Malaysia – Christmas is Just Round the Corner (1)

Christmas is just less than a month away and Malaysians are not missing out on this especially the shopping malls and stalls. Decorations are slowing popping up in pieces while others are in full bloom and ready for the celebration.

The following are photos from a shopping where they are getting ready from Christmas. Not sure what they making but in a few days time we will know

Top view from 2nd floor….. Mmmm looks like a map

Colourful and beautiful view from the top. Hot air balloons??

Ground level view…..

Lots of wooden rocking horses.

Another few shots of the hot air balloons and dressed up wooden rocking horses from ground level.

So.. If you want to find see the complete decorations, then stick with me here and you will find out. 😊

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Taiwan – Hsinchu; National Day Super Run (3)

Welcome back!!!!Sorry for a long break in between.

If you missed my earlier posting, please do have a look to catch up with the story. =)

The ‘flight’ has but mostly of the superman and superwoman are still on the ground…… in total of up to 2500 of supermen and superwomen.

Gosh… the superheroes had even time to pose on the side of the street.

More of them coming but some of them decided to walk instead of ‘flying’.

Superboys here they come!!!! with their Super-mommy

Captain America also decided to join in the ‘flight’ with Superwoman. LOL!!!! Superwoman looks a bit shy here.

Passed along the older part of Hsinchu.

Finally arrived at the final destination. All having a break.

Nice cute giant poster.

Hope you enjoy with me on this Super Run. Catch and follow me on my travel in my upcoming posting =)

Taiwan – Hsinchu; National Day Super Run (2)

Thanks for following me here for the Super Run.

Close to the ‘flying’ time, they even arranged for a warm up session for all the runners.

Warming up……. Stretch.. stretch….

Another shot from a higher ground.

Cosplay…. Everyone want to take a photo with these 2 guys…

… not sure what character are they dressing up as. Do you?

Every superboy also came. Guess he will be flying in his pram. =)

Getting ready at the starting line…..

… here we go!!!!! Damn… it is not ‘flying’ as fast as it should. Guess too much air traffic. HAHA!!!

See me ‘fly’ along the route in my next posting. Stay tune.

Taiwan – Hsinchu; National Day Super Run (1) – my 250th posting!!!

Before I start on this posting, I would like to share with my readers that I have reached another milestone in my blogging. This is my 250th posting and also exactly 1 year from the month that blog was born. It could not have gone so far without the great support of my readers and followers which have balloon to more than 4,600 followers and close to 40,000 views. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to all for this. =)

Well… let move’s on….

Like the title says ‘National Day Super Run’ but with a twist. Let me bring you all up to speed.

I was lucky to be in Taiwan on the week when they were celebration their National day, which falls on 10th Oct each year. In Hsinchu, the county had organized a run, mmmm… more like a fun run with the theme of Super heroes; Superman and Superwoman. And…. yes, the runners dressed up in superman and superwoman costumes.

As I only found this out at the eleventh hour, I did not managed to register but thanks to my lucky star, one of my colleagues could not make it. So I took over his place. Below is the box that they given when the runners collected their numbers and costumes; in a ‘Super Run’ box.

The booklet with the instruction and also the route of the run.

In the box… run number, booklet, and most importantly, the super costume.

The costume even come with a drape and you gotta wear your undies outside. LOL!!!

Got up at 5am and we arrive at the run area 15min later as it was a short drive from the hotel. It was held at the exhibition area where they located the Taiwan’s Shanghai Expo Pavilion.

Welcoming us at the place was the stage with the background of a cartoon with a character of ‘Superman’.

People posing at the stage to get their photos taken.

More people arriving in their super costumes (not all but close to 90% of them wore the super suits).

Even superman and superwoman had to queue up in line to use the toilet!!! HAHA!!

More on the being super…. but how super? Catch me on my next posting……..

Taiwan – Hsinchu Guandi Temple

Welcome back!!

