Taiwan Airport Transfer aka Day Transport

We in a group of 8 with many luggages where public transport no longer convienent and cost effective.
Luckily my buddies agree with me especially Joshua (President of Taiwan Trip). Whoaaa

Let's make a simple calculation
Same destination from Airport, "Taoyuan" to "Main Taipei Station" - approximately an hour journey
Bus average fare will cost you NT120
8 x NT140 = NT1120 + discomfort + walk a distance
2 x Toyota Wish cost NT1800 + comfort + door-to-door + upload/offload luggage + wait for arrival
The different is NT680 which equivalent RM9 (RM72/8persons)
RM9 buy extra services above, what do you think?

I used to said "we always have a choice" :p

Why I said aka Day Transport?
We managed to get him fetch us for few days in Taiwan (4 days out of 8)
I thought it will be cheaper and also easier for us to travel "in"/outskirt
1 Hyundai Startec fits 8 monkeys. Haha
AND most important we save of lot TIME TIME TIME (at least 1 extra location perday)

For Hyundai Startec
1. Taipei only - NT4500 for 8 hours
2. Taipei only - Additional NT400 for an hour
3. Going to Taichung NT11000 for 12 hours (because of distance and middleman) ** my mistake, should be cheaper **

That's all i have, check his contact screenshots below
I can't calculate because different destination and too many buses, trains fare involved
Please call for a quote and compare yourself (Mandarin only). Enjoy !!!

Rent Taiwan Mobile & "SIMcard"

They called it "Digital Tour Buddy" 
A service allows backpackers to borrow mobile phone and "SIMcard" with given NT100 worth of free calls by the National Youth Commission - BUT offers end 31st December, 2011
I really hope they can extend this because Taiwan prepaid card will cost you NT350

How to start?

It is not as easy because this isnt "Easycard". Haha, I know not funny

1. Visit http://youthtravel.tw
2. Choose English then "click on Digital Tour Buddy" on your left
3. Read if you like, after that click "Apply"
4. Please login if you have otherwise register one and wait for the activation
5. After activation, repeat steps 1, 2, 3 then proceed to sign-in
6. Fill in the form as per screenshot and click "Apply"
7. Done - just wait for email confirmation

***** Take Note ****************************** 

For AirAsia flight pick Terminal 2 Tourist Service 

AND make sure you complete the entire process within 14 working days before you reach Taiwan

HP Shares Drop 20%

Hewlett Packard Co (HPQ)

HPQ 23.60 -5.91 -20.03% 

webOS and PSG "PC business unit" decision caused shock waves
I'll have my share at 49.23 but look it now :(
Seriously, shall I stock it to wait for good news again. Is this HP shareholders strategy?
Buy at lower price and then wait for next annoucement

Connaught, Weng Heung (永香) Bak Kut Teh

When rain is falling

When I caught in the traffic, I got a call from my old friend Kenny and his first word is "Let's go BKT"

What is BKT? Of course, Bak Kut Teh

I was Huh, another fat Friday night - not only the rain is heavy but dinner as well

He recommends the famous Klang "Weng Heung" Connaught Branch which just beside Hailam Kopitiam

I believe we are slim enough and rich to have as follows - 1 sentences 2 meaning
Do you get it? haha

2persons claypot "big bone" = RM24.00
4persons chinese teapot = RM1.20 
1xBeancure = RM6.00
1xMixed golden mushroom = RM12.00 (a bit expensive)
1xVege = RM8.00
1xYauchaguai = RM1.50
7xRice = RM9.80

Total = RM62.50 / 4 (each of us RM15.7)

The difference between Klang and Cannaught are environment, distance and services
BUT then price and food are likely the same
I guess I'll leave you guys some imaginary space to conclude a contrastive summary
The dinner was mighty satisfying as we still able to chat for 3 hours after our massive "meat attack" with few pots of glorious Taiwan chinese tea. :p

Things always subjective to peoples especially food
Try yourself and feel free to debate

30, Jalan Cerdas,
Taman Connaught,
Cheras, KL
GPS Coordinates: N3 04.886 E101 44.300

Planet of The Apes 2001, 2011

I watch "Planet of Apes" 10 years ago
I watch again last few month to prepare myself for "The Rise of The Planet of The Apes"
I wish Rupert Wyatt (Director) continue the storyline instead of making a new one because of the ending where Mark Wahlberg returned and the world was all apes
Is human race died out?

