Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Taiwan Trip - Day 3

Date: 5/10/2007
Places: Taroko (太鲁阁峡谷), Tienh Siang(天祥), Cisingtan Beach (七星潭海滩), Yu Bao Shop (御宝), Plaza International Hotel (通豪大飯店聳)

Today, we woke up at 7am; as usual have breakfast and then gather up to continue our journey with the rest of the group.

This is our tour guide, Yao Mummy giving us information on the places we are visiting.

The whole day, the rain and wind gushing non stop and one of our destination was closed due to the typhoon.

First stop was in Taroko (太鲁阁峡谷). The gorge was formed by rushing river waters which have cut straight through the marble and surrounded by subtropical forests. There are several notable scenic spots in and near the gorge. Due to raining, we just walk down and took some photographs before rushing back into the bus.

Raining season… but still must say cheese..

View from the bus.. raining

The gorge

We stop at Tienh Siang(天祥) to rest for some photo shooting, resting and drinking coffee.

Tienh Siang features a suspension bridge over the gorge, with a Buddhist temple and pagoda perched on the opposite side of the mountain. The Bridge of Motherly devotion is a popular spot of picnic, with a little bowed bridge across a small tributary.

Me with boy boy

The road…

The coffee shop

The next stop, we went to Cisingtan Beach (七星潭海滩) in Hualien to see the strong waves along the beach and also to feel the strong wind

See how strong the wind blows the trees…

Can you see the strong waves in the background?

My messy hair blown by the wind…
We saw reporter coming to this beach and the police told us to stay away from there as it is very dangerous. So we have no choice but to leave that spot and proceed to next stop.

Our next stop is Yu Bao Shop (御宝).

This is the shop where you can purchase Ling Zhi and other nutritional products.
Look at this guy who tells us the information on products sold.

See how big the real Ling Zhi is…

We bought Ling Zhi for TWD13000.

Name card of the shop

The lady who assist us in the shop.

Sooo big…

Helping him to shade from the sun… Haha…

After that we went for lunch. The place where we had our lunch is nearby the Marble Factory and there’s lots of marble craving statue around.

Some photos with the statue:

Haha, I’m Wong Fei Hong… (just kidding)

I like this statue…

Dragon Ball…
Can you see a man here?

Next we visit Marble Factory and Marble House.

Precious…

With Mickey…

The 12 chinese zodiac
1. Rat, 2. Ox, 3. Tiger, 4. Rabbit

5. Dragon, 6. Snake, 7.Horse, 8.Goat

9. Monkey, 10. Rooster, 11. Dog, 12. Boar

Dinner served at 6.30pm.
Then we went back to Plaza International Hotel (通豪大飯店聳) for spa. We stayed in Room 320.

Entrace to the spa.

The spa pool

**Additional Info:
Taroko
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taroko

Plaza International Hotel (Hualien)
-
http://www.taichung-plaza.com/eng/home.htm

Taiwan Trip - Day 2

Date: 4/10/2007
Places: Yehliu (野柳), Chiufen (九份), Nantien Temple (南天宫), Cultural VillagAmi Aboriginale (阿美文化村)

Today’s my boy boy’s birthday. =) Wishing him a happy birthday o!!!

On the 2nd day, we met our tour guide Yao Xiao Jie. She is also known as "Yao Yao Mommy" as she is like a mommy to us who will always take care of all of us in the tour. There's another tour guide (also her assistant), Fern Jie. Both of them are very helpful and knowledgable.

Today is the day which we met with typhoon. We were quite lucky today because when we arrive in every place, the rain stops and we are able to walk around freely without using umbrella. The rain falls when we were inside the bus.

Our first stop was at Yehliu (野柳).

Yehliu is a peninsula on the north coast of
Taiwan, between Taipei and Keelung. The natural rock formations at Yehliu (wild willows) are an amazing array of artistic shapes created by erosion and other natural forces.

It is famous for the natural formations of wonder rocks, sculptured throughout agest by the wind and sea erosion caused a chemical change hardened the top layer of earth. This top layer protects the layers below from erosion, leaving fascinating pillar formations, including the famous Queen's Head.

