iHEART Kaohsiung & Art

love love love Kaohsiung.... as much as I hate the loooong bus ride to get to this city south of Taipei - everything is forgotten as soon as am city just keeps getting prettier and prettier.... and the city never ceases to AMAZE me as to all the things they have to offer and to discover....

the weekend was spent hanging out with the Wus... eating the local delicacies.... playing with Laifu/Lala .... fending off all the goodies Wu Mama wants to feed me - and believe me, it is never ending.... all the weight I lost the last 10 days - I gained right back the 3 days I was there... waaaah!!!!! still it was not just the feast for the taste buds but feasts for the eyes, as well...

Laifu Takes Refuge From The Summer Heat!!!

There was so much more to discover.... like heading back to the Movie Park by the Love River and taking fun photos with Laifu.... and with the bois, Johnny (formerly Jason) & Todd, now being certified drivers - we were able to run around so much more.... first stop was Johnny driving us to his school where a newly erected Mall/Amusement Park opened... EDA Mall... what a trip!!! Rivals some of the biggest hotels in Las Vegas or Macau.... with it's numerous shopping boutiques; an amusement park; movie house; food court for days - and an adjacent 5 star hotel - no one ever has to leave..... it is enough for a short vacation getaway.... The mall itself is reminiscent of the Venetian Hotel with it's indoor Blue Skies facade... and in the center of it all is a giant fountain with replicas of giant sculptures of ancient Gods....

Later in the afternoon, we switched drivers as Johnny had to go to work, this time out Todd was driving us around the city.... first STOP: Pier 2, where there are so many different Art Exhibitions happening.... and most are FREE ADMISSIONS for everyone to ENJOY.... Kaohsiung is really pushing the ART scene and from the looks of it - succeeding quite nicely.... after a good couple of hours going through one exhibition after another - we headed on to DREAM MALL - yep, my FAVE mall... we stopped in to eat and see "Knight & Day" before retiring for the evening....

So overall, it was a GREAT couple of days..... filled with NON-STOP FUN... all these were done even with the threat of a TYPHOON looming....

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE (Under Construction)

here comes the Sushi man....

Earlier this month, we took a two day trek down south (Kaohsiung) to visit.... hung out with The Wus, run by Love River, play with the doggies... and of course, catch up with the boys - Todd & Jason.... always FUN to see and chat with them.... hear what they are up to.... see what's the latest they are doing.....Todd is currently finishing up college, then he will go on to take his Masters for another 3 more years.... Still with the same girlfriend and still keeping himself busy with both school & work....

Jason is now, also in college, and still working his way through it.... keeping life in a balance.... the thing that I love about this boy is that he is not one to shy away from work, any kind of work.... over the years I have known and visited him in his various jobs: Yamazaki as a Bread Maker, Ramen Resto, Tom's Ice Cream Parlor & have now recently started working for Sushi Express - much like the Sushi Boat restos of the Us - where one can satisfy their Sushi cravings by simply taking them from the conveyor that goes around and around.... and later on, all the empty dishes will be counted and you are billed...

This particular branch (they have many nationwide) is quite big.... even bigger than the ones I have been to in the US..... and yes it IS fun to sit and chat; watch all the tempting Sushi go around and around; and of course, eat as much as one can - and ate we did!!! It was amazing how in such a short time we have accumulated/piled up so many empty sushi plates to be counted... LOL!

As always, the trip is hurried, tiring but still a lot of FUN!!!

Laifu Day Photos Here
Sushi Outing Photos Here

Last Days of Chinese NY!

Last couple of days of Chinese NY was spent just roaming around Kaohsiung.... got to visit my most fave Kaohsiung mall, DREAM MALL... watch a few festival shows... Visit Jason at his work place and got to eat their TASTY food for the 2nd time.... and had a BLAST watching Liya & Xiao Pang do the Trampoline Jump.... probably the HIGHLIGHT of the Chinese New Year for us...

It was TRULY wonderful and entertaining to see XIAO PANG, full of enthusiasm and energy - harnessed on, going up and down, and trying his BEST to do the revolutions mid air... though he was not successful, you could tell that he had a blast - and for that matter, so did we all, just from watching his childhood enthusiasm....

Complete Photos Here

monday blues???

NO MONDAY BLUES HERE!!! Just work, work, and more work... plus dreaming of the BEAUTIFUL BLUE LIGHTS @ KAOHSIUNG's LOVE RIVER!!!

always the dancing fool...

More Chinese NY Happenings:

The 2nd Day of the New Year, Xiao Pang even came to Kaohsiung with his parents for a couple of days of fun.... right away he took a liking to the dogs, Lala & Ah Bao - so it was NON STOP FUN seeing him play with them... running around after them was tiring but indeed, fun....

