No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one. So true huh?!
Just came back from Taiwan 2 weeks ago.
Yes, theoretically speaking the ‘just’ doesn’t really apply since it’s been 2 weeks but the memories are so fresh it feels like yesterday!
This is the hotel my friends and I checked in shortly after we touched down at Tao Yuan airport. When we booked this hotel online we had no idea this is actually quite a sleazy place! It’s kinda located near their night-life/red-light district areas.
This is how it looks at night.
For the price we’ve paid, this place exceeded my expectations in terms of its interior decorating and furnishing for its rooms. So cosy and makes you wanna lie in the bed even when you are looking at the photo!!
Oh, and they provide very good service too.
The last room you see below is actually shared by me and my friend, Samuel. Sigh two guys sleeping in the most romantic and kinky room. (We drew lots beforehand, and had no idea that all our rooms actually looked different until we opened the doors..)
Even our bathroom wall has a rose illustration.
Every room is provided with a ‘Cotton Bad’. And in Chinese it says ‘棉花棒’, which literally says ‘Cotton Good’. So who’s lying?!
…
One of the few things that we’ve all enjoyed at Taipei was laughing at looking at the signs, signboards and advertisements everywhere. Their visual information spamming is so extreme, their mayor plans to tax advertising billboards to turn the city into a more beautiful and green place. I think blatant billboard advertising is quite the norm in most urban cities everywhere except Singapore, isn’t that so?
I don’t think one entry alone is able to sum up all those interesting experiences we had during the trip. So today I’m just going to showcase some of the more interesting signs we came across!
Unlike Singapore’s MRT stations where toilets are located far far outside the baffle gate, as if trying to make life difficult for those who are urgently in need to release, Taipei’s MRT stations have toilets built-in near their boarding platforms. And that’s good because you don’t have to exit the station just to use the toilet.
The baby changing facility and disabled toilet sign (shown below) kind of illustrates the way modern society is evolving into: House-husband takes care of the child (see left). Mum goes shopping with daughter (see middle). Grandparents sent to stay at old folk’s home (see right).
There’s also a warning sign that reminds you not to lean against the escalator in this manner! Very awkward looking pose.. Hmm.
Drinking fountains that spray water in the opposite direction from the drinker.
You can have the priority seat only if you have your feet amputated, or wear white boots.
Very nice graphic with some personality injected!
No parking sign..
…fail.
Do not eat American bulls that look demonic.
Birds in Taiwan understand English, and will follow rules by not entering!
Poster of how to wear your helmet properly. Step one: Look shocked all the time.
Not really a sign, but I saw this photo hanging on the wall inside their awesome ShinYeh Japanese buffet restaurant (more on this next time) toilet. It shows the result of stuffing too much good food into one’s mouth, causing him to find it difficult to stand up and walk properly to the toilet cubicle. HE SEMI-CRAWLS INSTEAD…
Some other English-fail examples. Here’s one that tells you not to forget to go along with the goods.
Topolice right the way!
What’s that thing that you wear when you reach your goal?
Kiss someone and you may ride.
Alright, that’s all for part one of Taiwan trip series! Shall be back for part two.. three.. four.. I don’t know, up to seven maybe?
- - - - - - - - -
Movies I’ve watched recently!
How To Train Your Dragon
Probably the best Dreamworks animated feature since Shrek. The cuteness factor of all those dragons didn’t really make me go AWWWW I LOVE THEM, but thankfully that wasn’t the only thing that made this movie so entertaining and enjoyable. I like the story and music. Nuff said!
8.5 / 10
- - - - - - - - -
Alice in Wonderland
Halfway through the show I realised this movie is actually a bit boring. Yes, there are plenty of beautiful magical visuals to feast your eyes, but if you strip all those away it’s just a linear story where you already know the ending from the start. I liked Mad Hatter and Red Queen’s performances though.
6 / 10