I was a bit disappointed when I saw "The Rise of The Planet of The Apes" trailer because it's like another new apes film. I really lost my urge to buy tickets until Joshua "Whatapps" said .. "Ape much nicer than Cowboy"
He even blog it at http://tallboyz.blogspot.com/2011/08/rise-of-planet-of-apes.html

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

I watch "The Rise of The Planet of The Apes" with Andy, May and Charmaine at Midvalley
Yes, it is a great movie and when ending came I found I was wrong - Both episods are linked in the same timeline.
OK, I'll explain 1 by 1

"Planet of Apes" (2001)
An astronaut lands on a planet inhabited by human-like apes, who rule the planet with an iron fist.
"The Rise of The Planet of The Apes" (2011)
During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom.

From above, we can see both episods happening on different geographic location
Why? How could it be? It is under same storyline and create same timeframe

1. "Planet of The Apes" ends when Mark Wahlberg returned and the world was all apes
2. In "The Rise of The Planet of The Apes" they mentiond about Mars Project spaceship programs
3. Later, inside the movie breaking news reported Mars Project Spaceship "missing"
4. That's is where "Planet of The Apes" spaceship went into a deadly electromagnetic storm 
5. Same timeframe Caesar headed to the Red Oak Forest.
6. Now, both episods is running on the same timeline
7. "The Rise of The Planet of The Apes" ends Hunsiker has a nose bleed in front of the flight board. The camera pans up to the flight board, suggesting all these places will soon be infected with ALZ 113, sealing mankind's fate.
8. Franklin killed by ALZ 113 which is lethal to humans
9. AND that's explained why Mark Wahlberg returned and the world was all apes

Rate 9/10 - The Best Planet of the Apes film, check out the trailer of this movie below

Free Taiwan "EasyCard"

EasyCard is a 'touch-and-go' IC ticketing system for the Taipei Metro, bus services, stores and etc. Just pass the card over the sensor area to make a transaction, avoiding hassles with finding correct change. 

A piece of plastic allow you to travel throughout Taiwan easily

To add value - check it out at every MRT station 

How to get this "free" with NT50 loaded?

I got this from Taiwan Embassy

They are giving out it for free by showing them your flight tickets to Taiwan (A photostats copy will do)

Each flight tickets will offer 1 "EasyCard" and came with the cover and a nice package!

***** Take Note ****************************** 

Taiwan Embassy may offer different freebies yearly. Please update me, if you got something else. Thanks

Taiwan Visitors Association, Kuala Lumpur Office

WISMA GOLDHILL Suite 25-01, Level 25, Wisma Goldhill, 67 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Tel：      +60-3-2070-6789

Fax：     +60-3-2072-3559

E-mail： tva@streamyx.com

Taiwan-Taichung Accomodation

Where do we stay? 
1 night in Taichung - Happy Times "時尚逢甲租屋套房"
It is just opposite right Feng Chia University and inside Feng Chia night market
I got an interactive map for this, should be very easy to find

Full address: No.42, Land 162, Wenhua Rd., Situn District, Taichung, Taiwan 407

This even much much more convenient than our Pig's Home Apartment "台北猪窝", again I'll describe more in the later part (The Good, The Bad)
I manage to get 2 big rooms named "天使之吻" and "古典玫瑰園" for 8 persons and their cost will be as follows

1. 19/7 - Weekday NT1500 x 2 rooms = NT3000 per night

Total = NT3000 / 8 persons
         = NT375 which is equivalent RM40.05

The Good
A) It is located inside Feng Chia night market
B) 5 minutes walk to BUS station
C) Food and shop will be cheaper because of student popularity from University Feng Chia

The Bad
A) None

If anyone interested, refer thier official website at http://happytimes.okgo.tw/.

How to book?
Either you call them directly or email (Chinese & Mandarin only)
04-24519099, 0931-124559
funjahotel@gmail.com

How to make payment? 
Happy Times will send a link for full payment via PAYPAL gateway (choose VISA/MASTER only)
I don't know why full payment also but you can trust them

ROOM1 - "天使之吻"

ROOM 2- "古典玫瑰園"