IN LOVING MEMORY

Tammy passed away in the early morning of Christmas Day, after losing battle with cancer. I think about her often.    

I miss her most when I’m baking lemon yogurt cake because we once baked one together in my home.  

Coming across persimmons, dried figs and whole grain mustard at the supermarket reminds me how much she loved them.  Eating hor fun and lor mee reminds me how much she detested thick gravies.  “Like mucus!” she’d declare.   Lamb chops, sashimi, cold soba, naan and bbq stingray will now forever hold a special place in my heart. When a friend mentioned a bagel shop in Novena recently, Tammy sprung to mind immediately.  But we won't be able to eat together anymore!

Tammy and I travelled together several times. She would take a flight out from Hong Kong, and I would choose a flight that lands at around the same time so we can meet at the airport. 

Here we are in Jim Thompson House, Bangkok. The top I'm wearing in the photo is something I bought while we were in Melaka.

Having a jolly time with pelicans at The Entrance, NSW, Australia.

And then, of course, there’s Taiwan.  It was Tammy who introduced me to beautiful Taipei in 2009 and I’ve fallen in love with it since. During that first trip, we shopped for shoes in Shingkong Mitsukoshi and went absolutely crazy.  I bought 6 pairs!  (I think she bought 8!!) I’ve revisited the city by myself a number of times since but I never bought that many pairs of shoes again.  Shoe fitting just isn’t that much fun without Tammy. (Might I add that she was a very encouraging friend.)

It was also through Tammy that I got to know her two amazing friends - Anna Chin and Anna Au.  I'm proud to say that our friendship is still intact after so many years.

Tammy was very talented in sewing. When she was Singapore last I took her to shop for fabrics in Chinatown. I chose this fabric myself. 

Tammy turned it into a lovely drawstring bag and added the matching accessories.   

Tammy tried to keep her illness from me until Cindy phoned me.  It was Cindy who reached out and pulled me to Hong Kong just in time and I’ll be forever grateful to her for it. 

On December 12th we celebrated Tammy’s 55th birthday in the hospital.  On December 25th early morning, Tammy passed away with her family by her side. 

Cindy and I chose this birthday cake because its name was "HOPE". 

Last night I had switched off my bedroom lights and crawled into bed before realising that my mobile phone screen was still lit up.  If Tammy was in the room with me, she would’ve nagged me out of bed to turn it off.  My mind then drifted to the time I was in Hong Kong and Tammy cooked a super delicious pasta with clams. Having food on one’s mind doesn’t really help at bedtime because I woke up this morning craving for pasta.  And then I suddenly got downright pissed off at Tammy for dying.

I still keep the letters and cards that Tammy, Cindy and Anna (Chin) sent to me years ago - long before email was a thing.

Memories are meant to be cherished forever.  I'd like to think that Tammy is now an angel and is keeping a watchful eye over us.

HOPE

When Cindy called me "你来香港看看Tammy，不要有遗憾！" I wanted to fly to Hong Kong right away but there was a meeting to organise at work and the client kept changing the meeting dates.  Still, I managed to spend three days in Hong Kong (Dec 11 - 13).  Cindy treated me like a queen.  She made sure there was a car to me at the airport when I arrived.  We ate wanton noodles, strolled around in Wanchai, had afternoon tea in 金凤茶餐厅.  But the real order of the day was to get a cake for our dear friend, Tammy, who is currently in hospital.

Tammy and I shared much great times and good food together.  So it's very hard for me to accept that she is dying.  The name of the cake is "Hope".

The next day, the 12th of December, was Tammy's birthday.  Cindy and I went to visit Tammy in the hospital.  I think she was delighted to see me.  We both sense that this could be my last meeting with her but I think deep in my heart I just couldn't believe it is happening.  Cindy said most visitors brought Tammy's favourite food.  I realise now that it might seemed cold but I brought a plush toy, and a set of ceramic measuring cups for baking.  I guess I what I really want her to do is to get well, get up and get out!

I hope that we'll be baking and travelling together again very soon.  

Update 25/12/2019.  Tammy passed away on Christmas morning.

