Shinhuengsa Temple

Sinheungsa, sometimes spelled Shinheungsa, is located at the slope of Seoraksan National Park (Refer here for my post on Mount Sorak National Park).

Right after came down from Mount Sorak National Park, we directly walk to Shinheungsa...

On the way walking to Shinheungsa Temple

Spotted one hotel called "Seoraksan Tourist Hotel" otw which looks kinda small but quite strategic spot for those who wants to hike the mountain. But, I did googled about it and apparently this hotel already went out of business as of 1st December 2013..so sad..:-(

Seoraksan Tourist Hotel

Reached the gateway:

This is the gateway aka One Pillar Gate to the Big Buddha Statue and Shinhuengsa Temple

The Big Buddha Statue aka Tongil Daebul, is a gilt-bronze Buddha Statue which represents the wish by the Koreans for the reunification of the two Koreas.

In here, you can also pay KRW10,000 to write on a roof tile which the temple will use it when they make any roof repairs.

So many row of roof tiles

The notice board explaining about the Buddha statue origin and its historical facts.

Beyond the Giant Buddha Statue, you will see a bridge which links to the Shinhuengsa Temple.

The bridge that links the Big Buddha to Shinhuengsa Temple and it's built over a creek

The creek is almost dry up as it's almost winter time dee..

Here's a short video to see the beautiful surrounding here:

The Shinhuengsa Temple is built like a fortress and have only a few entry or exit points. To enter Shinhuengsa Temple, we have to go through this gateway opening after crossing the bridge.

There are door of gods, which are the gods that guard the entrance door to scare away devilish beings.

More photos in the temple area:
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Trying to scoop some water to drink and make a wish..

While on the way out, spotted they have very cute caricature sign board on the Shinhuengsa Temple Stay..

How to get here:
1137, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea 

Check here for the summary of my Korea trip itinerary.

Happy weekend!

Shabu Shabu with Dolsot Bibimbap

I luv Dec month the most! Feels everyone is in holiday mood especially with Christmas atmosphere. Don't you think so? And I do think your working energy is at the lowest peak too :-) Finally I get quite a long break after crazy past few months...and now I can reminiscing back my Korea trip a year ago while looking forward for my Hokkaido trip in another 2+ weeks time..geez..why the time so slow now ya

Btw, anyone planning to go Korea now? You should learn some of the recommended must have Korean foodie if you are visiting there. One of it that I have on the first day when I reached Korea is the Shabu Shabu Dolsot Bibimbap. For the sake of those who din know what is it:

• Shabu Shabu is our Chinese hot pot or called steamboat in Malaysia. 
• Dolsot is the stone bowl or pot used for serving bibimbap that can be heated over fire
• Bibimbap is a Korean dish consisting of rice topped with sautéed vegetables, chili paste, and beef or other meat, sometimes with the addition of a raw or fried egg.

So combine all 4 words together is we had steamboat + hot pot rice :-)

Our Shabu Shabu with Dolsot Bibimbap. So many food rite?

Some of you must be wondering what is the difference between the dolsot bibimbap and the normal bibimbap rite? Well, I just know that dolsot bibimbap is served on dolsot, that's it! LOL. Ok, I read up some online blogs and ppl do recommend to go for dolsot bibimbap since its much better than regular old bibimbap because a) it makes noise (it sizzles) and b) the rice gets crunchy.

Closer shot of my dolsot bibimbap

For those who prefer more spicy, you can adjust it by putting more chilli paste inside ur bibimbap

Boyfie and me..together with our tour group ppl in one long table

Overall, boyfie luv the dolsot bibimbap but I did not have appetite to eat that time since I'm still half brain awake due to jet lag -_-"'. If you wanted to know where we had this, it's the same place as try our Hanbok and DIY the kimchi. Read the blog here for more info.

If you want to have the full itinerary of my Korea trip, checkout here.

Pan Fried Chicken with Tteokbokki

Super duper long hiatus..I will share about what has been making me MIA for so long later.

It's almost year end now and I'm super duper looking forward for my trip next month since everyone starts to have holiday mood now! So excited about Nov and Dec month alwiz....that I looked back at my Korea trip photos and realized that I have not share about Tteokbokki yet! Geezz...