Later on, after lunch, we all walked over the Cultural Center - a 15 minute walk - as they always have loads of fun stuff going on for the Chinese New Year... and just in time, as Taiwan's Aboriginal Dance Troupe had an hour show happening.... dances from the different aboriginal tribes of Taiwan was represented, plus a take on NOBODY & SORRY, SORRY (Korean POP songs)... and lo and behold, they had a DANCE CONTEST part where they took people from the audience to participate... Of course, the entire Wu Clan practically pushed me up the stage - hahahahahaha - and I suddenly I found myself up there, being interviewed & following the dance steps to one of Taiwan's "Tai Ke" dances, as it was instructed right on the spot... Never too shy to dance my ass off, I just went for it and danced away.... at the end of the 5 minute (seems like forever) routine - the audiences had to VOTE who did the BEST... I was rooting for the little boy next to me - but oh well, I WAS THE ONE!!!
you can just IMAGINE how red my face was at this point... and then after a few more Q&A, I was giver my HONG BAO (red envelope) Prize... in it was a bunch of COUPONS to be used at the Fair... I almost handed it over to the boy next to me but then I remembered XIAO PANG was with us - so instead I gave it all to him, HAPPILY!!!

Later on, they troupe did another roundup of people in the audience to dance a typical aboriginal "get-together" dance... and of course, I was the FIRST RECRUIT again!!! Oh well.... this time around I made sure I was not the only victim, I dragged Jason to join in on the fun... it was a FUN TIME had by all - and now and again, I really do not mind making a fool of myself for my friends & family's entertainment...

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Chinese NY II - Temple Hopping

The first day of the New Year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar was spent mostly visiting various temples all around Kaohsiung - Wu mama and Wu Papa's most favourite past times.. hoping and praying for Good Fortunes and Great Health...

Of Course it was not all about PRAYING, we also got to spent some time just wandering about Kaohsiung's sites... a walk by the LOVE RIVER HARBOUR is especially beautiful at nite, with all the revelers, music blasting, and so much lights adorning and lighting up the area....

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Happy Chinese New Year 2010

Just wanted to wish you all a HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR in your parts of the world... according to some friends who knows a thing or two about Chinese Horoscopes, this new year is supposed to be a better one for all - economically and all... here's hoping the Year of the Tiger will be a BLESSED one for us all... full of Love, Great Health & Good Fortune...

In Kaohsiung now, spending the New Year with The Wus - a yearly TRADITION when am in Taiwan... of course the first day is spent hanging out with the family, meeting the new doggie (AH-BAO - who is now able to walk!); playing with Lala, doing the Chinese NY ritual of offering food to the Gods, praying, and EATING, EATING, EATING!!!

After dinner, the nite was spent on Wu Papa's PRIDE & JOY - the roof top - playing Chinese Checkers, watching the variety shows, and EATING some more!!! We try to last the nite through, till at least 12AM to properly welcome the New Year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
MORE PHOTOS HERE

more Days & Nites with Lala

Photos are also from earlier this month's trip to Kaohsiung, visiting The Wu Residence & of course, Lala the Dog... always such a pleasure and fun trip - Lala is looking old but can still keep up with us running... and still as sweet and playful as ever.... the pleasures of having a dog really....

now, Liya would rather we call him Laifu - as every single Lab in Taiwan must be named Lala - so she does not want him running over to just anyone who calls him... but heck, I have grown accustomed to Lala and actually feel it has such a nice ring to it... so he will always be Lala to me!!!

Complete Photos Here

AND HERE HE IS HAPPILY SWIMMING!!!

Liouhe Night Market Trek

It is not often that we can drag Wu Mama out of her home... away from her sewing, temple activities and NUMBERS - so on this nite when she actually said yes to going out, we all could not contain our happiness and got ready we did.... Fast before she changed her mind, which she is known to do....

The place of choice is the Liuhe Night Market... one of the most touristy night markets in Kaohsiung... it was a fun nite filled with laughter, bonding, and even more lotsa' eating.... even Lala got to come and enjoy the nite.... Overall, it was a GREAT NITE OUT with the Wus... too bad Wu Papa could not join us -- i think he was tending to his garden and birds (one of his new passions).....

MORE PHOTOS HERE

another reason to go to DREAM MALL...

COLDSTONE ICE CREAM PARLOR!!!