哈罗！我的50 岁

真不敢相信我已经走过半个世纪了，已经人到半百！

三天前，Hwee Mian请了几位平时谈得来的亲朋好友到她家里吃火锅。花了一番功夫呢，因为Mian当天下班后必须赶到超市买需要的材料，然后又匆匆地回家弄汤底！虽说是为了小聚，但Mian 的妹妹 Choo 还是去买了个蛋糕。大伙儿－Mian 和她的先生、Choo 和她的先生与女儿、Mei San带着两个小不点 －接着连Elaine 也赶在切蛋糕前赶到了。Mian 的心意让我温暖好久。 

Tammy 特地从香港跑来新加波为我庆生，真的好感动！Tammy喜欢shopping, 她来我家小住的这几天，在 Orchard Road 的每一座 mall 都给我两从头到尾的扫了一遍。其实我不爱闲逛，更不喜欢吃肉骨茶和韩国炸鸡但因为Tammy爱吃，我也乐意陪着。

我是个生活中追求平淡的人。 知音，不需多言，要用心去交流。朋友，有你们我很幸福。

BANGKOK BREAKFAST BAGELS

Tammy likes bagels. Wait, let me rephrase that - Tammy LOVES bagels. When we went to Taipei some years ago, the crazy woman dragged me to the local McDonald’s three mornings in a row. Why? Because it has bagels on its breakfast menu! On this trip to Bangkok with Tammy, I was armed and ready.

BKK Bagel Bakery has a good selection of bagels and spreads. I opted for Sea Salt Bagel (THB35) and Scallion Cream Cheese (THB30), which added up to only S$2.62 or USD2.08!

The perfect spot for a bagel and coffee before the morning meeting.

 Or a leisurely breakfast.

BKK Bagel Bakery

518/3 Maneeya Center, Ploenchit Road, Bangkok 10330

(Next to the Chidlom BTS station)

Tel: +66 2 2548157

http://www.bkkbagelbakery.com/

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 6:30pm and Saturday, 8:30am to noon

Read the CNNGo article

BEDAZZLED

This was the day I almost died of heat stroke.

We explored the Grand Palace on a ridiculously hot day. Constructed in 1782, the palace complex is made up of so many temples, halls, pavilions and courtyards, making it difficult to navigate. Why would the early kings and queens need a ridiculous 218,400 square metres (2,351,000 square feet) of space, I wonder?

The first thing that struck me upon entering its premises was how everything shimmers and glitters under the morning sun – 简直就是金碧辉煌嘛! Each building is different and every single one covered in gold, stained glass or jewel-like tiles. Stunning.

Despite the heat, you should not hope to gain entrance to the Grand Palace in tube tops and skimpy attires. The palace grounds and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within are sacred and you should respect the strict dress code. So read up about it before you travel.

Everywhere we turned there were tour groups from different countries, accompanied by their bawling guides, all trying to speak in different languages, all at the same time.

Would I go back again? Well, yes, if the weather is less harsh and if I'm accompanied by a guide. The palace grounds and its fascinating architectures certainly deserve more than just a brisk walk-through.

JIM THOMPSON HOUSE

It's always such a pleasure to catch up with my old friends in Bangkok, especially Khun Kai and Tan-Tan who spent the weekend was us. Tan-Tan is so cool now!  When I last saw Tan-Tan, he was probably 7 or 8 years old – then a naughty boy with too much energy to spare. Now a teenager, he has transformed from a prancing monkey into a young gentleman.  After Tammy and I shopped out of control in the weekend market, it was Tan-Tan who lended his muscles.

I've always wanted to visit Jim Thompson House. If you've never heard of Jim Thompson (只能用“一生传奇”来形容他吧) he was an American who arrived in Bangkok after WWII, fell in love with Thailand, and made it his permanent home. The hand-woven silk industry captured Jim Thompson’s attention and he decided to devote himself to reviving the long-neglected craft. Jim Thompson and the Thai silk industry attained worldwide recognition after his silk found its way into the 1956 musical film “The King and I”.

The Jim Thompson House combines of six teak buildings, which represents the best in traditional Thai architecture. Even though the House was built in 1959, most of the houses were at least two centuries old. Jim Thompson had purchased them from different parts of the country - some from as far away as the old capital of Ayudya – dismantled and brought to the present site.

