My First Alone Journey

Many people wish that they can travel alone one day. Travelling alone is actually very easy to be achieved, you just have to take some guts, and then lift your feet up and step forward.

Let me share about my first experience of travelling alone. It was a journey to Kuala Pilah in Year 2011. I know it is a bit late to post about it, but LATE is better than NEVER.

Why did I decide to travel alone that time? During that time, I wanted to visit my aunties and sister in Singapore, so instead of driving straight down to Singapore, I chose to stop town by town , station by station. I wished to get some partners to join the trip, but I could not find any, as some had no time, and some had no money. And luckily I had both during that time. =) 

How did I end up in Kuala Pilah? This trip was actually unplanned, I just decided to go to this town after I entered KL-Seremban Highway.

I am sure all of you heard about this town before because you have studied it in our Geography subject before. Kuala Pilah is the driest place in Malaysia, its rainfall intensity is lowest. However, I met a heavy rain here, was I considered lucky ?

Opposite to the bus station, this building has nice painted wall.

The Bus Station

Old Bus- with no air-contitioner

Famous Char Kuey Teow in Kuala Pilah 

Recommended by lady boss of Desa Inn, this is a pork-free, non-halal certified Char Kuey Teow served by Chinese. The tastiness of this Char Kuey Teow can be explained when you see there are Malay customers visiting this stall. This also shows the trust between 2 different races with 2 different religions.

Mee Rojak in Pasar

Treated by my friend. Kuala Pilah is famous for soft shell turtle noodle, the stall is just nearby to this mee rojak stall. but I din't try it, I felt disgusting of having turtle. >.<

A Random School

The House of Comfort Women

It was abolished few years ago, I dint knew it was the house of comfort women until my friend told me so. This picture is considered a precious one as the building is no longer there.

Hot-selling Popiah in Kuala Pilah Pasar Malam

I went to the pasar malam in Kuala Pilah. I could not resist myself to visit this stall when I saw people queuing for these popiah.

Popiah

It was good in my memory, I already forgot the taste of them.

Ayam Percik

Very aromatic chicken. Grabbed by a bamboo stick that is half split in two.

Bahau KTM Station

Wooden KTM station in Bahau, have you seen before? It does not look that elegant compared to those wooden railway stations in Taiwan, but it is still quite interesting when you see it.
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That's all about my first station in my first alone journey. I know it's boring, I did not take much photos, I did not visit much places. Sorry for wasting your in reading this post.....

Lanyu - Part IV | 兰屿 (四）

Night Observation

As the night fell, led by Xiao Qiang, we traveled across the darkness with motorbikes. What we were doing was having night observation at the seaside nearby. Soon, Xiao Qiang spotted the first guest of the night - a coconut crab...

*Night observation is a popular activity in Lanyu after dawn, tourists are brought to the seaside and forest nearby to observe the lives of fauna and flora in Lanyu during nighttime.

走，夜观去

入夜后，我们在小强的带领下，在黑暗中，骑着机车，在附近的海边搜寻。很快的，小强便发现了我们当晚的第一位客人 - 椰子蟹。

*夜观就是在夜里去参观兰屿的动植物。游客们会被带到附近的树林和海边，通过解说来让他们了解兰屿的夜间生态。

"Fa~ai" - in Language of Tao, Meaning "My Home"
法艾 - 达悟语的意思是“我的家'

Coconut Crab, a Protected Species, Defending Himself by Moving Backward
椰子蟹，被保护动物，正在保卫着自己

Don't mess with coconut crab, as it can open a coconut using its claw.（He was holding Xiao Qiang's key)

千万别给椰子蟹缠到，因为它的钳子真的能把一颗椰子剖开。（它的钳已经把小强的机车钥匙抓住了）

Introducing the Transformer Crab - Spot the Face of Decepticons on the shell?
变形金刚蟹 - 有看到狂派的脸吗？

Little Yellow Crab - Does It Look Like Bumble Bee ?
小黄蟹 - 看起来像变形金刚的大黄蜂吗？

Poisonous Sea Snake - First Interaction with Sea Snake
有毒的海蛇 - 与海蛇的第一次接触

Another Species - Not as Beautiful as the First One
另一种海蛇 - 没有第一条漂亮

Lovely Prawn
可爱的爱心虾

A Closer Look
近距离

There is a Love Shape on Its Back
看到背上的爱心吗？

A Random Fish
一种鱼

The Eye of Sadako
贞子的眼睛

It's Just a Shell
其实它是一种蚌类

Jiao Xiao - A Tiny Owl, Also A Protected Wildlife, Confined in Lanyu Only
角鸮 - 一种小型猫头鹰，也是受保护动物，是兰屿的特有的品种

Following "Do Do Wu"- the chirping of Jiao Xiao, we found the tiny owl. I was told that a tour only disturb (torching) one Jiao Xiao a night. This is to minimize the harassment to Jiao Xiao.