According to Chinese geography Magazine 2006 annual special report, Yehliu is the 2nd beautiful peninsula in China.

Entrance ticket:
We were given 1 hour to visit this place and to photograph the famous Queen’s head.

This is the mushroom head.

After that, on the way out, we went to buy “ChiChai” (Seaweed). The tour guide advised us to buy the one round in shape because it is better and no sand inside compare to the one in square shape.

Advice from my experience is not to buy directly from the first store as the next store will be selling cheaper than the first. =)

The next stop is Chiufen (九份).

It is is a mountain town in the
Rueifang Township of Taipei County near Keelung, Taiwan. Chiufen features the old traditional lifestyle that still exists, with the aura of an old mining that still apparent. Here you can also try some famous local snacks like Taro and Sweet Potato Ball etc.

We tasted out the famous Drunken Chicken and the fish/meat ball.

We also bought the localities here.

Umbrella was sold for TWD100. I also bought my favorite bag here. It was said to be handmade. J

We walked all the way up until the end (without making any right/end turning) and took these photographs.

After tired of walking up and down, we rest at the shop that sells Yam dessert, which is called “Oh Ee”.

It costs us TWD35.

While waiting for our tour bus to come, we went into the magic shop located at the front of Chiufen and was amazed by the trick he perform using cards. So in the end, we end up buying the magic cards for TWD300.

Third destination is Nantien Temple (南天宫). It is the landmark of Nanfanau, and also the center of traditional religion of the local citizen. We went there to pray for good things and get a charm from that temple.


We also tasted the peanut ice cream selling on the street beside this temple.

Then we went for dinner.

Around 7.40pm, we visited Cultural VillagAmi Aboriginale (阿美文化村).

A-Mei is an aboriginal tribe in Hualien. The Ami are the native people of the Hualien area. There are a number of tribes of native peoples around Taiwan or as the Chinese of Taiwan call them, The Mountain People. In this cultural center, you can see A-Mei people unique life style and enjoy delicious A-Mei cuisines. We saw performances and dances from this tribe.

There’s also one of our tourist volunteer to help out in carrying the bride in the “Bride and Groom show”. In their traditional wedding ceremony, the groom will carry the bride on the back. We were full with laughter and entertainment when we say this volunteer carrying the bride on his back. (Of course with the help of other people).

One of the members of Amei Tribe

Amei tribe wannabe
Statue in front

After the show, we were sent back to hotel for rest and prepare for next day’s activity. We were given room 336.

In this hotel, the owner likes antique very much and displays these antiques all around his hotel. We took some of the photos with these unique antiques.


**Additional Info:
Yehliu
- Address: 10KM north-est of Keelung No 167-1, Kantung Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehliu

Chiufen
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiufen

Gold Coast Union Hotel (Hualien)
- 50 Chien-Chang Road, Pei-Chang Village, Chi-An Hsiang.
- Tel: (03) 8581-006
-
http://www.union-hotel.com.tw/

More photos here: http://sherlynchew.multiply.com/photos/album/105

Taiwan Trip - Day 1

Date: 3/10/2007
Places: Taoyuan C.K.S. Airport & Taipei Hwah Si Night Market

Yeah... After long awaited moments, the day finally arrived. Today will be the day we travel to Taiwan for vacations! =)

Our flight to Taipei departs at 2PM by China Airlines. We arrived at the Penang International airport around 12PM and checked in. Hehe.. Can't wait to on board the flight to Taiwan. Dinner was provided on board. We had the chicken rice with duno what sauce. The taste is not bad. =)


Reached Taoyuan Aiport at 630PM... Waiting for luggage...

Then we were picked up by My & Mrs Quah to transfer to Kilin Hotel (Room 301). Thanks to this friendly couple for showing us the way to Hwah Si Night Market. He inform us that we need to wake up at 6am tomorrow and our tour guide will meet us at 7.15am.

From hotel to Hwah Si Night Market is around 5-10 minutes walk.