Tteokbokki aka "stir fried rice cake" is a must try food if you are in Korea. It's a popular Korean snack food made of soft rice cake, fish cake and sweet chilli sauce. 

Yummy Pan Fried Chicken with Tteokbokki

If you are a fan of spicy food just like me, you will luv Tteokbokki. It's really very chewy like spicy chewing gum? And in some places, you can add your own spiciness during stir fried. However, I feel...if you had too much of it in a meal, you will feel a bit "bored" since it can really fill up the tummy. So, try not to be greedy and have too much of it in a meal..otherwise it will not taste good anymore.

We had our pan fried chicken Tteokbokki near EWHA..and you can adjust your own spiciness during pan fried

Boyfie is happy that he can have non spicy Tteokbokki -_-"' which I feel it's not "umph" (satisfying) enuf

Those who knows how to read Korean, let me know what is the shop name? I just know its near EWHA..Sigh, I can't find back the shop name to share with you all

The interior of the shop where I had pan fried chicken with Tteokbokki

That's all, and do remember checkout my full Korea travelogue here.

Yehliu Geopark

This is the longest hiatus since my last post! -_-"' Been damn busy with packing and unpacking of stuff to prepare for house moving that I did not even have time to properly sit down and rest..sigh..hopefully next month will be better?

Anyway, try to squeeze my energy now to at least write a post this month..as its so sad to see my blog stats dropping :-(

Last year is my first visit to Yehliu Geopark eventhough I have been to Taiwan twice before. Have always been curious when I saw most ppl visiting Taiwan taking photos with rocks...hmm..what is so nice ya about those rocks? So this trip, I manage to discover what is so unique huh about it...

Yehliu Geopark

Before that, did you all know how Yehliu Geopark derived their name from?

From Yehliu Geopark website:

The name “Yehliu” was derived from:

• 1. A term translated from the Pinpu language; 
• 2. An abbreviation of the Spanish words “Punto Diablos(which means “devil’s cape”); 
• 3. In early days, local residents earned their living at sea and they relied on rice suppliers from inner land to offer rice to them. During transportation, some local people would use the sharp bamboo tube to stick the rick sack and leave a hole on it, so that the rice may slip out and could be picked up by them. 
•  As a result, rice traders often mentioned “the rice was stolen by the savages” (whereas “steal” and “savage” are pronounced similar to Yeh (savage) and liu (steal) in Taiwanese).

And Yehliu is divided into 3 areas:

Yehliu is divided into 3 areas

The first and second area:

Purple color number is first area, Blue ones is 2nd area

The second and third area:

Blue color is second area, Brown ones is third area

I heard that in first area, the mushroom and ginger rocks are the main attractions..

Not sure is this mushroom rocks?

Some ahjummas trying to take a shot of the ocean erosion pothhole

In second area:

Spot statue of Mr Lin Tien-Chien

Why this is the only human statue that is so unique in here?

Queen’s Head, one of the most famous scenes in Yehliu, is a kind of mushroom rock. It is formed due to the differential erosion caused by seawater during crust movement.

Long queue for Queen's Head

Wonder why this rock is so famous?

And since they realized that the Queen's Head natural 1 was eroding fast, they man-made Queen’s Head II as replica first.

And something caught my sight when I was about to exit the park..and I find this rock is even more unique than the Queen's Head rock actually. After reading this news here...only I know this is the replica of it since it's damaged in 2010. So sad :-(.. Otherwise, you only can get a lucky sight of this rock on 18 days each year, when the tides allow it.

A replica of the “Leopard” rock formation placed in the popular tourist attraction Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei City is seen in this photo taken on Wednesday. The original formation was damaged during a typhoon in 2010.

The Yehliu Geopark is really indeed beautiful place to visit, just not on a hot sunny. And especially if you wanted to take a photo of the Queen’s Head, you have to queue under hot sun! 

Overall, if you love natural landscapes, Yehliu Geopark is a must visit attraction for you, but it may be more advisable to go during cooler season...make sure it's cold enuf even during winter. And also..I recommend that you travel there in the morning when the weather is not too hot. Wear sunblock and bring an umbrella for both sun and rain.

How to get here?

