Throwbacks : GE Gang 1st Trip [Perhentian Island]

 

 

Perhentian Island is the most beautiful island i ever visited so far. It's located at the Terengganu state, east coast of Malaysia. Terengganu is famous with petroleum, turtle conservation and also Perhentian Island. While Perhentian Island well known with it's beautiful coral reefs and also uncontaminated seabeds ecosystem. In there, you can see the coral reefs and sea creatures clearly on the sea surface when you snorkeling. Due to the heavy monsoon season, the best timing to visit to Perhentian Island will be from April to September.  You can reach it by taking a flight or bus to it's pier and then take a fast boat to the island you stay.

Perhentian Island can be divided into 2 main islands which are big island and small island. In this trip, we're stayed at the small island because it's price is cheaper than the big island do. The only disadvantage for the small island is too quite and lack of night activities. So, you need to take a sea taxi to Long Beach if you want to enjoy a night life there.

It's underwater world just too amazing and can't use words to describe !!! It's the most beautiful underwater world i ever seen !!! Should have go at least one time in your life to enjoy the magic of nature !

It's sea is crystal clear and can see through clearly !

 

Double JW hehe ! credit to JiaWen

 

 Sand build is a must on the beach ! credit to JiaWen

Jumping !!! credit to JiaWen

 

 Say 'CHEESE' ! credit to JiaWen

 

You can see the fish clearly on boat !!! credit to JiaWen

 

 Morning in Perhentian Island !

Had fun with hammock !!!

 Jump high, dream high !!!

 Group photo credit to JiaWen

 Last shoot before we leave ! credit to JiaWen

 Sunset shoot while waiting for bus to leave ~

Perhentian Island is too amazing for a newbie to snorkeling !!! credit to JiaWen

Welcome to visit to one of the best island in Malaysia !!!! You'll found out the beautiful and surprises of this island through out your whole trip !!!  

Greedy Diary . 吃貨日記 【1】Midvalley

1. Beyond Veggie

First time I went there is with my vegetarian friends. Beyond veggie is a sub-restaurant for Secret Recipe in Malaysia since it's owner actually a vegetarian also. Same as Secret Recipe, it also sell cakes in its stores. While there are many type of vegetarian cuisines is served in this restaurant. Such chinese, western, asian, local malay and also desserts. We were having Revitalising Tofu and Revitalising Herbal Soup with brown rice as our lunch. Its price range consider little bit higher but it's environment is very quite and nice. Besides, it's service also nice because it didn't charge any payment on me since it's tofu is rancid. Strongly recomend it to the vegetarian lover to try it.

Revitalising Herbal Soup with brown rice & Revitalising Tofu

Outlets

 
2. Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant (蓬莱茶房)

Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant is the cheap sub-restaurant for the Fong Lye Fusion. It have several branches which located at Sunway Pyramid, Suria KLCC (under the name KIKI), The Gardens and Sri Hartamas and Jalan Imbi. It mostly serve its food in the set menu with the cheaper price. It's price range is little bit higher but its food is serve with a large amount. It's signature dishes are Sweet Potato Balls (地瓜球) and 3 Variety Supreme Diced Chicken which also known as Three Cup Chicken (三杯雞) which are very famous Taiwan cuisines. You'll need to waiting for a long queue if you wanna to having your lunch or dinner here during the peak hours. But they have a very sweet service for the people who queue at the outside of their store, which is they will serve a cup of Complimentary Plum Tea for each of you and the tea is really nice !

