MY TAIWAN TIPS

One of my favourite countries to visit is definitely Taiwan. It was always so exciting when I get rostered for Taiwan during my flying days. It is only a 4-hour plus flight, one meal service and we get to stay in a nice 5-star hotel. I love having Shabu Shabu (I love soupy meals) and fried chicken cutlets, taxis are much more affordable than in Singapore, many cheap & pretty shoes in Ximending, I can stock up on my favourite skincare brands For Beloved, My Beauty Diary facial masks and this clinical brand of red wine mask in a tub.

But sadly, I only get to be rostered on a Taiwan flight once in a blue moon. Reason being, there has to be a Taiwanese and a Japanese stewardesses onboard, due to the route the flight covers, so there aren't much vacancies left for local stewardesses. Divide it by the probability that we get a Taiwan flight out of the 5000+ stewardesses...sigh.

Ironically, the best tips I have for those who are visiting Taiwan are not from my flying days. When everything is arranged nicely for you, there isn't much to plan and compare.

I was really happy to be able to go Taiwan again this year for my pilgrimage with my family after a 6-year hiatus. Nothing has changed much in Taiwan. It is still as adorable. Some of its cab drivers are still very angsty when broaching on the topic of domestic politics and when they know we are from Singapore, the politician they remember most vividly is Mr Lee Kwan Yew. 

Not everyone like Mr Lee or agree with him, but I think it is none of their business to comment on how things should be run in Singapore and start putting our forefathers down. I'm sorry but if what you know is from hearsay and misleading media, then you are not more suitable than me to comment on Singapore. I don't see why I should be paying for your taxi service and yet put up with condescending words about my country's politicians. I got into a verbal disagreement that has me raising my voice at a Taipeitaxi driver who dislikes Mr Lee for a particular comment Mr Lee once made and the taxi driver wishes for Malaysia to start a war on Singapore. 就是為他出一口氣. I was like what the fish @$%#*. How many innocent people are going to die because of one puny selfish thought of yours? Do you know how many Singaporeans have relatives in Malaysia and vice-versa? Did you just advocate killing of human beings to satisfy your silly pride??? My mum was pulling my arm, telling me to leave the topic to the men (my Husband who was in the front seat and the taxi driver) and I told my mum that when it comes to defending my country and, for goodness sake, innocent lives, everybody has a duty. I'm not going to let my gender determine that I should always play the damsel in distress. (I must say standing up for what I believe in gets easier with age. Don'tknow why on earth I'm so timid to speak up during my younger days.)

So yes, tip no. 1 will be never to broach on the topic of politics with the cab drivers. Totally spoil the holiday mood.

TIP #2： BEST PLACE TO CHANGE SGD TO TWD

If you think the best place to change Singapore Dollar to Taiwan Dollar is in Singapore, you're wrong. Not even Chinatown has the best exchange rates. As a air crew, I used to change my Singapore Dollars at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after touching down. There is no difference in the rate between the various money changers of different banks at the Taoyuan airport. 

Exchange rate at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, 11 April 2014

The exchange rate was 1 SGD to 23.56 TWD. It was 0.3 - 0.4 more than Singapore money changers. There is also a processing fee of 30 TWD to change money at the Taoyuan Airport. It is not reflected in the receipt above, because just before this transaction, I changed S$2100 and the money changer treated both transactions as one, hence I was only charged 30TWD once.

I went Taiwan twice this year. Once, I touched down at 5plus am. Recently I reached Taiwan at 5pm. Both times, there were money changer counters open. 

So if you are changing more than S$100, then it certainly makes sense to save the commuting to the money changers in Singapore and do it straight at Taoyuan Airport. The rate difference will more than cover the 30 TWD processing fee, and hey, you save the transport fares you could have spent in Singapore!

But ladies, the best is yet to come. During this trip, by a stroke of luck, my mum & the Husband discovered the best place to change our Singapore Dollars to Taiwan Dollars!

Surprise surprise!! Turned out to be our local bank, DBS! They have many branches in Taipei and whole of Taiwan. 

It can be pretty hard to change money upon leaving the airport. Money changers are not available everywhere, unlike in Singapore, where we know there is at least one in a shopping centre. But not for Taiwan. At big department stores like 新光三越, they provide money changing services for currencies like Japan Yen, USD, China RMB, Hong Kong Dollar, but not our Singapore Dollar. Why??

