My own guide to Taiwan

There's so many guide to Taiwan, I don't even bother to list mine. But I need to create this, cause there're a few things I wish I'd known when I was there. I guess this is an oxymoron guide. But I know there are things I wished I had known, but too embarrassed to ask or too obvious that I should have known in the first place. So here is the guide/list. 

1. The driver is on the left. 

2. You stand on the right side of the escalator, giving way to people who need to rush to your left. 

3. Bring reusable bag. Most places do not give out free plastic bag, e.g. 7eleven, supermarket. 

4. In a taxi, it states that if you don't use seatbelt (back passengers), you'll have to pay a fine if you get caught. So far none of the taxi drivers force us to put our seatbelt on. So not sure how serious is this rule. I'm sure front passenger is a must to put on the seatbelt. 

5. Bike is a need to use helmet. 

6. No one really jaywalk, at least not that we saw. The drivers are generally quite nice and let you cross if you did happen to jaywalk and got stuck in the middle. 

7. Toilets are generally quite clean with seating or squatting option. Toilet paper are in-quip in every stall. The queue is a single, first come first serve method. 

8. In colder months, the weather gets really cold when it rain. So an extra layer of warm is recommended. 

Sum41 - War

So funny. Another song that I listen to and it's Sum41 so it remind me so much of secondary school time. And for some reason the song really appeal to me. And now listening and reading the lyrics. It just feel so right. 

So what am I fighting for?

Everything back and more

And I'm not gonna let this go

I'm ready to settle the score

Get ready cause this is war

There are days that I think I'm crazy

Other days nothing seems to faze me

There's nothing more and nothing less 

Just all the fears that I must confess well

I'm afraid I believe in nothing

No hopes or dreams you could've left me dead

Naive and not to mention

I'm losing count of all my blessings

With all that I've done, it's too late

I can't take back all that I have become

So all that I'm trying to say

I'm looking for a better way

Some days it just gets so hard

And I don't wanna slip away

So what am I fighting for?

Everything back and more

And I'm not gonna let this go

I'm ready to settle the score

Get ready cause this is war

Another day in the right direction

I'm ok but I'm left to question

How did I get so far behind the rest?

Why am I so inclined to forget?

All the days that you made me crazy

Nowadays you don't even faze me

It's all the same and I don't stress none

Sick and tired of all this tension

With all that I've done, it's too late 

I can't take back all that I have become

So all that I'm trying to say

I'm looking for a better way

Some days it just gets so hard

And I don't wanna slip away

So what am I fighting for?

Everything back and more

And I'm not gonna let this go

I'm ready to settle the score

Get ready cause this is war

Get ready cause this is war

Get ready cause this is war

All that I'm trying to say

I'm looking for a better way

Some days it just gets so hard

And I don't wanna slip away

So what am I fighting for?

Everything back and more

And I'm not gonna let this go

I'm ready to settle the score

Get ready cause this is war

I'm looking for a better way

Some days it just gets so hard

And I don't wanna slip away

Get ready cause this is war

Everything back and more

And I'm not gonna let this go

I'm ready to settle the score

Get ready cause this is war

$20 a day challenge - week 4

Day 1

No time to eat anything except come home to dinner with ayam penyet. Then went supermarket buy fruits. 

Transport: $0.88

Food: ($8.50)

Others: $7.45

Total: $8.33 ($16.83)

Day 2

Transport: $2.58

Food: $5.50 ($18.50)

Total: $8.08 ($21.08)

Summary: $16.41 ($37.91)

Day 3

Ate with principals but spent the money on cab to work. 

Transport: $11.20

Food: ($3)

Summary: $27.61 ($52.11)

Rest of days

I am quite lazy to keep up with the daily spending. It's a bit troublesome to edit through here. It's easier to just write it on a piece of paper. But anyway, I did not go shopping. So there is no extra expenses. Did not eat big meal too. Oh, I did went to try out the Boston lobster from Song Fish, $28. On average, my spending is $5 a day. So we can say additional $48? Oh I did give a $20 for a wake. So $68. 

Total spending: $95.61 ($120.11)

Overall 

So for Jan, I spent $343.80 with the budget of $600. Or if I sort of pay for everything myself, I will have to spend $765.70. Which I think is quite good. Cause there are so many meals and actual spending that I never really take note. 