Sri Hartamas, The Gardens, Sunway Pyramid and another in Suria KLCC - See more at: http://blog.saimatkong.com/food-beverage/fong-lye-taiwanese-restaurant-%E8%93%AC%E8%8E%B1%E8%8C%B6%E6%88%BF%E5%8F%B0%E6%B9%BE%E6%96%99%E7%90%86-the-gardens-mall-mid-valley-city/#sthash.RP623GQU.dpuf

Sri Hartamas, The Gardens, Sunway Pyramid and another in Suria KLCC - See more at: http://blog.saimatkong.com/food-beverage/fong-lye-taiwanese-restaurant-%E8%93%AC%E8%8E%B1%E8%8C%B6%E6%88%BF%E5%8F%B0%E6%B9%BE%E6%96%99%E7%90%86-the-gardens-mall-mid-valley-city/#sthash.RP623GQU.dpuf

Sri Hartamas, The Gardens, Sunway Pyramid and another in Suria KLCC - See more at: http://blog.saimatkong.com/food-beverage/fong-lye-taiwanese-restaurant-%E8%93%AC%E8%8E%B1%E8%8C%B6%E6%88%BF%E5%8F%B0%E6%B9%BE%E6%96%99%E7%90%86-the-gardens-mall-mid-valley-city/#sthash.RP623GQU.dpuf

3 Variety Supreme Diced Chicken - RM21.80

3 Variety Supreme Diced Chicken 三杯雞

3 Variety Supreme Diced Chicken 三杯雞3 Variety Supreme Diced Chicken

3. Absolute Thai

For those who love Thai cuisine, Absolute Thai is absolutely your choice. Strongly recommend its Green Curry Chicken (RM18), All Star Bangkok Half Grilled Chicken with 3 Sensation Sauces (RM29.90) and also the Mango Sticky Rice (RM12.90). You can find its stores at Midvalley, The Gardens, Berjaya Times Square, Sunway Giza, IPC Shopping Centre, 1 Utama and etc.

4. NY Steak Shack

From its name you can know that this shop is famous with their steak, especially beef. But I ordered their Fulton's Fish & Fries(RM18.97) last time and it really gave me a surprise ! I think this is the most delicious fish and chips I had tried. For the sides, I do love their mashed potato and coleslaw very much. Other than that, they also serve pasta, burgers and some snacks. You can find them at Midvalley, IOI City Mall and Sunway Pyramid now.    

Sri Hartamas, The Gardens, Sunway Pyramid and another in Suria KLCC - See more at: http://blog.saimatkong.com/food-beverage/fong-lye-taiwanese-restaurant-%E8%93%AC%E8%8E%B1%E8%8C%B6%E6%88%BF%E5%8F%B0%E6%B9%BE%E6%96%99%E7%90%86-the-gardens-mall-mid-valley-city/#sthash.RP623GQU.dpu

5. 添好运 Tim Ho Wan
It's a Hong Kong dim sum restaurant which popular with its 'Big Four Heavenly Kings' which are Char Siew Pao (RM10.80), Pan-fried carrot cake (RM9.80), smooth vermicelli rolls stuffed with pork liver (RM10.80) and autumn-hued steamed egg cakes (RM7.80). The first three dishes are serve on 3 pieces per potion. Besides, I also found that its Chilled osmanthus cakes (RM6.80 for three pieces) really nice !!!! It very fresh to taste is with the fixed of osmanthus and wolfberries inside. A MUST eat restaurant when you visit to Midvalley!

Catch up [Session 2] . Lazy bumper stories -- Ohhh ~ I love Taiwan !!! (1)

Actually this was my very first time travel to foreign country !!! I had never been travel before other countries before except in West Malaysia ... even Sabah and Sarawak. Dun laugh at me please !!! I just received my passport on my 21 year old day. So, as my first country to travel, i chose Taiwan. This is because Taiwan is a place that i dream to step on since i'm at primary school ... as u know ... they famous with drama ... and i love TAIWAN's DRAMA !!! HAHA XD So, this travel i was travel with my three super lovely cousin !!! Three of us departed from Malaysia while one departed from Shanghai ~

DAY 1 

After arrived at Taiwan, we took airport bus from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei Main Station and meet each other straightly at our home stay at Taipei - HOLO Family House. HOLO Family House is a home stay which just opposite to the Taipei Railway Station. So, it is very convenient for tourist to travel to everywhere at Taipei area and it's fees is consider cheap for the student like us. Beside that, you can also meet the people from different countries in this home stay.  