And while in Taipei 101, we went to the bank at the building, thinking that we can change for TWD there. Most disappointed to learn from the bank counter staff that of all the banks in Taiwan, only Bank of Taiwan accepts SGD to change for TWD. What a strange policy when at the airport, there were several money changing counters of other banks!

So my family was walking along the street, looking for Bank of Taiwan with road directions from the hotel staff. When they saw DBS, they walked in, just wanting to try their luck and BINGO!! Turned out DBS has the most favourable exchange rate for SGD to TWD! I'm pretty sure because the bank is patriotic in a foreign land and this is how they show they love Singaporeans! Hahaha!

Exchange rate at DBS Taichung Branch, 14 April 2014

Exchange rate at DBS was 23.92, OMG! Compared to the 23.56 at Taoyuan Aiport 3 days ago and no processing fee at DBS Taiwan!

Things to note: 

1) DBS banks in Taiwan are open till 330pm from Mon-Fri. The banks are not opened on Saturday, unlike in Singapore.

2) My personal experience is, don't rely on the hotel staff to tell you where the bank branch is because Taiwan is really a big place and some of the staff might not be so aware of a foreign bank location compared to their local banks. Check out online where the DBS bank branches are. Then, ask the hotel concierge which branch is the nearest to your hotel.

http://www.dbs.com.tw/personal-zh/deposits/other-services.page

I would recommend reading the DBS Taiwan webpage in Chinese, because the English version will show the street addresses in hanyu pinyin and that will be tricky if we pronounce the road names wrongly to the taxi drivers. If you are not proficient in Chinese, at least you can get the hotel staff to look through and write it down for you.

In the above screenshot, the first 3 words circled in blue indicates the city. So if you are in Taipei, look out for addresses beginning with 台北市. If you are in Taichung, look out for addresses beginning with 台中市.

3) Taxis in Taiwan are affordable, even more so when you are in a group. It cost about TWD115 ( approx. S$4.80) for a 10-15min cab ride for us. We wanted to go to a department store at Taichung, so we went to the DBS branch that was nearest to the department store, to save us unnecessary travelling time and cost. No point travelling to a different direction, if there is a nearer branch to our next destination.

4)  To make a better comparison, you can always check out SGD to TWD exchange rate from DBS Taiwan website: 

http://www.dbs.com/tw/zh/personal/deposits/pages/fe3.aspx

 

There's a warm feeling of home when we stepped into a DBS bank in Taiwan. The familiar logo, the corporate colours and layout...I don't get that homely feeling when I go to DBS in Singapore. Just crowded & noisy. Oh well, you can't take the Singapore out of a Singaporean, can you?

TIP #3: CONTACT LENS ARE CHEAPER IN TAIWAN!

I can't believe all these years I didn't know this from all those years of flying!!! We all know beauty brands from Taiwan are the cheapest in their countries, but guess what??

For years, I've been buying contact lens from Malaysia, mainly bought by the Husband when he goes over for work trips. For Acuvue Define daily disposables, the Husband buys it at 100 Ringgit per box (usual retail price is 110 Ringgit).  But the Husband has not been going to Malaysia for the past few months and my lens supplies were nearing zero. So at Ximending, I walked into a random optical shop to check on the prices. I wasn't expecting much as hey, it was at Ximending, Taipei's Orchard Road. It couldn't be that cheap right? My jaw nearly dropped when the staff said a box of Acuvue Define daily disposables only cost TWD850 (approx. S$37). It cost a deadly S$62 in Singapore and still more than $6 cheaper than Malaysia!!

This is only a portion of the lenses I bought. And it's not just Acuvue that is cheaper. A friend of mine bought another brand from the same shop as I and also remarked that it was cheaper in Taiwan too. I checked out the prices at quite a few optical shops and prices are fixed.　

Read from the box and daily disposables are known as 日抛式隱形眼鏡. Interesting to know its translation in Chinese. 

I bought one box of Acuvue Moist (normal daily disposables) because daily wearing of the cosmetic lenses can be tiring for my eyes. The cosmetic lenses are thicker and prevent more oxygen from getting to the eye, and in comparison, the Acuvue Moist lenses are such a relief to wear. Phew.