You can tell that Jim Thompson was a quirky designer and decorator. For instance, in his dining table was formed by joining two intricately crafted mahjong tables.  Burmese drums were inverted to function as table lamp stands.  He reversed all the walls in his drawing room to bring the beautifully carved panels to the interior.

If you’re ever in Bangkok, it would be worthwhile to take the 40-minute guided tour of the Jim Thompson House. For only THB100, you’ll learn how the house adhered to the customs of early builders, why the house is above ground level, why the doors inside the house is slanted, the fascinating stories behind his vast collection of art pieces and antiques. You’ll also come face to face with a 17th century Buddha from the Ayudya period, as well as a 19th century Mouse House.

This photo is from http://sparklette.net/

On March 26, 1967, Jim Thompson disappeared while on a holiday to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Not a single valid clue turned up as to what might have happened to him. He was 61 years of age.

Jim Thompson House
Soi Kasemsan 2, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road,
6/1 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road
+66 2 216 7368
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (last guided tour at 5pm)
How to get there: Take exit 1 from the BTS National Stadium Station, turn right into Soi Kasemsan 2 and continue walking all the way to the very end. The museum will be on your left-hand side.

GREETINGS FROM THE LAND OF SMILES

This is probably my 5th or 6th trip to Bangkok.  Yet each visit is better than before.  It was also not my first time at Chatuchak (JJ) weekend market but I manage to enjoy myself every single time.  Sure the weather was hotter than ever before but Tammy and I loved every minute we spent in the City of Smiles. 

We made plans to arrive into Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday morning and booked ourselves a car to the hotel.  The ride cost us THB1,200 inclusive toll fees.

Our hotel was  fantastic!  I thought they might be exaggerating when its website claims that they were just next to the Nana BTS Station.  They sure weren't kidding.  The hotel's back entrance is literally a few steps from the escalator leading up to the BTS.  What's more, the hotel felt brand new, the guest room we had was spacious and equipped with a mini bar, safe, bath robes and slippers and hair dryer.  The room rate included daily breakfast for two and Internet.  For a total of 4 nights, we paid about THB9,200 (S$368 / USD 289) for a twin-bedded room.  Great value for money.

ON8 Sukhumvit
Nana Skytrain Station
162 Sukhumvit Road at Sukhumvit Soi 8
Bangkok 10110
Tel: +66 2 2548866

I do think that the aromatherapy body massage just 2 lanes away is worth trying.

King and I Spa Massage
Sukhumvit Soi 12, Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 2525248

And then there's authentic Thai food at Cabbages and Condoms
10 Sukhumvit Soi 12, Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 2294610
Read NY Times article

Although I suspect that the food is laden with fish sauce - despite the fact that the waiter who served us was kind of a snob who fawns upon caucasian customers - even though we were told they had run out of Mango and Sticky Rice, we did like the food at:

Ban Khun Mae Thai Restaurant [now at Floor 2, MBK Center]
458/6-9 Siam Square Soi 8, Rama 1 Road,
Patumwan District, Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 2 2501952 - 3

This is just a quick run down.  Follow my Bangkok adventures in my next few posts.

MELAKA

Because Tammy fell in love with The Little Nonya, she felt she had to visit Melaka to experience the Peranakan culture.  I've already been to Melaka several times but was happy to show her the sights.  Our first stop was the Baba Nonya Heritage Museum.  This is my third time joining the one-hour guided tour of the place but I'm not yet tired of it.

Melaka is no longer the quiet little town I came to love a decade ago.  My favourite chicken rice stall on Jonker Street has flourished into a busy restaurant.  A modern shopping mall has established itself right next to Hotel Equatorial.  Frankly, I don't like the progress at all.  I much prefer to capture the sleepy side of Melaka.

A WEEK IN OZ

When Tammy suggested a trip to Tokyo I declined immediately.  I could see it already: Winter Blues. Heavy Clothing. Mall Hopping.  Not my idea of fun.  

Being the introvert that I am, I'd rather be at my aunt's place in NSW: hours away from the hustle and bustle of the city, fresh air, good food, free lodging, sleeping in, relax the mind.  A true break.

I guess it all sounded rather appealing so Tammy decided she'd forgo Tokyo and came along with me to Sydney.

The doing-close-to-nothing week flew by much too quickly.  Instead of hopping from mall to mall (as it usually happens during a holiday with Tammy) we took this vacation slow and easy, sleeping in late for two mornings in a row.  Just a little bit of sightseeing for Tammy, who is visiting Australia for the first time.

