Safari Zoo Run - 12th February 2011

Singapore Zoo

Official site: http://www.safarizoorun.com.sg/

Competitive
Category	Age Limit	Distance	Registration Fees Early Bird (Limited to 5000) 15 Nov 2010 to 31 Dec 2010	Registration Fees Normal (After first 5000) 1 Jan 2011 to 15 Jan 2011	Start Time
2XU Fastest Kid(Boy) Group A	Between 7 & 9 yrs old*	3.2 km (Night Safari)	$28 (PAssion member) / $30 (Non PAssion member	$36 (PAssion member) / $38 (Non PAssion member)	3:30pm
2XU Fastest Kid(Boy) Group B	Between 10 & 12 yrs old*
2XU Fastest Kid (Girl) Group A	Between 7 & 9 yrs old*
2XU Fastest Kid (Girl) Group B	Between 10 & 12 yrs old*
Safari Zoo Challenge (Men Open)	No Age Limit	8 km (Night Safari, Mandai Lake Road & Singapore Zoo)	$48 (PAssion member) / $50 (Non PAssion member)	$56 (PAssion member) / $58 (Non PAssion member)	4:45pm
Safari Zoo Challenge (Women Open)	No Age Limit

Non-Competitive
Category	Age Limit	Distance	Registration Fees Early Bird (Limited to 5000) 15 Nov 2010 to 31 Dec 2010	Registration Fees Normal (After first 5000) 1 Jan 2011 to 15 Jan 2011	Start Time
Safari Zoo Fun Run (Adult)	No Age Limit	6.2 km (Night Safari & Singapore Zoo)	$38 (PAssion member) $40 (Non PAssion member)	$46 (PAssion member) $48 (Non PAssion member)	5:15pm
Safari Zoo Fun Run (Kids)	Between 3 & 12yrs old		$18 (PAssion member) $20 (Non PAssion member)	$26 (PAssion member) $28 (Non PAssion member)

My Ovi Store App is ready for download!

Finally, the Ovi Store App that I created at the Nokia Ovi Workshop (held by Nuffnang) is approved. So people from all over the world can download the app and read my blog with a click. Cool huh?

Anyway, to download the app, just go to http://store.ovi.com/content/80471 and you should get it done within seconds!!!

NTUC Healthcare U RUN - 27th Feb 2011

U Run with OMB Challenge - 10km followed by a 33 storey climb up NTUC Centre!!!

65823459 or info@usports.com.sg for more info.

Source: http://www.usports.com.sg/Events.aspx#reg_fees

Sun Moon Lake 日月潭

To get to Sun Moon Lake, I will need to get to Taichung and take a bus from there. Head to the Taichung Kan Cheng Station at Shuangshi Road or High Speed Rail Taichung Station and look out for Nan-Tou Bus (南投客運) . 1-way ticket costs NT$200 and return ticket costs NT$350.

Things to do!

• Wenwu Temple (文武廟) - The biggest temple on the Northern bank of the lake.

• Ita Thao (伊娜達)- The village of the Thao Aborigines, and also called Dehua village (德化社).

• Lalu Island (拉魯島) - In the middle of the lake. Lalu (lit. "Lake Island") is the name the Thao tribe, the original inhabitants of the area, gave to this sacred land, though it was changed to Guanghua (光華 or "Glorious China") during Chiang Kai-shek's rule of Taiwan. After 1999's September 21st earthquake the Taiwanese government, attempting to show greater respect and political awareness towards the Thao, reverted the island's name back to its original Lalu.

• Ci-en Pagoda (慈恩塔) - The Chinese style pagoda is 46 meters tall. It was built by the Chiang Kai-shek in memory of his mother. It was completed in 1971 and sits on the hill southeast of the lake.

Sun Moon Lake Hotel

No.5, Mingsheng St., Yuchih Township, Nantou County 555, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Telephone : 049-2855-855

Source:

http://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/sun.aspx?Lang=EN

http://wikitravel.org/en/Sun_Moon_Lake

B咖天后王彩樺-保庇MV

I like Makiyo's version the best!!!

