Sunday, October 27, 2024

Raohe Street Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市) - End 2023 at Taipei in Taiwan

It was just the wrong date to go to Raohe Street Night Market; easily one of the more popular night markets in Taipei, we visited on New Year's eve and facing us a large crowd! 

I didn't have a choice as it would be our official last day in Taiwan and I still haven't completed my souvenir shopping! And my intention was to get some snacks, including their signature butter pastry, from Yu Jan Shin 裕珍馨.

Total damage: almost S$100! I could have gotten more but as some of you are aware, the expiry date for the products is very short and that could be problematic when you buy them as gifts for family and friends. 

Street was jam-packed when I exited! Given that I had visited this night market in 2014, I am aware of the navigation which was simple; one straight street with stalls in the center, for about 500 meters. Let's immerse ourselves in the celebratory mood for the new year! 

Synonymous of night markets in Taiwan, food would be the main draw and that's the one thing I hate and love; love because they look so tempting and hate because I don't have the stomach capacity to eat everything!

Dog lovers would go crazy over the cute winter wear for their canine kids! Singapore dog lovers will not be keen given the hot climate we have, although those who switch on air-conditioning 24/7 for their dogs can still consider.

Hitting my head for not trying the above; we have heard of stinky tofu but I didn't know there'a a fries version that would have made eating them much easier, and on the move! Cost: 70 Taiwan dollars. 

Sea snails with beer??
Sorry, I shall give a miss.

Plants in cans that bloomed so beautifully!The varieties included basil, cherry pepper,  cypress vine, dahlia, English daisy, geranium, violet, lavender, mimosa, morning glory, oregana, parsley, pine, rosemary, sage, strawberry, spearmint, sage, thyme, sunflower, tomato,lavender, tomato, marigold etc.

Three cans for 300 Taiwan dollars and six cans for 500 Taiwan dollars (about S$20). I figured variety like strawberry wouldn't be possible in hot and humid Singapore and opted for options like spearmint. p.s. the first can I attempted sprouted but didn't survive as an idiot added too much water.

Drawing customers with the UV lights, kids would be disappointed to know that the items for sale were not toys;it's a takeaway cocktail bar! For reference, a gin tonic cost 170 Taiwan dollars whereas a long island iced tea was priced 270 Taiwan dollars. 

Awarded Michelin Plate from 2018 to 2023?! 
I must give this muah chee stall a try! 

A small serving for 50 Taiwan dollars and they were satisfying, being bigger in size than their counterparts in Singapore! From what I see, the boss would flatten the dough, pull in a scoop of sugar and sesame seeds, roll it up and then cover with peanuts and sesame seeds!

Hence, the muah chee burst with sweetness as the teeth bit through, and enticing the taste buds were the aroma of sesame seeds! p.s. the dough didn't stick to the teeth and the only thing that would make this perfect is to have a warmer muah chee! 

Preserved fruits!

Generally, I am agreeable with all the food stalls in Taiwan night markets. Only exception would be the braised pork stall; I can smell the 'stench' from far away and I would literally breathe through my mouth, instead of my nose.

Kaoz, grilled abalones!
Pricing: 100 Taiwan dollars each.

Instead octopus, prawn takoyaki, these came with just oysters which cost 150 Taiwan dollars for every serving. Thankfully, I don't enjoy oysters. 

Roast pork with crispy skin! I would have gladly gotten a small serving to share if the Greatest Kon were with. But with dad, who would likely remove the skin for health reasons, I shall just move on. 

Games, for adults, and kids.

Winter scarves, hats and gloves! Now that I am preparing for my Hanoi trip in December, I am at e dilemma; should I buy now in Singapore or do so when I am in Hanoi?

Fireworks and sparklers to issue in the new year! Just wondering if I would be able to get my hands on some fireworks when I am in Taiwan in January 2025... Been a while since I last played...

Nougat crackers and Tiramisu for sale; I was just commenting to my sister that I never like tiramisu given the coffee content. Nougat crackers can be quite nice, a new twist to a traditional biscuit that appeals mainly to the older generation.

Pan-fried dumplings!
Small - 60 Taiwan dollars.

Another clothing stall for your fur kids.
The stitch one is so cute!

I am one of those who love fridge magnets but not just any; I took great pride in choosing one that would be fit for my fridge but they are usually so pricey! These ones here were one of a kind and at 90 Taiwan dollars; they were reasonably priced.

Boxes of delicious looking strawberries! 

A secret for you; I drank from a milk bottle until I was eight years old and the above stall reminded me of this secret of mine that I almost scrubbed from my memory! By the way, this was 70 Taiwan dollars, with the free milk bottle.

Oh my god, they had this one too!? Known as the scholar cake, I had it before at Guangzhou Street Night Market and recalled it's like a tutu cake made using a unique cooking vessel!  

