The unexpected in Japan

Arrived in Japan yesterday morning, at Kansai International Airport to change flight to Fukuoka in the evening. Finally, stepping on this land which I have longed to come but never thought it would be possible.

Saw some large men in traditional Japanese clothings and cloaks and realised they are Sumo Wrestlers. They are very well respected figures in Japan. I was like a little girl, joining in some foreigners and took a picture of them from the escalator, a distance away. What a nice opening to my journey in Japan, I thought to myself.

Till I almost wanted to take a mobile rental plan with SoftBank, an established cell phone and sim card rental at the airport.  I could not buy a SIM card as my phone is not compatible, nor could I rent a mobile phone with a standard phone plan. The reason is, they accept only credit card payment. I have only debit cards and cash to pay. But no can do. It is also quite expensive in renting a phone, on top of paying the phone-calling plan per minute.

So, I decide to be in Japan just with my Singapore mobile number. The only down side for me is not being able to Tango or Whats App so spontaneuously with my family and friends anymore.
In Japan, WIFI is rare as 99 percent of Japanese have internet on their cell phone. Then again, technology is so well advanced one can always find alternatives.

Skype on internet on a pc will be one way to stay in touch with my family.

It takes a while for me to adjust to the fact that I will not be able to chat as much with my family and friends anymore. Thats the reliance on technology, I realise. I had never done this before in all my short travel alone...using whats app. So, I should be able to get use to soon. Its just a change of mentality to talk to my loved ones by writing postcards or emailing if there is an internet on a pc.

Finally boarded the 6pm flight from Kansai to Fukuoka. This is where I had my second unexpected situation. My lugguage did not appear on the conveyer belt after much waiting. A japanese airport staff came forward and tried her best to asked about how my luggage look like. She then contacted the staff of JetStar. Soon, a JetStar staff came, asked for my boarding pass and begins my long wait at the airport for them to track the trail of my luggage.

I remembered thinking to myself, This is the first time my luggage got lost along the way. I have travelled in third world and less developed countries, with long transit hours and I always have my luggage arrived safely.

It is in this developed and highly-tech country of Japan that my luggage got lost.
What astounded me more is that the staff are not sure of the procedure in handling lost luggage. They kept telling me to wait for 5mins for the staff in Kansai to track my luggage. When I asked how would the airline handle it if they found my luggage, they are not sure and assured they will check with the head office. That answer press the red button. I spoke to them firmly trying to suppress my harshness, instructing them the airline should sent me my luggage as soon as they located and recieved my luggage in Fukuoka, at their own cost. I asked if they would pay any compensation, which they lady then apologetically speaks more confidently in English than before.
She assured they will give an allowance of about 4000yen for me to buy any toiletries and clothings. Her name is Mika.

In the midst of this, her collegue came and informed us my luggage has been flown to Sapporo, Hokkaido by mistake. That's all the way in the North of Japan and Fukuoka is in South end of Japan.

It was a relief that they found the luggage. I gave Mika my Fukuoka guesthouse address and contact, and my fist WWOOF host's address in Oita prefecture, should the luggage arrived only in a few more days. She was more assuring this time, making a copy of my guesthouse and WWOOF host address written in Japanese and promised to call my guesthouse as soon as luggage is found. She keeps apologising throughout my
I managed to contact my guesthouse through email about my situation and I would be late.

As I travelled in the subway from the airport to Kaine Guesthouse, it began to dawn on me that it is really the inhibition the Japanese held in speaking Japanese that make them seem not that helpful initially. 

Kaine Guesthouse is a place which I found much warm and assurance. The staff were really friendly and warm. It is a very small but cosy guesthouse located behind a noodle shop, literally. They were ampathetic towards what happened but I told them 'Shinbai-nai!', not to worry. Night in Fukuoka was quite chilly as I walked to look for convenience shops to get a toothbrush and toothpaste. There was a group of working Japanese in suits who exited from a Japanese noodle and sake shop, some bowing to each other and parting ways. Exactly like what I often watched in the Japanese drama. 

Back in the guesthouse, it was already 9ish and I stayed in the common area and talked more with the 2 staff. Some other guests returned, 3 japanese young undergraduate who are having their spring vocation, a young German girl who's an exchange student here and later another 3 Hong Kongers who joined in. It was such a comfortable moment with all of them, eveyone showing interest to know each other, chatting with some struggles to find the right words... though I was tired, I wanted to stay in their company. We talked, joked and shared till pass midnight. I may not see some the next day as they would have left for another place in Fukuoka. 