But most of our vacation time was spent in the Central Coast, where my aunt and uncle reside.

I love spending time with my aunt and uncle at home in Gosford. Each night I slowly fall asleep to an insect concerto, and awake every morning to the song of birds - and freshly squeezed orange juice!

Whenever I visit, my uncle would cook up a storm!  He used to be a restaurant chef.  Ooooh, the feasts he cooked up every evening!  Then there were all that fresh Australian seafood, and veggies straight from my aunt's own backyard!

I'm not a particularly good cook but my contributions are not to be undermined.  I helped water the vegetable patch, washed the veggies after my aunt had harvested them, laid the table while my uncle cooked, and most importantly, wiped out every last bit of the sumptuous spread that my uncle put on the table every night.

All this time, my poor friend took ill and spent many hours either in bed, or laid out in front of the TV.  She didn't do enough shopping while we were in Sydney so she was suffering from withdrawal symptoms (that's the way I see it).  She caught a cold during the 10-hour flight from HK to Sydney (her story). 

One afternoon my aunt and I baked Lemon Yogurt Muffins. By then Tammy was well enough to sit with us at the dining table and I bullied her into translating the recipe into Chinese for my aunt.

Tammy had been facing a hard time at work and was feeling depressed.  My aunt advocates that sunlight would chase away the blues so she and my uncle drove us to the beaches in Terrigal, sand dunes in Biribi Point to be greeted by sun, sand, sea and clear blue skies.  We even caught the Pelican Feeding at The Entrance.  

All in all, I had heaps of fun and was thoroughly spoilt!  Even though it's probably like my 5th visit to Australia, there are several "firsts" that happened on this trip: for the first time I didn't go about chasing down koalas and wombats or doing the Touristy Stuff; the first time I actually bought wine; the first time to visit  medical clinic in Australia - thanks to Tammy.  

I hope you recover soon, pal.

Tapei Day 5 and 6

DAY 5 (SUN) Jun 21, 2009

Weather Forecast in the morning: The Typhoon Lotus will sweep pass the western coast of Taiwan, thus sparing Taipei.

Tammy and I took things easy today. We woke up very late. Had a leisurely breakfast at McDonald’s.  Tammy was craving for McDonald's bagels (Why even ask?)

The Taiwanese are very serious about their beef noodles. Every year, an International Beef Noodle Festival (台北国际牛肉面节) is held in Taipei.  Liang Pin Beef Noodles (良品红烧牛肉面）was runner-up for the Best Roasted Beef category in the 2007.  The restaurant was very close to our hotel so we had no excuse not to try it. Tammy ordered their Signature Beef Noodles; I the Pork Chop Noodles. The broths were excellent!

On the way to the MRT Taipei Station, we stopped for the well-known Fuzhou Traditional Pepper Bun (福州世祖胡椒饼 ). Every time we walk passed we found a long queue in front of the tiny stall.  Strangely enough, there wasn't a queue today. The bun turned out to be a very large “pau” with a very crisply outer skin, filled with meat and veggies.  I like it a lot.

良品牛肉面 Liang Pin Beef Noodles

中正区 开封街一段10号 | No. 10 Kaifung Street Sec. 1, Zhongzheng District

福州世祖胡椒饼 Fuzhou Traditional Pepper Bun

重庆南路一段13号 | 13 Chongqing Road Sec. 1

西門町 XIMENDING

Before I set foot on Taiwan, I already knew that it was a Japanese colony for 50 years (1895 – 1945) so I expected the Japanese influence to live on. What surprised me was that the Japanese culture is so deeply embedded into the daily lives of the Taiwanese people.  Japanese restaurant, sushi bar and confectionery shops lined the streets. The supermarkets inside the department store are well-stocked with rows and rows of Japanese groceries, snacks and confectioneries, all gift packed in Japanese style. Japanese flavour is distinct in Taipei’s fashion trends and lifestyle, especially through Ximending.

Just one stop away from the Taipei Station is Ximending. According to Wikipedia, the name of Ximending was derived from its position outside the west gate of Taipei City. In the beginning during Japanese rule, Ximending was an area of wilderness, through which there was a road connecting the west gate of Taipei to the town of Bangka. Later, the Japanese decided to follow the example of Asakusa in Tokyo to set up an entertainment and business area. Today’s Ximending is Taipei’s version of Shibuya mixed with Harajuku.

