Thursday, October 30, 2014

Day 61 - Oct 27


In Taipei they use reusable tokens instead of tickets..

Back to Hong Kong. This time we took the high speed rail, which was much much easier than taking the bus to and from the main city. Flew into Hong Kong at 11am and then got on the airport bus, making it to class just in time (albeit carrying my backpack with everything from the trip inside). After 5 hours of class, went to work on a group presentation. The first days back are always the toughest to get back into schoolwork.


Made of circuit boards.

Day 60 - Oct 26



Last full day in Taiwan! In the morning we took a bus over to the National Palace Museum, which houses a massive collection of both old and new artwork, calligraphy, and artifacts from both Taiwan and mainland. The place was dominated by tour groups though, and often times there we lines to get into different exhibits, so after a while we called it quits and took off toward the original Din Tai Feng. In English their specialty would be described as soup dumplings, which are amazing. After that quick meal we went to Ximending, a massive shopping district with boutiques, street shops, chain stores, everything for a few blocks. There was some interesting stuff in there too. Then we left to get one of the last tickets up the Taipei 101 tower. The second tallest building in the world, and formerly the tallest 05-11'. The elevator was probably the craziest part of the tower. It takes less than 40 seconds to reach to the observation deck from the fifth floor. Which is pretty ridiculous and ear trauma inducing. At the top of the tower they also have a huge wind damper to help the building sway with the wind. Finally after our tower adventure and getting kicked out for closing time, we went to the Raohe Night Market by bus. This place was much different from the first night market Shilin we went to. They offered much more food in various stalls and I was finally able to try both the pepper bao and the stinky tofu I was looking for. The former was amazing, and the latter was a little tough to get down, but either way it was a great food experience. Also, the wintermelon tea I ordered here did not disappoint, and ultimately helped me rid my mouth of the tofu taste. Sorry for hating on the tofu but it really didn't sit well with me.








Day 59 - Oct 25




Full day in Taipei! Took off in the morning north toward Tamshui, a district that was pretty touristy but nice to chill in. Down by the harbor they had the massively overhyped Lover's Bridge, fisherman's wharf and pier. We biked the area, including some really nice scenic trails by the waterfront, but also on busy streets with mopeds surrounding us. At least in Taiwan they drive on the right side, that definitely made it much easier than my biking experience in Tokyo. After our cycling adventure we headed down the red line toward the hot springs museum. Outside there was a cultural show with various dancers and musician. After much deliberation we decided to go into the museum which was informative but what I enjoyed even more was hiking down the "steam trail" now a modern day road beside a river. However, this river is water flowing from the hot springs themselves and the perfect temperature for dipping your feet in, probably 90-100 degrees F. After seeing the sun set and the lights illuminate the river, we took off toward our hostel to change and get ready for the evening. After a long bus ride, (initially going the wrong direction) we arrived at Shin Yeh a really delicious Japanese buffet with whole crabs, endless sashimi, octopus, steak, tea, fruit, everything (that's why we didn't eat lunch). After the buffet we made it to a fairly nice club downtown, at least the venue was really solid. But then it got raided by cops, so we waited there awkwardly while they switched on the lights and took everyone's IDs. Good times, after about an hour they left and the party continued.







 






Monday, October 27, 2014

Day 58 - Oct 24


Here we go again. Taipei, Taiwan. After an unfortunate run (literally) to the gate after the worst restaurant service I've ever experienced, we boarded Cathay service to Taoyuan International Airport. After trying to navigate a metro/private bus/public bus/ high speed rail system we made it to our hostel in Shilin (home to one of the most famous night markets in Taipei). Immediately we went out to experience the craziness, amazing food, and tourist-centric booths. Hours of boba, meat skewers, mushrooms, shrimping (allll the shrimping), and (rigged) archery followed.


You get the idea..



 Catching tiny fish with paper nets!
 Boba coin smasher

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Day 57 - Oct 23

One of those lost days with the giddy feeling about taking off again on another adventure. Got through my classes, and spent the afternoon getting ahead of work. After dinner went on a search for the Houjicha soft serve in Causeway Bay (again for some people, my first time). Funnily enough, I still can't resist Japanese desserts even when I'm back in HK. After splitting up to take photos of ads for a friend's project, we ended up back rooftop chillin' until late, perfect for an early flight the next day.
 houjicha - roasted green tea soft serve
Advertisements in times square MTR

Day 56 - Oct 22

Philosophy and long hikes. Discussion about paternalism followed by a solo adventure into the jungle behind campus. Trekked up the "fitness trails" or steep sketchy stairs to Victoria's Peak again catching some great views along the way. Followed that summit with another, Peak West, with arguably better views. Took the trail down to hidden gardens and a network of paved trails back behind campus. Paid the price in bug bites, but it amazed me how accessible the country park is from campus and I know I'll be back soon.