Address :
No.167-1, Kantung Rd.,
Yehliu Village,
Wanli District,
New Taipei City 20744,
Taiwan, R.O.C.

Tel : +886-224922016
Entrance ticket: NT$50

Website: http://www.ylgeopark.org.tw/ENG/info/YlIntroduction_en.aspx

Transportation :
Nat'l Hwy 3 → Exit at the Jijin Interchange → Prov. Hwy 2 → Yeliu (Yeliou)

Public  
1. THSR Taipei Station (or TRA Taipei Station) → Kuo-kuang Bus (bound for Jinshan Youth Activity Center) to Yeliu stop.
2. TRA Keelung Station → Keelung Bus (bound for Jinshan) to Yeliu stop. 

* Check here for the summary of my 2012 Taiwan trip itinerary.

Flying Cow Ranch 飞牛牧场

Flying Cow Ranch 飞牛牧场 is a popular leisure spot suitable for all age. In 1985, Taiwan Youth Dairy Village 中部青年酪农村 turned to be the leisure range type and changed name as Flying Cow Ranch 飞牛牧场.

Flying Cow Ranch

“Flying Cow” derived from the combination of two primary natural resources of the ranch, which are butterflies and cows. The sign of the flying Cow were designed according to these also.

Butterflies + Cow = "Flying Cow"

And, whoever watched the 2001 Taiwan series drama 'Lavender' 薰衣草, it was shot here!
Wonder what are the activities you can do in the Flying Cow Ranch?

Before I go into the details of the activities you can do for a night stay in here, you can checkout my links here for the following:

• Accomodation @Flying Cow Ranch 
• Farm house cuisine @Flying Cow Ranch
• My shopping haul @Flying Cow Ranch

The first thing when you reach there, you will be served with one free bottle of Flying Cow Ranch famous milk first. There are 2 flavors: the original milk flavor or the chocolatie one.

Tada..greedy me want to finish up 2 bottles :-P

*burp* Superbly nice fresh milk!

The ranch is designed in 3 main areas, including 

• service area, 
• agriculture production area,
• nature ecology area.

Service and Agriculture Production Area
_____________________________________________________________

The service area and the agriculture production area are comprised of different zones such as DIY, camping, souvenir, dairy product shop, conference room and many others providing the perfect place for one to enjoy firsthand experience on the dairy farm and the life of cattle, seeing demonstrations of the cow house and milking process, as well as making your own dairy products include cookies, pudding, and ice-cream.

Nature Ecology Area
______________________________________________________________

The nature ecology area is consisted of pasture zone, butterfly zone, water zone, trails, and animal zone, where visitors may find 150-200 butterflies of about 10 species providing the perfect place for children to learn the life cycle of the butterfly. The dairy zone is where one may experience milking the cows, and the animal zone is where one may experience feeding many kinds of animals such as sheep, goats, and rabbits.

Mummy and daddy at the spacious ranch area. Spot the house behind?

That's the bunny house!

So many fluffy bunnies! Cute! But too bad you are not allow to go into their cage

Then next is the goatie area..

Sorry for the blurry photos here onwards as I'm not sure why my hand is shivering at the farm area :-(

Since 2012 photos turn out a bit blurry..so I took the 2009 trip photos where boyfie was feeding the goatie

Or you can use pully to feed the goatie

And the goatie will be excitedly waiting at the top there trying to reach for its food

If you walked in further, you will reach the Glass House.

It's the glass house in 'Lavender' 薰衣草! Leo & Xiao Tong 小童 fight over Yi Xin 以熏 inside this glass house!

I no idea..but I luv all the decorations of this glass house. I wish I can spend longer time loitering here

Nice rite the couple decorations outside?

Inside the glass house

Oppssie..got caught trying to buy something?!

Feeding time again now for the sheeps!

Jen so excitedly grabbed the leaves ready to feed the sheeps again

Sheeps feeding area

Jen..dun always look at the camera only. Becareful of ur hands got nom nom away by the hungry sheeps..lolo

There is also the cow milking area nearby to the sheep area

Really dun dare to milk the cow. So worried that she will feel painful and give me a side kick or flying kick..then that time really is flying kick in flying cow ranch -_-"'

Dun press as you like! Please follow the diagram to give less painful to the cow. And sterile your hand before do hand milking in case cause inflammation to the cow.

