Taiwan Day 4 - Shifen

18 Nov - We left our hotel early in the morning, took a short 15 mins walk to 基隆火车站 to catch a train to 十分 via 八堵. We reached our destination around 0945 after a 55 mins ride. As the local shops typically open around 11am, there are not much tourists in the vicinity and we took this opportunity to take some photos of the train station and the tracks.  

十分火车站

火车铁道

After we are done taking photos, we decided to check into our 民宿 located just right beside the train station. Unfortunately, the owner is out buying grocery and the place is closed! With nowhere else to go at the moment, we waited for a good half hour before finally managed to deposit our luggage at the counter.

樓仔厝民宿

新北市平溪區十分街74巷3號(十分車站旁)

http://louachu.okgo.tw/

※住宿均附早餐。

After we are rid of our bulky luggage, it is walking and touring time! We took our time to enjoy a good lunch at one of the local stall, trying out their specialty noodle and seeing tourists releasing 天灯. We slowly make our way to the town outskirt to visit the little Niagara of Taipei - Shifen Waterfall.

十分天灯

四广潭桥

十分瀑布

By the time we came back from the waterfall nature park, night has already descended. We spent some time looking at the tourists releasing 天灯, which offers a better view due to the lighted lantern against the dark sky.

Some of the daring tourist managed to release a low level firework on the suspension bridge!

Taiwan Day 3 - Keelung

17 Nov - Spend the day exploring Keelung and its surrounding attractions. We goggled that the Wangyou Valley is a place with good scenery and reviews. After asking the locals for directions, we took a public bus near our hotel and we were on our way. If time allows, we plan to visit the nearby National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, which also offers a good review on Goggle.

Entrance to 望幽谷

On top of a hill overlooking the ocean. Good breeze.

National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, which was constructed like a ship.

Unfortunately, by the time we returned from the valley, it was already 3pm and we do not have enough time to explore the whole National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. We chilled out at a cafe in the museum for a while before we returned to the hotel to visit the night market for our dinner.

Your Name

Synopsis: Taki wakes from what seemed like a very important dream. But in an unfamiliar room and not in his body…but that of a girl! On the other hand, Mitsuha, a teen girl, is tired of living in a mountain village. She pleads to God “Please, let me be a handsome Tokyo boy in my next life!” The next morning, Mitsuha awakens as a high school male. Based on information around her, she learns whose body she inhabits. His name is Taki. The two have switched places! When they wake up again, they’ve returned to their former selves. But sleep brings the body swap again and again. Mysteriously, the pattern continues daily. The two fumble about, unaccustomed to each other’s bodies, but start communicating by memo. As they awkwardly overcome one challenge after another, a bond develops between the two- one that evolves into something more romantic. [Source: Golden Village]

With such a good review for this anime film (As of Oct 23, it has been No. 1 on the Japanese box-office charts for nine weeks.), we just have to give it a go. The story line is being told in a pretty unique way, coupled with beautiful scenery, I can see why the audiences loves it. It has sure been a long while since Japan come out with a good anime film.

Rate: 8/10

Marvel's Doctor Strange

Synopsis: "Doctor Strange" follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions. [Source: Golden Village]

Welcome to the world where all things that seems strange are in fact normal. Pretty lots of CGI, venturing into alternate dimension and lots of actions. Typical of what you will expect for a marvel film. There will be a sequel, wait for the ending flick.

Rate: 7.5/10