SuAo Cold Spring

Cold springs are precious and rare natural resources. There are only two locations in the world that have cold springs. One is in Italy and the other one is in Taiwan, in a city name SuAo. Unlike hot springs, the average temperature of a cold spring is 22c which is below the human body temperature; therefore it is named cold spring. The cold spring was made from the underground water heated by the volcano, then filtered by a cold layer of limestone to purify the water and maintain a consistent temperature year round.

The SuAo cold spring was discovered by a Japanese General during Japanese occupation of Taiwan, more than a hundred years ago. Due to presence of carbon dioxide in the cold spring, the cold spring water was used to make a special soda drink, call Glass Ball Soda. This traditional drink was one of the popular soda drinks in both Japan and Taiwan. Drinking it can help with upset stomach and assist with digestion. Since the cold spring is also rich in minerals, bathing in cold spring can also cure some of the skin diseases and nourishes skin, and making it look brighter and younger. It’s also believed that bathing in cold spring consistently can also improve the immune system.

SuAo is situated in the southern county of Taiwan, and it can be reached by public bus or train from Taipei. The train leaves from Taipei station and takes about 3 hours to SuAo. There is no direct bus connect Taipei and SuAo. The 1st bus would take about 1.5hr and the second one takes about another half hour. But both the bus and train stops 5 minutes walking distance from the cold spring park. As SuAo is very protective of its natural resources, the cold spring has not been sold to big hotel chains or corporate. It is currently run by local government and making it very accessible to the public. In SuAo Cold Spring Park, there is a big public pool, which cost only 80 TWD per person with unlimited time. (equ. To 20 HKD) The private room can be reserved for 200 TWD per person for a 45 minutes session. The private room session also includes unlimited use of the public pool. As the majority of staff in the park are locals, they are a very useful source to ask where to go for a bit to eat or where else to explore in the city.

The private rooms are made of wood blocks, and it contains a cold spring pool, wooden bucket with scoop for shower, an oval bath tub with heated cold spring water (40c), few wooden benches with shelves to place your belongings. We booked a 45 session in a room for 3. The room wasn’t big but the temperature of the room is much cooler than outside. The first dip in the cold spring was most difficult for all of us. When the skin is exposed to the 22c water, it tingles and creates discomfort. It does take courage for one to completed cover the body in the cold spring. But once you’re in the water, less than 1 minute, once the blood circulation catches up with its speed, the body heat would adjust the temperature of the water surround your body. The carbonated water would create a layer of bubbles on the surface of your skin fill in every spaces between your body hairs. Every hair would stand up, and when you brush them lightly, you can feel how soft and smooth your hairs became. I think the bubbles and the hair form a layer to contain the body heat and make me feel like I was warped in a nice and warm coat. After 15 minutes of cold spring, it’s also suggested to switch to the hot tub to rejuvenate the skin. The experience was so spectacular that 45 minutes session ended too soon for us. I would sure to recommend two sessiones in minimum if you’re going to visit.

Considering the benefit and the easy access to SuAo Cold Spring, it’s definitely an ideal choice for hot summer getaway. It’s a worth awhile stop if you’re visiting Taiwan, not to mention that there are also night markets with variety choices of food near the bus/strain station. I’m just hoping that the local government will continue to run the cold spring and making it available to the public.

additional food pix from BJ

Peking Duck II

Peking Duck

If you ask anyone who just came back from Beijing (BJ), “what’s your favorite food?” I bet that 95% of them answer Peking Duck. Yes, that would be my answer as well.

Peking Duck is one of the local delicacies, and the dish was created back in Ming Dynasty. It’s so popular that you can easily find a Peking Duck restaurant in BJ that operates over a hundred year. I have eaten Peking Duck in different restaurants, but the most memorable one was Mr Da Dun. A new restaurant combined the Cantonese and Northern culinary skills and brought the Peking Duck to a whole different level.