This Ice Cream shop has been popping up all over Taiwan... from little stands in various malls - to their own big parlors... always a line - especially in Taipei.... so we never get a chance to try it - again with the lines....

the morning we set out to check out what's new @ Kaohsiung's Dream Mall, it was the first thing that caught our eyes... and since it was still quite early, no lines yet... so it was a no brainer - we went in and had us some treats....

it was off putting at first as the girl did not want us to take photos... ah heck, if there's a will there's a way.... and took photos I did.... even of the actual process... bloggers like me do find our ways around these things you see.... hehehehe....

well, though the ice cream was good - it was really NO BIGGIE to us.... Jason thought the ice cream was too sweet, while DAVID and I felt, DQ, BIG TOM and of course, HAAGEN DAAZ are much better.... still, it was a nice early morning treat... and to actually be able to scratch off another item on my "to do" list.....MORE PHOTOS HERE - BUT DON'T TELL THE COLDSTONE POLICE... hehehehehehe....

Dalai Lama's Visit

Amidst all the protests, demonstrations and especially, objection by the Chinese Government, the Dalai Lama arrived in Taiwan on the 30th of August. The Dalai Lama's visit is "purely humanitarian", as he is here to offer prayers and visit the victims of Taiwan's worst storm in 50 years.
Taiwan's opposition invited the Dalai Lama to comfort the victims of Typhoon Morakot, which hit the island in early August and left an estimated 670 dead. During his five-day visit, he is to visit a village hit hard by the storm, lead a mass prayer ritual and address the island's Buddhist followers.

The Dalai Lama, who clasped his hands and smiled as he greeted Buddhist followers and supporters at the Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, said his visit would have no political overtone.

"I've visited different parts of the world, and I may have a political agenda there ... (but) my visit here is purely for humanitarian concerns," he said.
"There are many Buddhists there (Taiwan). So since they asked me, it is my moral responsibility, to accept, to go there."

This visit is a milestone for the people of Taiwan, one that will be remembered for years to come.

Lala: Lost & Found

Here's another story to be filed in the : "Believe it Or Not" section.

You all pretty much are acquainted with LALA the Dog already.... I have rambled about him quite a few times on this blog... not the brightest of dogs but certainly one of the sweetest....

Anyway, so the story is that recently he's gone missing for a few days... I mean, really missing... he has this habit of walking away from the house and not finding his way back home... he's done it a few times and he would be found a few hours later at a neighbor's house, the closest 7-11 (catching some needed air conditioning am sure!); or at a park where he usually plays... This last time though, he was nowhere to be found... and days went on... it was looking hopeless and the search was pretty much abandoned...
SIDE STORY:
I was talking to Liya on the phone (still living it up as a THEATRE DIRECTOR in ENGLAND) - and knowing how much she loves Lala, I thought for sure she would have been informed already.... WRONG!!! I was the bearer of BAD NEWS - felt bad but at the same time good that she was told... and here's why:

The following day, Todd, the oldest nephew was walking home from work... he heard a familiar bark at the neighborhood pet store, turned around and looked and was delighted to see Lala!!! It seems that someone has found him and brought him in at the Pet Store to keep for a while - even bought some food for him to eat while he was there.... Todd had to make Lala do the BIANG BIANG trick, to PROVE that he truly was their dog and was able to bring him home... much to everyone's delight...

So I was none too happy (and quickly) told Liya - to which she told me - after getting off the phone with me that nite - she prayed to the GOD's and PROMISED to come home if Lala would be found.... and Guess What? She is coming home tonite to fulfill her promise...Liya with Lala last Chinese New Year

Photos from the latest visit with Lala - PLS CLICK HERE.

Oodles of Noodles

Over the weekend while visiting David's family down south, Kaohsiung - we had a few moments to take a trek at Dream Mall to see the Exhibition of the History and Evolution of the Instant Noodles, presented by UNI-PRESIDENT, Taiwan's leading manufacturer and distributor of Instant Foods.... or for many of us, Cup Of Noodles.... was quite a fun and interesting exhibition.... truly educational for me as, since am not a big fan of cup of noodles, I never really knew how it evolved - it's origins... and the complete process in helping millions of people around the world get satisfy their hunger in 3 minutes!!!
AND YOU GOTTA LOVE THE SLOGAN!
I used to relegate eating Cup of Noodles, in the same vein as I did with the Macaroni & Cheese, to the college students who are too lazy to cook and/or travelers on a thrifty budget... but after seeing this exhibition, am looking at them a whole different way.... okay, tomorrow I must go to the supermarket and grab me a few...

EXHIBITION PHOTOS HERE

8th World Games Starts Today!