The Husband asked if the lenses were made in Taiwan, hence the cheaper price. I checked and nope, the lenses were made in Ireland! Probably higher demand in Taiwan, more brand competition, economies of scales from big optical shops and lower rentals all contributed to the lower selling price? Gaah, this sounds like Econs. My least favourite subject in JC.

Things to note:

1) Your preferred brand of lenses in your degree might not be available. So don't wait till the last day in Taiwan to buy. Go earlier, so that you have time to go check out another optical shop or at least the optical shop can order for you. It takes about 1-2 days.

2) There is liquid in the lens containers. I'm unsure how strict the airport staff will be but if you are buying ALOT, please check in the loots instead of bringing them all onboard the plane.

TIP #4: MY FAVOURITE HOTEL IN TAIPEI

西悠飯店 CU Hotel Taipei

This is the only hotel I have stayed in Taipei during my personal trips. Previously as a crew, I have stayed in Grand Hyatt but the neighbourhood is not as interesting compared to that of CU Hotel. And I would highly recommend CU Hotel in Taipei!

Daily breakfast is provided by the hotel, but when you stay at a food haven, why would you want bland hotel breakfast?

The best thing about staying in this hotel is that cheap & good food is easily available at all times of the day because of the Ning Xia Night Market 寧夏夜市 just beside the hotel and the food stalls all around. The hotel is situated above 雙連市場, a fresh food market.

For me, food accessibility plays a important role. Grabbing some food before starting the day is great, as I can brush my teeth in my room after food (yes, I'm protective of my teeth). After a long day out, it's nice to put down my load in my room and head down for some dinner/supper before calling it a day.

My mum would go to the fresh fruits stall to get her bittergourd juice in the morning, the Husband loves to have the mee sua for breakfast at the stall just beside the hotel entrance and I love to have the baked potato for supper from Ning Xia.

Real baked potato! There are other versions in other night markets that sell a skinless, deep fried potato. It was yucks, yucks, yucks as that version is like some very creamy and buttery mashed potato which is very thick. This Ning Xia version is so much yummier! I always forgot to opt for no pepper and garnish. Oh, Baked Potato of less than S$3, how I miss you sooooo!

It was strawberry season when we went to Taipei in February and I had a cup of these Taiwan strawberries almost every night from Ning Xia. 不輸給韓國的草莓哦！They're smaller than the USA strawberries, just as sweet as their Korean counterparts and it's just so nice!!! At less than S$3 a cup (I think TWD50), it was my comfort 'fruits' almost every night.

Such a poetic chopsticks wrapper. We visited this 滷肉飯 joint - 鬍鬚張almost every other night. It closes at 1am and it was great for supper after a busy day out. The little eatery is lined along the Ning Xia Market.

There were of course lots of other food at Ning Xia Market and the various eateries that line the neighbourhood, like the 古早味desserts stall, a soyabean milk stall, a 四神湯stall and the nearby convenience stores. I'm not a eat-everything-and-try-it-all girl, so as long as the place has food that I like, I'm contented.

CU Hotel Taipei have friendly counter staff. The rooms are small but new (started in 2013), clean, come with free Wifi (yay to usage of Watsapp) and accessible with a 10-15 walk to the nearest MRT station,  雙連 Shuang Lian. While walking to the station, there are lots more other cafes and eateries, a 24-hour Watsons, Macdonald's, telco shops (for you to buy or top up a Taiwan phone card) and optical shops. Definitely keeping you occupied even while walking.


(p.s. since this is such a long-winded post, I decided to publish this first and add on more later, just in case Blogger eats up my post and I will dieeee after spending more than 6 hours on this entry! Will tweet once I add on to this post!)

Metta, 

欣雨 Xinyu

Jakarta in March

Waiting at the transit area for the plane, on March 24th! Terminal 1 is now so gorgeous!

I was rather grouchy at that time because this hastily planned trip resulted in me booking the wrong flight timing and topping up S$150 to change it. Plus, I was upset at not being able to fly over in the morning, because the Husband flew back from Pakistan only in the morning. Arrrrgh!!

