Lanyu - Part II | 兰屿 (二)

Alone to Lanyu

On the ferry, I kept looking for individual or small group that could be my travel mates for the next few days (I did not want to be lonely for the next few days), however, those were on board were big group with diving equipments. To avoid vomiting, I took nap after a short chat with a guy sitting next to me. People say the ferry tour causes nausea easily.

一个人去兰屿

在船上，因为不想孤单，我一直在寻找有潜质成为我旅伴的人，但是在船上的都是去潜水的旅团。与坐在旁边的潜水大哥结束了短暂的对话后，我就开始歇息，以防止昏船。之前听人说蛮容易昏船的。

They are all going for diving
都是潜水旅团

Reaching Lanyu

It took two hours to reach Lanyu. I was sleeping all the while, so I was completely fine. Anxiety hit me when I was about to reach, as I did not make any room booking. Furthermore, I had no idea on handling a scooter. Scooter is the main transportation on the island, it would be hard for me to travel around the island.

I am always a lucky guy. I was so lucky to see people from guesthouse waiting for their guests at jetty, so, I simply approached to one of them.

The guy that I approached to is from Ya Mei Guesthouse.

I was also told that I was lucky because many had canceled their rooms booking due to typhoon. People usually have their rooms booked first before they visit this island.


在码头搭讪

两个小时船程，我到达了兰屿。没有订房和不会骑机车的我开始担心了。机车是兰屿岛上的首要交通工具，我不会骑机车，我要找民宿时一定会很困难。

不过，天无绝人之路，我很幸运，有许多民宿的接应在码头等待客人，于是，我就随便找了一位接应搭讪。

结果，接下来的两天，我就住在雅美民宿。

其实我真的很幸运，一般人都是把房间订了才去兰屿，我刚巧遇上台风，很多人都取消了订房，我才能有房间睡。

Jetty of Lanyu
兰屿码头

Waiting for guests (I approached to the guy wearing red t-shirt)
接应在码头接应客人　（我就是去搭讪了那穿红衣的男人）

Scooter Riding

As I did not know how to handle a scooter, Niu (staff of the guesthouse) fetched me the guesthouse using his scooter.Then, he taught me how to ride a scooter. Driving without license in Lanyu is not illegal!

I handled it in a couple of minutes. People say, learning how to ride a scooter is as easy as learning how to ride a bike, if you are able to ride a bike, you are definitely able to ride a scooter.  

After that, I started my journey of driving without license.


在兰屿学机车

由于我不会骑机车，牛（民宿接应）用机车把我载到民宿。然后，再教我学机车。在兰屿无牌驾驶是不违法的！

那台小绵羊，我用几分钟就学会了。然后，我便开始了我在兰屿无牌驾驶的旅程。

I never expected that I could ride a scooter in Taiwan
真想不到，我竟然可以在台湾骑机车

To be Continued...
待续．．．

Lanyu - Part I | 兰屿 （一）

Ready to Go

It was my 13th day in Taiwan. That day, I turned to be a solo traveler officially. I woke up quite early in the morning to catch up the ferry departing at 7.30am. A taxi was booked to pick me up at 5.45am. Lanyu was my next destination.

Taking ferry is the only way to reach Lanyu from Kending, the southern region of Taiwan. The taxi dropped me at Hou Bi Hu Jetty after a 20 minutes journey. I bought only an one way ticket as I was not sure how long I would stay in Lanyu. Taking anti-vomiting tablets is a necessary action, I had two tablets 20 mins before boarding.

*I wanted to book the ferry ticket on the night before. The chalet owner referred me to a local named Mr.Huang. He told me that buying an one way ticket was not possible. He forced me to take 2 ways ticket and get the hostel booked. I refused to do so. Actually, buying an one way ticket is allowed.

To be Continued...

