台湾游 2014 part 1: Tai Chung Sun Moon Lake, Wenwu Temple, Peacock Garden, Hot Spring stay.

Hiya folks! Over the Good Friday long weekend, we headed to Taiwan and had the most incredible time there!

The weather in Taiwan was perfect, and we went to mostly different places than the previous time we were there.

 

The minute we touched down to Tao Yuan International airport at Taiwan, our guide, Aunty Mei Hua, picked us up and headed towards Tai Chung, where we would stay at the hot spring hotel for the next 2 days.

 

DAY 1

Sun Moon Lake.

A lavender carpet. Absolute love.

Wenwu Temple

Peacock Garden

Ma boys dressed in matchy matchy outfits with Mr Peacock!

Reached our hotel, Honey Moon Hotel to retire for the night. 

Boys are thrilled!

 

The premises of the hotel is peaceful and unpopulated. Offers a wonderful respite.

One of the many hot spring pools.

DAY 2

In order to get to the breakfast place which served fresh eggs which you cook in the hot spring, we had to walk 10 minutes on a little path that cuts through a valley.

We're here! A quaint little shop where the owner is friendly and there is nobody else but us.
In fact, the whole area is quite unpopulated due to the previous earthquake which rendered this place not tourist-safe anymore.
I heard from the locals that gradually, this place might become obsolete in future, which is quite sad really! I love this place! It is breath-taking.

Fresh free-range kampong eggs.



My in-laws enjoying their foot soak in the hot spring while waiting for eggs to cook.
The water is super hot! Like "wanna pluck chicken feather" hot.

After breakfast, Aunty Mei Hua fetched us from our hotel lobby and we headed to other parts of Tai Chung, namely Cing Jing and Taichung night market. 

 

 

 

Rainy Saturday breakfast: Vanilla french toast with organic honey and fresh fruits.

Ingredients:
4 pieces of bread
3 eggs
1/4 cup fresh milk
1/4 cup plain flour
1 pinch cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
Powdered sugar to sieve on cooked toast as finishing.

Method:
Whisk the eggs, milk, flour, cinnamon powder and vanilla essence together until smooth.
Dip the bread slices into batter.
On a non-stick frying pan, melt a teaspoon of butter
Lightly fry the bread slices until golden brown

When all slices of bread are cooked, drizzle organic honey and add fresh cut fruits.
Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

Served with a side of Greek yogurt.

Ashton enjoyed his breakfast so much that he finished the entire serving.

Even though it was a rainy Saturday, I decided to wake up early to make breakfast for the family.

I particularly enjoy such hands-on moments as it makes me happy to see my children and hubby happy.

I still do the diaper-changing, butt-washing, bathing etc on my own.

Such moments will be much missed when the kids grow up!

 

Rooftop water playgound at Tampines One.

Swimming lesson was called off last Sunday because Adam's instructor, Uncle Desmond, was down with chicken pox, so we brought the boys to the Rooftop Water Playground at Tampines One mall instead.

East-dwellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to free fun for the kids, from Canopy indoor playground at Airport Terminal 1 viewing deck (level 3), to Changi City Point rooftop water playground, and this one at Tampines One.

Despite being open for a couple of years now, it's our first time there!

That place was a mini safari with dry and wet areas for the children.

Open daily from 10am to 9:30pm, except for Mondays (4pm - 9:30pm).
Best of all, it's free entry for all. It's clean and very well-kept.

Lots of shade and ample benches for parents and caregivers. Very thoughtful indeed!