CKS Memorial Hall

One of the famous attractions in Taipei, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a national monument erected for the President Chiang Kai Shek who ruled Taiwan for 25 yrs (1950 – 1975). The monument, a white and blue structure, is surrounded by a beautiful park and is framed on the North and South by the National Theater and National Concert Hall.

As soon as we got into the place, I regretted that I skipped this part in my itinerary in my previous visit. The place is utterly beautiful. Other details of the place which I only found out as I do this post (haha!): the roof is blue and octagonal (eight being a lucky number for the Chinese) and the number of steps up the main hall is 89 to represent his age at the time of death. 

The view from above the stairs is simply breathtaking.

The ground level is where you find the library and museum documenting CKS' life and the main hall is where you'll find a large statue of him. We didn't have much time exploring the place for reason below, haha!

Because I traveled with yogini friends, we realized that CKS Memorial Hall is a perfect backdrop for yoga poses. Hahaha!!! P.S. This is my greatest achievement in Taipei, to be able to do the headstand. Hahahaha!!!

Obviously, we didn't have time exploring the main hall because of the photoshoots but we were lucky enough to catch the changing of the guards during our visit - where I realize that aside from finding cute pet dogs in the park, this is also where you find all the good-looking men in Taipei. Lol!

A video posted by @cassey_cakes on Feb 1, 2015 at 1:09am PST

Taipei Day1b

#traveltuesday

After devouring that sinful strawberry ice cream waffle at Lugo Cafe in Taipei 101, off we go to our next point of interest - Maokong Gondola station. By this time, it has started to drizzle which will hamper the almost sunset view but it did not dampen everyone's spirit. Naks! Haha! But mainly this is also because the main agenda is what lies at the end of the gondola - the tea shop!

This is the part when I realized that we are really getting old, lol! I mean, yes we are pressed for time since the SG girls (Plok and Wen) have a rather shorter stay than ours but foregoing the view just to get to a tea shop is something uhmm adults with a purpose do. Right? Lol. Anyway, it'd not like we haven't ridden a cable car all our lives. Toinks! Haha!

The distance between the two attractions is quite long since the gondolas are located in the suburbs. The travel time took almost an hour. And because I was bored on the way... (lol!)

It had started to rain when we reached the Maokong station. In here, you can also find the Taipei zoo, something we didn't have time for. The gondolas used the theme Hello Kitty (around Dec 2013) to boost its operations as a result I guess of a closure for 16 months due to a safety concern. Of course this is something I only found out as I write this post today which also explains why we're so happy that the gondola ride which covers a total of 4 stations is very cheap. The news article I read also cited that it is losing money. How sad. But anyway, to some happy pics,

We wanted the transparent cable car but it can only accommodate 5 people, so...

A video posted by @cassey_cakes on Feb 3, 2015 at 3:44am 

Maokong station, the last of the four, is popular for tea culture and for viewing the night scenery of Taipei city. This is also the go-to place for hiking and climbing. Honestly, they were just there to buy the teas. But the saleslady is keen to give us a lecture on tea ceremony so we all sat down and observed. Afterwards, it's time to practice...

A video posted by @cassey_cakes on Jan 30, 2015 at 3:10am PST

And then there were more adult conversations on our way back, talking about our life, our statuses while munching on some green tea nougat...Gaaaah! 

or ourF last stop on Day 1, what better way than to cap it off with a night market visit? I figured some of my friends weren't prepared for the weather (haha!) so it's wise to spend them clothes here. Also, finally I got to try all the xiao chi (small eats) they had to offer since I didn't explore much of it on my first visit.

It turns out you don't need a proper sitting down dinner when you go to night markets in Taipei. These attractions have got a lot to offer. There were so many delicacies to try - from the Hot Star deep fried chicken, the calamaris (gosh I wish you can just buy it from the sidewalks here too), the free taste of ginger teas..to uhm weird looking popsicles (below)...EVERYTHING! They will leave you full right after. In short, my diet was ruined. Lol! It is truly an experience not to be missed!

We were divided into two groups because of different shopping needs and we took time buying stuffs - something that the men weren't happy about. Haha! Anyway, it was a really long day with lots of walking so back in our apartment we were all just grateful for this little machine - we took turns using it. =D

This ends my Day 1 post. More to come =)

Taipei Day 1a

#traveltuesday

All five of us had the same flight to Tao Yuan Int'l airport and arrived around 1 AM. We decided to wait for Wen who came from SG at around 5 AM. Yes, we slept at the airport. Lol! It's very convenient and social media addict-friendly too with its speedy WiFi connection and power stations. :P

We slept some more at the bus that would take us to the city and went to a hawker in the morning for breakfast.

Whenever I travel with friends, I get less cautious and simply depend my life to them seasoned travelers that I already forgot by now in which area was our Airbnb apartment. Haha! To be honest, I didn't bother to know. I should change this habit of mine. Lol! 

We also had to stay outdoors for some more because of the check-in lunchtime condition. Naturally, the social media addicts that are this bunch would often stop while walking when there's an available WiFi connection. Like somewhere in a restaurant here. Hahaha!!!