So tempted to get this ice fire polo bun that cost just 35 Taiwan dollars! 

Other random photographs taken on this short trip to Raohe Street Night Market. Personally, this night market would appeal to those who want more than just food, and I guess that's the reason why it ranks as one of the more popular ones in Taipei. 

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Address
Raohe St, Songshan District, 
Taipei City, Taiwan 105

Map
As above. 

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Saturday, October 26, 2024

Day Three of My 8 Days' Trip to Danang (The City of Bridges) & Hoi An (The City of Lanterns) in Vietnam


Detailed Postings for Day Three
I woke up early to take advantage of the balcony of my room at La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa to take a time-lapsed video of the sunrise overlooking the heritage town!  

Less than half an hour later, I was out jogging, taking advantage of the cool temperature in the morning, and the fact that the whole town was a lot quieter, without bustle and crowd at night. 

This street might not appear familiar but once night falls, it will be transformed into the most famous night market in Hoi An; the Nguyen Hoang Night Market / Hội An Night Market on the sweet potato shaped island connected to the mainland. 

Docked tourist boats at this area overlooking the Thu Bon river. As I would be bringing my mom to Hoi An in May next year, I am now sourcing for hotels. Should I go back to La Charm Hoi An Hotel, which would appeal to my mom, or try a new hotel? 

Jogging actually allows me to go explore new places, including chancing upon this shop that either manufactures or repair traditional boats. The pattern looks so familiar even though this was my first trip to Hoi An!

Chickens appeared to be very well fed. The wild chickens that are so rampant in Singapore nowadays had a harder life as they were a lot skinner, even though some might argue they were just deceivingly muscular. 

Stretch of club-filled street area that was just opposite the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An. If you are sitting on the boat in the river between the two sites at night, you would be drawn to their similarity in lights yet differences in architecture.

My favorite would still be to soak in the historical atmosphere of the ancient town, and to be honest, a morning walk would be most preferred as it can get really hot in the afternoon, as I would find out a few hours later! 

Loving this picture! 

More photographs of the ancient town for your references. Knowing my mom pretty well, the chances are high I would bring her out before the sun is out to walk around, like what we did in Melaka last year.

A stray cat!

Stone well in the middle of the passage, making it harder for motorcycles to cut through. Being a curious person, I had to go nearer to check it out. 

Not sure if it was a working well but it's unfortunate that without any grating, people had taken to throwing their litter. Lazy and so inconsiderate! 

Time? Not even 8.00 am yet this area stood out for having so many people just sitting on the pavement, next to the road, drinking tea and coffee. Singaporeans would likely find it hard to follow such culture, especially with the lack of air-conditioning and no shelter. 

Statue of a dog at Japanese Bridge which was undergoing restoration at that time of my visit. Interestingly, it was supposed to represent the Japanese culture, where it was believed that dogs and monkeys are the guardians of bridges. 

Back to La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa where I had a somewhat light breakfast. In Vietnam, most, if not all hotels, would provide complimentary breakfast. I don't generally like as I prefer to fill up my tummy with food outside the hotel!

Hence, I followed up shortly with my official breakfast for the day; banh mi at Bánh Mì Phượng! Hoi An is known to be the Capital of Banh Mi and Bánh Mì Phượng is one the top ten listed here.

An instagrammable cafe; the Cyclo Cafe. I was more drawn to the bundles of incense sticks outside the cafe though. Just wondering if this sight would disappear in the next few decades, with the younger population being more mindful of air pollution.

Many hotels in Hoi An would provide free bicycles for guests to loan and while it might be nice to ride on pedestrian only streets; it can be relatively challenging (exciting too) to ride on roads with motor vehicles! Remember, safety comes first!

Some people would argue that Hoi An is overly touristy although for a business student, it's just a matter of supply and demand. Having said that, I doubt tourists would haul back a standing fan back to their home country. Okay, maybe can consider the handier fan blades.

Sing Ma Restaurant; short for Singapore and Malaysia, this eatery supposed served Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine! I am here on holiday and I am not going to waste my calories on food I could commonly find in Singapore! p.s. it has a perfect 5.0 review rating on Tripadvisor.

Some sights on the road.

Checking out Cho Hoi An (Market); similar to most markets in Vietnam, it was a mix of raw food, cooked food, and even touristy souvenirs etc. As always, there are also stalls surrounding the market which I blogged previously here. 

A unique public roofed well in Hoi An and it even has a name; May! Said to be built at the beginning of the 19th century, at the same time as the construction of Hoi An Market, playing an important role of supply water to the market, the trading merchants and also the surrounding.

p.s. photo taken during my jog when it was closed.

Movable stand that signalled that this stretch would only be opened to walking and cycling only. One eye was closed for motorbikes though as they continued to traverse up and down, albeit at a lower speed. 

