Taiwan Trip : Beitou Hot Spring

 

 

Taiwan is famous for hot springs. It is now part of Taiwanese culture to relax and recharge their mind and body, the natural way, in the hot springs. The warm waters of these springs, heated and charged by the earth's own energy, are believed to soothe, revitalize and reinvigorate the body.

 

The hot spring nearest to Taipei is Beitou. On the third day of our Taipei trip, we took a quick tour to Beitou. It is accessible on the MRT, via the Red Line towards Danshui direction. From Beitou Station, a one-station branch line runs to Xin Beitou Station (新北投站).

 

 

The special one-station train arrived at the platform.

 

      

 

Once come out of Xin Beitou Station, you will come to this big junction. Cross the road and head straight up the hill towards the apartment direction. On the right, it is the start of Qinshui Park.   

 

 

The Beitou Library, a unique building.

 

 

Beitou Hot Spring Museum (北投温泉博物馆), housed in a Euro style building, was once a public bath.

 

 

Along the hills, there are many hotels, traditional bathhouses, luxury spa. The Thermal Valley (地狱谷) , also known as Hell Valley (地狱谷), is located near the end of Zhongshang Road on the left hand side next to the Park.

 

 

This is the most famous spot, a natural sulphur hot spring where water temperature can reach 100 deg C.

 

 

 

No doubt a green and lush environment. If you can bear the foul odour of sulphur and the constant rising of steam, it is indeed a good place to relax and unwind.

Bring Back the Smiles, Please

.

Turning the clock back to same time last year, we were having such a wonderful, relaxing time in the Land of Smiles, Thailand - Bangkok.

A while ago, was thinking of returning for another shopping spree. But since beginning of March, the Red Shirted anti-government protesters had weaved through the city key routes causing traffic paralysed, splattered blood at the government buildings, clashed with the government supporters, all in an effort to topple the present government. Endless talks were held, but until now failed to produce a fruitful agreement. Thailand has endured this widespread political unrest for years now, causing the capital coming to a virtual standstill, resulting in a huge decline in tourism relating revenues and at the same time taking away the smiles from the Thais' faces, etc. when can this be ended?

I have promised my kids to try and visit Bangkok as much as we possibly can, er, probably every other year. You must be thinking “Bangkok again? Are you keeping someone there?” Ha, how I wish I am.

So, Why I love Bangkok so dearly?

It is rather difficult to single it out.

May be it is ...The holistic shrines, the religious Thais.

The taxis in rainbow colours.

The Grand Palace

The shopping heaven - Platinum Fashion Mall in Pratunam

The roller coaster ride in a 'tut-tut'

The mystical Wat Arun.



The tallest building in Bangkok - The Baiyoke Tower

Bustling Siam Square area, MBK, Siam Paragon, etc

Rejuvenating foot reflexology and body massage

The sweet, succulent mango sticky rice

The cholesterol-laden pork trotter rice.

The Black Canyon Coffee.

The night markets...

Just hope that everything will be back to normal in Bangkok by end of the year.

Taipei - Preview

.

Gosh! Haven't logged in to my own blog for weeks! Finally get to update and share my recent trip to Taipei, Taiwan.

Not a good time to visit Taiwan at this time of the year. It is winter and it rained most of the days we were there. Even if it did not rain, it was cloudy and hence photos turned out dull and blur. The 'out-of-focus' was due to having to struggle holding a camera on one hand and controlling a swaying umbrella on the other. I gave up in the end and left most photograph-taking to my daughter and son. Well, I was the one holding the umbrella!

Just a sneak preview, coz have yet to upload all the pics.

This was taken from the cabin/capsule of the Ferris Wheel in Miramar Entertainment Park. Note the raindrops, it was drizzling the moment we touched down Taipei. Miserable weather, but it was a nice trip overall.

Shamian Island - An Oasis in Guangzhou

.

Having spent two whole days shopping in the hustle and bustle of commercial Guangzhou, my feet were killing me, I was desperately needing a break. Therefore, I hopped off at Huangsha Station and spent my afternoon at Shamian Island.