跟住“嘟嘟屋”－角鸮的叫声，我们找到了它。小强告诉我，一个夜观团只会在一晚干扰（用手电筒照）一只角鸮。这是为了减少对角鸮的骚扰。

This Tree Belongs to Xiao Qiang's Family, The Craving Was Left by His Grandfather
这颗树是属于小强的家庭的，树上的刻纹是他爷爷留下的

This activity allowed me to understand more about the relationship between the Tao and the nature in Lanyu. A night observation tour costs only 300-400 TWD, ins't it worth ?

这次的夜观让我深深地体会到兰屿人与大自然之间的微妙关系。参加夜观团的收费是300-400台币，很划算吧!

To be continued...

待续...

Lanyu - Part III | 兰屿 (三）

The Tao (Yami)

The Tao (Yami), are a Taiwanese aboriginal people. Different with other tribes in the mainland of Taiwan, they mainly depend on the sea for livelihood and their only home is at Lanyu. The Tao is considered as the most unique attraction in Lanyu.

I did not take many pictures of them as it's mentioned in most of the blogs that the Tao do not like people to take photos of them without asking for permission. (Actually most people do not like it as well)

达悟族/雅美族

达悟族是台湾原住民之一，与台湾岛上其他原住民族群不一样，他们是靠海为生的。而兰屿就是他们的家。达悟族对我来说，是兰屿岛上最大的特点。
我没有拍到他们的照片， 因为听说兰屿人不喜欢随意被陌生人拍照。（当然，我认为大部分的人不喜欢被陌生人随意拍照吧）

Traditional Boat of Tao

Pin Ban boat is the traditional fishing boat of Tao. I would say the boat is the combination of traditional wisdom and culture of Tao.

达悟人的拼板舟

拼板舟是达悟族的传统舟。它结合了达悟族的传统智慧和文化。

Traditional Boat of Tao
拼板舟

Due to limited resources on the island, the boat is made of various types of wood. This is to prevent one kind of trees from extinction.Imagine, if only one kind of wood is used to build the boats, soon the species will extinct.The ancestors of Tao already had this awareness since so many years ago and this really impressed me.

由于在岛上天然资源不足，拼板舟可是由几种不同的木材制造而成。这是因为达悟族的祖先们知道如果他们只用同一种树的话，那种树很快就会在岛上灭绝了。他们在那么就以前就有那样的思想了，这真的另我敬佩。

Inside This Wooden Kayak
拼板舟内

The carving of the boat is very meaningful. It shows the size of a family; a family with more children and family members can crave a much complicated carving.

船边的雕刻可真的有意思的。它显示了一个家庭的实力，有更多的家庭成员的家庭能刻出更多，更复杂的雕刻。

Xiao Qiang (Son of Guesthouse) Explaining the Craving on Boat.
小强 （民宿老板的儿子）正在解说拼板舟上的雕刻

The human symbol indicates devil. A stick on its head meaning to kill the devil. The round shape represents an eye that looks for harvest or sun that gets good weather.

在船边雕刻的人像代表恶魔，而那恶魔正被插着头部，这代表恶魔被止住着了。那圆形的雕刻代表太阳或眼睛，能保佑好天气和能帮忙找到到收成。

Craving on the Boat
舟上的雕刻

Of course I did not miss the chance to kayak the boat. I was let to kayak myself after the coach guided me on the basic skills on how to handle the boat. The strength that we need to use comes from our waist, not arm. 

当然，我绝对不会放过亲自撑拼板舟的机会.教练示范控船的基本动作后，就让我自己撑了,当然他们会给予帮助。撑拼板舟的窍门在于腰力，而不是手臂力。

Departing - They are all elder than me =(
出发咯 (她们都是姐姐们）

"I like your move" -- Praised by the Coach =)
“我喜欢你刚才那个动作'' -- 被教练称赞啦，嗬嗬

Flying Fish as Food

Flying fish is considered as holy food for the Tao.The Tao will only hunt flying fish in certain season to ensure the sustainability of flying fish habitat. This somehow shows the wisdom of their ancestors. I did not have chance to see how the flying fish hunt is as the flying fish hunt season was just ended.

*I was told the story of hunting flying fish . First, they set traps in an area with nets and then with empty hand, they jump into sea to chase after those flying fishes into their traps.Cool right ?

飞鱼是食物

飞鱼可是达悟族神圣的食物。达悟人只会在特定的季节捕飞鱼，原因是为了防止飞鱼灭绝。这显示了达悟老祖宗们的智慧。可惜我去的时候不是飞鱼季，不能看达悟人捕飞鱼。

*听说他们会撑着几个拼板舟（悟达族的传统舟），在海中围起来撒网，然后渔夫们就会赤手空拳地跳进海里，把飞鱼赶进网里。厉害吧！

Flying Fish with Rice (It has a long wing-like fins)
飞鱼饭 (很长的＂翅膀＂）

Dried Flying Fish
飞鱼干

To be continued...

待续...

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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