I felt a sense of hope at that time, that things will not get as bad as how it looks. 

So, this afternoon at 2.30pm, 28th March, as I was entering my blog, my luggage arrived.
The JetStar staff came with another middle-aged man in full suit holding my backpack with both hands and presented it to me like a gift, giving me a full 90degree bow. I could not remember how many times they both apologised and bowed. I just keep thanking them for delivering my luggage back efficiently. 

I have more to understand and know about the Japanese... and their way of doing things... and I am very very keen to... I am glad I am going to be here for 3 months to immerse in their lifestyle and outlook of life.

Last night in Taiwan, meeting my little brother...

On my last night in Taiwan, I was so so excited to be meeting my little brother, Wee with his wife and little En En. Even if it was just for less than 30 mins. They have planned for a short trip with his in-laws. They are to go Tai Chong straight from the airport. It was an impromtu arrangement to meet them.

I spend a few hours in Cheng Ping bookstore again in the morning and bought a few book.s. For my siblings... Wee will have a heavy bag to bring home on my behalf.

On the hour bus ride to TaoYuan Airport, I could not contain my excitement...Arrived in airport 2 hours early and started writing to my family. The bag of gifts and letters, I send with all my love and thoughts of them. Hope they all like them.

It took almost 40mins of standing at the arrival panel waiting in anticipation of seeing Wee pushing his trolley of luggages or with En En siting on it entering my view... I never knew it could be such a mix of excitement and slight disappointment when each time, it is not the person you are looking forward to meet.

The short moment with Wee, little En En and Ching Ling is so wonderful. Being able to give hugs to them, talking to them, seeing little En Ens excitement... and being able to pass some of my things to Wee and yes, the bag of gifts! Wee passed me a small paper bag of gifts too... cards from my sisters Bettina and Angelia and a bottle of ginseng powder and my black watch from mum. Bettina has thoughtfully packed some 2 in 1 coffee bags for me, knowing well that I will need them.

I cherish the short moment of togetherness with family as I will not be able to see them in this way for the next couple of months.

On the bus journey back, I read the cards from my sisters... their words touched and moved me, sensing how much they have been thinking and praying for me. Their love moved me to tears.

Thank you, my dear family, for being so supportive and thinking of me.
I will always remind myself to continue to be positive and enjoy the moments of my journey, taking the positive and negatives in stride.

I have since arrived in Fukuoka last night. An unexpected situation happened which I allowed myself to be upset by it...
But the night ends with much heart warming time at the guest house, in the warmth of the staff and Japanese, Hong Kong and German travellers here... that I stayed till pass midnight just chating and enjoying their company... will update in a later post...

My dear friends and family, I hope you will not be too disappointed if I could not share much photos at times... which I will try to if possible. I hope the sharing of my thoughts and experiences can also keep you interested. Thank you to all who are still taking time to enter the internet and read my sharing. Take care, all!

From the greens of the farm to the blues of Peng Hu

Arrived in Bayhouse Hostel in Peng Hu 棚 湖 on 21st March. I felt quite unsettled on the first day here. It's a transition from a home-like warmth and routine life in the organic farm to a almost ghost-like little village in Shui San 水山, the southern tip of Peng Hu.

I was adjusting my mentality and mood. After recieving so much hospitality from Vincent and Sally in 内普，Ping Tung 屏东 and  befriending the mother and daughter LiJuan 丽娟 and Little Irene 小 I, I feel a sense of lost somehow. As I walked on the lanes of this quiet town, I hardly see any souls.

In Peng Hu, the main town centre is at Magong 马公市区. That is about 30 mins bus ride. It is really best to have a scooter or car and travel in Peng Hu archipelago. I figured that out already on my first day as I waited almost 2 hours for the bus to go to town centre. Simply because I missed the earlier bus.

During my short four days in Peng Hu, figuring and understanding the bus schedule is what I mastered. ~_< Much restrictions in time as travelling to other parts of Peng Hu from town centre may take 30 mins to an hour. And buses to these other towns have 2 to 4 hours interval. That means, I can only visit one or two places each day. However, I am not dampened by it. I just want to take in the lifestyle here.

As I have to take the bus from where I stay to the main station at Magong Town Centre, in order to take other buses to other parts of PengHu then travel back to the main bus station again, I end my days just watching the sea and the clouds at the bay where Rainbow Bridge 彩虹桥 is.