Random photographs as I took too many.

What I lacked was a model as Alex wasn't that accommodating nowadays, unlike his younger days! Maybe I would have better luck as mom coming with me to Hoi An mid next year.

Super narrow passage between buildings.
Some were so tight, at most two persons can pass through. 

Chilling out at 25s Cafe & Brunch.

Another drink at Mót Tea House where its signature drink cost just S$1.
Look at the sweat at the back of Alex's shirt! 

Look closer at the hoarding towards the end of the street; that's where the Japanese Bridge was. Although it was closed when I was there in March 2024, it's supposedly already restored now and I can't wait to see it next year!

Art gallery; pity I am not artistic enough.

While the shop still has propaganda posters for sale, I guess they need to pivot to shirts which are likely more popular than posters. Instead of posters, I prefer putting up photographs to spruce up the empty walls of my apartment.

Lantern making workshops! I know of many people who would embark on such workshops when they are overseas but I doubt I would; you know how much heft they might have? Not to mention taking valuable space in my luggage.

I was wondering the value of these coconut papers.... way too fragile and delicate for a rough person like me, and I can't foresee what it can be used for. 

Turned out to be a workshop on lacquer painting on coconut paper. Since this was just paper, it should be something I might be agreeable to undertake? No, because time is precious when you are overseas! I prefer walking and soaking in the sights.

A pink church! 

Convenience store / mini mart near La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa; strangely, I don't recall seeing chain convenience stores like Winmart, Circle K or even 7-11 when I was in Hoi An. 

Back in the comfort of our room at La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa! 

It was sweltering hot and only when I checked the weather that I realized the temperature was 34 degrees celcius! Thank god we decided to come back to the hotel.

Let's have a swim in the hotel's pool! 
And for me, a can of iced beer to further cool me down! 

Alex decided to take a nap in the hotel room whereas my instinct told me to for something even more relaxing; another great massage at Ni Spa & Massage! Only issue; the looping music in my room! 

Once refreshed, we were ready to hit the street again! Taking grab to our next destination and saw a statue of Virgin Mary on the car's dashboard. p.s. Catholicism is followed by about 10% of the population.

Fruits at Faifoo Central Restaurant, where I had a disappointing dinner; more for the mains which I have highlighted to the manager. You can click here to read more. 

A dragonfly landed on my finger! 

Partial sunset from Faifoo Central Restaurant; you may get a better view if you are seated in the balcony area that faces the Thu Boi River but do note it can be warm.

Right across from Faifoo Central Restaurant is Hoi An Lantern Park; bordering the Thu Bon River, it's more a square than a park and our purpose of visitation is to meet up with someone.

Nothing illegal; we had to collect our tickets for Hoi An Memories Land (including Theme Park & Show), purchased from Traveloka, and it's also a meeting point for the included River Cruise to Hoi An Memories Land.

Impressions Bridge that we had to walk across after disembarkation from the cruise. 

I actually didn't research much about Hoi An Memories Land and it was a blast for the amount I paid for it! Aside from the Hoi An Impression Show (with VIP Seating), there was also an accompanying cultural theme park that had more than 10 mini-shows! Next time, I shall come at 4pm (opening hours) to thoroughly explore the park! 

The Hoi An Impression Show was impressive (pun unintended) and I didn't regret going for the more expensive VIP seating which allowed us sheltered seating at a higher vantage point that came with ceiling fan, water and a fruit platter.

Back at Hoi An Lantern Park after taking the same boat back from Hoi An Memories Land, with a stopover for releasing lanterns on water, a popular activity in Hoi An.

We decided to walk back to La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa since it wasn't as hot and distance was just a manageable 1.5 kilometers. There was a night market near Cho Hoi An but as can be seen from the photographs, business was bad. Maybe because it was close to 10.00 pm and the day was Wednesday. 

Many stall owners were packing up.

Just wondering if anyone would actually buy the above; it's like statues made from wood but only with the head portion. Kind of creepy as they appeared to be decapitated. 

The more crowded area nearer An Hoi Bridge and it's much nicer looking without the makeshift stalls. I would say Hoi An ancient town at night looks different from the day although both have their unique charms. You can better appreciate the architecture in the day whereas the beauty was with the lanterns and lights at night. 

Scene across the Thu Bon River. This was much more muted as the river was filled with boats and the streets were teeming with people when I first arrived on Monday! Okay, timing plays a part too.

Some shops remained open past 10pm but as I am not a night owl; I am unsure how late the shops remain open. On second thought, I should have gone for a glass of beer given this was our last night in Hoi An.

I noticed this; entrance tickets to Hoi An? I don't recall ticketing gantries when entering the ancient town. I actually checked with the friendly staff from La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa and turned out you can purchase tickets from booths near the boundary of the town, which would give you access to five five sightseeing places within the town. 

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