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Tuesday 21 April 2015

Taiwan free and easy: Taichung Shinse xinshe sea of flowers 臺中國際 新社花毯節 新社花海節










The place will take around 3-4 hours to finish touring the place. If you are not one to take photos, then it will definitely half the time and if you are those who need to take perfect photos, it will take quite some time.

There are stalls selling food and drinks, however it may not be as good as it is more touristy. Do not have to worry about getting hungry or thirsty.

I stayed in a minsu near the sea of flowers, so I just walk over.  I went early in the morning like 8am. There are shuttle buses from various location in Taichung. However, it is best to go in the morning as there are not as many people, much easier to take photos and enjoy the flowers. I skipped a lot of exhibits as the queue was too long, There was just too much people. It is not good to visit it on the first few days or weekends as it gets very crowded. The last few days will not be too great too because inconsiderate people just walk into the middle of the flowers for nice photos and the flowers get trampled on.
It is pretty place to be at if you happened to be at Shinshe or Taichung in November or December


The website is in Chinese. It should be in November or December for 2015

The rest is just spamming of photos. If you are not interested, don't scroll down. It is just a great place for photography 




































The minsu website












































Saturday 18 April 2015

Taiwan free and easy : Taichung Shinshe minsu 馨舍民宿





 View from a distance. The location is good as it is 5-10 mins like the flower expo.



Decoration Inside the Minsu

We booked the 4 person room with a view. The good thing is the room is on the first room, don't need to climb up and down the stairs. The room is spacious  but some things looks new as fresh paint has been applied but overall it looks a bit shabby.  The room looks quite plain, like a very simple home. The toilet floor was a bit hard to stand on bare foot as it is a bit rough. 




Although it is supposed to be a room with a view, the plants seems to be growing quite well so this is the view we managed to get.






The breakfast is simple taiwanese homecooked breakfast. Porridge and some side dishes Not fantastic but not bad.

The viewing gallery at the top of the Minsu. The view was much better. There is also a coffee machine for us to make a hot drink. Can just drink coffee and enjoy the scenery.
We did not manage to catch the sunrise as the sun was hiding behind the clouds.













Overall. I did not really have a pleasant stay. I can't really complain about the quality of the room because the price is quite cheap with breakfast.  The view from the room is quite disappointing. The view from the gallery is good but not awesome
However, the room definitely does not look like those in the photos. 

I was quite amazed with the owner's customer service. He was trying to promote another itinerary for our second day with his older brother who is a taxi tour guide. However, he will just leave the conservation half way when he sees another person needing help, without even excusing himself. It really makes me feel like a second-class citizen because he keep getting distracted and I have to sit there and wait for him to just answer any general enquires.

The taxi tour guide is a local and the brother of the minsu's owner so he can brings you to not touristy places, likesome of the smaller farms or food places as he knows the locals there. He speaks Hokkein and Chinese.  He even bought us to his farm and gave us fresh vegetables. However, we know he charge us the normal market price but keep telling us that we are getting such a good deal. He and his brother keep persuading us to do a full day tour on the second day although I told him my elderly parents are not able to do a fully day tour. He was constantly late in picking us up, after we finish touring the place. He did not turn up at the agreed time, we had to give him a call and wait for 10-20 minutes for him to appear. It is quite a waste of time. 

As we were not going to do the full day tour on the second day, they send another local driver to do a half a day tour and send us to Taichung. The rates was slightly cheaper, and the driver is much more accommodating and punctual.


The minsu website



Saturday 11 April 2015

bANGKOK FREE AND EASY: Mercure hotel National stadium



Mercure Hotel. The room is spacious. No bathtub but there is no need for one when you are at Bangkok because massage and spa are all around.

There are universal plugs so not a need for adapter. 



The view from my room



The Swimming pool

 The view from the swimming pool


The difference between Mercure and Holiday Inn is the room size. Mercure room size is bigger and spacious. It has only a swimming pool at the top floor which is free for people staying at Mercure.
The best thing about Mercure and holiday Inn is that it is just beside the train station and there is an escalator going upwards. It is good for people who intend to take the train and not the taxi.

Tuesday 7 April 2015

Taiwan Taipei free and easy: Massage and Karaoke 按一個讚舒壓按摩棧


按一個讚舒壓按摩棧
臺北市大安區復興南路二段102號2樓
102 Daan district City Fuxing south road section 2 Taipei
(02)2325-3308 (02)2325-3309
After all the eating and shopping at Taiwan, found a place to go for a massage. The place is cute and clean. The masseurs are visually challenged but professional.
It is owned by a famous Taiwan singer.
Charges are 500nt for every 1.5 hours. They have foot massage and body massage. Best to give a call and enquire and make a reseravation before going down.
Right below the massage, on the first floor. There is this shop 永和豆漿大王, serving good soya bean and you tian (fried dough).





A good way to rest the tired legs is to go sing Karaoke. For every karaoke room in Taiwan, it comes with a toilet. It is good for people who has to go toilet constantly. Their karaoke place are every grand, and is a few storeys high. Therefore, it is quipped with a lift. I always wonder if I step into a night club by accident.Different branches have different pricing, more popular branches will be slightly more expensive. It is cheapest to go in the morning as there is 40 percent and weekdays are cheaper. The price list is Taiwan dollars and is the pricing is for per hour. However, each person is supposed to spend at least nt$99 on food and drinks, can combine the amount to purchase food and drinks.
The negative thing is there is no hanyu pin ying so we have a bit of difficulty looking for the songs. However, the selection of chinese songs is definitely better.
http://www.cashboxparty.com/ktv/web_ktv/web_ktv.asp


http://mizztoee.blogspot.sg/2015/05/summary-and-itinerary-of-my-taiwan-trip.html