Bought my sis her wallet which I never take into account. Then there is my handphone bill, insurance payment and money spend on future traveling. I mean you sort of have to book your ticket in advance. 

There will be weddings and birthdays and  farewell parties and funerals. These cost money too. Going out for dinner and dates. No matter how budget you try to be, you still have to spend money. We can always go and eat at food court or buy $2 chicken rice. But I'm not sure how long till you actually get bored. 

In the end, it's possible to live under $20 a day, provided these things are only considered for food and travel by public transport. For $140 a week, you can spend a day eating something more expensive and the rest of the days spending it as little as possible. 

I will have to do this challenge when I live on my own. It will be a fairer test and better sense of reality. 

$20 a day challenge - week 3

Day 1

Transport: $2.46

Food: ($37.40)

Total: $2.46 ($37.40)

Day 2

Went out with yinyang for dinner today. Decided to drop by Zara and I bought a shirt. Plus bought cakes for Mami. So, overshot by a lot today. Today is what I call real life.  

Transport: $3.16

Food: $24.20 + $26.60

Shopping: $46.80

Total: $100.76

Summary: $103.22 ($138.16)

Day 3

Went for a meeting today. So ate at a nicer place for lunch, which is quite expensive if I were to pay it myself. Transport was provided my boss and I got send back to Raffles place where I took a bus home. Mom cook dinner, so that's my day. 

Transport: $2.12

Food: ($59.30)

Total: $2.12 ($61.42)

Summary: $105.34 ($199.58)

Day 4

Transport: $3.14

Food: $3.50 ($21.19)

Total: $6.64 ($24.33)

Summary: $111.98 ($223.91)

Day 5

Mom cooked for dinner. So my share should be about $2 as I don't eat as much. 

Transport: $0.88

Food: $3 ($5)

Total: $3.88 ($5.88)

Summary: $115.86 ($229.79)

Day 6

Prata for breakfast ($1.50), yoshinoya for lunch ($8.80), dumpling for dinner ($4). 

Transport: $3.54

Food: ($14.30)

Total: $3.54 ($17.84)

Summary: $119.40 ($247.63)

Day 7

Went to PP to use up the food vouchers. Then had $30 extra vouchers thanks to a lucky spin. So lunch/dinner was only $7.90 for 3 person. 

Transport: $1.58

Food: ($9.90)

Shopping: ($132.70)

Total: $1.58 ($144.10)

Summary: $120.98 ($391.73)

Yup, that's a more accurate spenditure.

$20 a day challenge - week 2

Day 1

Ate fish soup for lunch and chips for dinner. 

Transport: $0.88

Food: $5 ($9)

Total: $5.88 ($9.88)

Summary: $5.88 ($9.88)

Day 2

Been just eating 1 meal per day. It's not healthy, but just not in the mood to eat. 

Transport: $0.88

Food: $3.5 ($5)

Total: $4.38 ($5.88)

Summary: $10.26 ($15.76)

Day 3

Off to KL for a factory visit. Food is pretty much provided by the company. Went to Uniqlo and bought some socks. 

Transport: $1.43

Shopping: RM32.80, $10.30

Total: $ 11.73

Summary: $ 21.99 ($27.49)

Day 5

Last day in KL, managed to spend some time shopping. Bought 2 pairs of shoes and one pair for Kelly. Overspent for today. 

Transport: $1.50

Shopping: RM217, $72.30

Total: $73.80

Summary: $95.79 ($101.29)

Day 6

Transport: $0.88

Food: ($10)

Total: $0.88 ($10.88)

Summary: $96.67 ($112.17)

Day 7

Mom paid for all the food I ate today. 

Transport: $1.58

Food: ($34)

Total: $1.58 ($35.58)

Summary: $98.25 ($147.75)

$20 a day challenge - week 1

Inspired by journalist who tried out the challenge and survived, I too want to try and succeed. Last year, I overspent. So this year, at least for 2 months, I want to spend as little as possible. That is doing a no buy and spending as little as possible in a day to day basis. 