Alishan!

Alishan or Mount Ali is located at Chiayi County and can be reached via coaches and trains from the other cities/counties.

The Typhoon Morakot August 2009 damaged most transportation links to Alishan and this includes the iconic trains that go all the way up the mountain. So the only way to get up is via bus from Chiayi at NT$221 each way. Entry fee is NT$150 if we go in via public transportation, otherwise it is NT$200 person.

Things to do!

• Jhushan (祝山),

• Giant Trees Trail

• Shoujhen Temple (受鎮宮).

• Two Sisters Pond (姊妹潭).

Things to Eat and Drink!

Being a tea lover, I will definitely not miss the chance to taste the High Mountain Oolong tea! It should be pretty cool up there in the mountain; hence I think having hotpot for dinner sounds like a fantastic idea. Imagine eating vegetables and animals planted or caught from the mountain, now that is what I call, 'Organic'! Now Fenchiu Lunch box is rather famous too, so it is a must-try item too!!

Where to stay?

As for staying for the night, I think I will go with Gao Shan Ching Hotel!

One more day to submit my itinerary!

Yushan (玉山) Mount Jade

How to get to Yushan? (from wikitravel)

The nearby major cities are Taichung (台中) and Chiayi (嘉義).

• Taichung → Shueili (水里)→ Heshe (和社) → Tongpu (東埔) → Tataka Recreation Area (塔塔加遊憩區)
• Chiayi → Alishan (阿里山) → Tataka Recreation Area

From the Tataka Recreation Area:

• Main route from Tataka Visitor Center (塔塔加遊客中心) (2600m) and leads to the top in 10 km, with a hut very near the top.
• Tongpu to the summit, 23 km and 2800 vertical meters.

If you take the main route, you can park in three different places and reach the trailhead differently[1]:

• From Tataka Visitor Center
• From Shangdongpu (上東埔)
• From Lulin Pass (鹿林)

The Hike (from wikitravel)

Getting from the Tatajia Visitor Center to the trailhead, a journey of over 2km, can be done on foot, or by a regular shuttle service that costs NT$100.

The hiking trail leading from the trailhead at Tatajia Anbu to Paiyun Lodge is 8.5km long. Paiyun Lodge at an elevation of 3402 metres is located below the west slope of Yushan Main Peak and is an important base for climbing the Yushan Peaks. As high mountain hikes go, it is relatively easy, with few steep or technical sections. In some sections the trail goes downhill, and there are plenty of level grade sections. The trail is clearly marked, with a distance post every half km showing distance traveled and distance remaining. There are also some interpretive signs on the way, explaining the flora and geology with varying degrees of informativeness. Along the way there's a side trail to Yushan Front Peak, which can be explored by those with the time and energy. It takes 4 to 8 hours to reach the lodge from the trailhead, depending on fitness level.

The trail from Paiyun Lodge to the peak is 2.4km long. It only starts becoming technical around the last half kilometer or so, with the last 200 meters being the steepest and most difficult section...though by high mountain standards, still relatively easy. It takes 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the peak from the lodge.

Permit is required to climb Yushan, it is possible to apply for it online in advance.

http://barkingdeernews.blogspot.com/2009/04/yushan-diy-package.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yushan_(mountain)

http://wikitravel.org/en/Yushan

How to get your Chunkadelic Xmas Iphone Jacket?

For those who are not aware, Ben & Jerry's is giving out Iphone Jackets to all Ben & Jerry's lovers!!!!! All you need to do is to gather 4 pint lids and go to one of the scoop shops at 12pm tomorrow.

The Iphone jackets come in a box and you will only what you get after you open it up; there is Peace, Love, Ice Cream and Mystery. If you got the Mystery one, "Congrats!!!", you will win the Special B&J's bicycle too!!

And with every Iphone Jacket, there is a coupon which you can redeem 2 scoops of Yummlicious B&J's ice cream... Yum Yum...