Hot chocolate at Coffee Bean. Too sweet. Ice chocolate would be better. With an abundance of sunlight comes good pictures. Watching the planes can be therapeutic. If you are already in a good mood, that is. I personally am no fan of travelling. I don't fancy staying at hotels, no matter how many stars they have. I love my home. Period.

Didn't help that I couldn't find a pair of flats to bring along for the trip. Wasn't gonna wear heels for a place with tens of thousands of people. Couldn't believe I didn't have FLATS! So here's my oxfords with missing shoelaces. Honestly, oxfords are really very comfortable for walks! Just that they can be too manly looking for me.

And I was also grouchy that my favourite brown pants shrank shorter after washing. Certainly didn't start the trip off on a good tune.

This Zara travel bag for guys is gorgeous and well made! It definitely looks even better in real life! For S$120, it's such a great bargain! Plus, it's synthetic leather! No kill cow, yay!

The 3-star hotel that we stayed for 3 days 2 nights, in Bogor, Indonesia. A 2 hour ride from the airport. A 2 month-old hotel that has very friendly service staff, despite their lack of fluency in English.

Everywhere was very clean in the hotel, including the rooms. Coca-cola was cheeaaap! Being 3 stars, it was just a very basic room. At least it was very new. But food was bad over here. Breakfast buffet was only one table-ful of selection. Their restaurant is small and most of the time, I was starving over there. We had to order Pizza Hut delivery one night, through the hotel because of language difficulties. But Pizza Hut there did not do Hawaiian. o_O

Had to remind myself that I was there to participate in the puja by my Grandmaster and not on holiday.

We arrived on Saturday evening. The puja ceremony was on Sunday, 2pm at Sentul International Convention Centre.

Source: Google Images

Having prior experience in KL and Singapore, the Husband woke up at 7am to get the tickets for 30 of us. The rest of us arrived at 11am and sadly, tickets were only for tentage seats. White tents were set up outside the convention centre, and we sat there baking in the sweltering heat till about 2pm, when ushers came to give us entry to the halls. There were seats available! Woohoo!

Participants submitting their registration forms! The crowds lasted from 7am-1pm. Amazing!

Many Dharma Brothers & Sisters from Taiwan set up stalls at the convention area, selling made-in-Taiwan Buddhist artifacts, jewellery and chanting beads. I love collecting prayer beads! Had almost one in every colour! I didn't have enough rupiah with me and ended paying for most of the things in Singapore dollars. It was quite a sight with almost everyone paying in different currencies and the sellers would be busy converting the amounts with their calculators. And if they weren't able to give change, the sellers were generous to give an extra something. Sweet! Buddhist artifacts from Taiwan are so much more well-made than Singapore & Malaysia!

Source: Facebook

Wished we had seats in the main hall where Grandmaster was. =(

Oh well, watching him from a TV in another air-conditioned hall was still happiness! At least there's air-con! =))

At the risk of sounding silly, I was very moved when I saw Grandmaster on the TV. All the grouchiness and tiredness just melted away. Practically glued to the TV throughout the whole 3 hours of the prayer ceremony. Well, I don't get to see him every other day, you must understand. If you are a Christian who attends Sunday service every week and love hearing your favourite pastor speak, I'm sure you will know what I mean. For that matter, if you have a religion and are devoted to it in one way or another, you should know what I mean. 

When doing dedication of the prayer merits, Grandmaster mentioned thrice about 风调雨顺 for Indonesia. So yes, I was very very very glad that the recent Aceh ocean earthquake turned out to be safe for all!

In our chartered bus after the puja ceremony! Just nice for 30 of us!

After the puja ended at 7plus at night, some of us got separated from one another. Took us almost 2 hours to gather everyone back together. Because one group of us were SO lucky to be standing near the side exit where Grandmaster came out from, after the whole puja ceremony ended. The Husband was one of them and he literally turned into a gleeful fanboy when he saw Grandmaster. The whole group of them were personally blessed by Grandmaster one by one!!

All this while, I was standing at the main entrance for more than an hour, waiting for the Husband who said he would go find the rest back. Talk about 望穿秋水.  =____=

I didn't have a photo of the crowds at night, but there was only one pathetic doorway to the carpark, where many coaches were awaiting. And almost 30,000 people had to squeeze through that one doorway?? I wonder what went through the minds of the architects when constructing the convention centre. It took like 2-3 hours for the crowds to be fully dispersed that night. 