Disclaimer: I work for a trading company. I have lots of food samples and biscuits on my desk. So if need to, I can always snack on them. My morning coffee is free as the office aunty will make them. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to go for events thus settling my lunch/dinner. I take the company transport to work. So if I don't go out at all, my transport cost is only to the pickup point. I am also still staying with my parents, meaning no rent, free dinner, and no utility bills. 

R said that $20 is too much, which is probably true. But $20 a day is $600 a month, which includes hand phone bills, shopping, meals and entertainment - is actually quite a fair amount. Work days should be able to save, but weekend I am not sure. I don't have much of a life, but I do love to shop and eat. So we shall see. 

Day 1 - 4/1/2016

Missed my bus, seriously those bus apps are such liars. The next bus supposed to come 9 minutes later, but no it came 18 minutes later. So tempted to take a cab, but I didn't. 

Ate minced meat noodle for lunch, drank hot tea from office. Tea bags were bought before hand, should I count it to the challenge? 

Went home by company transport. It will pass by my area, so I will get drop off. Drank Yakult (mom paid for it), ate some Pika Ambon (also free) for tea break. For dinner, cooked some veggies and meatballs (free). 

Transport: $0.88

Food: $3.00

Total: $3.88

First day a success! Cause everything is pretty much provided by mom. I think housewives are the only ones who should do this challenge. They are the ones who actually do the spending. 

Another thing, I'm kind of confused. My ezlink card is prepaid, but I take note on the daily expenditure instead of the day that I top up my card. Does that mean I'm suppose to divide everything up according to my usage or I should just take it as face value?

Day 2

R told me I should included all the things I didn't pay too. In that case, I will bracket the value I should have paid. Day 1 total should have been ($11.58). 

Kelly bought me porridge for breakfast. If I were to pay for it, it will cost me $3. My colleague gave me a piece curry puff, which I will not take into account cause it's a gift. 

I had fish slice beehoon for lunch, and used 2 sachets of tea bags for my drink ($1.00). 

Mom cooked dinner. Just a simple stirfry veggies and rice ($3.00 maybe less, but the prawns are quite ex). There was also watermelon. I ate maybe half of a quarter, so maybe a dollar worth. 

Transport: $0.88

Food: $3.80 ($11.80)

Total: $4.68 ($12.68)

Summary: $8.56 ($24.26)

Day 3

Ate granola bar, given by colleague for breakfast. Lunch time was spent with colleague who participated in the soccer match. They had $100 and they decided to spend it for lunch and was thankful enough that they include me. 9 of us, so the total is more, which will come to about $7 per person. But they were nice enough to just pay for it. 

Dinner was spent with family. So if I were to pay my share, it will be about $10.

Transport: $0.88

Food: $0 ($17)

Total: $0.88 ($17.88)

Summary: $9.44 ($42.14)

Day 4

Started the day with a breakfast set for $3.40. Is it me or everything getting more expensive? Normally it wouldn't bother me, but now I have to note it down, it made me realized just for breakfast, 20% of my daily spending is gone. Lunch and dinner, $3 each. 

Transport: $0.88

Food: $6.40 ($9.40)

Total: $7.28 ($10.28)

Summary: $16.72 ($52.42)

Day 5

Ate some crackers for breakfast. Bought them for market research, so it's free ($.25) and made some tea ($1). Lunch was a bit pricey at $6.50. R paid for dinner ($6).

Transport: $2.48

Food: $6.50 ($13.75)

Total: $8.98 ($16.23)

Summary: $25.70 ($68.65)

Day 6

Had roti prata for brunch ($2.50) and spend the day watching movie and window shopping. Dinner was with family, so that's a free meal right there. 

Transport: $1.48 

Food: ($2.50)

Total: $1.48 ($3.98)

Summary: $27.18 ($72.63)

Day 7

Watched movies online. Those sappy Halmark Christmas movies. Basically just ate one meal at 3pm at Parkway. Mom paid for it and she bought some bread for breakfast, but I ate it for dinner.

Transport: $1.78

Food: ($31.70)

Total: $1.78 ($33.48)

Summary: $28.96 ($106.11)

I think it's quite a successful first week. But you see how unfair life is. My week consist of "free" meals, that's why I am able to save. Plus the fact I restrain myself from shopping. 