If you have not gotten your pint lids, 30 minutes ago, I found out that Shop and Save is selling 2 pints for $21.90. This is the lowest price I have seen over the past few days. So do consider running to the Shop and Save nearest to you if you want to have the Chunkadelic Xmas Iphone jacket! Moooooooooooooo...

I got the Ben & Jerry's Chunkadelic Xmas Iphone Jacket!!!! YEAH!!!

This is so so so cool!!!I won the Peace Iphone Jacket and I got it before anyone else in Singapore!!! That is so so cool! Anyway, in the box, there is the Iphone jacket and a coupon for 2 scoops of Ben & Jerry's icecream! Awesome!

Hellooooo... Mr Penguin... where are you?

Spot Mr Penguin in one of the featured articles and email the good people at insing.com for a chance to bring home Mr Penguin!

http://events.insing.com/feature/spot-win-mr-penguin/id-240e2b00

What I can't Live Without

Create a cloud and share gadgets/stuffs that you cannot live without and you might just be lucky enough to walk away with a personalised T-shirt!

It is just that simple, go create your cloud now!

http://www.whaticantlivewithout.com.sg/

Who wants a Retractable Optical Mouse?

Just came back from the Ovi Store Apps workshop organised by Nuffnang!! Learnt how to create my own Ovi Store Apps Icon, meaning that people will get to read what I wrote from their Nokia Handsets, cool huh?

Anyway, they gave out Retractable Optical Mouse (as shown on the left) to the bloggers who attended the workshop and I would like to give it away!!!

Simply follow my blog via the Networked Blogs (Right hand side of this page, just below the Nuffnang's banner) and you might walk away with it!!

The closing date for this is 19th December, 2300hr. Result will be announced at 19th December, 2305hr!!!

Follow my blog NOW!!!!! ^^

YT Gadgets

Suddenly, it occurred to me that Youth Trekker sounds like a super hero... like Spiderman and Batman... Youth Trekker (YT), the Adventure Seeker!

A hero will definitely requires many special gadgets to assist him on his missions. And the following gadgets are super duper 'confidential':

(1) Youth Travel Card

With this card, youths enjoy discounts at retails, F&B shops and more. Check out the whole here.

(2) Digital Tour Buddy

A mobile phone can be rent FOC throughout the duration Youth Trekker explore Taiwan! Cool huh... More details here.

(3) Taiwan Rail Pass

With this TR Pass, the holder will enjoy unlimited access to Taiwan Rail's services. What a way to save money and time! Details!

(4) Tour Buddy

NYC has invited university students to come up with a few itineraries and visitors can sign up for them and be shown around by them. Click here for the details!

Mount Lala 拉拉山

Source: http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/10/the-ancient-trees-of-lala-shan/

Got this from 维基百科 (Chinese version of Wikipedia):

拉拉山，又名達觀山，位於桃園縣復興鄉和台北縣烏來鄉交界，海拔2,031公尺。農委會林務局在1986年成立達觀山自然保護區於該山與塔曼山稜線南側地區，屬於國有林自然保護區，已將保護區內的檜木巨木群、山毛櫸、台灣扁柏、台灣黑熊、台灣獼猴、帝雉、水鹿等動植物列為保育類。

Mount Lala, also known as Mount Da Guan, is situated between Fu Xing Xiang of Taoyuan County and Wu Lai Xiang of Taipei County, it is 2,031m above sea level. In 1986, the Foresty Bureau, COA set up the Mount Da Guan Nature Reserve; together with the southern region of Mount Da Man, they form the Na

tional Nature Protected Area. The plants and animals that can be found in this area are all protected species.

Source: http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/10/the-ancient-trees-of-lala-shan/

From what I found online, ancient trees can be found at Mount Lala. Visitors will get to enjoy "Forest Shower" (森林浴) as they hike along the trails. The name, Lala originated from the Tai Ya Tribe (泰雅族) "R,ra" which refers to the action of climbing up to a high point and look far. The people from the Tai Ya Tribe used to climb up the top of Mount Lala to look out for invaders.