Tammy suggested that I try the famous 阿宗面线, soft white noodles served in broth. When we arrived at its doorstep, I noticed there was a long queue of waiting customers. People were standing outside the shop, heads bent, intently slurping the noodles out of plastic bowls. Looked downright pathetic to me. 

Tammy bought a pair of shoes in Ximending. The store owner informs us that they were imported from Japan. Back in the hotel, however, Tammy discovered the words “Made in Hong Kong” engraved on the soles of the shoes. More about the darn pair of shoes later.

In the evening, we went to track down a sumiyaki called Kanpai (干杯) near Zhongxiao Fuxing Station. Following explicit directions given in Tammy’s guidebook, we were led to Exit No. 15 and up VERY LONG flight of stairs.  No escalator, why? why? why?  

We circled for a bit but couldn’t locate the restaurant so asked a passer-by for directions. “Ah,” he nodded knowingly, “Walk straight ahead and turn right at the second set of traffic lights. You won’t miss the restaurant. It’ll be the one with the longest queue at the entrance.”

Somehow, the words “the longest queue” didn’t quite appeal to us. The weather was humid and we were both feeling very warm, sticky, and closed to berserk. So we headed in the opposite direction and found Jiafu Sushi House (家福寿司屋).  It proved to be a smart move.  Quality Japanese food in a cosy mom 'n pop setting. A big bowl of chirashi don (海鮮丼) for just NT$290. I love the crunchy raw squids – fresh, translucent and a little slimy. :)

Tammy and I pounced on the food like hungry ghosts the moment it appeared on our table and quite forgot about taking photos but do check them out on this blogger’s site.

家福寿司屋
大安区 復兴南路一段122巷6号
No. 6, Lane 122, Fuxing South Road Sec. 1, Da-an District
大安区 安东街4号之1
1130 - 1430， 1700 - 2100 Closed on Mondays）
捷运忠孝复兴站一号出口右转直走約3-5分钟过万象大楼

***

DAY 6 (MON) Jun 22, 2009

We were back at McDonald's this morning, where Tammy satisfied her bagel craving.  I bought a couple of 生煎包. 

Tammy needed to buy gourmet coffee for a friend and we found ourselves once again in Shing Khong Mitsukoshi (Tower 4A).  Do you recall the pair of shoes that Tammy bought in Ximending? Well, on our way up from the basement supermarket, we chanced upon that same pair of shoes!  It‘s NT$500 cheaper in Mitsukoshi Xinyi Place!

We couldn’t locate the restaurant which Tammy wanted us to have lunch in. This is the second time her stupid guidebook led us on a wild goose chase.  I hope she had thrown it away by the time she read this post. 

Anyway, we landed up in the restaurant that I went on my first night in Taipei: Dosan Kanroku Sanuki Udon (土三寒六赞岐乌龙面). 

BYE BYE, TAMMY

HI, JEE SIEN!

In the afternoon, 飞狗 airport express came to pick Tammy up from the Hotel Flowers. After I saw her off, I went to bunk in with Jee Sien at the United Hotel. (Yes, she was foolish enough to take me in.) Her room was large with lots of natural lighting. There is a vintage bathtub with clawed feet inside her bathroom.  How cool is that?!

CATCHING UP WITH ALICE

This evening, I paid a visit to our Taipei office. Alice took Jee Sien and I out to Du Xiao Yue Danzi Noodles (度小月担仔面) for Taiwanese cuisine. Found myself in the Yong Kang Street vicinity once more. Du Xiao Yue was established in Tainan in 1895, which means it has over a century worth of history.  An interesting image is the noodle stand by the entrance, with the noodle master sitting on a low stool preparing noodles.  Alice ordered:

猪油拌饭 (rice mixed with lard and soy sauce)

担仔面 (Danzi noodles)
清蒸蝦仁肉圓 (Meat dumplings)
卤大腸 (braised pig intestines)
炸芙蓉豆腐 (very much like Agedashi dōfu but even crispier)
冬瓜蛤蜊湯 (clear soup with winter melon and clams)

After dinner, we headed to Ice Monster for a refreshing iced treat.  Fresh mango with shaved ice was just we needed to end the warm summer evening. Alice informed us that the shop is even more popular during the winter months!