Online Shopping for Meat

Quite appropriate, maybe not, since my last post was about housewarming, I wanted to talk about hosting a party at home. Well, more of sort like a steamboat/BBQ. It was all we did for CNY. I mean every CNY, we held a steamboat night where all the cousins will come together to just eat steamboat, usually on the 2nd night of CNY. But for the past few years, it has been more BBQ, like those grill pan actually. It seems that grilling is more popular than steamboat. Personally, I like them both, soup compliment grill very well.

This year we had a lot of leftover food. And it was a pain to finish them. Usually we got our meat at the supermarket. It is quite pricey so most of the time we went for frozen instead. To cut the story short. we found that we enjoy having less option as long as the quality is good. So it is meat, meat, and meat, oh and scallops.

Then from there we were looking for steaks to grill, pork ribs and etc. Better cut meat, better quality, food that can be presented on the table and make your guests go wah! Sure a simple pasta dish will work, but there is just something about presenting steak on the table that makes people eyes light up.

I went to google of course to search where I can buy meat online. There were just pages after pages of online shop that cater to meat, just meat alone. Well, I mean they do sell other food, but still, so many online shop. And here I thought that shopping online for clothes and makeup is very hard. Which one to choose, which one has free shipping, which one got discount. The options!

Not being paid, not trying to be bias (I probably am), but I found that www.benmart.com.sg has a good option to buy some goodies. Ben Mart is quite new in the market, but buying meat online in Singapore makes it so much easier. I don't like their $200 above then free shipping policy, but they do have a good selection of item. BenMart is from a company Ben Foods which produce brands like Cowhead and Farmland. They have a warehouse at Jurong, and they do accept walk in customer at certain timing. It is so far away, that's why Ben Mart is a better way to shop.

I like that they are new, so they do their best to provide the best service. Hope it will remain that way. Plus the best part is, they do have weekly deals. Sometimes can get free chocolate or drinks, sometimes they have special deals where we can get like example butter at a cheaper price. I mean they are really cheap as compare to supermarket. But ya, you gotta buy $200 to get the free shipping. It is quite easy actually, especially if you buy the meat item.

The prices are also including GST, while if you go to the warehouse, the prices stated was before GST.

Ben Foods : 1 Fishery Port Road, S(619729)
Open on Wed - Fri, 3pm - 5pm and Sat 10am - 12pm
They are close on public holiday.

For online, base on the FAQ they have a certain delivery option. Wed, Fri and Sat.

Now for the food.
Farmvale Cooked St Louis Pork Ribs is really good. Plus easy to prepare. You basically just have to thaw and reheat on a grill/oven or even frying pan. I say Happy Call all the way!
For shabu shabu, they have pork belly slices, pork collar, beef eye plate, Haton seafood, scallops.
They sell wines and beer too.
Cheese and butter and margarine and yogurt and bread.
All kind of meat. Really perfect for a premium BBQ event. Well, we are so used to 50 pieces satay during our poly days, that steaks for BBQ is weird. But trust me, this is the only way to have a BBQ.

All the products will be listed Halal if it is halal, which is perfect for anyone who doesn't consume pork.

I don't know why you cant buy Cowhead milk, but I am sure they will add that in the future. We probably can request it right, since they put a phone number on the website.

So yeah, I like Ben Mart as it is the only place that sell Guy Clery wine, which is an average price wine, but it is so easy to drink. Like so good that you can drink 2 bottles and wont get a hangover the next day.
Oh, plus most of the premium food and wines are only sold to restaurants and hotel chains, so we cant buy them in supermarket. So this is a good place to buy quality item in the comfort of your own house or smartphones. Either way, click away.

Housewarming Gift Ideas

So today I learnt that if you are invited to a housewarming party, it is mandatory to get the hosts (hosts as in the couple or just host since it's one household?) a housewarming gift. Appearantly I mistook housewarming with openhouse. I am not sure about the etiquette of openhouse, but I think you can just come over with a big smile and empty belly. But I'm sure a little snacks/wine/flowers won't hurt. 

So housewarming, not sure if it will be rude to decline with I'm busy on that. But I think changes are you will still have to bare gifts. 

