dutch.traffic

you couldn't stand the dutch traffic congestion that cause the still stand traffic for no obvious reason.  you're getting impatience and it's actually a waste of time but that's life after all.  looking forward to your next jet setting as you concluded that suits you better.

::weight.matter::

friends who know you know that you have been talking about reducing the last 5 kilo since beginning of the year. that being said, despite of reducing the food intake, increasing your workout regime, your weight remains stable.
you went to the scheduled doctor appointment, needless to say, he was a little disappointed that you didn't get to the weight he set. you had a long discussion, about body fat, bmi, resting metabolism.  set the discussion aside, you invested in this scale that is clinically proven and that tells about all the important indicators.  let's hope your gut feeling is right that you are gaining body muscle.

christmas.garden.center

you went to garden center to run some errands, but at the end of november, garden center just isn't garden center that it meant to be in spring or summer. it's a Christmas wonderland.  the whole garden center has been touched up and transformed into a Christmas decoration center, very cozy, very pretty and very festive.  it's actually the best place to get some inspiration about how to decorate for Christmas

all.you.can.eat

all you can eat at lunch hour, cost less than 10 euro. what else can you ask for especially it has all the shell fish that you like.  simply pleasure, affordable.

window.shopping

met up with your friend late afternoon, had a quick bite and then both of you gone into crazy fitting mode.  fitting dresses but not buying!

nasi.lemak.bungkus

nasi lemak bungkus. wrapped in banana leaf, a small portion perfect for breakfast. and this is really it! 

22/22 banana.leaf.rice

your last dinner.  that's indian banana leaf rice with your niece and her boyfriend. the indian meal is so satisfying putting the finale note to your foodie experience. it would be better if you can have a taste of nasi lemak ice cream in mont kiara but that's not to your avail, but the other flavors are fine. that's it. last night and tomorrow you will be on your long journey home.

22/22 merchant's lane

if there is one cafe that you really want to check out this trip, that's merchant's lane. hands down. you went with your friend and you loved it there. it's definitely worth the trip to petaling street just for the coffee, the ambiance and the fusion cafe food.  really delight to see the cafe culture here.

22/22 tim.ho.wan

a

someone is really happy because he could finally taste the hong kong dim sum and this is from the joint that has a michelin star in hong kong.  obviously the restaurant that you went is not awarded but it should be close anyway.  you only ordered a bit as it's breakfast and you have lunch appointment. from what you ordered, they taste great, almost at par with the typical dim sum restaurant in hong kong.

21/22 taste.of.indochine

back to the smoky and hazy city. tonight your friends brought you to tamarind spring to enjoy a taste of indochine.  it's nice and a bit upper class and gear towards the expat community. 

20/22 阿.才.的.店

there's no better translation to the name of this restaurant except  ah (阿 ) cai (才) de (的) dian (店) or ah cai's shop. that being said, it's a restaurant with post japanese war era and inside is load with memorabilia of that time.  a bit bizarre but yet unique in its own way.  food wise, they serve typical taiwanese cuisine which is quite delightful.
this was a fantastic way to end your trip to taiwan.  definitely last supper for now.

20/22 cafe.lumiere

hua shan spot. cafe.lumiere. the best cafe time you had even though you both opt for tea instead of coffee. you had your best time here resting, waiting for friend to arrive and then chatting away...
that's what cafes are for, a homey and comfort zone.

20/22 hua.shan.華.山.1914.

an oasis in taipei, many there are many of these places but you only been to hua shan

this place is use for fashion shooting and in fact it's perfect for such purpose

during your brief stay there, you chanced on many models posing for photo shoot

and a bit of browsing of one of a kind shop selling aboriginal music and albums with some local artist merchandise

the other side of the creative area is showcasing the movie, not the mainstream movies though, mainly the arty kind or movie produced by the local taiwanese director.

you wish you could spend entire day here athua shan 1914 creative park and the fact that you've spent half a day here is not enough to soak in the creativity and inspiration.  you feel refreshed!

華山1914文化創意產業園區

20/22 永.康.街

 people come to yong kang street for xiao long pao.  if not for this one, sure for the other outlet that famous also in overseas.  you only know that there are some good coffee place here...

perhaps it's lunch hour when you're here, but eating is a serious business...

 but first you need eat your lunch by way of small snacks from this outlet that has a queue forming. you got a pork pastry while he had his fried chicken leg.

 then only come to the main course, which for him is a bowl of beef noodles. while you only opt for a portion of dumplings in hot and sour soup.

 then come the coffee business but both of you're too full for a caffeine fix

 that's go without saying it becomes cafes strolling but didn't enter for a cuppa, you just can't fit everything in a day...

to your insist, you enter this cafe to have a matcha green tea fix. a cup of soft serve soft ice and a matcha swiss roll. that put a sweet ending to yong kang street.