There is no MRT to Yong Kang Street. The best way is to take a cab. Tell the driver to take you to the 永康公园 (Yong Kang Park)  UPDATE Jan 2014: Yong Kang District is now accessible by MRT!!  Alight at Dongmen Station (捷运东门站).

永康公园 (Yong Kang Park) is the core of Yong Kang Street community. Everyone is familiar with the beef noodle stall and the Ice Monster which lie on the park’s edge. Shaved ice combined with fresh fruits – mangoes in the summer, strawberries in the winter – topped with a scoop of mango ice-cream, the Ice Monster enjoys a ceaseless flow of customers all year round.

Yong Kang Street is just the main street. It is flanked by many small alleys, filled with interesting shops and restaurants waiting to be discovered!  

The area just behind the United Hotel is also very nice.

国联大饭店 United Hotel
大安区 光復南路200号
No. 200 Kwang Fu South Road +886 2 27731515　
捷运国父紀念馆站 | Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall MRT Station

度小月担仔面
永康街 9-1号+886 2 33931325

1130 - 2300
捷运东门站 5号出口 | Dongmen MRT Station Exit 5

冰馆 
永康街15号
信义路二段204号
捷运东门站 5号出口 | Dongmen MRT Station Exit 5

***

DAY 7 (TUE) Jun 23, 2009

WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

Taipei, I miss you already

Still so much waiting to be discovered

I haven't taken enough photos

I'll definitely see you again

Taipei Day 4

DAY 4 (SAT) Jun 20, 2009

Tammy cleverly mapped out the day’s itinerary. We would hit these 3 destinations in one day as they are located on the same MRT line.

On the way to the MRT station, we stopped by at a Mister Donut stall. I read somewhere that when Mister Donut opened its first shop in Taipei’s Tianmu in October 2004, one had to queue 3 hours! On the third day of business, the line winding into the store was well over 200 people. I tried one today and it was ahem, creative. The one I had was a PoDe (波堤) donut which is made from glutinous rice flour so it’s chewy, sort of a cross between a mochi and a doughnut. Kinda weird, really.  Didn't know what to make of it.

淡水 DANSHUI

My Singaporean co-worker, Jee Sien, happened to be in Taipei for work and I invited her to join us in Danshui Old Street (淡水老街) or some fun under a very hot sun.

天母 TIANMU

Tianmu area is one of Taipei's more expensive neighbourhoods. In the past, it was a residential area for expats and foreigners.

向Hsiang The Brunch in Tianmmu serves all-day brunch. The restaurant is located just behind Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tianmu.

How to get to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tianmu?[已停]

Take the MRT to 捷运芝山站 （Zhishan Station where a free shuttle bus service will take you to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tianmu.

向Hsiang The Brunch [已歇业]

士林区 天母东路50巷8号
No. 8, Lane 50, Tianmu East Road, Shilin District +886 2 28725851
Opening hours: 1000 - 2200, Sat and Sun from 0800

Whilst in Tianmu, we also strolled to 中山北路七段 (Zhongshan North Road Sec. 7). The road extending from here to 忠誠路 (Zhongcheng Road) is supposedly a popular shopping district for tourists. We did come across a few interesting boutiques but the heat and humidity zapped every once of energy out of us and we had to gave up after a bit. 

士林夜市 SHILIN NIGHT MARKET

No visit to Taipei is complete without a trip to a night market.  At Shilin Night Market I ate the best deep-fried chicken I've had in ages.   I couldn't help laughing at the English translation for "腿排".  In Singapore, we would've said "Chicken Cutlet".  In Shilin, it is given a direct Chinese to English translation: "The Leg Arranges".  Gotta love the Taiwanese ^=^

Jee Sien and I each bought a deep fried chicken thigh (the best EVER); Tammy ate some skewered grilled stuff.  I would've loved to hang out a little longer but Tammy and Jee Sien kept complaining about the heat so we had to leave.

Back in our hotel room, news of an impending typhoon kept Tammy and I on the edge of our beds. Weather forecast predicted that the typhoon may strike Taipei on Monday!  How exciting is that?!