stolen colours

We awoke to a cool, windy morning. Headed for a hot spring resort at 新北投 (Xinbeitou), which cost us only 200yen per person.

The chairs in the lobby were rather interesting (and food-inspired).

I must say that I was rather chicken, literally. There were three pools of varying temperature. I firmly stuck to the baby pool. *shrugs* so dictated my inner sense of self-preservation. It was very relaxing. I’ve never seen the veins on my hands and feet dilate to that extent before. One year ago, if you asked me which part of my body I liked most, it would be my eyes; these days, it’s my veins.

Passed by a pavillion near the library on our way back. Apparently, this is where many dramas are filmed.

We went on to 淡水 (Danshui), a small costal town which I remember because it’s where the persona in Mayday’s 志明与春娇 broke up. Indeed, with the overcast sky, strong winds and grey palette, it’s a perfect place for a breakup. There’s even the sea for drowning oneself after.

Lunch was at a busy shop selling fishballs and meat buns.

The fishballs were POTENT. They must’ve squashed at least 10 fish into each ball.

And the meat bun was very savoury.

Yes, healthy meal XD

We wandered down the seafront, shrouded in fog. We made an unanimous decision not to stay for the sunset. Pointless, anyway. NO MATTER! I SHALL RETURN TO TAIWAN. Also for other reasons to be mentioned later.

Bought the towering icecream cones that Danshui is famous for.

Also chanced upon a red brick church!

And an alley beside the church. There was a couple taking wedding photos in this alley.

[damage hits:
- a pair of black-and-pink sneakers.
- a ring
- stuff from a Beatrice Potter shop]

Went back to the hotel, dumped our spoils, and headed for Shilin with three purposes in mind.

1. Karyn’s yarn shop. I have never seen so much yarn in one place before, but lynn assures me that things are more majestic in Japan. She couldn’t find the shade and material that she wanted.

2. Cos-wig. It’s a beautiful shop, very bright and spacious. The wigs are displayed on the shelves, and a white grand piano stands in the centre. There’s a small partition with mirrors, table and chairs for styling wigs. Over at the counter, there is a small sitting area with Cosmode issues for browsing. Unfortunately, unless one merely requires a very standard style in a very standard colour, it’s almost impossible to just buy off the rack. Ordering a wig in a particular colour will take two months; add an additional month for style customisation. We ended up buying just wig maintenance items. AND YAMAMOTO WALKED IN, clad in full school uniform. lynn was so embarrassed she shoved us all out of the shop immediately. Gosh. What are the odds!

3. FOOD, which 士林夜市 is famous for.

The runaway winner was the 炸鸡排 (fried chicken fillet), so huge that three of us had to share one serving. Queued precious long for it, but it was certainly worth the wait.

大饼包小饼 - literally, big biscuit wrapping a small biscuit. Sweet yet savoury filling within a crispy pastry skin.

We sat down at a little stall and ordered oyster omelette and a different version of 甜不辣 (above). For the most part, I guess I’m not really a fan of Taiwanese snacks.

And it translates to meat pill!

Went on to the shopping bit of the market. It was horribly, horribly crowded. I got more accessories (earrings, ring); and saw a replica of the VW ring I wanted, but it wasn’t that wellmade and cost S$100. No way!

Got ourselves out of the crowd, and headed for the hotel.