Kaohsiung, Taiwan is the PROUD host of the 10 day (from the 16th thru the 26th) 8th World Games... Wishing I can snag tickets... but am sure that is a long shot as they are too pricey and am sure will sell out fast!!!Gao Mei & Syong Ge, the World Games' Official Mascots
Official Site Here

IKEA - More Than Just A Furniture Place: Part II

Over the years I have gone and visited IKEA shops, whenever there is one, in my travels... I always find it exciting to see the latest offerings from this SCANDINAVIANS furniture shop... it is always AMAZING to see how simple they make everything for people to DIY to make their home even much more cooler, stylish and functional...
Here in Taiwan, there's a couple of IKEA shops that I go to now and again... Taipei & Kaohsiung... every visit something new... something exciting... not only in the furniture offering department but the highlited room designs on display... ideas on how to make your place - no matter how tiny - cool & cozy.... It never ceases to AMAZE me how many shops & boutiques I have been in and recognize IKEA goods... even our Taipei home is filled with IKEA stuff...


But nowadays, IKEA, offers soooo much more to the family -- that is has actually become a regular hangout for family and friends.... both IKEA shops in Taiwan has now expanded their restaurants -- their menus run a gamut of choices - local and internationally flavored... and at such AFFORDABLE prices.... the menus changes almost every two weeks as well , so people can keep coming back again and again...For me, the BEST part is that they also offer FREE WIFI connection.... so, whenever am in KAOHSIUNG - IKEA Breakfast trip is a total must for The Wus and myself... we go quite early armed with our own individual laptops - not only do I get CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST with limited supply of COFFEE, TEA or SODAS - I get to check in on my emails, do a bit of computer work, and even BLOG for a good couple of hours.... Ali for a special price of NT$39 (roughly $1.10US or 60 Php)... how can you beat that??? even going to regular Internet Cafe anywhere in TAIWAN would have costed me the same for just an hour... with no meal of beverage to boot....

So, next time your traveling and come across an IKEA shop - be sure to go in and check it out... you just might be surprised with all the AMENITIES they offer their guests...

NOTE: though there is no time limit as to how long you can stay, they do not provide sockets for your computers... so always make sure your battery is full for MAXIMUM WIFI CONNECTION!

mini Pleasures : Part IV

while hanging at the bookstore in Kaohsiung, to pass the time, I picked up this book called Apartment Therapy... I always am drawn to see what wonders people are doing with their home, no matter the size they do have, and this is one of those books...

Lo and Behold, while flipping, I came across this familiar looking doll in one of the pages... prominently displayed... why if it isn't our very own, Picnic In Provence Susie doll... Totally made my day, and put a BIIIG SMILE on my face -- that's for sure!!!
Just goes to show ya, there is always something to SMILE about.
Have a GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE... and SMILE!!!!

mini Pleasures : Part III

while down south, we went to see the Premiere of STAR TREK in KAOHSIUNG's DREAM MALL what a treat... not only was it a GREAT FUN FILM, we also happen upon an EXHIBITION of some of the cutest VINYL TOYS, CI BOYS & Taiwan's very own, TOFU... just my luck as it was already 2nd to the last day....
More Photos Here

mini Pleasures : Part II

Meet the HIGHLIGHT of our last trip down to KAOHSIUNG: Humbao!!!

Humbao is Chinese for Hamburger and he is Todd's newly adopted, 3 month old Schnauzer... Todd loves Hamburgers, hence, the name.... Just the cutest little puppy... playful and loving... i smile seeing at the way he runs like a rabbit, walk sideways, his tiny barks, and most especially, how he eats sitting down...

hays, having these cute little doggies really makes me long for my very own... alas, still not in the works for me now.... just glad that for the weekend, Humbao was mine to play and love....LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!HEAVEN IS A PLACE WITH DOGGIES!!!
More Photos of Humbao PLS Click Here

DREAM MALL - real dreamy!!!

Over Chinese NY, while in Kaohsiung, I dragged the bois to come and check out the newest Mall that had just opened - DREAM MALL... it was dreamy alright... sooo big... lots of great shops.... plus a FERRIS WHEEL on the roof... just like the one in Taipei that I so love, Miramar....

Forget the brand name shops -- we went straight for the food and play areas.... the bois were kind enough to humour me and play the various games at Tom's World - so that is always a treat... Then there is the CHINATOWN section... one restaurant after another - all just as ornate and pretty... will have to keep going back to try them all - for sure......

Check out the rest of the FUN PHOTOS HERE.

Day Hike @ Shoushan (Monkey Mountain)

Shoushan is located on the western edge of the City of Kaohsiung, this area attracts a wide variety of birds, squirrels and of course, monkeys. One can walk side by side with these friendly creatures... all tame and cohabits with the humans quite naturally... and that is just what we did over the weekend.... it was extra fun for me as I just love these monkeys - remembering how we used to have a couple as pets growing up.... These monkeys seemed friendly enough as they walk about, sit around, play with each other - as people walk on by... they were not even bothered by the presence of Lala, and they will even sit with you if you are brave enough to sit close by....

A morning hike here is truly refreshing as at the top, one can see the whole harbour and city of Kaohsiung. Photos Here.