整装待发

在台湾的第十三天，我终于正式地开始了我一个人的旅行。那天，我很早起床，为了就是要赶上七点半的船。前晚预约的计程车将会在五点四十五分来接我。兰屿是我的下一站。

坐船是从垦丁到兰屿的唯一途径。计程车司机花了二十分钟把我从蓝湾载到了后壁湖码头。我买了单程船票，因为我还没决定我要呆在兰屿多久。昏船药能有效的防治昏船，我吃了两颗。

*其实我想在出发的前晚预定船票，民宿老板向我推荐了一位姓黄的先生。黄先生告诉我是不可能买到单程票的，一定要买双程票，而且还要先预约民宿，最后我没答应。其实，我们还是可以买到单程票的。

待续...

Ticket (NT1000)
船票 (台币1000）

Boarding (Good weather, typhoon had just passed)
上船咯(天气很好，台风刚过）

Hatyai - Thailand | 合艾 - 泰国

Sometimes, it is not a bad idea to have an unplanned trip. Without any hotel reservation and van rental , we were preparing to go to Hatyai, Thailand, from Bukit Kaku Hitam, Malaysia. 

有时，来一趟没有策划的小旅行，其实也是不错滴．这次，我来到了黑木山，正准备过境去到泰国的合艾．我们没有包车，也没有预定酒店。

In front of Malaysian Custom
在马来西亚关卡前

After crossing the Malaysian Custom,we were wondering around to attract any business opportunity seeker. Finally, someone spotted us and agreed to bring us a 10 seater van after tip was paid to him. "Shrek" was lucky to be our driver.

It takes around one hour to reach Hatyai from the custom. The rental of the luxury van costs only 80０Thai Baht  



过了大马的关卡，没有包车的我们就在两国关卡的中间徘徊，等待泰国德士的招揽．等了大约５分钟，终于有人发现了我们，我们付了小费以后，他帮我们招来了一辆十人座车．我们的司机是＂史瑞克"。

从泰国边境出发到合艾大约要一小时的路程，一辆豪华十人座车，费用只须８００泰铢。

The Interior (luxury huh?)
车厢内（豪华吧？）

The Interior 2
车厢内（二）

Our driver, "Sherk"
我们的司机＂史瑞克"

## His name is not Shrek, just we think that he look like Shrek...
##他的名字不是史瑞克，只是我们觉得他长的像罢了

The driver helped us to settle our accommodation issue, he brought us to Golden Crown Plaza Hotel, which is clean, nice and with reasonable rate.

我们的司机先生帮我们搞定了我们的住宿，帮我们找了一间价格便宜，环境舒适．干净的酒店。

In front of the hotel
在酒店前

Different Charges

As a foreigner, you will be charged a higher price compared to a local. A bowl of rice would cost a foreigner 45 Thai Baht while locals could get it with only 30 Thai Baht.

No worries, the extra charge is still considered reasonable.

不一样的收费

在合艾，商家会对外国人和当地人收取不一样的收费，好比说：一碗饭给当地人的收费是３０泰铢，给外国人的收费却是４５泰铢。

虽然对外国人的收费会比较贵，但是价格还是合理的。

One of the hawkers
其中一摊小贩

Be a Smart Customer



Bargaining is a must action in Hatyai, as a smart customer, you may also compare prices with few different stalls.However, time could be more precious.


精明消费

在当地有许多小摊子，每个摊子的货品售卖价格都不一样，所以杀价是不可避免的。身为精明的消费者的你，你也可以选择货比三家。其实货品的价格都不会相差太远，不用为了那２０，３０泰铢而浪费你的时间。

One of the markets
其中一个市场

Three for 100 Baht?
三件１００泰铢？

Local Chinese

There is quite a number of Chinese in Hatyai.Most of the younger generation has lost the ability to communicate in chinese, but the older generation is still able to speak Hokkien or Mandarin.
The local chinese may assist you in translation if you are not able to communicate with Thai.

