Waterfall @ Wulai

Waterfall @ Wulai
Originally uploaded by rac_chen

For such a small island, Taiwan does have its fair share of beautiful sights that the large majority of the world are unaware of.

I captured this photo back in Nov 15th 2009 when a few of us went on a day trip to Wulai 烏來 in Taipei County 台北縣.

Most people go to Wulai for the hot spring experience or to see the 80m Wulai Waterfall, and if they are feeling adventurous, ride on a rather scary cable car to get a closer look at the main waterfall.

We were feeling adventurous in a different sense. Initially we planned to walk to Neidong 內洞 since the tourist map indicated more waterfalls to see, and it didn't look too far away (on the map!). We obviously looked a confused as a local business owner approached us and offered to take us to that area in his car for NT$X, saying it would take us an hour to walk there. Somehow the four of us were talked into it and took up his offer and literally went for the ride!

A strange experience it was. But the guy was indeed honest and friendly enough to deliver on his promises. He assumed the role of a tour guide quite well, even told us how to pose for photos!

Back to the photo, I am so glad we paid the guy to drive us to Neidong 內洞 as the waterfalls were truly magnificent! You have to walk a bit within the park to get there, but I'd highly recommend the journey!!

Missing my second 'home'

I spend a lot of time on the internet. And it is not something I am ashamed of, because it's one way to pass time, learn new things and revisit the old. You can even travel the world on the internet!

As I was browsing through A Hungry Girl's Guide to Taipei, a regular read now that I am no longer living in my second home, I was excited to see she posted an entry about a pizza place near my apartment, my 'hood' in Taipei! I used to walk pass that Pizza Place - So Free Pizza & Cheese ALL THE TIME, but never actually ate the pizza there because I was thinking, I can get pizza back home, why bother?! It's one of those things I now regret as it was so accessible to me, literally a 5 minute walk from my room, yet somehow there were not enough days and meals in my 3.5 months in Taipei to actually give that place a go. I was tempted to try it on so many occasions, but just held back!

At least pictures (taken from So Free's blog) of the Pizza place can bring back memories of my time there. Awesome time in my life it was! And yes I did witness such massive queues, perhaps another reason why I never gave that place a go.

And these are the goodies I missed out on trying...

Fresh mushrooms Asparagus pizza

Kimchi pizza with dried tofu (豆干) - strange yet appealing!

In case people are wondering, why these strange combinations? It's a vegetarian pizza place. Another thing I miss about Taipei, absolutely amazing vegetarian food. Sometimes I had 'vegetarian' days just cuz I could!

Do I miss my time in Taipei? My friends would say obviously YES!! Planning a September 2010 visit already :) (At least in my head) Hope it eventuates given I will be going to Malaysia this September!! It's been 5 years since I've been to my parents home country. I'm already looking forward to all the food consumption and photos to take...just need to wait 6 months...