When I arrived in Mr. Da Dun the first time with 2 of m colleagues, to my surprise, unlike other traditional Chinese Restaurant, the whole concept of Western meets Eastern was perfectly melted in Mr Da Dun. It was decorated with a contemporary touch. To the left of the waiting area, there is a bar with glass counter tip and stainless steel stool. Through the waiting area, in the center of the restaurant, sits one round station, surrounded by 4 big brick ovens. From the 4 passage ways to the station, I saw white dressed chefs retrieving ducks from pine wood heated ovens. Around the Duck station, there was stream of water merging to the mini pond, feeding gold fish and lotus flowers. The structure of the station showcased the most common theory of Chinese architect, the balance of Ying/Yang, Fire/Water, in a harmony circle.

After spending nearly one hour of waiting and studying the menu, we were able to order the food before we got the table. (Yes, reservation is defiantly recommended even for weekday dinners.) every signature dish was plated to create scenery as interpretation of poems written by famous Chinese poets. Our dinner starts with a plate of chilled sweet & sour ribs. (the name of the dish is impossible to describe in language other than Chinese) it was served in a block of black volcanic stone. As the waitress sets the dish on our table, she sprinkles the white sugar powder, illustrate the snowy scenery from a Tang Dynasty poem. Although the poem was about a sad farewell among friends on a snowy day by the river, we were quite enjoying the moment.

The Peking Duck was served after drink and starters. It was brought to us by a handsome chef. (excused my for been single and admire every beautiful thing. Too bad that he was wearing a medical mask, can’t really chat with him. Bummer) I was not sure if the duck has been brushed with a think layer of honey, but it was glazed with this shining honey tone, that makes you feel guilty about your desire to eat the fatty crisp skin. The cute chef first sliced the layer of the duck skin from the neck and ribcage. Then he sliced the meat from the muscular parts. Don’t worry ladies, he was very quick slicing the duck. He was too quick that I couldn’t catch the action when he sliced 2 pieces meat off the duck head. (no worries, there was no signs of “Silence of the Lambs”) the duck meant was served on two plates, one plate of crispy skin and one plate of evenly sliced duck meat. One other waiter brought out few plates of side dishes for the duck. There are 4 different sauces, 6 different types vegetables to go with the duck roll, (cucumber, green radish, scallion, pickles, kimche, sweat salad), 16 thin spring roll skins, and 3 sesame buns. She then explained that you can first dip the crispy skin to sugar and eat them alone; roll the duck meat with the heated soft rice paper; sandwich the duck meat in the sesame buns; or dip the duck meant in any of the 4 sauces and eat them alone. I didn’t count how many slices of duck meant we had, but a friendly advice, don’t order the whole duck for table of 3 ladies. Especially when there is free duck soup provided, with free refill.

Although I was full and barely finished the duck, there is always space for desert. The seasonal fresh fruit sorbet and fresh fruits were complimentary. The fruits were served on top of dry ices. The thin cloudy cold air slipped through the bottom of the plate, and entices you to search for more fruit, even if your stomach is telling you to stop eating.

The digesting of the full meal took a while, but will I go back again, oh yes, I will.

Horseback Riding

It's been a while since the last post. I thought that I have to abandon this blog, since the Chinese gov't is blocking all the English bloggers. I never know that the corp site would actually allow the access. (Cross thingers)





Anyway, the Tokyo trip was a nice break/gettaway. Came back in HZ on 10/14, but I felt very different compare to the arrival back in May. The excitement level has decreased. (I still like HZ, but not sure whether I would like it more in the future.)





Okay, so much about my deep thinking. Let's get to the fun part. Oct 17, Saturday, after long/unsuccessful recruitment, I decided to go Horse back riding with few, 2 to be exact, colleagues. As usual, I got up late, and had to take taxi to meet up with them @ one of the public bus stop. Surprisely, there were two new faces. (young boys of cause) The bus ride to the place, da qin valley, was a torturing I have never rode with so many ppl in one bus. I was screaming for air when I got on. But gladly, as the bus pulled further away from the city, the crowd got smaller.