Shamian Island 沙面岛 is a sandbank (well, not a true island) in the Liwan District of Guangzhou. In Chinese, it literally means "sandy surface". The island is merely a kilometre long and a third of a kilometre wide. It’s separated from the rest of the mainland by the Pearl River on the southern side (the Bund) and a canal on the other. It is connected to the city by a series of bridges.

One of the bridges that leads to the island

The canal

Shamian Island serves as a transquil reminder of Guangzhou’s colonial history. It became a British and French concession after they won in the Opium Wars during the 19th century, umm... Qing Dynasty that was.

The island is now a gazetted historical area, with quiet pedestrian avenues flanked by trees and lined by historical buildings in various states of upkeep. Traffic is restricted and the main thoroughfare is pedestrianized, which made Shamian a great place to explore on foot. The island houses several hotels, a youth hostel, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Strolling along the boulevards, you will be confronted with an abundance of bronze statues scattering on the pavement, commenmorating Shamian's colonial past as well as its cosmopolitan present.

Some give particular insight into China's changing social world.

Gosh, note the British "Royal Mail". Nostalgic; reminded me of my olden days in London. During those days, the term "internet" has yet to be invented, tele-communications would cost a bomb, so the most economical way to maintain relationship/contact was to send a letter, all thanks to Royal Mail.

Picturesque boulevards comfortable to walk along.

Lush yet tidy parks. You will find locals playing badminton, meditating, reading...

An architectural testament to bygone days

Most of the old buildings have been converted to shops and restaurants with pleasant terraces.


Unfortunately, some empty buildings seem abandoned, with their walls starting to crack and peel and their pillars being eaten by termites.

The mood here is romantic; perhaps because it’s so quiet and green, or because of the very relaxed atmosphere, or maybe all of this. Many couples choose this area as the setting for their pre-wedding photos.

Tourists need coffee as well as air-conditioning. Here is the place. While most of Guangzhou is battling along at breakneck pace, Shamian is merely ambling.

I wandered around looking at lovely buildings, snapping away, admiring the bronze statues, then sat down for a cup of coffee.

Verdict : absolutely enchanting.

Luxurious Living In Panyu, Guangzhou

.

The purpose of my Guangzhou trip was to bring mom to visit my brother in Panyu, of which happens to be my mom's birth place. Umm, managed to kill two birds with one stone, not bad eh. Some info: Panyu is presently a district in Guangzhou though previously it enjoyed the status of a city before it was included in the administration of Guangzhou. Panyu enjoys an excellent strategic position at the heart Pearl River Delta. It is acknowledged as one of the oldest cities in China.

Prior to me landing in Panyu, I had all this while thought that Panyu is an "ulu" town. Damn, wasn't I ignorant! Well, not entirely so. Even with good infra-structures, many parts of Panyu are still very "village-like". However, highrise luxury residential properties are mushrooming around Panyu, in particularly along the embankment.

Managed to stick my nose into one of these luxurious development while I was there.

The King Manor Palace at Huanan New City

Six star luxurious suites with a poshy name





Developed by Hopson Development Holdings Limited





The main gate from Huanan New City.

Major selling point of the development : Advantageous location. Located at the the junction of the City New Central axis and Pearl River, the last piece of land on the City New Central axis. Feng Shui wise, it is backed by seven mountains and fronting the rivers.

Tree-lined path leading to the tower blocks and individual units.

Row of high-end terraced house fronting the condominium.

European classical design with huge balconies.

A grand lobby.

Packed with every conceivable luxury facilities.

Beautifully landscaped linear garden along the embankment.

Putting green and swimming pool at the far end.

The Golf driving range.

These units are not for the average wage-earning Joe. Coz easy access and absolute privacy is assured with private lift lobby that leads directly into the suites/units. Wow!

Good new is that, the price has dropped drastically due to the global economic downturn. A standard 2600 sq. ft. suite will now cost RMB 4 million (equivalent to RM2 million), compared to RMB5.5 million, when it was first being launched one and a half years ago. What a bargain! But, with all these uncertainties, who dares to take the risk?