On my second evening, heavens graciously granted me a gift. It was a sunny day unlike the first, when it was cloudy and extremely windy. It reveals in the skyline the orange glow of the sun while it is setting...I sat there a distance away from the couple whose silloute helps add some interest to my picture. And just pause and take in the gradual transition in the sky. It lifts my spirit and I felt myself more light hearted again.

Some young people stood along the parapet and took pictures and two ladies were equally transfixed by its beauty, snapping pictures of themselves in front of the phenomenal transition.

The park reminds me of Marina Bay in Singapore, where families or friends will come and just chill and marvel at the night skyline. Children's laughter with their parents taking their evening strolls make me miss my family's presence at that very moment. I visualise all my young nieces laughing and playing together, Victoria 姐姐 laughing along with Gabriel 哥哥 trying to chase and tease them. My mum and siblings relaxed with the children's simple joy. They will love the sight and the vastness of the space here.

I stayed there till it gets dark and I saw the moon while getting ready to leave.
'Ah! Thank you Moon... Moon Lady.' I said to myself.

Peggy came to my mind. 'Moon Lady' is the name she gave me as I love looking out for the moon at night.
'You must be watching over me behind the moon in heavens?' I thought to myself. 
'Thank you Peggy. How are you?', I spoke to the heavens and the moon.

Seeing the solitaire of the Moon glowing in the dark sky often calms me and gave a sense of assurance. At home in Singapore, I will move my matress and sleep under the moon light whenever it enters my room.

That very night will stay deep in my memory. A normal moment can be special when we stop and take in with appreiciation of Mother Nature. Not forgetting our loved ones..

The mighty sun humbly downs its radience to give way for the moon's quiet glow...

On my third night here at the bay, while as routinely waiting for the 7pm bus back to my hostel, I managed to see the lighted up Rainbow Bridge. It was cloudy that day and hence no more witnessing of the sun setting like the day before.

That's how Mother Nature is. When she grants you a gift like the beauty of the sun setting or showering us a gift of a rainbow after the rain, pause and take in the moment. It is meant for you, just you, at that very moment. The next time, it will never be the same again.

My mother's hands

During my stay in Xiang Yuan's Organic Farm, I thoughtt of my mum quite often. It's not homesickness. While working at the farm, I found myself smiling whenever I stepped among theantith my tools. I waly happy just being there a getting my hands dirty and working hard.

Under the hot sun weeding for the growing crops like t corn plants, chilli plants and to remove weeds to make coodusive space for more young seedlings. I tried

 to work fast but my perfectionistic and meticulous side of me do slow me down. My fingers on my right hand have become thicker just within a few days. The ring finger cannot be bent fully towards my palm. Every night I tried to rub on my right hand fingers hoping to make them agile.

I have always admire hands with thick fingers and deep lines scratched with cutshere and there. My  mother's hands will never be complimented as ' beautiful' by conventional description. Her fingers are coarse and thick, finger nails chipped and short. My mother is quite insecure with her pair of hands.

I love my mother's hand. They are hands with deep lines of stories. Hands which sacrificed a young woman's suppleness way too early for her dilligence and care for her parents and siblings with daily manual chores. The fingers which lost their slenderness to even more unconditional care for her husband, mother-in-law and children.

hands of sacrifice and love...

My mother's hands have never been idle. Hers is such a soulful hands with stories of selfless love for her family. My small slender hands are shadowed by hers.

I thought of her hands when I looked at my swollen right ring finger and smiled. I hope my journey in wwoofing will mould them to be like my moher's, dilligent and serving. And may it never stop when I return home... to do much more for my mum and to serve others selflessly with them.

Thank you mother, for inspiring just with your actions. And your beautiful pair of hands.
谢谢 妈妈

A grand old lady...

My second day, I awoke with great hope and happiness. Sally's sumptuous cooking and the warmth from everyone here still lingered. 

My first breakfast * Yummy egg pancake with JuJu, a green vegetable good for eyesight. She took 15 mins for each pancake and only got to sit down and ate with us after about 45mins, preparing 5 pancakes. 

Li Juan and I finished with the last row of weeding in the earlier part of the day. Vincent asked us to help remove the weeds in his mother's backyard garden.

At 90 years old, this lady oozes positivism and robustness of one more than half her age. LiJuan and I had some difficulty at first weeding as amongst the tall weeds, some are still tiny. Grandma came over and kept thanking us for helping her. As a vegetarian for the past 30 years, she attributes her good health to her diet. In Taiwan, there is a growing number of families with the elderly engaging maids from the Phillipines or Indonesia. She however, lives an independent lifestyle, cycling to the town at least once a week to vist the hair salon, plant her own vegetables and cook her own meals. To be, it's her positivity that left a deep impression in me.

