Burger King, Plaza Merdeka Kuching

There's always a long queue and no empty seats at Burger King in Plaza Merdeka after its opening few months ago. Finally managed to secure a empty table during one weekday night.

The Menu:

BK Star Meal 4-in-1 RM7.50 

Whopper Junior. Cheesy Fries, Corn & Fanta Orange

Each meal comes with cheesy fries and corn, which makes it quite special compare with the usual value meal at other fast food chain.

 

Whopper Junior

I always opt for something grilled and not deep fried meat patty. Nice one =) Would love to try the rest of the burger in the future!

Day 3: Kaohsiung, Wu Feng Pu, Raohe Street Night Market

Day 3 marked the end of our stay in Kaohsiung. There were 3 different teams of people selling sandwich & bread, toast like breakfast right opposite the 85 Sky Tower. Since there were 3 of us, we decided to buy one meal each from the 3 stalls.

Her Ham Bread & Dumpling

Soy Milk & Milk Tea

My Tuna Sandwich

His Fried Pork Burger

All three meals were sufficiently nice. Basically they twisted the sandwich/toast/burger made with different kind of filling, veggies, eggs and condiments. Love the dumpling too that we bought at one of the stall near the 85 Sky Tower.

After our breakfast, we checked out our room and headed to THSR Zuoying to board the pre-booked high speed railway to Taipei.

Waiting at THSR Zuoying

Enjoyed Sushi for lunch at train (bought at 7 11 convenience store)

Youth Travel Card

Upon reaching Taipei Main Station, we went to apply for Youth Travel Card at Tourist Information Centre. Taipei Main Station was extremely huge and confusing and we faced difficulties to find our way to our hotel. After some complications and making few phone calls, we finally found the location of our hotel. Due to our room was still not ready to enter, we went for a light meal at McDonald which was just few walks away from the hotel (loved the strategic location of the hotel). However, the McD was super crowded and we had hard time securing a seat!

Oreo McFlurry NT 49 ...similar with the one in Malaysia...nice!

see the drink size differences for Happy Meal set and regular set...

Curry Pork Burger NT 99 per set with regular french fries and regular Cola

the fried curry pork was dry and not up to my liking

the receipt

Happy Meal set & Curry Pork Set

After we put in our luggage at our room, we went to Wu Feng Pu to shop. 

To go to Wu Feng Pu, you can take a MRT train to Houshanpi Station (Bannan Line/Blue Line/Line 5). You can leave the station by Exit 1 (Wufenpu Commercial Zone) and walk north along Zhongpo N. Rd. to the intersection of Zhongpo N. Rd. and Yongji Rd.

To my disappointment, I only managed to purchase a pink jacket there at NT490. It wasn't cheap and the quality was moderate only. After wandering for several rounds, I finally gave up and went to Formosa Chang to fill up my tummy. Formosa Chang was easily spotted on the way from the Houshanpi MRT station.

Walking Directions: 5 min walk from Houshanpi (後山埤) MRT station (exit: Wufenpu commercial district)

Note: You will pass by this branch on the way to Wufenpu 五分埔 garment district, a wholesale clothes haven.

Formosa Chang 鬍鬚張魯肉飯 for light dinner:

水耕A菜 NT45, 贡丸汤 NT40

the vegetable and soup was good!

Braised Pork Rice NT35, Barley Green Bean Soup NT40 & White Fungus Lotus Dessert NT45

braised pork rice here was so so only. The one I had in Cijin Island was a lot nicer!

After our light dinner, we continued to walk around Wu Feng Pu district. After that, we headed to 饒河街觀光夜市. From Wufenpu to Raohe Street Night Market, walk towards the Songshan railway station (松山火車站) and you’ll see the night market after crossing Ba-de Road Section 4 (八德路四段).

Ciyou Temple is situated just beside the Raohe Street Night Market

queuing for Pepper Buns...super long queue!

Pepper Bun (NT50)  with meat and spring onion...not bad but didn't worth the long queue

white bitter gourd to make juice!

one of a stall selling 芋包芋 that attracted me

They will wrap the yam on the spot and fry it upon ordering.

The fryer with thermometer to measure the temperature.

Love the taro =)

Combo (Small) with 3 kind of fried taro at NT60

Hopped the MRT at Songshan Station to back to our room

Wind Cave, Fairy Cave & Panchor Hot Spring

Organised a one day trip to Wind Cave, Fairy Cave & Panchor Hot Spring. Departed around 9am and we finished conquering both Wind Cave & Fairy Cave around 12noon.