当地华人在合艾有不少华人，但是年轻一辈的通常都不会用中文沟通了，老一辈的通常都能用福建话或华语沟通。

当你和当地泰国人沟通不到时，当地的华人可能帮的上忙，当你的翻译。

Muslims can be found easily in Hatyai
当地也有不少的穆士林

Weird Foods

I refer "weird" to the taste of the foods, which is not so suitable for Malaysians. Taufu fa is a common food for Malaysians, but the Hatyai version Taufu fa comes with heavy ginger taste, which is very weird for Malaysians.

However, we should always try the local foods when we visit to somewhere. Of course, some foods in Hatyai are very delicious and suitable for Malaysians.

奇奇怪怪的食物

我说奇怪的意思是说这里的食物不太符合马来西亚人的口味。这里有些食物对你来说其实不陌生，就好像豆腐花，糕点等。。。但是这些食物都已经融入了当地的味道，所以你吃的那碗豆腐花会有超浓的姜味。。。你吃的那碗面，可能有莫名其妙的酸味。。。

但是，既然来到了这里，就应该尝试一下当地的食物。当然，有些食物也是合马来西亚人的味口的。

　　

One of the mee stalls, can you see the yong bitter gourd?
其中一个面挡，看到吗？有卖酿苦瓜！

Kuey teow soup, taste not bad!
馃条汤，还不错！

Short straw
超短的吸水管

Yu Piu Soup, I din't like it
鱼鳔汤，本人不是很喜欢

Mutant corn? Not nice to eat
变种玉蜀黍？不好吃。。

Something like muachi
麻薯之类的东西

 

Sticky Rice
糯米饭

Taufu fa with heavy ginger taste
姜味超浓的豆腐花

 Grilled Squid, the explosion incident happened just here!!
烤鱿鱼，之前合艾的爆炸事件就在这里发生

Some kind of snack, taste good!
烧饼，不错！

Thai-styled Fried Oyster? More eggs compared to Malaysian version
泰式蚝煎？超多蛋

Must try Mango Sticky Rice
一定要吃的芒果糯米饭

Shopping Fun

Visitors always shop clothes, bags, snacks, shoes, and accessories here...

Most of the clothes and bags here are not so suitable for youngsters. Those youngster clothes that are available in Hatyai are brought from Bangkok and are much cheaper in Bangkok.

Snacks, shoes, accessories are still worth to be seen.

购物乐

在这里，你可以看到衣服，包包，零食，鞋子，饰品等等。。。

这里大部分的衣服和包包都不太适合年轻人，但是也有几间商店是适合年轻人的。一件Ｔ恤大约在３００泰铢以内。（如果你有去曼谷的计划的话，那就别在合艾买了，因为过后我去曼谷找到了同样的衣服，而且价格便宜一半。）

零食，鞋子，饰品等还是值得我们一看的。

Assorted nuts,beans and snacks are good choices as souvenirs
腰豆，开心果，都是送礼佳品

Cute Items
可爱的精品

A variety of spectacles frames
多款的眼镜框

Colourful Toy Cars
五颜六色的玩具车

Bangkok Bags,If I am not mistaken
曼谷包，如果我没看错

Colourful Motor Keychains
精致的钥匙圈

Du-du Car
Du-du car is the most economic and convenient transportation in Hatyai.

乘搭嘟嘟车

嘟嘟车可说是除了脚以外，最便宜和方便的交通工具

Du-du car in red
红色的嘟嘟车

Photo on Du-du car
嘟嘟车上的合照

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Food, I prefer Betong
Shopping, I prefer Bangkok
Anyway, Hatyai is still worth for you to explore and gain your sight....

比起食物，我还是比较喜欢勿洞
比起购物，我还是比较喜欢曼谷
无论如何，合艾，还是值的让你去探索的。。。

Sunset in Hatyai
合艾的夕阳

 　

Sungai Lembing 林明

Introduction

Sungai Lembing is a small town located 42km northwest of Kuantan. Mining was once the main industry in this town, it was then taken by tourism.


This place is just nice for 2 days 2 nights tour by visiting Rainbow Waterfall in the morning of first day and having Bukit Panorama sunrise watching on the next morning.