She was thankful for our help though I felt I was still slow in weeding and could have done better. Dinner on this night was at her house, whom she lives with her other son. Vincent's brother's house is probably about less than 100metre beside his without any fence or gate dividing the space. Another sumptious dinner and true enough, I finished all my rice and we cleared all the dishes!

Grandma is a role model for someone like me, whose perspective of growing old is bleak as I drag being less independent and less healthy, most of all to have to cause worries and burden to my siblings. 

Maybe my outlook is changing... I have the responsibility to look after my own body and mind and keep it healthy and strong, defying all common ailments and sterotyping. I think fear is the main obstacle. And so this is one small step to shift away from that fear of growing old and lonely in me...

Chi Kuang Kuang ! Eat up all the food and left with empty dishes.

The grand lady, Grandma, at 90 years old.

From internet to reality... WWOOFing in Taiwan

5th March is my day to my first experience to WWOOF in an organic farm.
The two months of dwelling in the internet reading, signing up, contacting and liasising with the hosts in Taiwan and Japan, welfare and social organisations in Pakistan and Palestine...it is now materialising.

In the bus from Taipei to PingTung (Southern Taiwan), I plugged on my earphone and listened to the music in my MP3. My first time, listening to my MP3 during my stay in Taiwan. 

Read the book I brought from Singapore, 'Journey is Destination' 無期途行 by Xiao Jian Zhong. He is a Malaysian who worked in Singapore's Film & TV production company, 360. He graduated from a university in Taiwan majoring in filming. The author's challenges are way beyond my experience. He cycled from Singapore to London, 12 countries in 532 days. I share some of his sentiments .... especially his sentiments before leaving his family and friends. Most of the authors of some travellogue wrote about their sleepless night before embarking on their year-trip or long solo travelling because of excitement. I thought I was one of those odd ones who feel emotional leaving  my family and friends. In particularly so, causing much worry to my mother, nonetheless. She always support my decision despite her own concerns. This, too was shared by Xiao Jian Zhong. 

Journey is Destination' 無期途行 by Xiao Jian Zhong

Bus Journey * Beautiful fish farms along the way, near the coast

Arrived in Ping Tung train station and Vincent, the owner of Siang Yuan Organic Farm came and picked me to his house. Along the way, Vincent started sharing a little about himself and shared how to distinguish the rows of ping-lang trees and coconut trees. Taiwan has lots of ping-lang trees and a favourite snack among many man. A coconut tree is obviously taller and its leaves are longer and fuller.

Finally, after days of anticipation, I stood at the doorway of the farm. Vincent, articulate and friendly, introduced me to another WWOOFer, Li Juan and her 15 year old daughter Irene.This was a pleasant surprise and honestly, I was glad.

All my life, I am concerned about how people will accept the taciturn side of me. WWOOFing in this organic farm with Vincent and his wife, Sally, I felt right at home instead. Li Juan and Irene are just as amiable.

They made me felt welcomed immediately, Sally passing me the bedsheets, sleeping bag and blanket. As I will be sharing the room with Li Juan and Irene, I decided to use the mattress on the floor. I sleep with the mattress on the floor back in Singapore and it has always been my preference. Li Juan is Taiwanese but had been staying in New Zealand for more than ten years. Mother and daughter will be settling in Germany in a few months time. They busied themselves with pulling out the foldable mattress, covering it with the bedsheet, making sure I got the basics met.

Like an animal searching for its territory and settling in it, I too tend to have this instinct, locating my sleeping area, unpacking some of the daily neccessitites.

Interestingly, my Chinese name is Su Juan as how I use it to liase with Vincent on the internet. Very close to Li Juan. And her daughter is Irene, which is the name I use back in Singapore. When both Irene and I looked up when Sally called, 'Irene, ...', they decided to call me Da 'I' and the teenage Irene Xiao 'I'. ~_<

By 2.30pm, I was off to the farm, following Li Juan's guidance, put on a nice pair of magenta rubber boots, gloves and a hand sickle and started cutting the thick bushy weeds growing around the cabbages. 

My essentials * rubber boots, gloves and a hand sickle

Corn seedlings * Li Juan and Xiao 'I' planted different seedlings a week ago, before I came... They are growing nicely

Opening a metal door behind the house and this is what I am greeted with...

For the next one hour, I tried my best but still felt the progress too slow. I was still at almost the same spot. Vincent patiently came forward and demonstrated and did it in such a quick sturdy swift! 