We tasted the "Ba Bao Bing" (dessert with many different things inside) - TWD50.


Next, we bought mai ya tang (a sweet with cartoon character's face) - TWD50,


tasted "Chang Yu Sao" (octopus) - TWD35


and also O'Chien (fried oyster) - TWD50. The fried oyster is quite different from the one sold in Penang...


We also saw that there are many kids and parents playing the game to catch the prosperous tortoise...

Around 9.40pm, we walked back to hotel and get ready for next day's itinerary.

**Additional Info:
Kilin Hotel
103, Kang-Ding Rd, Taipei
Tel: (02) 2314-9222, 2314-7070
Fax: (02) 2331-8133
Email: kilin.hotel@msa.hinet.net

More photos here: http://sherlynchew.multiply.com/photos/album/104

Friday, October 26, 2007

My Birthday~!

Yay... Today's my birthday...

Why am I so happy? Ermm.. I also don't know. Just feel like blogging about it on my birthday.

Today, I would like to thank my mum and dad for all the loves, cares and everything good they have showered to me for all these years. I love you, mum and dad!

Receive birthday wishes from friends, families, colleagues, internet friends, etc...

Thanks to all the birthday wishes, nice presents and thanks for celebrating with me.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

ALERT!! Please beware..

Got this email from a friend. Anyone receive the same one?
MSN Hacker.. Don't transfer money to anyone.. even your friends ask you. It might be a hacker using their msn account.

Read below…



Guys! please beware of MSN fraud! Read on:

It happened around 1125am on 19th October 2007. When i was busy with work, a friend suddenly 'IM'ed me using MSN messenger. She used to be my roomate and i am very close with her. So, she asked if i could log in to maybank2u account because she couldn't. As I’ve tried, i could log in. She asked me for a favor saying that she owed a friend money and been delaying him very long and its kind of urgent to return the money and asked if i could help her to transfer money to her friend first and saying that she'll definitely bank in the money back to me after work that day. The amount she asked was initially RM800, but since i got not that much money in that bank account, she told me to wait as she will ask her friend if its okay paying him RM400 first. So, sensing some kind of emergency here, i without any hesitation (this friend once asked me to lend money to her the same way), I’ve banked in the amount to the bank account she gave me. The account no. is 1111-1428-6194 and the owner's name is KEW MIN TECK. Well, at the end of the day, after working hour, i still yet to receive any call from my friend regarding the money. So, i smsed her regarding the money. She was shocked about it and asked if she still owe me money. (We stayed together for the past few months, so, sometimes she owes me money for bills...)So, with the thought that she forgot bout it, i mentioned to her that she asked for my help to transfer RM400 to her friend first. With that, she's even more surprised and gave me a call. When i told her about it, she said it must be her email account being hacked already. (FYI - MSN uses email account to login) because she received a SMS from an unknown number saying that he's matthew and he hacked her email and asked her if she wants him to restore for her. This guy's number is 012-2141405 which is a prepaid number. I was so shocked with the news and immediately went to Maybank to see if the transfer could be stopped. It was already 720pm at that time, offices already closed down. I've called the maybank hotline and they asked me to make a police report and bring back to Maybank tomorrow. So, i quickly went to the nearest police station and make a report believing that with the guy's bank account number and name, police force could at least track him down or get evidence on him for the crime he's committing. I told my friend to do the same thing and tell her to sms all her friends regarding her account being hacked. At the police station, there's this policewoman at the counter. She asked me where did i do the transaction and i told her at my office. she told me that i must go to another police station to make the report as that is not under their district. I was like 'huh?' However, i managed to make a police report. That policewoman did not even listen properly to the incident i was telling and she started to type on her own. Since she did not attentively listen to what i was saying, she got things wrong and asked us to write the story down. I was lucky that i got a friend to accompany me to the police station. (i don't even know where's the police station is... i'm a KL ppl in Penang now). Even though I’ve made a police report, the case wasn't open. To no avail, nothing has been done. The policewoman then called another officer (it seems that this officer has the higher rank) and he talked to me. I was asked by him 'why do i need the police report’, the reason of getting a police report? (is that suppose to be a question? i wouldn't have trouble myself to lodge a report if i find it not necessary)By telling him that at least could get details on the guy from the bank, he told me to go to Maybank and get the guy's particulars and hopefully i could talk to that guy and it'll be good if he returns the money else, i'll need to treat it as a wrong investment. (wrong investment!!???) So, particularly, nothing has been done.

