Wu-fong-ci Falls (五峰旗瀑布) at Jiao-xi (礁溪) , Yi-lan (宜蘭)

October 2011

One of my friends was bored with the rain, which had fallen almost continuously since we had arrived, and was keen to do something in Yi-lan (宜蘭) before we went to Taipei (台北). Her wish was to be fulfilled the next day; when we got up the next morning, we realised it had stopped raining. So three of us decided to go to a hill nearby where there are three waterfalls which are popular with tourists: the Wu-fong-ci Falls (五峰旗瀑布) at a place called Jiaoxi (礁溪). The others thought this was dangerous and decided they would rather wander around again near the hostel.

A taxi took us to a point half way up the hill from where there was a footpath leading up to the waterfalls. It was only a few minutes’ walk to the lowest waterfall. Actually, we were not sure it really was one of the waterfalls as there was nothing much to see: there was no water falling from a great height, it was just running down the stream over some rocks.  

The sun came out when we reached the second waterfall. This time we knew straightaway we were in the right place. It was quite impressive with the water falling some metres. There was also a covered viewing point next to it, but you still got wet even when you stood inside. We thought the large amount of water had come from the rain the night before. We had come at a good time and it was certainly worth a visit.

While we were walking along the path to the last waterfall, we saw a sign warning of rock falls and fallen rocks. It was discoloured with age, but we decided to go back. We wanted to see waterfalls, not rock falls.

Soaking at Yi-lan (宜蘭), Taiwan

 

October 2011

During my trip to Yi-lan (宜蘭), sometimes it rained heavily with strong winds. On occasions this caused flooding; and once, while we were exploring the farms on foot during such a storm, the water came up to our knees. A friend had advised me to buy a rain coat and this was a very good idea; it kept me dry and warm, and it also protected my belongings against thieves. Some of my friends only had umbrellas and they got wet from head to toe.

Unfortunately, I could not keep myself dry for long. I took off my rain coat when we had lunch. I was sitting in a narrow place behind a wall. One of my friends almost upset the table as she got up, spilling a glass of warm tea onto my shorts. I was wet through and had a big wet patch on my jeans now. Luckily, it was raining so I thought people would think this was because of rain rather than other possibilities. When I stood up to show everyone my wet jeans, they laughed.



The entrance of the restaurant, Yi-lan (宜蘭), 2011.

Have you tried jellied soup (糕渣)?
Yi-lan (宜蘭), 2011.



Chef recommendation, Yi-lan (宜蘭), 2011.

We were wet and cold. We did not want to go back to our hostel but at the same time, we didn’t know what to do as a lot of the tourist attractions were closed. So we put on our swimming costumes and went to have a hot spa, where we had a nice long soak together in the warm water. 

Spa rooms. 
We're wearing swimming costumes &
took pictures out of a spa room. Yi-lan (宜蘭), 2011.

This is Jellied Soup (糕渣),
but we didn't know what kinds of food they cooked in jelly. 
Sorry, this wasn't what I likes.
Yi-lan (宜蘭), 2011.

A Spring Onion Pancake in Taiwan

October 2011

Yi-lan (宜蘭) is an area of intensive farming on the northeast coast of Taiwan.  My first impression was of a peaceful, beautiful place with fresh air.  It is famous for its spring onions.  There are bigger than my finger, and twice the length of the ones in Hong Kong.  There was a small exhibition devoted to the cultivation of spring onions.  This was quite simple, but interesting.  I never knew spring onions could be used in so many different ways.


The small exhibition, Yilan, 2011

Inside the exhibition, Yilan, 2011

Spring onion pancakes are one my favourite savoury snacks in HK.  When I saw they were popular over there, I tried many of them from corner stores or street vendors which I passed along the street in the first two days.  After trying lots of pancakes, I found the best ones were sautéed in oil, not deep fried or burnt.  Eventually, I found a street vendor in Taipei, whose pancakes were delicious.  His handcart was surrounded by people, and he grumbled at a man for taking pictures of him.  I wanted to do the same thing, but I was anxious he would object.  Fortunately, he did not get angry with me, but smiled instead.  I thanked him for making good food and gave him a thumbs up.

The best pancakes in Taiwan, 2011

 

A Malteser Lover

An extremely fat man got on the MTR. He must have been three-hundred pounds. He was so big he took up two seats. He was carrying a large white plastic bag and holding a box of Maltesers. The box was a new design; the opening was just big enough to get one Malteser out at a time. Eating is not allowed on the train, but he ignored this. 

Evidently, he was enjoying the chocolates and he stuffed them into his mouth one by one. He had eaten them all by the next stop. He threw the empty box in the plastic bag, and took out a new box. When he finished that he took out another box. Who knows how many boxes he ate. He carried on his journey gobbling down his delicious Maltesers.

I could not see how many boxes there were in his bag, but there seemed to be about half a dozen. How many boxes had he had before he got on the train? How many boxes had he bought? How many times a week did he treat himself like this?

Maltesers boxes with new design, HK, 2015

A wad of $1 notes

I was sightseeing in New York, and I wanted a taxi. I saw one stop nearby and a couple got out. They left the door open, so I went to get in. When I bent down, I saw a wad of bank notes lying on the seat. I immediately thought one of the couple had forgotten it and I should give it back to them. I grabbed the money and walked towards them, saying, 'Execute me'. They did not realise I was talking to them and kept walking towards a building. I knew I would be late if I did not get the taxi, but I could not keep the money or take it to the police station. So I hurried after them and tried to stop them. Fortunately, the man turned around, but he did not see me at first. He looked down, and I said, ‘You dropped some money in the taxi.’ I held out the notes, and put them into his hand. Then I got into the taxi and got Broadway in time for my show.

When I got back to Hong Kong, I told my family what had happened. My brother asked how much there was. I had not checked. I had only seen the first note was a dollar, but I had seen the edges of some of the notes underneath were not the same. He thought the man might have been puzzled why a stranger would give him money; perhaps the money was not his.