"Dig into the soil, slice and pull, hear the zi zi zi sound of slicing.... there you go..."
Great, so this is how it should be. I tried again to imitate and found myself moving from the original spot. Weeding is not as easy as we have to dig into the soil and slice off the roots of the weeds. Most have long roots either messily coiled up with other weeds or have roots firmly implanted. Weeds are obstinate and stubborn plants. Roots have to be removed or they will grow again very speedily.

The surrounding was serene, with chirping of the birds, occasional invasion from Lucky the hyperly-excited dog and the zi zi zi sound of the sickle slicing off the weeds. Jiao Chan the farm cat with caramel coloured fur, strolled lazily to where we were working and laid herself comforatably among the weeds. 

It became quite therapeutic after a while. The sun was shining but gently on us and it was really quite a bliss. Work can be a bliss if our hearts and minds are enjoying the process of it.

Day 1 * weeding, weeding, weeding

This is Irene & Irene, Da 'I'  Xiao 'I'

Su Juan (that's me) & Li Juan, and of course Jiao Chang, the aloof cat

I still looked raw and fresh as a 'farmer' here

At about 5.30pm, the gongs on the bell in the Chinese temple nearby travelled with the cooling breeze. 'That's our bell for finishing work.' Vincent said with a smile.

Walking back to the house, Li Juan brought me to the land infront, planted with tomatoes and some lemon grass. She plucked a lemon grass for me and I tied it into a knot and placed it at my pillow. Lovely and refreshing fragrance which can help prevent mosquitoes.

My first dinner with them is filled with lively conversations and laughters among each other. I am naturally a quiet person and most of the time, I listened to others and soak in the positive and lively vibes amongst these nice people. After a while, as I warmed up to them, it got better and the whole dinner affair was a very homely one. Sally is one great cook, resourcefully looked for different recipes and prepares tantalising meals for us. It is not difficult to understand why all the WWOOFers commented so well on her cooking in the guestbook.

I couldn't believe how comfortable I settled in here, with the work, with the people and with the daily routine. It deepens my conviction that the people that surround you make an  impressionable impact no matter where you are. When surrounded with the richness of Mother Nature, one's innate good nature is compelled to shine.

In the fantasy world of Jimmy and the real world of Xi Han Er

Things cropped up during my stay in Taiwan. My mother and Daniel's family are to come Taipei for a short tour. It is heaven's will it is not to be as little Olivia popped with a chicken pox on her back and so starts the NO Taiwan tour for them.

Someimes what we wished and hoped for may not happen. That's what life is. Always full of unexpectations. Such situations often make me down but gives me opportunities to learn to be positive and look forward. Need not be major, but little incidents in life, especially durring my travels have taught me to take things as it is and not be too rigid. Let it be, come what may!

So back in Taipei for one day to collect my main backpack from Flip Flop hostel, I went to Xi Gang MRT station. Just for these....

Jimmy's illustrations * Famous Taiwanese illustrator and novelist

Turn left....

Turn Right...

I was totally thrilled and loitered in the station for a while, taking in every little actions and expression in each character. Thank you, heavens.

Next, I took the Mrt on the same east line to Guo Fu Ji Nian Guan Station. Mission is to look for Xi Han Er pastry shop. The food and beverage business run with the service and bakery skills of children and adults with intellectual disability and down syndrome.

I was served by this tall young man when I made my payment at the counter. It is obvious he is different when he starts speaking. I am however impressed by how he caculates the total costs and even corrected me when I was trying to take the exact amount.
Bought a collection of freshly baked biscuits to bring to Vincent and Sally, the owners of the organic farm in PingTung where I will be WWOOFing. At the end of the day, I felt it was a fulfilling day and it helps overcome some blues in Taipei.

Be focused and dilligent, make effort to smile and be happy, in everyday.

Delicious cookies and pastries done with love, sincerity and determination by children and adults with special needs

Cypress trees in AliShan

Alishan is well known for her cherry blossoms. My time there was not timely as it was raining and fleetingly cold. Befriended Zheng You, a Taiwanese lady from Taipei who's in ChiaYi on work assignment. She decided to stay in a hostel and stay over the weekend.

Most travellers will pass by Chia Yi to reach AliShan, which is two and half hours away.
I decided to stay in Chia Yi as there are only hotels in AliShan and I am not too keen about staying overnight there for the sunrise. I have somehow mellowed in what I hope to achieve in my travel. Whatever and whereever I go, any encounters with the locals or people mean much more... Of course, to be in the midst of nature's phenomenon like the phases of sun rising or setting, that will be like a bonus gift if I would witness one.