 Fitness Trails
 Pinewood Battery
 Victoria Gardens
Peak West

Day 55 - Oct 21

Another day, another presentation. After learning about a second law system, had to present on Hong Kong company law, derived from British Common Law. Not too interesting, but almost done for the week and ready for a solo adventure tomorrow,


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Day 54 - Oct 20

Classes finally settling down. While people go through midterms I'm straight chillin' and looking over my term papers. No tests for me this semester, but a good amount of research to do still. After class prepped a presentation for Tuesday and made dinner with Evelyn. Good times, but looking forward to Friday and another adventure.

Awkward camera angles..

Monday, October 20, 2014

Day 53 - Oct 19

Random day, good times still. Studied in the morning then ended up going on an adventure in Tsim Sha Tsui, culminating in a delicious fish sandwich, Hong Kong style milk tea and front row seats to a drum competition by the Avenue of Stars. After I got back, planned for Taiwan, rough task I know, and then went grocery shopping for hot pot materials. The setup was kinda jank but it worked and after a chill and very nice hot pot dinner went back to trip planning and reading for politics. Back to class tomorrow for the first time in ten days.

Day 52 - Oct 18


Another long work day but after 4 consecutive home cooked meals grabbed dinner with UC kids in Causeway at Burgeroom. Good times good company, and a tasty double stack burger, + curly fries.

Day 51 - Oct 17

Post trip recovery: put in around 12 hours studying, not really any interesting pictures or anything. Sorry! Good times coming up though.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Day 50 - Oct 16


What a trip. Still recovering from Japan, took the 6:20 am flight from Haneda to Hong Kong after spending the last night in the airport. Luckily Yoshinoya is open 24/7. Today just worked out paperwork and planned essays then grabbed some canteen food and chilled on the rooftop with new friends. The following pictures are extras from the Tokyo trip that weren't in earlier posts!


 Treecko! (Me)

 Subway Art

 Outside Asakusa


Fully ripened Melon and Marron ice cream.. (pc Christine)
 Asakusa Gardens


 Meiji Shrine


Hachikō statue

 Roppongi Tower

 Yen watermarks (pc Mandy)

win a PS4!!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Day 49 - Oct 15

The last day!!! Sadly, the last day in Tokyo, so we took off in the morning to get to the hot springs in Hakone. What an experience. After our spa time we took off back toward the city: one bus, 3 train transfers later made it to Ginza and the home of a delicious eel grill. After our eel we wandered the Ikebukuro district in search of a hostess gift hopefully in time to make it to our flight. We bought our present, ran, dropped it off, grabbed our bags, and took off toward Haneda airport. Boarding the last train we could finally relax and think about the craziness of the trip.


In my short time here I've come to love Japan and Tokyo specifically, it's really been amazing seeing a culture where courtesy and empathy are first and foremost.  From the clean streets to the smog-less air and perfectly clean water it was a nice break from the humidity and heat and craziness of Hong Kong. Easily one of my favorite cities, I cannot wait until I can go back to Tokyo, hopefully this time being much more capable in Japanese. (also will have to step my style up big time to fit in)

Hakone
eel!

Day 48 - Oct 14

Where are you.. Tokyo? In the morning we went to the famous Tsukiji market, home to allegedly the freshest and best sushi in Tokyo. I can't really argue with that assessment, the uni was unbelievably good. From there we walked the district for a while, then went via subway to Asakusa, home to the Sensō-ji temple. The gardens were nice but we had to run to meet other HKU (and UC) students at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Although the palace was closed, the view surrounding was incredible, and what stood as Edo castle for 400 years was clearly a defensible place with moats and viewpoints as far the eye can see. What I thought was interesting in my reading was that in 1980, the land the imperial palace stands on now was valued greater than the land of entire state of California. After meeting up we went back to Shibuya and grabbed the katsu pork that we missed last night. After the delicious meal we stayed in shibuya/harijuku, even finding a sporting goods store that had no other American college basketball team apparel besides good ol' UCLA.


Tsukiji fish market (pc Mandy)
Dat Uni doe.
 Asakusa
 Asakusa
 High rises outside Tokyo Station
 Imperial Palace
 Pork Katsu and curry
Shibuya