Source: Google images

Next day before the flight, we rented a car, wanting to go shopping at the malls. But the hotel staff gave a lousy recommendation and we ended up at some half-past six mall called Seasons City, after an hour ride. It was like our People Park Complex. Gosh!


Later on, we requested for the driver to drive us to Central Park Mall that we saw en route to Seasons City. After much language difficulty and many phone calls, we finally made it! Albeit with only an hour left before we had to leave. This mall is classy, huge and awesome! It can totally rival our Ngee Ann City! We saw Topshop, Mango, Zara, Marks & Spencer and many other familiar brands! The food selection was vast and the money changers provided competitive exchange rates. Best of all, it's only 45 minutes away from the airport! If I ever had to go Jakarta again, I would seriously consider staying at the Pullman Hotel beside the mall. Such convenience!

Took Jetstar there and Valuair back the next day after the puja. This was the last flight back to Singapore. I have no idea why I booked a flight so late. There were many Dharma brothers & sisters all on the same flight. =D

In my grouchiness pre-departure, I totally forgot to check out the beauty products at Changi Airport. Was reminded of it when I was Jakarta airport. So delighted to find my favourite cleanser from Biotherm, with a new name and packaging! It was discontinued for almost a year!

I had tried Laneige sleeping pack many many years ago. Result was so-so. Thought I would give it another try with the advancements they have made. Bought the duo set and got a pack of Laneige samples free (in the pic above)! Happiness! Best of all, the products suit me! Will blog about them soon!

Nothing beats being back in Singapore. =)

I'm really happy to have the chance to go Jakarta amidst my busy schedule, even though that means missing out one launch. Most of the time, Grandmaster is based in Taiwan. It would be more expensive for everyone to make it there. I'm thankful that my job now gives me the flexibility and freedom to make room for plans like these. No matter how passionate I am about TFL, there is always a part of me that needs to be refuelled by spirituality. We all need to be reminded now and then about what life is all about, don't we? And it's definitely not about money alone.

Have a fun Sunday, everyone! I'm so thrilled about introducing clothing to TFL this week! Hope you girls will love it too!

Metta,

欣雨 Xinyu

看山看海

Only TFL bags for this trip. I'm my own supporter! =))

An ex-colleague wanted to set up an ice-cream parlour in Penang.

So off we went on a 3-day trip, back to her hometown for a feng shui audit of her new shop.

Not a leisurely trip for me but still, thank you to the readers/customers who told me to enjoy myself & wished me happy holidays! =)

It was kinda deja vu because last July, I went to Penang via the same airline, same flight, stayed at the same hotel and even dined at the same restaurants.

I could even remember my way around the shopping centre, even though it is my 2nd time there.

Almost felt like I never left Penang.

I stayed at G Hotel, a seafront hotel located along Gurney Drive, for the 2nd time. 

It still feels as good as the first time I stayed there.

I like hotels with contemporary settings like these.

Such spaciousness, high ceilings and ample seating space for whoever and whatever is such a breath of fresh air from the usual hotel lobbies.

If I am the doorman of G Hotel, I will find working here so relaxing.

Imagine facing the sea and such vast amounts of sky everyday!

真的有夠爽！

During check-in, instead of the normal welcome drinks, we were served yam and vanilla ice-cream.

It's G Hotel's way of being different from the norm.

 

This time round, we were lucky.

The hotel was out of seaview rooms and we were upgraded to an executive suite.

The biggest bonus is there is a living room, that's great for morning exercises & my daily chanting homework.

We did sit-ups on the L-shaped sofa and the boys did various styles of push-ups in the living rooms.

So much fun!

If only I have this kind of space in my own living room. 

 I was quite smitten by this baby pink iron from the hotel!

It irons my work clothes really well. 

Plus it is the heavy kind of iron. 

The one I have is the ultra-light kind, with steam function.

Steam function is great but I can make do with manual spraying of water, like how my mum does it with her vintage iron. 

I think heavy irons are best for combating creases. 

Should have asked the hotel if I can buy it somewhere somehow.

It's not often I get to see heavy irons in such a sweet shade of pink!