The tip is to share with fellow guests. So you can get something big at a fraction of a price. Ask the hosts what they want or specifically what they need. They want a lot of things but need is a bigger concern. Or if you happen to be the bestfriend of the host(s), you'll probably know what they want. In that case share with fellow guests the list of things. 

Also it will be nice to figure out or more accurately find out what others are buying if you are not sharing. That way you'll know what not to get. 

Cost is probably a factor. So depending in how close you are to the guest, the prices of the gift will vary. If the host happen to be your sarboniate, I think it is fair to get them something of a higher value cause dude you are incharge in the office. Good gifts = better work performance. Your bestfriend of 18 years deserve that $320 espresso machine and not the $150 coffee maker. If it is someone you know not that well and you probably don't wanna be friends with anymore, well, everyone appreciate a toaster or a tray. No one think if tray, but it is useful to have them. 

Plus what you give them, they will remember it. They will appreciate it and they will roughly return back the favor to you. If they are the average human beings. These days you just never know. 

Lastly check be sure to confirm if it is a potluck housewarming or just plain housewarming. You will know it is potluck cause they will tell you what to bring what. As in what category. If not tell them what you will be bringing or maybe bringing. Nobody want to have 9 brownies and nothing else at the party. 

So anyway here are some ideas. 

If you know for sure they just move in and have nothing. 

- easy to wash utensils (a set)

- pots and pans 

- kettle (price varies)

- spice rack and containers

- tea set (for tea lover) (the china quality has to be not that cheap)

- microwave

- kurag (only for the busy)

- blender (good quality please)

- candles (price varies) (only if you know their fav scent!!)

- good quality knife set 

- electronic picture frame or simply picture frames (it's ok, she only invite you out of politeness)

- homemade parcel filled with cleaning supply

- homemade hamper filled with knickknacks 

- awesome toolbox (the husband deserve some love too)

- rice cooker with grains holder bucket thingy

- a lifetime paid weekly Yakult delivery

- priceless painting that they can sell in 5 years time to buy a new bungalow

If everything's taken, you can always go with Crabtree and Evelyn hand soap and hand lotion set. Or some other atas brand. 

Personally I already have a list of appliances I want. But only today I know that I can ask my friends to get it for me with a hey I am throwing a housewarming scheme. Muahahaha [insert evil grin]. But seriously, I think it is quite bad to make use of your friends to get you something even if the purpose is indeed to really "show off" your house. 

I think the host or hosts should tell their guest that all they need is a bottle of wine or maybe bottle drinks cause they're heavy to buy for everyone when the hosts only have 4 hands. Or like those cute salt and pepper shakers you can get from silly shops. 

They should provide a list of approved item to be brought to the party. It eliminates price war/favoritism among guest. Eliminates haiz-ness from guests who only comes cause they feel bad if they don't. It is nicer to get fun non serious gifts. As you don't have to buy the buyer expensive gifts when it is their turn to host one. 

And so that's my take on being helpful on housewarming ideas/tips/thoughts. 

The Chedi Sakala, Bali

We stayed at The Chedi, again another hotel that has not has its opening ceremony. So it wasn't crowded. Only on Sat that I started seeing more guests. The place is quite homey. It is a nice place to take a break. So many places to chill. Plus the restaurant is the bomb!

It is quite a weird location as the hotel is separated by a "main" road. The other side, where the restaurant is, is join to the beach. The beach which is not a private beach, not a place to swim, it is just a whole stretch of sand to play water sports. This hotel is the perfect location for kids.

We arrived quite late at night.

The huge empty space where we put our sandals.

Living room, which we made an extra bed.



Master bedroom.

King size bed, which me, Jeanne and T sleep on.

The bathroom has a separator which provide some privacy.

Magic door, will only close one side - the toilet or shower.

The shower has a rain shower, which is not working. The shower head has 3 level of power. The knobs are nice as one side is to adjust the amount of water and the other side clearly show us the hot and cold water. 

We were also given gel, shampoo and conditioner. There are 3 huge towels, 3 face towels, 3 hand towels. There is a weighing machine, and a scrub thing for the bath. Toothbrush and toothpaste (Colgate), comb and etc.

The vanity area which is beside the shower. There is a hairdryer and ironing board.