Rainbow Waterfall 彩虹瀑布

As you can see from the name, this waterfall is something related to rainbow. Yes, if you are lucky, you can witness a beautiful scenery where rainbow is formed upon the waterfall.

You need to hire a tour guide for this activity. The cost is around RM40 per person, the more people you have, the lesser you pay. The tour guide will drive you to the entrance of the trekking path using a 4wd and will also lead you to reach to the waterfall.

No worries, the difficulty of the trekking path is easy, weak guy like me can overcome it too.

The Journey

Climb up and down .... for around 45 minutes if my memory serves me well.... finally, reaching the destination.

The Waterfall

A cup of hot drink (milo/coffee) and a cup mee were served by the tour guide. He prepared it using water from the waterfall. Too bad the weather was cloudy , could not spot any rainbow... 

Group Photo

Bukit Panorama 林明山


Sunrise watching at Bukit Panorama is a must-do activity in Sungai Lembing.The main attraction here is not the sunrise but cloudsea （云海）around the mountain. The cloudsea will be very beautiful if you are lucky to see a burning sunrise. Too bad, i was unlucky too...

Top Left: Cloudsea; Top Right: Group Photo; Bottom Left: Sunrise; Bottom Right: Entrance

Food

The small town serves inexpensive and delicious foods too.

1.)Lin Ming Mian (林明面） and Shan Shui Yong Taufu （山水酿豆腐）

After a tiring hike to Bukit Panorama, you can reward yourself with the well-known Lin Ming Mian and San Shui Yong Taufu. They can be found in the pasar. Lin Ming Mian looks like those ordinary yellow mee that found in hawker stalls, but it is free from Gan Shui taste that is usually tasted in yellow mee. Besides, it's also more chewy. San Shui Yong Taufu is made using San Shui (Mountain Water). This is the reason why the taufu is so nice to eat.

Left: Lin Ming Mian; Right: San Shui Yong Taufu

There are other cooking styles also, with ketchup and chili...

Left: Ketchup; Right: Chili

You can pay a visit to the factory where Lin Ming Mian is produced. Don't forget to buy few packs of raw Lin Ming Mian as souvenir.

Lin Ming Mian Factory

2.)Malay Noodles

This malay warung is not well known by outsiders, it was introduced by our tour guide.I think it is located near to the entrance to Sungai Lembing town.


                  

The Warung

Unexpected, I found the best foods in Sungai Lembing here. The taste of Curry Noodle and Jawa Noodle are better than other foods in Sungai Lembing (Just my humble opinion). The shop owner is not stingy to put ingredients into the bowls of noodle, yet, the price is so cheap!!

Unidentified Noodles (I forgot what I ordered)

3) Others

Fish - The dish has a super long name, which is called 林明山水尼罗红豪华芒果蒸.Available at Hao Hua (豪华）restaurant (which is not luxury) that is located behind the pasar.

Roast Pork - We ordered this from the boss of the guest house. It's so juicy. Very nice! Try to ask around if you are looking for this.

Left: Dish with Long Name; Right: Juicy Roast Pork

Souvenir - Souvenir shops can be found easily in Sungai Lembing. Coconut biscuit, and other random biscuits... Since there are so many choices, you have to taste those souvenir/biscuits yourselves to judge the one that is worth to buy....

Biscuit Shop

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Staying here is relaxing and comfortable, with budget less than RM200 for 2 days 2 nights....

Dancing Cranes at Sentosa, Singapore

Valentine's day is coming !!!
So, I shall share something related to couple, love, etc... hehe

So, this post is about the Dancing Cranes at Sentosa, Singapore

A magical love story between a pair of mechanical cranes and how their love for each other transforms them into real birds.

Here are some photos:

  

 

Details of Dancing Cranes:

Showtime: 9pm daily(excluding every Tuesdays to Thursdays, except on Public    
          Holidays and eve of Public Holidays)

Show length: 10mins

Free Admission

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               The cranes transform themselves into real birds with LOVE
                               With LOVE, Everything is possible
       
                                     愿天下有情人终成眷属

                                     Happy Valentine's Day