Not far from the Hsinchu morning market, I found a temple; Hsinchu Guandi Temple or known as God of War temple . Built in 1776, this temple was noted for its refined ornamentation and inscriptions carved by local scholars on the temple pillars. This is just one of the God of War temples. There are others in Changhua, Lukang, and Hsinchuang, and Xingtian Temple in Taipei.

A stone plague outside the temple wall.

Main Entrance to the temple. The temples is practically surrounded by old building and new shops.

Beautiful and colourful structure of the temple.

A blowup figurine of a god of war.

Entrance to the temple

Inside the temple ground and buildings

Small temple but beautiful place to visit and take pictures.

Catch me on my next posting. Something interesting too and also, it’s going to be my 250th posting. Wanna know? If yes, then keep following me. =)

Taiwan – Hsinchu Morning Market (2)

Thanks for still hanging along with me here.

Still in the Hsinchu morning market, I was keeping an eye out for interesting things or activities in there.

Here’s a stall selling bak kwa (dried grilled meat). This is something very common in other Asian countries.

More food …..

This lady wass selling roasted pork knuckle. Sampled some of it and it tasted good.

Anyway… enjoy the photos of the food that I have capture below, It is really making me hungry here. LOL!!!

All sorts of Taiwan sausages…

Deep fried …..

Home made bread that looks like croissant.(but a bit too dry for me when I took a bite at it)

This is the other part of the market; dry area and small little shop lots within the market.

Hope you enjoy  my tour here. Wonder what’s next in Hsinchu? If you want, then follow me on my next posting. =)

Taiwan – Hsinchu Morning Market (1)

After the day trip to Jiufen, I was back in Hsinchu. I decided to take a walk around the city of Hsinchu old town area. If you have missed my Jiufen trip, you can follow it here; Taiwan – Jiufen, A Walk in Old Street

One of my interest was to visit the market or wet market in each city or country.

The market was about 20mins walk from my hotel. It is located in between some old shops.

The market consist of a few areas;

Stalls selling ladies clothes

Ladies accessories such as brooch, pins etc

This is interesting. The stall sells both roast pork and also ladies clothes.

Deep fried food. Lots to choose from.

Stall selling some dried stuff used for Chinese cooking.

More deep fried food ..

Kids clothes for the young ones

Still strolling in the crowded market and keeping my eyes wide open. 😊

More ladies accessories to choose. Ladies will love shopping here.

Still walking. Wanna see more? If yes, stay along with me and enjoy the walk.

Malaysia – Happy Diwali …. A Celebration of Light

Hi there!! Indians in Malaysia or can I say, Indians around the world will be celebrating Diwali (or called Deepavali in some places) tomorrow. It is one of the celebration in Malaysia aside from Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa (for the Muslims). It is also an officially holiday in Malaysia and Singapore.

Diwali or also called as ‘Festival of Lights’ which translates into “row of lamps”.It involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.They are kept on during the night and one’s house is cleaned, both done in order to make the Hindu Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are played as it is believed that it drives away evil spirit. During Diwali, Indians will wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Kolams (also knowm as Rangoli) can be seen at the entrance of the Hindu households to welcome the Hindu Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi as well as guests into their homes. Kolams also can be seen in shopping malls and and the entrance of hotels.

What is Kolam or Rangoli? Kolam means ‘beauty’ and are actually floor drawing using coloured rice powder and are used for ornamental or ceremonial design during Indian festivals.

Traditionally, kolams are widely practiced by female Indian community worldwide to represent responsibilities of the women to maintain her household as well as to train them to be a good housekeeper.

Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed of curved shapes and dots of rice flour are placed in a grid pattern framework.  Apart from geometrical shapes, it also incorporates motifs like animals, fruit and flowers. Aside from rice powder, other ingredients also can be used which includes beads, shell, salt, fruits and vegetables.

Beautiful kolam, right?

Here’s wishing all my readers who are celebrating this festival a Happy Diwali!!