much of cash to waste.

Still, undeniably amusing. I'm not uptight like that. Just tight ;)