Alishan was extremely cold, below 10 degrees as it was higher upland. The cherry blossoms were not in full bloom when I was there. I was not disappointed as I have witnessed fuller blossoms in YangMing Shan. Alishan's cherry blossoms are best in mid March. One of my happiest moments in AliShan despite the on-off rain is to be walking in forest of cypress trees. The whole forest was misty, making the walk even more dreamlike. Cypress trees there are old, ranging from 100 to two thousand years old. 

This is just one rare tree with such rich blossoms in AliShan

The forest of cypress trees. We have to respect nature's ecology here, where plants and animals live and grow without human interference. Silence is respect to these grand trees.

At ChiaYi

In certain locations in AliShan which attracts more visitors because of a 2000 year old cypress of some strange tree formations, they were filled with tour-guided groups of Chinese. So the forest was filled with shouts, loud vocals and deliberate shouts of some songs (chinese shan ge). I suggested to Zheng You to take a trail with less people but it would means some climbing is needed. Zheng You is not into hiking but she complied and I moved ahead of her, following a path up into another forest. As expected, there was no one. I cherish that moment with the forest. She's not being disturbed, and she too gave me the peace and calmness I long for. I was comforted just being with the tall sturdy cypress trees. Gingerly taking every breathe of the fresh cool air so generously provided by the trees, my spirit was lifted despite the dampness and little raindrops. 

I did not finish the almost 4 km trail as I did not want to have Zheng You following me despite her discomfort in trekking. The hour just walking and being in the presense of these trees, though I hope for more, I am grateful. As we descend, human shouts zoomed from nearby. 'The forests have been disturbed.' I remarked and just smiled.

It was memorable enough for me..and I look forward to more forest trails in Japan, where some of the places I will be WWOOFing in are near or among the forests.

Assemble! Backpackers is the hostel recommended by Jade, the very helpful owner from Taipei's FlipFlop Hostel. I am so lucky to be staying there. It's immaculately clean and tidy, with some funky colours and decorations from different countries. The young couple who owns this 8mth old hostel are the nicest people I've met in Taiwan. Marcus and Vicky will look into every of my needs, placing an extra warm purple fleece blanket on my dorm bed when they saw me shivering after a day of scooter riding with Zheng You. Such gestures shown without being asked touched me. 

The day after AliShan, Zheng You invited me to join her on her rented scooter and travel to other smaller towns in ChiaYi. Her mission is to collect stamp chops in specific shops or visitor's centre in each small town. This stamp-chop collection is quite a craze among a group of Taiwanese. It was cold riding the scooter as the air in Chia Yi during those days turned cold again. Managed to 'scoot' to a handful of small towns. We did not get to stay and explore this town which breeds oysters. We do manage to savour some nice oyster dishes at a popular stall. 

There was a few times we took the wrong routes and hence spent longer time.
The way back, I was shivering on the scooter. Zheng You has to catch the 7pm train back to Taipei.

I had some nice chatting time with Marcus and Vicky during my last night got to watch 'Lemon Trees' and Israeli film from Marcus wonderful collection of DVDs. No mainstream movies but truly a film-lover, he watches many art-house of indie films from overseas. I was all by myself in the common area and slept late that night. What a bliss to have such privacy and feeling at home.

Before I left ChiaYi, I felt a punge of unwillingness. I hope to be able to come back here again, to stay in this hostel again and to explore ChiaYi at a much slower pace, with my family or friends. In one of my conversations with Marcus, he explained why backpackers hostel in Taiwan operate in such low profile, almost in a discreet manner. There are no large sign with the name of the hostels I have stayed so far in Taiwan. In fact, none at all. In Taiwan, the government has not set or agreed upon the regulations in setting up hostels. Only hotels or Ming Su are allowed, with higher rates, and regulations to follow.

Pan Zi * Fatty the cat. She was a stray adopted by Marcus & Vicky. They love him a lot and called him Pan Zi as he had a huge stomach when they first found him

Many of my friends mistaken hostels as Ming Su in Taiwan. The owners of backpackers hostel have travelled and learned about the demand for such hostels for budget travellers like us. Hence, the gradual springing of such accomodations. All done disceetly.

I shall be sharing my first WWOOF experience ... as I am already on my third day here in Ping Tung. And what a wonderful experience it has been... till then, take care, all my loved ones. ~_~