The 1st impression of the place was "it small, and are we sure we'll have fun here?!" (to ppl in Boston, I'll not bring u there, I can hear the complains already) I got there during the lunch time, but I'm not going to comment on the food. It wasn't bad from the local standard.... But after lunch, as I breath, the smell of the fresh grass, light breeze, and comfortable heat from the sun, everything becoming attractive. (maybe my emplenty stomach was the main factor of the negative impression when I arrived)





We explored around the area. There are plenty of greens. We can do horseback riding, fishing, & playing cards/MJ. Sound fun. But the visiting of the horse's shelter, is nothing close to fun. Man, it smells like a sh*thole, but can't blame the owner, those horses are big in size. So do their wastes. Anyway, I was very happy when I spot a white horse. He is handsome! (but could use a nice bath!) So after about half hr waiting time, (apparently horses are run on a very strik schedule, their lunch break has to be 1 hr), I finally got the chance to have a moment with my white horse.
Getting on to his back, was much harder than I expected. He was so much talker in person, the instructor literately had to lift me up to the back. That was the time I felt bad about my weight, he was suffering! (sorry) Anyway, it felt good to be on the top of the horse. Great view! I hawl the horse, and he start strode down the riding lane. He was pretty grace, kept on with a confortable speed. But shortly, I noticed that he was tailgate the other brown horse. The tail of the brown horse was sweep the dusks into my face. Errggg...
Then, when we were about half way down the path, both horses stop. They stick their head out of the track and eating off the bushes. I tien the rope, but my White horse got a such attitude, he almost wipe me out of his back! I tried everything, and still couldn't make him move, not even an inch! Then I heard someone was talking around the corner, (I later discovered that it was the instructor), both horses started to run like their ass was on fire.
Man, I was frighened, so bad that I held on to the hairs on the back of horse head. So tie that I felt the pain in my palm! I thought these two hours would never stop. But surprisly, they stop right away when we get to the start point, where the instructor sat! When the instructor asked with a big smile:"would you like to go for another round, it'll only be 50 extra?" I rejected right away.
& after we got off from the horse, the instructor jocking asked, how I like my White Hores Prince? I said,"never in my life, i would want to ride a white horse again!" & guess what, the white hores actually heard me, and left his front feet, and screamed at me!
oohiii, one lesson to learn, never piss off a horse, especially a white one. hahahaha

Tokyo Weekend the fun starts on Friday nite (I)

(the dinner place)

(Ika yakitori)

(the Jp Pizza, very tasty)

(The French bread w/ japanese curry filling)

man, I didn't get to the bed till 2am in the morning. I had lunch with Mori-san's sister, Shino, the girl works in Shanghai, speaks fluent Chinese. She brought some moon cake and goodies from Shanghai. A very sweet lady. Then it comes the dinner for Tobe-san's farewell. Man ppl can be really different outside the cubicles. Although I didn't understand most of the conversation, especially after most of them got drunk, but I enjoyed the night.

(The Nagoya style Unagi don, eat in 4 steps with 3 ways)

Woke up @9:30 and getting ready for the shopping trip with Chika-san & Ayano-san. 1st stop: Akihabara. Famous for the electronics. I was looking for a foot steamer for Dad, but didn't get much luck. But the lunch @Una Syo was very satisfying.

Nagoya style: Eat Unagi don eat in 4 steps.

1st, try a bowl with Rice with eel and adding more unagi sauce.

2nd, then another bowl with rice, eel, adding dry sweed, wasabi, & hua jiao (spicy)

3rd, 3rd bowl with 2nd step and add udon soup.

4th, continue to finish the rest of the don, with your favor eating style.

After lunch we continue the shopping trip and hit Ueno. @Ueno, there are many discount stores for everything. But we hit Takeya first for cosmetics. Found great deals on Utena mask. I bought 20 boxes for the girls @work. (But I might change my mind, maybe I'm saving more boxes for myself) Got whole year supply of mascaras, makeup, pair of Cimarron jeans. Then we went for the local snacks & sweets. I'm not sure if everything I bough is going to taste good, I'm they sure look good. very cute wrappings. I don't remember if I have bought other stuff, but there were 3 big bags, and they are heavy.

We then took the train to Asakusa. There are streets full with Kitchen supplies. very cute dishes and tools. Just browsing thorough the shop, it's making me want to get a house and decorate my kitchen & dinning room with these unique designers of tools. Oh, the sushi chief knigh. They're Expensive! but a good blade can be use for years & years, till the whole knight use out with little bit of the blade.