Even the ironing board of the room is of better quality than the one I have at home!

Sturdier and thicker ironing pad!

Gaaah!

Looks like the fridge in my home.

But a lot better.

Auto top-up of Coca-cola EVERYDAY!!

This is like the Coca-cola vending maching that I have been fantasizing about!

But I was a good girl and didn't touch a single drop of Coca-cola for that 3 days. 

Can't drink while on serious business. Haha! =D

G Hotel provides free Wifi in the room.

I wanted to work in the living room but we realised that Wifi is not at every corner of the room.

So there I was, huddling my laptop, traipsing around the living room, trying to detect Wifi and hoping there would be an electric plug as well.

Gave up after half an hour and realised that I can use wired broadband access at the work desk, where plugs are aplenty. -__-

The chair was slightly low to sit in. I was all hunched up from reading the mails.

I missed my huge work table at home.

You can see from the photo I packed Ice Mountain along for the trip.

Sensitive me can't drink mineral water or distilled water like those provided in most hotel rooms as these drinks give me sore throat.

Only Ice Mountain, "pure drinking water".

The view from the living room.
Look! There's even a wispy strip of cloud wafting its way through in front of the mountain!

For 2 days, I woke up to such a view.

I wonder how it is like for the Penang people to see the mountains every day.

I would love to have such views of the nature from my home's windows!

師父常告訴我：“學佛之人要常看山﹑看海﹑看天空。”
“我們要學習山的堅固 ﹑海的深度和天空的寬闊。”
“多看大自然，讓自己的心能夠放開一點，看事情不要那麽計較, 凡事不要一直耿耿於懷。”

這幾天沿路開著車，都會看到檳城的山脈在背景的不遠處。
整個檳城的島嶼仿佛就是被這些雄偉的山環抱著。
如此的景色，我至今仍然懷念。

我很喜歡看山。=)

 I am not a sweets person but I like pastilles.
Bought one packet from Watsons at Gurney Plaza in case I get dizzy from the car rides.
I need not have, because I was too busy gawking at the mountains to feel giddiness.
 But still, I like pastilles. =))

Another reason why I chose G Hotel over others is there is a mall, Gurney Plaza, right next to it.
The 2 buildings even have a sheltered walkway.
This mall is managed by CapitalLand (yeah, the one from Singapore), so you can expect to find many familiar shops insides.
Here's some that I recall:

Basement - Cold Storage, Watsons, Guardians, Eu Yan Sheng
Ground Floor - Charles & Keith, G2000, Aldo, Vincci, TopShop, TopMan, Mango sale outlet, Body Shop, MAC
Second Floor - Popular, Sasa, Padini Concept Store, Factory Outlet Store

There's also a Parksons departmental store.

Food wise - Nandos, Manhattan Fish Market, Dome, McDonalds, Sakae Sushi, A&W, 籠的傳人 (it's like Din Tai Fung), Chillis, Kenny Rogers, Big Apple Donuts, Coffee Bean and many many more.

And there was one that left quite an impression in me.

Winter Warmers Coffee & Tea House.
A place for leisure chit-chats in an English setting.

I hearts the English floral-themed setting.
The wallpaper, the table cloths, the curtains with their dainty tie-backs, the quaint pendant lamps, the tea ware...so romantic.

But The Husband doesn't think much of it.
"Quite normal what", in his words.
-___-

So you can mimic the same ambience at home.
But sometimes, it's just not the same, isn't it?
Boy, I would love for my home to be done up something like this if not for more practical reasons.

I was expecting to find only tea and the usual finger food like fried chicken wings, french fries and calamari on the menu.

But no, Winter Warmers actually has quite an extensive menu!

Just the teas alone, I think there's at least 30 types for you to choose from.

Their floral teas are caffeine-free and available in both hot & cold versions.

My ex-colleague makes it a point to visit Winter Warmers at least once whenever she's back in Penang.

She is in love with their afternoon tea set and adamant about ordering the set for 2.

Because if you order the afternoon tea set for one, it doesn't come in a tier like this.

Everything would be assembled onto a plain white plate instead.

She insists, "What is afternoon tea without THIS tier?!"

Hahaha! I agree!

For girls, it's all about the mealware!

Even a cup of hot water get served in such a gorgeous teacup, complete with its matching saucer.