The next amusement thing about this is that, i went to Maybank as told by the officer the next day along with the police report and hope that i could get details on that guy. And the only thing that i found out is that they need an officer/personel to come along only authorised to view the details! (omg! how come no one told me bout it at the police station?) The guy in maybank was very helpful. He managed to help me check (i got a peep on it) about that hacker's bank account. To my surprise, there are alot of transcation to this guy account! Besides mine at 11.25am, at 11.30am there's another transaction (RM620) transfered to his account. There are several more. And at that moment, his account only left RM146! Doesn't it obvious that this guy is vigorously cheating others by hacking into other people's account? Since, nothing can be done without an officer/personel, with much despair i decided to go home. Just on the way back, i received a call from a friend from KL stating that the hacker the friend's email account to online again and now talking to him. That hacker uses the same tactic to him asking for help to transfer money using maybank2u. I asked my friend to entertain him to see if it is the same guy,same bank account number. So, when i reached home. I tried to talk to that guy again. He's using the same conversation again! (omg! doesn't he remember that he has already conned me?) by making it sounds like i'm talking to my friend, i talked to him again. So, as predicted. He asked the same question again and the whole lot conversations were the same. And without any surprise, the name and the bank account number is the same! So, i called the police station where i make a report yesterday to tell them about it. The policeman who picked up the phone was so rude. Then, i told him bout the incident and my report number and told him that this guy is in action again. And yet, another disappointment. The policeman said that there's nothing he could do as he can't get out of the police station and he then gave me a hp number to call. I called that officer who's responsible for this kind of cases but only got 'i'm busy at the moment. i'm taking some statement here' as the answer. My KL friend who got the whole conversation which of course, the same account number and the same name - went to make a police report and requested to open up a case for this. After waiting for 4 hours at the police station and listening to the policemen saying that there's nothing they can do, there's no evidence and a more ridiculous question thrown to my friend is "Berapa Ribu kau hilang?" (how many thousands you have lost?)

Isn't it the police’s responsibility to track this fella down? And why am i the one suppose to get the particulars from Maybank? Doesn't he knows that we're not authorise to do any checking on people's particulars unless there's an officer/personel together with the police report only could do that? Why am i not told about it when i'm at the police station lodging the report? And isn't it the job of the police to get evidences on this guy who is doing the crime? It doesn't matter on how much we got cheated, it is still our money and furthermore, what if that i'm not the only person being conned here? Imagine, each person he conned RM400, so if he managed to con 10 people, that would make it RM 4000 per day! I am seriuosly being dissappointed with the act of the police force. It's as if they are imaginary since they claimed that they could do nothing about it. And these kind of crimes will continue and it'll be even worse as there's no action being take and these culprits will happily commit these crimes without being afraid of getting caught.

So, people! What you can do now is be more extra careful when you're dealing with your money. Always verify with the people you're sending money to, no matter how close he/she to you. And don't assume that your friend's/family's eamil account is not being hacked!

p/s: this is part of the conversation I got (the day after when he’s trying to con me again) And I got to know from maybank that he’s account is from kuching, Sarawak.

=jOcElYn= says (12:36 PM):
hey

çhof??? says (12:36 PM):
eh

=jOcElYn= says (12:36 PM):
how are you??

çhof??? says (12:36 PM):
fine lo

çhof??? says (12:36 PM):
how about u?

=jOcElYn= says (12:36 PM):
not very good not very bad

=jOcElYn= says (12:36 PM):
haha

=jOcElYn= says (12:36 PM):
just fine like u

=jOcElYn= says (12:36 PM):
you getting prettier!