After whole day of walking, we headed to get dinner. It's a very traditional Japanese Style BBQ house. It has been open for many many decades and served Japanese pizza. The restaurant is very localish. Tatami without wholes under the table (I can only sit like a man), no air conditioner (instead electronic fan & paper fan)...anyway, it's very interesting. The way to make the Jp pizza is first cook the meat, then lay out the dour& top with mixed veggie & dry small shrimp, bake till it's ready. then add salt, peper, sweed, special sauce (looks like unagi sauce or katsui sauce). I think it's more like a pancake than pizza, but very tasty. Then we order the noodle, the waitress made it for us, it requires more skill to pull them all together and cook. Ouishi..The desert is a crepe like pancake with red bean paste. It's good with cup of ice Ooloug team. By the time we finish the meal, it was about 8:30. But on the way to Chika-san's apartment, when we pass by a Ika yakitori place, I could resist and stop by for a take out of 8 yakitories. Men, OOOOOuiishii.

First few days in Tokyo -bz trip

9-30 dinner @Hana daily special bento

9-28 dinner, that was the 2nd order..too good

9-29 lunch the local Udon with Goose meat. very tasty & big

9-28 lunch the katsui plate. the deep fried whole fish didn't have any bones.

9-27 lunch. Local noodle with red miso

It was a bit of rush of planning on the business trip to Tokyo, in between the Chinese Harp lessons (I was behind on the homeworks) and searching for painting lessons. Did not have enought time for planning the trip, but all I know was that I need few extra days for personal travel. Luckly, the collegues in Tokyo (the SH gang) has already planed my visit. So they book the flight & hotel to Hokkaido for me. So look forward to that.

So all it was left for me to worry was to get enough JPY for the trip. With the price tags in Tokyo I was planning with 3k usd equ. JPY. So I took half day off made a trip to Bank of China. After nearly half hr wait (filled about 5 forms) and they told me I can only withdraw/exchange max of $500 per day because I'm a foreigner! eggrrr..... But, lucky, one of the collegue at work didn't mind to do the exchange for me. Save!

9/26, Saturday, The driver came on time and got to the airport on time. (there were accident in the highway, but lucky it was a exit ahead, not much impact) The flight was delayed for 10 minuets. Not so bad at all. As usual I pass out the moment the flight took off. Didn't even had the chance to check out my neighbor. All I know was that it was a him. Woke up once for the food. I have to say, I was very satisfied with the Bento Box. (Wanling & Shu, I'll pretty sure you'll be happy with that) But I forgot to take the picture. Fall back to sleep again. hahaha I'm indeed a Flying Pig! oh, my neighbor helped me with my backpack when we landed. He is a hansom middle age man.

The Japanese Custom is extra conscious with foreigner's health check. It took average of 5 minuet for each passages to go through the health check. I saw at least 4 guests were taken to the clinic for special treatments. But no much noises. It didn't take long to get my luggage and the Limousin bus ticket to Roppongi. The ride was about 1.5 hr. When I was in the bus, I saw a sign with a guy on the left and a lady on the right alone with no smoking sign. I wondered if it means gentlemen sit on left, and ladies sit on right. (but I later found out that it was the direction for the toilet!)

The hotel is very easy to find, only had one set of stairs to work on. The keys for the door are surprisly manual. I would think that when every else is using the card key, Tokyo should have something more advance. But what shot me more, was the size of the room. So tinny, and there are 5 doors! one for the toilet, bath room, makeup room, bedroom, kitchen, and within that tinny space, they still manager to fit in a space where u change ur shoes. The only think I really like about the place is the toilet (heated seat with washing function) & the auto water control to make the bath!

I spent most Sunday on Midtown area. Visted Washi (paper art) museum, only Japanese would spend so much effect on making paper in art forms. The paper flower, clothing, kimono, decoration are quite amazing. (I didn't find any place mentioning that the papermaking technique was from China, but the it did mention that the technique was for making Japanese style paper) The photographing exibition was enjoyable too. If I drink, I would join the free wine tasting too. (there is more on Sunday, but since the journal is getting long, it's better if I skip this time)

Monday, Ayano-san met me up at the front door and show me the way to the office. (feels good when u don't have to fight to get in the eleavator, and hold ur breath while in the eleavator, there is alway line for register) Had good time meeting with new ppls in Tokyo office. I'll continue tomorrow nite to tell u all about the working exprience in Tokyo. Very different working culture. see and learn a lot too.

okay, here are some pic of the food I had in the pass few days.