I would really like to go to Mount Lala, stay there for a night, enjoy a meal or two and hike through the ancient trees. Now that is what I call enjoying life! Seriously, I think Mount Lala is not on most overseas visitors's radars. Maybe the information on Mount Lala is inadequate so I am going to share what I found online.

So, how to get there?

First, take a coach (every 20-30 minutes interval) from Taoyuan Rear Train Station (桃園後火車站 Taoyuan Hou Huo Che Zhan) to Da Xi (大溪).

From Da Xi, take another coach to get to Ba Ling, Upper Ba Ling (巴陵、上巴陵). The schedule for the buses are: 07:10 08:30 10:10 11:10 12:45 14:00 16:20 17:40 but only the 7.10am and 11.10am buses go all the way up to Upper Ba Ling.

Where can I stay?

拉拉山古道山莊, Source: http://kudow.okgo.tw/

There are many guesthouses to choose from but this particular picture caught my eyes. I think staying here for the night would be the best; imagine waking in the morning with the mountainous view ahead of you... NICE!!!

Contact Number: 02-26922073 03-3912928

Address: 桃園縣復興鄉華陵村8鄰巴陵31之5號

Surf N Sweat is BACK!

It is back! For peeps who love the sun, the sand and the sea, this is one event we will never miss! Other than the main activity which is the paddling on the surfboard + running a distance, there are many other side activities to engage everybody!

Beach volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee... you name it, they have it! There is also the Beach Hunk and Babe contest, if you think you are yandao or chio enough, go join it!!!

Official website: http://surfnsweat.ntusportsclub.sg/

I want to be a Youth Trekker!

The National Youth Commission of Taiwan is looking for Youth Trekkers for the 3rd time!!! And some how, I really want to become one next year. If I get chosen, I will get to travel to Taiwan between 1st March and 31st August 2011 which is the best time to visit Taiwan!

From what I know, the trekkers selected from Singapore in 2009 and 2010 are all females!!!

Source: http://tour.youthtravel.tw/2011youthtrekker/page7_e.html

What happened to the guys?

I say, let's have some MAN POWER from Singapore to be the next Youth Trekker!!

Whenever somebody talked about going to Taiwan, he/she will definitely mentioned Shih Lin Night Market, Taipei 101, Chiufen and everything else in or near to Taipei City. Come on people, there are so much more to explore in Taiwan.

My plan as a Youth Trekker would be to walk out of Taipei City and walk into the forests, climb up the mountains and jump into the seas! All N.A.T.U.R.A.L... of course, at the end of the trip, I will want to do what normal people do as well... haha... Shih Lin Night Market, Taipei 101, Chiufen and everything else in or near to Taipei City

Pick Me! Pick Me!! I want to be a Youth Trekker!

Staying in Tampines after N years, I realised…

Changi Airport’s air traffic control tower is so near to where I’m staying.

And the CBD’s skyline is visible too!

Well, I stay on the 4th storey and hence, I can’t really see far from where I am. I am just glad that I went up to Block 211 and see this for myself. Now I know where to go if there are fireworks display at Marina Bay! ^^

Berkelah-ed!!

We met at Kranji MRT station last Friday. There were a lot of people - should be mostly Malaysians who are going home- queuing up for the buses going to the Woodlands Checkpoint. Surprisingly, most of them queued up for the yellow 'Smiley' buses instead of the SBS 160 and 160. I wonder why...

Anyway, it had been quite a while since I last hiked in the outdoors of Malaysia. However, I was not that excited at all... instead, I was more worried. The last time I hiked up Berkelah Waterfalls was like 3 to 4 years ago and this time round, I was supposed to lead the way up with Jacq. In another word, we were responsible to bring everyone up to the waterfalls. What if, we got lost... what if, something happen... what if... what if...

It was a smooth ride clearing the customs at both sides and soon we were waiting for SBS 170 at the Malaysian side to bring us to Larkin Bus Terminal. We had a coach to catch ( at Larkin) at 11pm and even though we joined the queue at around 10.08pm, we were still waiting for SBS 170 at 10.40pm. What happened? We didn't know and perhaps never will.