To bring list for three destinations:

•         Water 
•          Torch
•          Appropriate shoes (with good grip, good for walking)
•          Mosquito repellent / wear trousers
•        Wear a hat unless you think bat droppings are good for your hair.
•         Gloves are not a bad idea as the hand rails in the cave are guano encrusted.
•          Slippers (for hot spring)
•          Short pants & Tshirt (for hot spring)
•          Towel (for hot spring)
•        Cleansers/shower gel (for hot spring)

Entrance to Wind Cave / Gua Angin

The Wind Cave is believed to have got its name from the cooling breeze blowing continuously through the cave. But I  barely felt any wind blowing through the cave. 

RM1 is collected for single entry pass to  the Sarawak Nature Reserve upon entry to Wind Cave.

There are 3 passages in the Wind Cave and all three are connected so you won't be missed any of the passages. There are plankwalk runs throughout the length of the cave. The interior of the cave is unlit. Although we brought torchlight during the exploration, we hardly saw anything as it was very dark. We successfully conquered Wind Cave in less than 45 minutes!

After visiting the Wind Cave, we proceeded south to visit the Fairy Cave/Gua Kapor.

RM1 is also charged for single entry to Fairy Cave.

Unlike Wind Cave, you need to climb the stairs in order to enter the Fairy Cave,

The trios

Upon reaching the peak of the stairs, you will see entrance to the Fairy Cave. You can feel cool wind blowing continuously through the entrance of the Fairy Cave.

Inside the cave

Conquering Fairy Cave is so much exhausting and challenging than Wind Cave. It was super hot and I sweated non stop as the plankwalk and stairs were pretty slope and slippery.

 After lunch, we proceeded to our third destination --> Hot Spring at Kampung Panchor Dayak. One of entrance to Kampung Panchor is small and winding so cautious must be taken when driving.

Entrance ticket RM4/adult

Visitors dipping their legs in the hot spring.

Facilities such as changing room and toilet were provided but rather humble. The management should upgrade their changing room and provide a more decent shower facilities.

·        Note the process of taking a dip in the pool:

1.  Dip your hand or legs into the pool first to get a feel of the water temperature that it is not too hot for you. This is to prevent you from being scald by the hot water. Everyone have different reaction to the hotness of the water. The water temperature can reach  42 degree Celsius!
2.  Once you are sure that the water temperature is to your liking, slowly dip your body into the water.
3. If you get dizzy or uneasy while dipping in the pool, get out of the pool and take a rest, drink some cold water to cool your body temperature.
4. You are not allowed to take a bath immediately after getting out of the hot spring. Take a rest and let your body temperature to cool down to the normal level.

Caffeine and Cocoa, CityOne Megamall

 Caffeine and Cocoa is located at Ground Floor of CityOne Megamall. A great place for chilling and chatting, except for hefty yet limited food and beverages choices.

Tetley Forest Fruit Tea RM7.50/pot

I prefer to have some flower tea without caffeine dosage, thus I chose Forest Fruit Tea. It turned out to be red in color. Raspberry taste is pretty strong with lightly sourish flavor. Here's the ingredients' info I searched from the website regarding Forest Fruit Tea:

Forest Fruits with a touch of apple – Hibiscus, poppy flowers, flavour, rosehips, apple pieces (9%), cherry stems, orange peel, blackberry pieces (1.2%), raspberry pieces (0.6%), strawberry pieces (0.6%).

Light Cheese Cake from the counter top chiller RM11

Two layers of vanilla sponge cake with light cream cheese in the middle and topped with grated cheddar cheese.

Nice light cheese cake but I prefer something heavier. The cake was served in wood type of board with simple decor at the side.

Day 2: Kaohsiung--Cijin Island, The Old British Consulate, Pier-2-Art Center & 瑞丰夜市

Day 2 was indeed a sun bathing day. Weather in Kaohsiung on 2nd April 2015 was hot and even hotter than in Malaysia. 