I love the slippers they provide. It is so comfortable and for once it sort of fit me.

Love the tiny kitchen, there is the place what you it where you can heat up pots. There is also a microwave, an ice bucket that is filled with ice. Then there is a wine cooler, and a mini fridge. Water is provided for free.

My fav got to be the coffee machine. Everyday I drank shots and shots of espresso. The coffee is too watery for my liking as I kept drinking espresso.

And teapot!!

Our welcome food. The fruits are real. There is a salak(snake fruit) too which I ate.

I don't know if it is possible to see the background of the pool photos. The rooms are connected to the pool, which is really awesome. But the rooms are only with one bed and a huge living room. It is really like living in paradise.

Aside from the pools (there is another one at the restaurant side), there is a lounge which we never make use of. There is a kids room where kids can play. They are building the spa and the private villas in the coming year. The villa is 2-storey with a private pool and cost about US$2m.

The Chedi is known as a condotel, which basically you can own a room and you can stay for 15 days a year. I think you will get dividend every year or something. I don't really know how it worked, but at least you can tell people hey I have a hotel room. 

There is also a gym, 2 storey. One for lifting, one filled with treadmills and stair-master like machine. My fav will be the studio where you can do yoga. Love the mirror. I just want to dance all day there. There are free mini water bottles, those 250ml ones, that we keep stealing.

Our 2 room also has a personal butler. He/she can help us with planning of our days and searching for everything we need like where is the best place to get coffee luwak. They can also help us book restaurant. Love having a butler, just makes your whole stay so much more unique.

This is the view from our floor. The 7th floor, which is actually the 6th since there is no 4th floor. 5th since the 2nd floor is like the main floor to get to the lobby. The 4 tiny dots are the para sails.

 

Our 2-bedroom suite which if checked with Agoda will cost around $1.7k+/night, so that is quite pricey. (We so deserve the butler!) But you have 2 bedrooms that can fit 4 people. The living room can have extra bed which fit another 2. Master bedroom can fit 3 people. So 7 of us were living there.

The poolside rooms will fit 2 people. The living room can become an extra bedroom, which fit another 2. But they only have one bathroom. So it can be quite cramp. Reyner stayed there with Budi.

My breakfast. I am the only one who go for all the breakfast. On first day, well second, a Friday, all 9 of us went for breakfast. They charged us for 3, 300K+ each. So the next day only 6 of us went. They charged us for 2. They said by right only room 729 (I remembered it without writing down, I'm so impress by me on this) has free breakfast. The food was not that vast. I expected more from a 5 stars hotel, but they had bagel and I am happy about that. The sesame bagel is the best. And we pretty much eat egg and crepe everyday.

Kiseki @ Orchard Central

This review has been drafted for way too long. I just want to get it out of the way. I'd deleted a lot of pictures as I forgot that I should be blogging about it first. Anyway, Kiseki can be found at Orchard Central level 8. The place is usually very packed, so reservation is a recommended. For lunch, the price for adult is $19.80++, $27.80++. While dinner will cost you around $31.80++, $34.80++. The price differences are just wah. So, go on Mon-Fri between 11.30am-3pm to eat buffet for $19.80++ (no grills though).

The food variation is quite limited in my opion. Sure there is sashimi, teppanyaki and tempura. But is just too little. I got bored taking food once. Each table is given clips with the table number. So when we want something, like chicken chop, we just order by placing the clip on the counter. Well, if unsure, just see what everyone else doing.

This is the only food that is quite pretty to photo. The seafood taste is really strong in this soup. It is just too much for me. I love seafood, but this is just not that good in my opinion.

These are some of the food we ate. I like the BBQ prawns the most, as that is quite worth the money just eating that alone. The beef is also not bad, but that is cause I like the fried garlic that come with it. The desserts are not that nice. I only like eating the ice cream, it is soft serve kind, and ice cream will never go wrong.

 

So overall, I don't really understand why people say it is nice. Sure it is not as expensive as other buffets, but the quality of food is lacking. There used to be a Jap buffet at 313 which offer very little variation of food, but the food is really nice. Even though it is little choice, but you will be happy eating there. I don't know what it is call, and it is no longer there, such a pity.