Since it's getting dark even though its only 6pm, hafta proceed back to the service area. You can hangout at the dairy product shops here till around 8.30pm to have some nice ice cream..or shop for some souvenirs here. Checkout my link here for the recommended items to buy here. 

Shop for dairy products

Buy some fresh nice milk

Or maybe snap photo with this two cows? lolo

Buy a few milk soap bar as souvenir?

Or milk body lotion, shower gel or shampoo?

Around 8.30pm, the ranch has arranged for us a little DIY program which is to bake something like a "red bean kuih" or Hakka cake (kuih).

These are the ingredients provided on the table. We are grouped into 10 ppl in each table

Not sure what's written there..but I guess is instructions on how to bake the hakka kuih?

Everyone looks so excited in making the dough

The curious boy in my table also wan try a hand to make the dough

Now stuffed the red beans into the dough

This is our before cooked hakka kuih looks like. The heart shape one..Jen claimed she did it. Can you spot it?

Kepo (In hokkien which in other words mean is busybody :-p) peeping at what happen in next door table. Hmm..theirs look more nicer shape..got shape like curry puff some more

While waiting our Hakka cake/kuih to be cooked, some games had arranged to cheer up the atmosphere. Too bad since I'm sitted right behind..far away from the front, so I can't see detail what games they are playing..basically is some costume wearing I guess?

This video is so funny: the gal in my group..while mixing the dough also..she still wan show hand "peace" there..asking ppl to snap photo of her..lolo

This is our after cooked haka kuih looks like..hmm..presentation wise is gross..but taste not bad. Just not enuf of red beans la. Shud have just be greedy and stuff more red beans in 

How to get here?
MIAOLI FLYING COW RANCH 苗栗飞牛牧场
Address:  
No.166, Nanhe Village, 
Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County
苗栗縣通霄鎮357南和里166號
Tel: +886-037-782999
Fax: 037-782399
Longitude/Latitude: 24.442032 / 120.739875
Opening Hours: 0700 - 2200
Ticketing: 

• Twd 220/adult 
• Twd 180/elementary school student grade 1-6  
• Twd 200/group ticket (for groups more than 40 ppl)

Website: http://www.flyingcow.com.tw/ 


Drive on your own:
1. No. 1 National Highway (國道一號) --> Hsinchu Interchange (新竹交流道) --> No. 3 National Highway (國道三號) --> Xiangshan Interchange (香山交流道) --> Xibin Expressway (西濱快速道路)/No. 61 Provincial Highway (台61號) --> Baishatun (白沙屯) --> Tongxiao Outer Ring (通霄外環道) --> No. 121 County Road (121縣道) --> Flying Cow Ranch (飛牛牧場)

2. No. 3 National Highway (國道三號) --> Tongxiao Interchange (通霄交流道) --> No. 128 County Road (128縣道) towards Tongxiao (通霄) --> No. 1 Provincial Highway (台1線) --> Tongxiao Outer Ring Road (通霄外環道) --> No. 121 County Road (121線道) --> Flying Cow Ranch (飛牛牧場)

By train or bus:
1. Take Miaoli Bus (苗栗客運) bound for Dajia (大甲) from Miaoli (苗栗火車站) or Hsinchu Railway Station (新竹火車站) to Tongxiao stop (通霄站). From there, follow road signs to Flying Cow Ranch (飛牛牧場).

2. Take Taichi Bus (台汽客運) bound for Salu (沙鹿) to Tongxiao stop (通霄站). From there, take Miaoli Bus (苗栗客運) bound for Fuxing (福興) to Chisha stop (崎下站). From there, follow road signs to Flying Cow Ranch (飛牛牧場).

3. Take train to Tongxiao Train Station (通霄火車站). From there, take Miaoli Bus (苗栗客運) bound for Fuxing (福興) to Chisha stop (崎下站) and follow road signs to Flying Cow Ranch (飛牛牧場).

Checkout this video which I found online, which shows you the whole place of Flying Cow Ranch:



* Check here for the summary of my 2012 Taiwan trip itinerary.