HOLO Family House

Transportation : Bus (1819) from airport to Taipei Railway Station [NT 125]

Address : 22F-2, No.50 Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Taipei, Taiwan

·     Tel : +886 (02)2331-7272 

Website : http://www.holo-family-hostel.com/

Our first meal in Taiwan was the STEAMBOAT at King Food Steamboat (皇家帝国麻辣火锅). It's quite nice and my aunt strong recommended it to us. And you need to queue for some times if you didn't make your reservation earlier. It's a buffet style steamboat with limited 2 hours dine-in time and also 10 different soups for you to choose. It also provide variety of seafood, meats, vegetables, fruits, drinks, Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, and also desserts. My favourite is it's Japanese Miso soup and Spicy soup. The fruits it provide is very fresh to eat especially the dragon fruit and guava. Besides, it's beef slides and seafood also been recommended.   

Selfie while steamboat-ing :-)

King Food Steamboat (皇家帝国麻辣火锅)
Transportation : MRT from Taipei Main Station to Ximen then take a short walk to the shop
Address : No. 192, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
Tel : +886 2 2314 9969
Operating hours : 1130 - 2430
Price : Adult - Lunch [NT 600]/ Dinner [NT 650]  (Public holiday - NT 650)
            Kid - Below 110cm [NT 100]/ Above 110cm [NT 300]
Website : http://www.kingfood.com.tw/

After the dinner, we had a short walk around the Ximending and took some street views and it's Christmas decoration before we back to our home stay.

Tower of Saviors' Christmas tree

DAY 2
We were heading to Tamsui or we call Danshui on the second day in Taiwan. We took MRT from Taipei Main Station to Tamsui station and then took the bus to our first visit point at Hongmao Castle (Fort San Domingo). Fort San Domingo is castle that re-constructed on 1641 by the Dutch and it also known as red-haired castle since it's built up by red brick. It's famous by it's enriched historical background since it had been owned by Dutch, British and Taiwan.

Entrance of Fort San Domingo

 Cute mail box

 Tamsui river view from Fort San Damingo

 Red-haired Castle

 Big shoes to fix. Hehe :D

 Welcome to Fort San Domingo !

 Inside view

 Meet the man - William Morris

 Cousins

 Roadside view

Hongmao Castle (Fort San Domingo)

Transportation : Bus(Red 26/36/38) from Tamsui MRT station to Fort San Domingo

Address : No.1, Lane 28, Zhongzheng Rd., Tamsui District, New Taipei City

Operating hours : Weekday (9.30am - 5pm)    Weekend (9.30am - 6pm)

Price : Adult [NT 60]    Student [NT 40]

Aletheia University, located just beside the Fort San Damingo. It was founded by George Leslie Mackay and has close link to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. Besides, it also one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Taiwan. It's building is more like the church building, kinda western style. But i really love it's building !!! Just like my dream university !!! I hope i can be one of the student in this school also !!!

 Aletheia University

 Big Hall of the Aletheia University

 Garden view with Christmas decoration

Aletheia University
Transportation : Just walk through the gate between the Fort San Damingo and Aletheia University
Address : No. 32, Zhenli Street, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251

While we walked to looking for our lunch, we accidentally founded the Tam-kang High School in the alley. Tam-kang High School is famous because of the the movie by Jay Chou and also with it's rich history. It also founded by George Leslie Mackay. We just did a quick capture on the exterior of the building because we were rushing for our lunch. But i recommend you guys can go to take a look inside the campus since it's building is really nice !

Tam-kang High School
Transportation : Around 5 mins walk from Aletheia University
Address :  Zhenli Street, Danshui District, Taipei, Taiwan

A-gei is a traditional and famous local Tamsui's food which a piece of fried tofu pocket fix in with the cooked cellophane noodles and sealed with surimi finally topping it with the sweet sauce. We were planned to have it at the Original Store A-gei at first but unfortunately it was closed for the weekly rest. So, we just went to the shop beside it which is another famous A-gei shop called Three Sisters A-gei. We had ordered an a-gei, fish ball soup, braised pork rice and tempura (甜不辣) as our lunch. All of it's foods is surprisingly delicious ! Since we were too hungry so i just forgot to take other foods' picture except a-gei.