My Naraya tissue pouch looks good with the setting, doesn't it? =))

The Husband ordered a pot of Jasmine tea. 

I thought it would be like those Jasmine green tea.

I was quite amused when I saw what was inside.

Real Jasmine flowers!!

I couldn't help but laughed to myself when the Husband lifted up the tea strainer.

It was just like the garland of Jasmine flowers people used for offering!

Chilled rose tea!

There are even frozen cubes of the rose tea in that jug.

Must be very refreshing & uber-cool to drink from that tiny champagne glass!

Hot rose tea served with a small jug of honey.

Before placing the teapot down, the waitress poured a bit of the tea into the teacup.

Only for this hot rose tea, I realised.

So kay-po me peeped over to see why.

A little rose bud and a slice of green lemon!

I wonder why though.

But it's definitely a nice touch!

很詩情畫意！

I feel like I can write a whole romance novel if I burrow myself in this tea house for long.

This tea house serves yummy piping-hot waffles, baked potatoes in casseroles, pasta, sandwiches, scones and cakes. 

The cakes and scones on the afternoon tea set are very...erm, normal. 

I don't think it's worth ordering. 

But the waffles, yes!

The baked potatoes, yes yes!

Presenting to you, baked potatoes with ham, lots of cheddar & mozarella and crotons for toppings!

Boy, it was good!

Pity they are not using USA potatoes (yes, 我吃的出！) and the potatoes were in big cubes.

Can be tongue-scorching hot to bite into one.

I don't fancy frozen carrots & peas but this is really my favourite!

Now I have 1 more dish to try recreate at home.

But first, I must go stock up on a few casseroles.

One best thing about dining in Malaysia is I never look at the prices on the menu. 

It's always much more affordable than Singapore.

I remembered 3 of us having a main course each plus sushi at Sakae Sushi last July and the total bill only came up to S$30+! =D

I'm not a fan of teas but I really like Winter Warmers very much. 

In Penang, there are only 2 branches. One at Gurney Plaza, while the other is at Queensbay Mall.

I prefer the one at Gurney Plaza. Smaller space area.

Such places are not meant to be big like fastfood chains.

Pity sometimes the noise from the crowd sorta spoils the delicate ambience in the tea cafe.

Hopefully there will be more of such places in Singapore. 

I will surely bribe my way through for a Tian Fen Lan photoshoot there. Hahaha!

I am not a shopaholic person when I'm overseas. In fact, I am never one even in Singapore.
But here's sharing with you my best buy from Penang!
And it's not tau sar piah!

I was so delighted to find the dishwashing liquid at Gurney Plaza Cold Storage that I grabbed 2!
The Husband even asked if I wanted 3. =D
I have been using this dishwashing liquid since last July when I first bought it at the very same place.
I couldn't find it at the Cold Storage around my place recently.
This is really a gem! Only about S$3 for one bottle.

It's biodegradable and of plant-based ingredients.
Concentrated and low foam to reduce water usage.
Gentler on my skin than Mama Lemon. Has a delicate fragrance.
The packaging bottle & pump are recyclable.
Free from hazardous chemicals.
And it's NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS!
Now you understand my loyalty to this dishwashing liquid!
I know, I'm a closet housewife at heart. =))
I didn't buy a single thing for myself in Penang, just this!
=DD

Along Gurney Drive, where G Hotel is, I saw many construction going on for condominiums.

Heard the selling prices was about a million ringgit for one unit.

What a nice place to stay in, I thought to myself. 

If only I can afford a seaview condo like this.

I won't mind flying in to Penang every now and then for it. It would be my holiday villa. 

But then again, my ex-colleague's sister's condo was broken into, despite the 'high security' the condo managment promised.

=/

I couldn't stop staring at this when I was at Straits Quay.

The clear blue sky, the mountain range in the background, the huge foyer space,

the endless spinning of the hundreds of colourful wheels in the smooth breeze.

很有意境。

Reminded me very much of what my Buddhist teacher taught me.

“做人要開心點，每天都是新的開始，每天都有很多事情得感恩，哪有空去庸人自擾？”

I like the Penang that I have seen. 

Looking forward to be back there again, with the mountains. =))

Metta,
欣雨 Xinyu