Itinerary of Day 2 in Kaohsiung:

• Morning/Afternoon: Cijin Island
• Lunch: Chi Rou Geng
• Afternoon: The Old British Consulate
• Evening: Pier-2-Art Center
• Night & Dinner: 瑞丰夜市

Breakfast for three at one shop near Sizihwan Station

Warm black soy drink, carrot cake, wholemeal bread, Chinese bun

Spotted pinky Hello Kitty Shop along the journey to ferry habour

To go to Cijin Island, take the Orange Line on the MRT and alight at Sizihwan Station (西子灣站). Head to the ferry harbour (look for road signs and follow the crowd, takes about 5 minutes of walking) and board the ferry over for NT$15. Take the ferry back at the same place at NT$15 as well. (捷運橘線西子灣站，步行5分钟到高雄港，渡轮NT$15). We were lost but in the end we managed to look for the ferry harbor after asking for direction from passerby. We rented bicycle at NT50 each at a shop right opposite the Sizihwan Station and cycled it to the ferry harbor.

Ferry habour from far

View of the harbour

Cijin-Gushan Ferry that bring cyclists and passengers to and fro Cijin Island & Ferry Habour

Cyclists boarded the ferry heading to Cijin Island 

View of the sea

媽祖廟 Mazu Temple / Tianhou Temple / Goddess of the Sea

Left for Cihou Fort & Right for Cihou Lighthouse

We parked our bicycles and walked by foot to both destinations as the path was rather slope. It was super sunny hot that we got dehydrated so easily. 

View from the Cihou Lighthouse

Cihou LightHouse

Cihou Fort

After visiting the fort, we cycled around the island and then went in a market.

Lots of seafood products and preserved products in the market

All stalls sell almost the same products: dried scallop, cuttlefish etc. I bought a pack of dried scallop at NT350 at the market!

After cycling around, we headed for lunch before leaving Cijin Island. It was weekdays therefore there were no crowds at this infamous shop.

The famous Chi Rou Geng Shop

Self service concept. You queue, make orders, pay and wait for your foods.

Braised Pork Rice, Plain Chi Rou Geng & Chi Rou Geng with vermicelli

Chi Rou Geng is actually deep fried pork served with thick and starchy gravy. The gravy was bland but the deep fried pork was very flavorful. Chi Rou Geng was garnished with coriander leaves which made the gravy very fragrant. The braised pork rice was awesome and was one of the best braised pork rice I encountered during my trip =)

After Cijin Island hopping, we took the ferry and cycled to The Old British Consulate. We were not allowed to park our bicycle in front of the building. In the end we parked our bicycles nearby the entrance of National University of Kaohsiung and walked to The Old British Consulate.

The Old British Consulate 打狗英國領事館

Ticket  at NT66 per pax. NT30 from the ticket can be used to purchase foods/drinks inside the cafe but we did not do so as the cheapest drinks at the cafe was at least NT90+, so we had to pay additional NT60 in order to use the ticket. 

Doctor British was checking his patient. 

Frankly, there was nothing to see at The Old British Consulate. Everything was so expensive and happened to be over commercialized for tourists.

After cycling around the area, we returned the bicycle and proceeded to Pier-2-Art Center. Actually we could cycle to Pier-2-Art Center as it is located not far from Sizihwan Station. To go to Pier-2-Art Center, take MRT orange line to Yanchengpu Sation. Walk bound for five minutes along Dayong Road and you will arrive here. It is a art center and there are lots of artistic design and street arts. No entrance fee is needed for visiting.

Pier-2-Art Center 驳二艺术特区

The Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Station

The Dome of Light is the world's biggest one-piece stained glass creation. It is the work of Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. It took nearly four years to complete.

We stopped by Formosa Boulevard Station awhile just to take the photo of this spectacular piece of art. Formosa Boulevard Station serves as a transfer station for the Red & Orange lines of the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System. We didn't exit the station (once you exit, you need to pay again to enter the gate again), thus we only managed to snap some part of the glass creation.

Rui Feng Night Market 瑞丰夜市

To go to Rui Feng Night Market, take MRT and exit at Kaohsiung Arena Station at Exit 1. Walk for 5 minutes straight. Rui Feng Night Market operates only on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Rui Feng Night Market just across the street~

Pork & Lamb stick NT30 per stick

We also bought fried mushroom at NT50

with oyster~

with cheese/mayo & seaweed

3 for NT100

石记臭豆腐

Mix Combo at NT60...stinky tofu and fried tauhupok with shredded cucumber and pickles

 quite good!

Hair Wash at NT99? cheap hor??