çhof??? says (12:36 PM):
:P

çhof??? says (12:37 PM):
no la

=jOcElYn= says (12:37 PM):
no need shy le

çhof??? says (12:37 PM):
u're prettier

=jOcElYn= says (12:37 PM):
haha, no la

=jOcElYn= says (12:37 PM):
i ugly one

=jOcElYn= says (12:37 PM):
eh, do you have maybank2u acc?

çhof??? says (12:38 PM):
why?

=jOcElYn= says (12:38 PM):
dunno why i can't login to the site since yesterday

=jOcElYn= says (12:38 PM):
u manage to login?

çhof??? says (12:39 PM):
erm.. ya

=jOcElYn= says (12:39 PM):
i think my pc got virus already

=jOcElYn= says (12:40 PM):
the page cannot finish load

çhof??? says (12:42 PM):
oh! really?

çhof??? says (12:42 PM):
u din install antivirus meh?

=jOcElYn= says (12:43 PM):
got scan but took very long time so i always press cancel..haha

=jOcElYn= says (12:43 PM):
can u do me a favor?

çhof??? says (12:43 PM):
aiyoo

çhof??? says (12:43 PM):
u better scan it properly la

çhof??? says (12:43 PM):
else ur data all gone lagi teruk

=jOcElYn= says (12:43 PM):
i need to transfer money to my fren and been delaying hin since yesterday...u help me to bank in can? i bank in back to u this evening when i go out

çhof??? says (12:46 PM):
ooo

çhof??? says (12:46 PM):
why so urgent geh?

=jOcElYn= says (12:46 PM):
cause delayin him very long already. i feel so bad

=jOcElYn= says (12:46 PM):
can u help me?

çhof??? says (12:47 PM):
ohhh

çhof??? says (12:47 PM):
who is that?

=jOcElYn= says (12:47 PM):
my fren, i asked him help me buy some stuff and he already send to item and yet i still havent paid him

çhof??? says (12:49 PM):
eh, u din go back hometown ar?

=jOcElYn= says (12:49 PM):
nolar

=jOcElYn= says (12:49 PM):
can u help me or not?

çhof??? says (12:49 PM):
wait wait

çhof??? says (12:49 PM):
i'm loading the page

çhof??? says (12:49 PM):
also vry slow lo

çhof??? says (12:50 PM):
my connection very slow

çhof??? says (12:50 PM):
sooo sorry

=jOcElYn= says (12:50 PM):
u using dial up?

=jOcElYn= says (12:50 PM):
or streamyx?

=jOcElYn= just sent you a nudge.

=jOcElYn= says (12:54 PM):

çhof??? says (1:17 PM):
y not i send cheque to u or pass cash to u?

çhof??? says (1:19 PM):
ok ma?

=jOcElYn= says (1:19 PM):
i need to transfer the money to him now

=jOcElYn= says (1:19 PM):
pass me cash also no use

=jOcElYn= says (1:19 PM):
he's in malacca

=jOcElYn= says (1:19 PM):
i got money in my maybank2u just can't log in!

çhof??? says (1:20 PM):
oh

çhof??? says (1:20 PM):
u give me ur fren's acc then

çhof??? says (1:20 PM):
so i can transfer when the page loaded finish

=jOcElYn= says (1:20 PM):
u manage to log on now?

=jOcElYn= says (1:21 PM):
1111-1428-6194 kew min teck

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Old Parents - Story of the day

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.

The Father asked his Son, "What is this?"

The Son replied "It is a crow".

After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, "What is this?"

The Son said "Father, I have just now told you "It's a crow".

After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time,

What is this?"

At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the Son's tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff. "It's a crow, a crow, a crow".

A little after, the Father again asked his Son the 4th time, "What is this?"

This time the Son shouted at his Father, "Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times 'IT IS A CROW'. Are you not able to understand this?"

A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary :-
"Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child".

While the little child asked him 23 times "What is this", the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.

So..

If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents. From today say this aloud, "I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me.

They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today".

Say a prayer to God, "I will serve my old parents in the BEST way. I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave."