TV Drama Review #80 - Koi ni Ochitara~boku no seikou no himitsu~ 我成功的秘密

How long? 11 epis
When & which tv stn? 2005/Fuji TV
Who's in?
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi ~ Suzuki Shimao
Tsutsumi Shinichi ~ Takayanagi Toru
Matsushita Nao ~ Shirakawa Kaori
Yamamoto Koji ~ Ando Ryuta
Kimura Yoshino ~ Suzuki Mariko
Wakui Emi ~ Kirino Nanami
Tanihara Shosuke ~ Riku Kamiya
What's it abt? (edited from Wikipedia)
Since his father passed away six years ago, Suzuki Shimao has taken over the family business, working diligently at their factory with his mother Aiko and a couple of employees. Though not wealthy, Shimao, Aiko, and Shimao's sister Mariko are satisfied with their life.
One day, Shimao draws a raffle at a local shopping mall and wins a trip for two to Hawaii. He takes his mother, and there he meets a beautiful girl Kaori and a young and brilliant entrepreneurial president of Frontier, Takayanagi. Shimao immediately falls in love with Kaori, who has a friendly and warm personality.
Shimao and Aiko returned home and found their factory in chaos. The accountant has embezzled the company's money, causing them to go bankrupt. Aiko develops a heart disease and is hospitalized. She needs a heart transplant, but the Suzukis can't afford the medical costs. Before Shimao can come up with a way to clear their debts, Aiko passed away. That's when Shimao remembers what Toru told him in Hawaii. "When you're in trouble, come to me." The following day, Shimao finds himself standing in front of the towering building where Frontier is based.
Loves & hates:
A typical Japanese drama showing how a person finds his way to success and what he faced during the process. Well, though the title is "When I Fall in Love", this drama is not really focused on Suzuki's love life. So, the romance part was kinda...plain. Haha..so what's so nice abt it? Actually, the whole drama is abt Suzuki...who wanna become rich and leave poverty. Initially, he's a caring and kind fella who completes the tasks with his principles in life. Soon, other colleagues were kinda impressed by him, but Suzuki fell into the "trap" of becoming biz-minded. He felt the joy of becoming rich and powerful...but forgot all his principles. Now...he's just like Takayanagi, who has lost his company and fell from the top to the bottom.
So...the plot is pretty simple, but it's quite captivating...coz' u wld be curious how Suzuki had changed...and what happened when he fell from the top...Butta, I am not interested in his romance leh. Haha!
Kusanagi from Smap gave a splendid performance here. You cld clearly see the change of Suzuki - the way he talk and the way he behave. However, I dont feel much chemistry b/w him and Matsushita...Well..that gal was pretty average in terms of acting and besides the height difference, they don't seem to match somehow.
Tsutsumi and Wakui!!! Love their 1996 drama "Pure"...It's so nice to see them again in the same drama. Though Wakui's Nanami was Takayanagi's ex-girlfriend, she still cared alot for him..and I am glad they are somehow back together again. Perfect chemistry! Haha! Tsutsumi gave a good performance here too...his chemistry w/ Kusanagi was good ya...like to see them "battle". Haha!
How can i miss out the themesong by Crystal Kay.."Koi ni Ochitara"...super nice!
Worth watching?
Wld reco to Jdrama lovers...hopefully u wont find it boring. It's not boring to me tho..haha! That's what i like abt Jdrama...even tho it may not be focusing on romance, it's still nice to watch. (guessed i have said upteen times before...hehe!)

A day @ Pasir Ris Park

--Cycling Trip--
Weather was not too bad for my cycling trip today with HM & SC. Met the gals up @ PR mrt before heading to PR park..long time didnt go there liao. Some slight renovations had took place...not many ppl and the beach was way better than ECP. Rented a bike @ 6 bucks for 2hrs..gd deal ya?
Dunno who built those sand castles...hehe!
Though SG's beach is nothing compared to other foreign beaches...I am still quite content with what we have...haha!
Ride along the whole park...played at the Children's playground...had lots of fun with the crazy gals..haha! Took silly shots also...pics not with me yet. Lolz!
--Xin Wang HK Coffee House--
Had our dinner there...
SC's mango ice dessert...5.90 bucks only eh!!
HM and me ordered the "Chao siew & roasted duck" with rice @ 6bucks..gd deal...crazy gals doing crazy stuffs @ the restaurant ya...think the waitress thot we were siao...lolz!
--To SC--
Good luck for ya job tmr...jia you! jia you!
Looking forward to our next gathering...hoho!

悠闲的下午

今天去了图书馆借书，收获还不错。。又有小说可以看了。
后来阿珍打电话来。。说要来我家打麻将。
回家吃过午餐后，就开始等她们的到来。
一边看日本翻译小说“100次的哭泣”，一边喝台湾茉莉绿茶。。
等了接近两个钟头。。。还是没有人影。。
我都把小说的最后一页看完了！
两位小姐终于来啦。。今天大家的手气还不错。。尤其是王太后啦。
边打边聊天。。。晚餐时间到了。
一起吃KFC。。过后去逛了一下。。
阿清的悠闲下午。。报告完毕。

CC Gang Gathering: 時をかける少女

--Lunch @ Mos Burger--
Finally met up with the gals, whom I havent seen for months. Haha! All of them looked great except the sicklish PY. Well....thesedays my dear friends all have a common qns.
"HC! What happened to your hair?!"
Haha....don't worry gals...I didnt suffer from anything ah....perfectly fine here. Well, I had cut away my long hair which i have kept since 2002. Hmm...too long didnt see myself with short hair...also felt abit weird initially. Lolz....
Anyway, catched up with the gals while we had our meal...and PY came. Then, HM, SC & me were busy giving out gifts we bought overseas la.
--Chat--
Decided to find some place to sit down and chat...butta Taka was kinda crowded sia. In the end, we sat on the floor @ the atrium. Still waiting for Miss GC ya..lolz! Crazy HM kept showing her face to us...lolz.
Was kinda worried about PY's eye condition....and a few of them were down with flu also. Haiz..
--Toki wo kakeru shojo--
PY left and the 5 of us decided to watch a movie last minute. Walked over to Cine and we made a choice b/w "Fantastic 4", "Nancy Drew" and the Japanese anime "The Girl who leapt through time". Ah Ching don't like to spend money on cartoon movies...but well, perhaps i shall make exceptions for animes next time. This movie is damn nice. Lolz...
The movie was based on a novel, but the movie itself is not a movie version of the novel. Instead, it was a continuation of the novel in the same setting twenty yrs later.
The movie centred on 3 friends, the tomboyish and clumsy Konno Makoto, Chiaki and Kousuke. When Makoto gains the ablility to literally "leap" backwards through time, she immediately went to improve her grades and preventing personal mishaps. However, she soon realises that changing the past was not as simple as it seems and her friends' fates were affected too.
The movie is not chim, but u may be blur when u kept seeing Makoto "leaping" backwards through time..haha! The movie is quite funny as well...and i love seeing the 3 friends together. Haha..wld reco to all my pals who havent watch. It's worth our money!
Here's the web. http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/tokikake/index.php (in Japanese tho..)
To my pals, pls take good care of yourseleves...don't fall sick ah.

TV Drama Review #79 - Hotelier 情定大饭店

How long? 9 epis
When & which tv stn? 2007/Tv Asahi
Who's in?
Ueto Aya ~ Odagiri Kyoko
Oikawa Mitsuhiro ~ Mizusawa Keigo
Tanabe Seiichi ~ Ogata Kouhei
Saeko ~ Morimoto Akane
Fueki Yuko ~ Kashiwagi Mayumi
Takenaka Naoto ~ Morimoto Masakazu
Bae Yong Jun ~ Shin Dong Hyuk (special appearance)
What's it abt? (edited from Dramawiki)
An incident in the past caused Ogata Kouhei to resign from his position and left the country in shame. Now, at the hotel's 30th anniversary, the hotel is facing a crisis; the president has just been sent to the hospital, and the hotel is facing a potential takeover. Under his request, assistant manager Odagiri Kyoko went to Korea to convince Kouhei to return. Kyoko is caught up in an incident when her purse is stolen and she meets Mizusawa Keigo, who tries to help her. Kyoko didn't manage to convince Ogata. However, under the advice of a Korean M&A manager Shin Dong Hyuk, Kouhei returns to Tokyo Ocean Hotel and become the new general manager. Upon his return however, Kyoko once again meets Mizusawa Keigo. Little does Kyoko know, not only does Keigo want to take over the Tokyo Ocean Hotel, he also carries affections for her.
Loves & Hates:
Way to short...for those who had watched before the korean version, most of you wont like the Japanese one. Why? Too short and the pace was too fast....the storyline was kinda rushing, and 9 epis are definitely not enough to contain all the contents. Also, the storyline didnt really follow the original towards the end..there's another big secret b/w Mizusawa and Kyoko. Hehe... (I find that "secret" rather bo liao la...lolz!)
Acting wise...the feelings b/w the characters were not intense enough, perhaps the drama is too short, not much time for them to build up the relationship bit by bit.
Hmm...this drama has many "split scenes". That means, the image split into 2 or 3 seperate scenes and u cld see what the other characters are doing alongside with the current scene. Quite interesting though...something new.
Ueto Aya...very different from her past characters. Looked more pretty and mature here. Love her long hair...tho' she's wearing a wig. Tanabe didnt look like a hotel general manager to me, i think they shld have look for someone else. He don't have the charisma la..sorry to say.
The male lead...Oikawa, is a singer actually. Had seen him in many other dramas, but this is his first drama where he's the lead actor. His expressions were mostly very cold, very distant..but i like his eyes...haha! Many forum folks said the chemisty b/w him and Ueto was not enough, but i thot he did his best liao la...Mizusawa is somebody who dun shows his emotions very clearly...
Saeko's character was originally acted by Song Hye Gyo....omg. This character was ruined sia...her voice was quite tia...and her acting was not good...haiz. She doesnt look pretty also.
Btw, like the themesong very much..."Namida no niji" by Ueto Aya. Ichiban daisuki!
Worth watching?
Hmm...those who had watched Hotelier before...wont reco u guys to watch...For those who havent, may be u can try la..I wld suggest u to watch the korean version tho. As for me..i like all the scenes b/w Oikawa and Ueto.....hoho!

SR Gals Gathering - PF & ML

--HG Central--
Was on my way to mrt stn when i happened to meet Kevin, my JC guitar club instructor. Haha..I think i havent seen him for 2 yrs or so...but he still could remember my name. HA! Anyway, had a not-so-short conversation with him...talking mostly abt the current guitar club, SYF and the schools he's teaching now. Hehe...well well....waiting for his invitation to his hse next CNY lo!
--Lunch @ Cafe Cartel--
I seriously doubt that I wld want to dine in this restaurant in the near future. The serivce and food @ the Raffles City branch was below average. Haiz...how come the "cream of chicken" was so watery? Also..the bread was MIA for quite sometime. Wonder they need to bake how long...they don't seem efficient leh. Haiz...Had their "Breaded Filet Rice" set lunch...the cabbage looked "unhealthy"...brownish white sia. Bengz..the only thing that's acceptable was the fish.
--Shopping & dinner @ Marina Sq--
The gals wanna hunt for their office wear...but in the end, I think they didnt find much stuffs la. Honestly, the fashion trend in many boutiques thesedays were kinda sianzz..and the GSS mood was rather dull.
Saw the lasagna advertisement from "Gloria Jean's Coffee" @ RC. Just nice they have another branch @ MS...so decided to try it out.
Well...after eating it, I still prefer the lasagna from Pasta Cafe. You can taste and see clearly the sheets of pasta..the "kou gan" was average. Well, i saw them taking out the food from the fridge and just microwaved it. When i was eating, half of the lasagna was kinda cold...dotz. Pasta Cafe's lasagna was rich in tomato sauce and it's so delicious. I don't think they just microwave it anyway. Haiz..looks like I shldn't dine in such cafes for a proper meal. They are just gd enough for coffee session.
From chatting with the gals to crapping with the gals..lolz! PF & ML's eyes were quite busy today. Hahaha! Anyway, PF was quite "obsessed" with a particular person when we were @ DP. Hahahaha!
Anyway, wish u gals gd luck when the sch reopens..jia you oh!

刺青

Met up with PF today for "Spider Lilies". Just as we were walking out from Somerset MRT, a girl turned back and it happened to be Ann. Hahaha...she recognised PF's "tai-tai" voice sia. Anyway, just happened that she's gg to catch a movie with MZ @ Cine also. Haha...so in the end, we all went to watch the same movie...and they happened to pick the seats beside us. So lucky sia? Ha. Alright..before we went for our movies, took PF to my fav. Korean restaurant la..hehe!
--Han Ka Ram--
Ok...Tuan is going to humptump me for not going with her. Haha. So, I tried something new today. This's the seafood & spring onion pancake...
My hot stone rice pot! Yummy! But abit paiseh when the owner offered to help me stir the rice...haha! Now then i realised the chili sauce has to be poured into the rice. Hahaha. Ok..i can be pro next time liao! Had my usual Citron tea while PF had her noodles. Love the kimchi~~~~
--Spider Lilies--
No need to touch on the plot ba? It has been on the papers for quite sometime. Well, actually this movie wasn't that chim, just that I was kinda blur what the movie really wanna tell us. So, the tattoos in the movie...why there's fake and real ones...how to judge? Abit sotong here.
As for the cast...i think the 2 gals did quite alright. Nothing too "rated" for them, tho' there were sexual scenes...Hmm..many reviews commented abt Rainie trying to hard, but actually her character was not meant to be very sexy or what..she's still cute in her way. Isabella was alright, not much expressions...and kinda stiff somehow. Maybe her character Takeko shld be like that...
The gangster was clearly meant to lighten up the movie...while Takeko's brother was the reason for her tattoos la...Actually, to me la..this story was more about Takeko, her bro Ching and her dad, rather than the "lesbian" theme it shld have...Though Jade liked Takeko...and later Takeko sort of reciprocate her love...I didn't feel that Takeko really likes her leh...coz' there's no clue at all la. The gal she liked before was her high sch classmate leh...something is missing ba..or my standard of understanding was kinda low.. haha!
There goes my first R21 movie. Haha!
--Aftermath--
Met up Tuan @ PS...bought her an advanced birthday present...nothing grand. Lolz...Kenna attacked by the 2 ladies....poor me!

阿清的台湾8天周报 - 第八天

第一站：基隆市
今天是free day啦. 我们一早就起程前往亲戚在基隆市的家. 首先,得到台北车站去搭火车啦. 有了昨晚的"赶火车"经验之后, 今天就得心应手啦. 哈哈! 从台北到基隆,只需要一小时的车程, 途中会有几个车站啦.One way ticket 是43台币(2.04新币). 今天搭的local train, 比较新啦..它的座位就是两排对坐..
下车后, 不知道等了多久的"伯父" (海南话的长辈尊称..有点不一样.),已经在那里等待我们的到来.我们搭德士去他的家..一路上也看看基隆的风景..
他们的公寓..叫"大卫营"..感觉非常的posh..哈哈! 到了之后,也看到了坐在沙发上的伯母..精神很不错喔.
阿清基本上一直都在吃吃吃...吃水果啦! 哈哈...在台湾的这段时间,都不太想喝我很爱的咖啡..因为饭店的咖啡都比较苦..而且放多少creamer都没有用. 哈哈! (阿清在家是放condense milk..) 不过,在亲戚的家,终于喝到了很棒的咖啡喔!
我们的午餐~难得可以吃到home cooked food啊~他们的女佣,煮的菜还不错哦. 其中有一半的食物是买现成的..不过都很不错. 我们还提早过端午节呢. 台湾的粽子,包法跟我们的不太一样..
蒋先生和王太后...还有我的小侄儿佑辰. 这个星期就满一岁了!
来来来!Smile~ 很多人都当了“阿姨”啦. 不过,对阿清来说..原本还以为需要等多好几年..才可以当..现在不用啦. 哈哈! 老了~小佑辰的爸爸可是我的cousin哦~~年龄差好远喔~ 伯父还送了两幅亲手画的山水画, 送给蒋先生.
好了..得回台北了. 非常感谢他们热情的招待啦. 王太后一直叫他们要来新加坡玩啊..希望很快可以再见到他们啦. 搭德士回去...路程大概是45分钟. (伯父已经先付钱了,真不好意思.) 一路上..一直听到meter在跳的声音..哈哈! 猜猜我们花了多少车钱? 530多台币! (大约25.2新币)...哇!20多块的taxi fare, 可以从我老家去哪里啊? 马来西亚? 过后, 德士司机说打个9折给我们..所以大概花了477台币. 哈哈!
我们在lobby等了一个多钟头...(等coach接我们去机场). 在这期间..就跟其他团友聊天咯..而我呢..则是sms给璇小姐...打听我家的"状况"...哈哈!
好啦..一步一步..向回老家的方向前进.
第二站: 桃园国际机场 Terminal 1
Terminal 1 没什么店好逛街..只有免税商品店, 还有几间餐厅. 在等待登机的时候，到了一家书店走走, 买些东西..哈哈!
隔着玻璃拍的...太差了. 不好意思啦...CI2661华航客机.
7.40pm..飞机准时离开. 全程只有四个小时...很快哦~ (我想是因为比较少气流吧). 在机上,吃了鱼片饭, 看完"200 pounds beauty", 然后再看"黄金甲"...不过没看完. 因为不敢看最后的结局..哈哈哈!
11.56pm...抵达樟宜机场! Home sweet home!
这几天的感想
回来之后, 有很多人问我台湾好不好玩啊? 我都只能说还好...为什么呢? 因为我去的地方,都不能"玩"啊? 哈哈!没有去theme parks，也没有大肆购物..应该很难说好玩吧? 当然,阿清出国,不是为了shopping或是去theme park..这八天里,看到难得的大自然风景,也大概了解台湾人的生活方式. 花东的风景真的很漂亮. 不过,去了这趟台湾,也让我体会到能在新加坡生活是件很好的事. 新加坡人老是说政府那里不好,这里不好..那么请你们去看看不靠政府的台湾人吧.
希望下次去台湾的时候,能跟我的台湾朋友们见见面. 当然,台湾还有很多地方我还没去..

阿清的台湾8天周报 - 第七天

今天原本应该去位于苗栗的水果园去采水果. 不过,导游说现在不是水果季节,所以我们就直接回台北.
远眺在云中的台北101.
第一站: 故宫博物院
故宫博物院的旅客真的是太多了! 要看那些展览品都有点困难.基本上,我们又是走不完的啦.只去了展览区一的二和三楼.那里的展览品都根据年代来摆的哦.我们参观了"古典文明-铜器时代","秦~汉"区,"六朝隋唐","盛世工艺-清康熙,雍正,乾隆"等等.在那里待了一个多小时后才离开.
很可惜拍不到正门,只好拍"侧面"作纪念啦.
第二站: 天禄艺术馆
导游一再强调这个艺术馆原本是在故宫博物院的..还有有关天禄的事情.下车后,左看右看,都觉得这间"艺术馆"比较像售卖天禄的商店. 哈哈! 招待我们的是一位香港人..哈哈! 最后他用广东话跟我们讲解什么招财位啦,还有很多跟"13画" 有关的名字啦等等. 虽然说整个过程都很轻松和搞笑, 不过大家心里都知道他们最终的目的是什么啦.哈哈! 讲解完毕之后, 每个家庭都被他们的工作人员叫到柜台去写名字,测测我们的名字有什么"玄机". 哈哈!
当然,有些人可能觉得很准,有些则觉得还ok.
我很好奇大家知不知道生肖算法不是根据正月初一那天开始算起的..而是从立春开始算. 那么...王太后这么多年来不就把自己的生肖搞错啦?? 哈哈!
帮我们看名字的人是一位相当friendly的女士...首先就问我结婚了吗?还是有男朋友了吗? 过后就说叫我不要依赖在父母身边啦...blah blah..哈哈哈! 过后,她说我..心地善良,不可以借钱给朋友,也不要做担保人. 哈哈哈! (我本身也不喜欢借钱给别人啊~放心啦阿姨!) 过后,她说王太后是个很有主见的人..蒋先生的工作应该是属于管理层, 也适合做些小生意..然后,她就顺理成章的拿两只小天禄,放在老爸的两个掌心上,问他他比较喜欢哪一个.过后,她就要求我们一起去"接应"其中一只白玉天禄. 太后这时告诉她我们没有打算买天禄. 还好这位女士没有再干什么了..不过又看着我..叫我买一只给老爸. (我原本想告诉她我没钱..哈哈哈!) 这时,我们发现大多数的团友已经集合在一起...结果,没有人买天禄...(我还以为应该会有人相信这种东西..)
在这里要强调我不是在说"天禄"是个迷信的东西. It's just a matter of believing it or not. 不过，最重要的是..你不要一边说不强迫我们买,另一边却一直问我们为什么不买. 这样会使大家觉得很反感. (后来,有团友说到他在那间店里的遭遇..哈! 他告诉那位salesperson他不要买天禄, 那位salesperson竟然说他很"ti ki" (福建话)..应该是指stubborn吧.)
第三站: 五角船板餐厅
在餐厅附近的美丽华购物中心和摩天轮.
创办人谢丽香在沙滩上发现了一块有早期五角硬币的船板. 后来,她实现了儿时的梦想,把她的餐厅命名为"五角船板". 在全台湾有5家餐厅..每间都有不同的主题. 台北的这家餐厅,主题是" 女人和原始共舞".
可以容纳十多个人的餐桌...
很"原始"的餐具.
这里没有电梯...我们就靠它爬到四楼去..
很特别吧? 基本上...这间餐厅的料理价格应该不便宜...不过食物倒是还不错..如果你有$$可以spare的话,不妨到这里来.
第四站: 台北101
101...能逛的地方只有B1和地面5个楼层. 如果你想搭乘它的超快电梯到89楼的室内瞭望台..得准备给十多块新元喔.101的店，统统都是名牌服饰店等...我们到了四楼的本地书局"Page One"..刚好找到璇想买的小说.
哈哈!难得看到老家的料理eh..走进一点..怎么海南鸡饭不像海南鸡饭...还有其他的食物..都不像老家的食物啊? 反而更像日本料理eh...lolz.
第五站： 中山地下街
阿清真的好笨! 我们应该从中山站走去地下街..比较近啊!可是...阿清选择了比较保险的"台北车站"下车...不知走了多远才到啊~ 哈哈! 中山地下街一共有两个部分..一个是fashion, 一个是地下书局街. 阿清买了两本跟日语有关的书..还打七折eh..在这里要感谢阿芳的好介绍啦.
第六站: 饶河夜市
去饶河夜市,最方便的方法就是搭火车到松山站.所以,我们走回去台北车站...到台铁和高铁的transfer area去. 火车站的行程表很乱啊~~你可以自己买票,也可以到柜台买票. 非常blur的我们,要赶火车咯! 哈哈! 买了票之后,还要找对月台啊..错了就恭喜你啊. 我们几乎是用跑的到月台去...哈哈!太后和aunt Jo一上车后，火车就开动了!哇!好险哦!哈哈!去松山的火车票..才18台币(大概8毛半新币)...而且途中没有其他车站..非常舒服和便宜喔!
台湾有很多种火车型号...这种是local train..这列火车比较旧..不过,有比较新款的啦.
又下大雨啦...饶河基本上是一条很长的街道..有2 rows of shops和小餐厅..路中间是路边摊..还有设位子. 感觉上..它比士林更像夜市啦..建议大家一定要来这里喔!
我们的晚餐..."三妈臭臭锅"...不过,我不觉得臭啦..哈哈! 太后吃素锅(不在照片里面),aunt Jo吃大肠锅,蒋先生吃海鲜锅,而我吃泡菜锅. 每个只卖90台币(4.2新币), 包括白饭和汽水.
蒋先生提议我们搭德士回酒店....starting fare 是70台币（3.33新币)..不便宜eh..所以，建议大家，若没有必要就别搭台湾的德士. 因为他们的meter跳得非常的快..哈哈! 那位载我们的德士司机...到西门町的时候,居然转错junction...吓死人了!(他转去一条single way的马路,不过又是错的direction.）Can you imagine all the cars are facing the taxi? 哈哈...还有,大家一定要很清楚酒店地址..不是每个司机knows their direction.
回到饭店...忙着整理行李...好累喔.

@ Vivocity

My 2nd visit to Vivo...and it's Mr Chean's first visit...sua gu right? Hahaha. Anyway, went to the Samsung shop...and I am quite motivated to change my hp liao. Hahaha! The new Samsung mp3 so stylo..lolz! Went to Page One to check the price of the novel i bought in TW. Lucky, they don't have it..haha! (If here cheaper E.W will humptump me..lolz)
Had lunch @ Asian Kitchen..
炸酱面.
"乌龟"豆超虾. (don't know the exact name for the veg..haha! That's how i call it at home..)
小笼包!

阿清的台湾8天周报 - 第六天

第一站：毛三爷的家
台湾的少数民族,人数最少的是邵族.99年的921大地震,有很多邵族不幸丧生. 这使到人数已经很少的邵族,只剩下大概两百八十三人.毛三爷是邵族酋长, 受人尊敬.毛三爷的家,现在实际上是他们向游客介绍邵族并出售土产工艺品的商店. 墙上除了挂满鹿角、灵芝、牛头之类的土特产外，也挂了很多毛王爷及其家人与各种名人的合影. 在那里呢...他们很努力的推销蜂王浆和honey. 最后，王太后买了一瓶honey和一小罐的蜂王浆.
第二站: 日月潭/文武庙
今天的天气真的不太好..一直下大雨.吃完午餐后, 我们有些自由时间,走到对面的文武庙参观去.
不是很清楚文武庙里面供奉的是什么神. 不过,有看到孔子像.
在"武圣殿"前拍的.
过后,我们到了二楼的观景台,刚好可以看到日月潭的景色. 雨中的日月潭...可能会比平日看起来更有感觉吧..
我们到了孔雀园的门口. 导游说因为下大雨,里面的孔雀都被关进笼子里头. 所以其实我们看不到什么东西啦. 大家也同意不要进去里头参观.
第三站: 台中/雾峰921地震教育园区
1.5小时后,我们抵达了台中县雾峰地震博物馆. 上课时间到! 哈哈! 在里头,有学生解说员跟我们解释地震带, 地震如何产生, 还有其他的相关讯息. 玻璃墙上,也可以看到从很久以前,在台湾发生过的地震资料.
车笼埔断层保存馆的入口处.
可以看到地震的断层吗? 这可不是man made的喔. 这里可以看到断层的活动记录哦.
断层保存馆是为了保存地震断层遗址,连结现址与过去的共同记忆,让观众认识地震科学知识及人与自然的和谐关系. 原光复国中操场及跑道上的地表抬升,也在断层保存馆内原貌呈现.
巴士在路旁让想拍照的人下车. 这里是"毁坏教室区", 还在程施中.
我想新加坡人真的是太幸福了...很难想象当时921地震过后,有多少类似的毁坏建筑物.
前往台中市的途中, 导游要让我们"大开眼界"..看看新闻里常看到的"超辣"槟榔西施. 哈哈! 那位小姐还上我们的coach，让大家拍得够. 哎呀..我应该拍一张hor? 哈哈！其实，大多数的槟榔西施是没穿很少的. 听说只有在郊外的才可以穿得很少. So, don't expect too much ah.
第四站: 逢甲夜市
相信很多人都知道为什么这里叫"逢甲夜市"吧? 因为它就在逢甲大学前. 那天刚好是他们的毕业典礼吧, 看到许多穿着红袍的毕业生. 街道上也有很多售卖花的小摊贩.
如果大家有机会到中台湾走走, 一定要来逢甲.这里可以shopping, 也可以吃到很多到底小吃. 就算下雨也ok! 哈哈！我在这里吃了不少东西, 例如takoyaki, 盐综合蘑菇，地瓜球等等. 照片里的是猪血糕吧.
夜市的其中一条街道.
韩国泡菜年糕! Hmm...年糕有点硬..还是老家Han Ka Ram的好吃. 哈哈!
逢甲大学前的主要街道. 基本上,我觉得这里比士林好得多..哈哈!当然台中市还有其他的夜市..可惜没时间去啦!
第五站：全国大饭店
啊！又有自由时间了..听说有团友跑回去逢甲夜市,大买特买. 哈哈! 我们决定去附近的百货公司逛逛,吃晚餐.
房间外的台中市.我觉得它的城市规划比台北来得好..这里的树木也特别多..好像老家哦.
广三Sogo百货就在附近啦.
我们到Sogo十五楼的食阁去吃晚餐. 那里的选择还挺少的. 虽然说有不少stalls，可是很多都卖日式料理,或是小火锅. 要不就是韩式或泰式料理. 怎么台湾的到底料理都"踏"不进食阁啊? Sogo的Jason's mkt，同样的, 还是卖很多日本货，要不然就是进口货.

TV Drama Review #78 - Hello! Miss Hello! 小姐

How long? 16
When & which TV Stn? 2007/KBS
Who's in?
Lee Ji Hoon ~ Hwang Dong Gyu
Lee Da Hae ~ Lee Soo Ha
Ha Seok Jin ~ Hwang Chan Min
Yoon Mi Joo ~ Suh Hwa Ran
Ryan (Paran) ~ Lee Jun Young
What's it abt?
Adapted from a novel "Kimchi Mandu", which means "Kimchi dumplings".
Hwa Ahn Dang owner, Soo Ha who is trying to save the place from being bankrupt, meets Dong Gyu and Chan Min, the grandsons of Hwang Man Bok, who had worked for a long time at Hwa Ahn Dang & the Chairman of Top Group now. It happened that Hwang Man Bok was a farmhand and stole a cow when he left the place. The Lee elders hated him ever since. On the other hand, Hwang Man Bok wanted Dong Gyu to buy back Hwa Ahn Dang from Soo Ha.
Soo Ha's dad lives with his new family in Seoul and her step-sister didnt like her. Suh Hwa Ran is actually the crazy woman's daughter, Flower, who also lives in Hwa Ahn Dang. However, she changed her name and refused to acknowledge her mum. To seek revenge from Soo Ha, whom she assumes to have taken everything from her, she worked in Top Group and decided to help the company by buying back Hwa Ahn Dang. It so happens that she fell in love with Soo Ha's step-brother Jun Young, who actually is the boy she has known when they were kids.
Loves & Hates:
Didnt watch the complete drama on KBS World, so will try to clear it up. Haha! Anyway, didnt intend to watch this becoz' the cast and plot didnt quite interest me. Ya, besides Lee Da Hae, nothing much liao. Though the plot has many problems, the 2 lovely cast saves the day.
The plot was alright initially, but the pace dragged too much in the middle part, and towards the ending it rushed like mad. I mean till ep 15 then the 2 leads confirmed they liked each other, and the grandpa gave them a catch to their marriage. Only 1 ep left to show how they solved the prob..and it was all too easy...and Chan Min gave up on Soo Ha so easily also...within the last epi...and many baddies' attitudes kinda changed for the better towards the end...hmm...too rush la.
Lee Da Hae....her acting was kinda same as what she did in "My Girl" initially, very exaggerating in her actions and speech. But thankfully, her character was more refined later on...and I dont see the "Yoo Rin" image on her anymore. Her chemistry with Lee Ji Hoon was great too...just love this couple so much. Hehe! Anyway, LDH looked pretty in hanbok..and Soo Ha looked prettier as the drama went on...
Lee Ji Hoon didnt left me with a deep impression when i watched "Wonderful Life"...and lucky i watched this drama...finally i believed he can act well. Dong Gyu is another cute fella la, i like to see him bickering with his grandpa...and how he interacted with Soo Ha and her folks in Hwa Ahn Dang.
Ha Seok Jin...looked very convincing as a player sia. Haha..gd looks and flirtatious enuff. Initially i thot he wld end up with Hwa Ran..but poor guy in the end...was still alone. Hope to see him in other dramas lo..i bet he wld do well...
Yoon Mi Joo...appeared in "Lovers"...but wasnt a major lead. This time round, cld see that she improved la..esp on the part when Hwa Ran saw her mum.
Ryan...who acted as Jun Young, gave a not-so-bad performance too. Actually he looked quite handsome la..and he's one nice guy. Hehehe....u must be thinking Hwa Ran must be so fortunate right? Anyway, Ryan is the lead singer of a Korean boy band Paran. Havent listen to their music yet, but do take a look at him wor..he looked quite stylo sia.
How can i miss Hwang Man Bok this funny grandpa..haha! Without him, perhaps Dong Gyu and Soo Ha wldnt meet...but without him, perhaps the couple cld be with each other more easily. Hehe! Anyway, i am curious how tasty are the Kimchi dumplings now. Hehe..think i shld visit more Korean restaurants someday.
The OST is nice too..love the main theme "Funky Dance", ending theme "Stay by my side" and the love theme. Also, Soo Ha's hp ringtone is so cute too, but not included in the ost la.
Worth watching?
Wld reco to kdrama fans, though it may be abit boring in the middle. You will get to know more abt Korean manors, their traditions and ceremonies...and of coz...must watch Lee Da Hae and Lee Ji Hoon!

阿清的台湾8天周报 - 第五天

第一站: 佛光山
今天一早便参观位于高雄县大树乡的佛光山寺. 创办人是赫赫有名的星云法师. 佛光山文化单位还创办了"人间福报","人间卫视"等资讯网.除此之外,佛光山还有大学和中学喔. 地方太大,根本就走不完. 所以只能介绍一些地方啦.
头山门
经过地藏殿,来到了大佛城.
这些阿罗汉雕像, 都是别人捐赠的..下面有他们的名字.
过后,我们参观了宝藏馆.离开前在不二门照的.
第二站: 台南/安平老街
接下来几天的行程,会一路北上到台北.我们到了安平老街用餐.今天吃的都是道地小吃,还有喝"弹珠"汽水.
在这里,可以看到以前旧式的玩具, 还有特产.
我们吃饭的小餐厅.
第三站: 台南新营市/五分车/乳牛的家
我们在新营糖厂搭乘了五分车,到位于八翁社区的"乳牛的家"的农场.
这种五分车,已经被改装成可以载人的"火车".以前,他们是用来载甘蔗的. 什么是"五分车"? 其实, 它指的是两个铁轨之间的距离. 国际标准的轨距是143.5公分, 而台糖的火车轨距只有76.2公分, 也就是是只有标准轨距的一半,因此才被称称作五分车.
路程大概是30分钟. 一边听解说员介绍五分车和附近的风景和农田里种些什么, 一边看田园风景...还可以远眺阿里山.
"乳牛的家"...那里有收买与乳牛有关的商品,食物和牛奶糖等..还可以喝新鲜牛奶. 由于旅客太多,又下起大雨. 所以,没机会喂乳牛.
第四站:南投/东埔帝纶大饭店
从台南到南投的东埔,大约需要3个小时. 又可以看到山中美景啦~哈哈! 看到车子越走越高啊,真难想象那个饭店到底在多高的山上. 天气还是很不好...下车的时候,雨中带风...超级冷啊!!!
从房内看到的风景...可以看到玉山北峰. 附近还有瀑布,溪谷,断崖, 古道和云海. (哎呀..为什么没带我去看啊??)
这间饭店,应该是全程问题最多的饭店啦. 我房间的door knob, 要有"技巧"才能开..要不然就别想进房啦.隔壁几间, 有的冷气有问题,有的房灯有问题. 咳~~ 啊! 有两位团友拿到了一间日式的房间! 可惜,他们不喜欢...哈哈! 就后另一家的小孩子拿到他们的房间啦~ (我也想试试看哦~)
饭店的二楼是露天spa, 五楼则是洞窟式温泉水疗馆，烤箱蒸气浴. 阿清很久没穿泳衣了..难得这次得逼自己穿..哈哈! 要不然就别想去泡温泉了. 温泉有分三种温度, 冷泉,32度和41度. 基本上整个过程都很轻松...难得可以泡水嘛...(人比较少..所以我那两支腿不会出丑..哈哈!)
有点担心明天的行程. 因为听说台中淹水, 希望我们不会受到影响.