It was already late when we got ourselves ready for Day 1 itinerary (nothing solid in there, it's more like whatever goes, lol!). So around 1 or 2 PM I think, here's us. With Wen in sleeveless tank notwithstanding the weather. Why? Because she's cool like that. Haha!

On the way to the MRT, we decided that we're ravenously hungry and so we stopped by this restaurant that serves some appetizing dishes. I really like the way their eggs are cooked here.

We were informed that tourists could get a free WiFi access in Taipei so naturally we worked on that (read: top priority in the IT lol!) before we headed to our destination. You just simply have to give your passport info in an information center. I didn't know this when I first came here three years ago.

And so finally we reached our first destination, where else but Taipei 101.

It might be too late to apologize but still sorry as this post is just more like a group photo compilation. It was just too much fun! I've been up this tower before and I simply didn't wanna do it again. The weather wasn't that inviting too. As you know, the view at the top is ruined when it's raining.

Good thing, they decided not to go too. After some wacky shots over this area of the tower, we checked in the mall to what else? But eat some more. Seriously, have you counted the number of times we've eaten by now? Lol!

I really do recommend the strawberry ice cream waffle of Lugo cafe at the basement of Taipei 101. Seriously, look at it! It's so worth the extra calories, lol!

And because I've posted many pictures already, I'll continue with more of our Day 1 trip on the next post. Bye for now. :)

Taipei 2015

#traveltuesday

The best food adventure with the best foodie friends, haha! :D More stories soon. :)

Show What You've Got - The Event

#fitnessfriday

The Retropop event last Saturday entitled Show What You've Got was successful, yay! It was held at North Greenhills Clubhouse. Sharing some of the pics here. =)

The instructors and trainees before the show:

The Girlies during the break. Our theme was obviously party like a rockstar and here's what our group came up with:

A grabbed pic of us in action. The one at the center is Kuya Jo. He is the head instructor of Fitness First's Retropop class. He used to choreograph the Sexbomb dancers of a noontime show. The steps are obvious in one of our dance presentation videos below. Haha.

Co-trainee lurhve ♥♥♥ (From left to right - that's Clark, Me, Richard, Mara, Mitch, Lura, Borj and Jherwyn)

A solo pic:

There were other performances from the members of different clubs too. Yes, the competitive spirit was there with some club even hiring a premiere dance group in PH to choreograph their song but more than that, it's all about giving everyone a good show. And that's why I love this class. It's definitely more than just a fitness group exercise in the gym. It's a huge family of people who love music and are passionate about dancing. =)

Here's a preview of a new release song in Retropop in the coming months =)

Get Drill and Work!!! The newbies with the head of Retropop group exercise class Kuya Jo. :) P.S. Kuya Jo used to choreo the Sexbomb dancers =P

A video posted by @cassey_cakes on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:04am PST

Timehop just reminded me of the same event that occurred last year where I was just a participant. What a difference it makes that this year I was already part of the show. It was truly an exciting experience and here's more to these kind of events in the future. =) 

What Else Happened in SG

#traveltuesday


Met a new bunch of people and hung out at Orchard Road on a Friday night.

Did a few personal shopper task for ze brother. I didn't realize that I will be needing this dress sooner. I got it for only 15 SGD at H&M. Read more about it here. Wore it to lunch at Fairmont. :P

Met old friends/ schoolmates/ friends working in SG. :)

#MarvJoy2014

This wedding is just too beautiful not only because of its quite lavish setup or the lovely persons in it but because of its impact to me.  I was there since the beginning of the couple's relationship and couldn't be any happier to celebrate with them as they enter another phase of their lives. True, I find myself connecting to this author's satirical perceptions about weddings and all but it's entirely different if it involves someone close to your heart. The dress-up, emotional speeches and romantic gestures - they connect to that part deep down in your heart that makes you say you are all for it. It simply changes everything. Anj and I even encountered a glitch in the morning but we battled our way to the reception because we know for a fact that we simply couldn't miss this for the world.  And yeah we deserve those cosmos from the mobile bar.  :)) 

So to the couple, Marvs and Joy, I sincerely wish nothing but the best on your married life. I may have only made it to the reception but you just don't know how your wedding have become meaningful to me.  Thank you for that.  The two of you are truly meant to be. It's something I realized when I third wheel-ed in your room on the night of the pre-nup sessions. It's something that I would like to admit but don't know how to express beautifully, haha! Congratulations and Best Wishes, I Love You both to pieces! :)

Social Life Lately...

#threesomethursday

Friends from all over the world were/ are in Manila lately,

Singapore represent! (Mac and Xie with baby Miles! =)

Dubai represent! (Ali my friend who's not so discreet about his desire to be seen on this blog, lol!).  Here he is seen receiving my token of appreciation for working on my Dubai itinerary, taking a leave to accompany me to the desert - a Starbucks tumbler from Osaka. :P

And lastly, Japan/ Taiwan/ Netherlands represent (lol!).  Finally, Brian the Dutch guy who "walkathoned" with me in Kyoto!!! =)