 Three sisters a-gei

Price list

A-gei

Original Store A-gei
Transportation : Around 5 mins walk from Tam-kang High School
Address : 新北市淡水區真理街6之1號
Operating hours : 5am - 3pm (close after sold)

Three Sisters A-gei
Transportation : Just beside the Original Store A-gei
Address : 新北市淡水區真理街2巷1號
Operating hours : 6am - 6.30pm
Website : https://www.facebook.com/pages/三姐妹阿給店/688978934453917

Tamsui Old Street is a must visit place for all tourists when you are in Tamsui. It's a old historical street with along the Tamsui river side with variety of stalls which sell traditional foods and toys. Since it was a raining day when we visited there, many stalls were no open for the particular day. But we still had the super long ice-cream which cost us NT 20 only. Beside the ice-cream many other traditional cuisine also been recommend like Lao Pai Fish Ball, A Xiang Shrimp Rolls, A Po Iron Egg, Xu Yi Fish Cracker, 83 Coffee and etc. Besides, we also visited a music box shop - Hobby Wood for it's music box collection.

 Tamsui Pier 

 In front of a traditional grocery shop while having the ice-cream

 Tamsui old street with closed stalls

 Hobby Wood Music Box

 Totoro

Music Box

Ocarina

Lao Pai Fish Ball 
Address : No.232, Zhongzheng Rd, Danshui District, New Taipei City
Operating hours : 7am - 7pm

A Xiang Shrimp Rolls
Address : No.230, Zhongzheng Rd, Danshui District, New Taipei City
Operating hours : 10am - 10pm

A Po Iron Egg
Address : No.135-1, Zhongzheng Rd, Taiwan

Operating hours : 9am - 10pm

Xu Yi Fish Cracker

Address :  No.184, Zhongzheng Rd, Taiwan

Operating hours : 6.30am - 6.30pm

83 Coffee

Address : No.83, Zhongzheng Rd, Danshui District, New Taipei City

Tel : 02-2625-5100

Operating hours : 11am - 10pm

Hobby Wood Music Box 

Address : No.270, Zhongzheng Rd, Danshui District, New Taipei City

Tel : +886 2 2620 4199

Operating hours : 11am - 9pm

Website : https://www.facebook.com/TamsuiMelody

Our last station in Tamsui was at Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf. We took a single journey ferry from Tamsui Old Street's pier to Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf by took around 15 mins to reach. It's famous by the Love Bridge of Tamsui since it's opened on 14 Feb 2003 (Valentine's Day). So, you will see many couples dating along the bridge. HeheXD A good place to paktor (dating lah ~). Love Bridge is just so attractive by it's beautiful lighting design which will start to light up every evening. Under the bridge, there are also many seafood restaurants and souvenir shop along the river side which are also recommend to try =)

 Taking ferry to Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf

 Evening view of the Love Bridge of Tamsui

Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf

 The bridge is so beautiful when it fix by light!

 Bridge side corridor

 Night view of the Love Bridge of Tamsui

 Souvenir shop beside the Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf

 Stalls besides the Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf

 Moral art beside the Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf

Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf  
Transportation : Ferry from Tamsui Old Street Pier to Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf or Bus(Red 26) from Tamsui MRT station
Address : Tamsui District, New Taipei City
Operating hours : 11am - 8pm
Price : Ferry [NT50 for single journey]

After visited to Tamshui, we went back to taipei and hunted for our dinner of the day at Shilin Night Market by MRT from Tamsui station to Shilin station. Night market is a MUST-VISIT attraction for all tourist who come Taiwan. It's such a concentrated area for all the representative Taiwan's foods. While Shilin night market is the most representative night market for the taipei area. So, when we went there, it actually crowded by tourist who came from different countries.  

 Cheezy Potato

Papaya Milk

 Mango Ice

 Oyster Omelets 蚵仔煎

Braised Pork Rice 滷肉飯

Legendary 大屌燒 ！

Shilin Night Market 
Transporation : MRT from Tamsui station to Shilin station