| TAIPEI 2023 RETREAT |

I've been to 3 company retreat and Taipei's trip last year was the best amongst them all so far!

I had to skip Hanoi in 2016 because there was no one to look after the boys back then since it was only me and Mother: and I didn't want to dump the kids on her for the 5 days 4 nights trip.

When I came back to the company in 2018, I was able to join the Perth retreat in 2019.

2020 trip was supposed to be to China but due to the Covid situation, the idea was scrapped and we didn't have any for the following 2 years till the Bali trip in 2022. Bali was meeeehhhh~~~ Not much of a fun trip coz all we did was sit in the bus for hours and only had 20 or 30 minutes of free time after alighting. But food was provided till we could not have any because we were so full. I had my beauty sleep on the bus and was scolded for snoring so loudly each time. Hahahaha.

Last year's trip to Taipei was the best, even though our TL could not join us since he was hospitalized 2 weeks before the trip. Sad, coz I didn't have my financial person for the trip. He paid for all our food and expenses during our Bali trip that is, because he said - "Aku kaya sini, beli je ape korang nak."

But I was given SGD300 for the trip from the TL because I only had SGD200 prepared - I wasn't planning to buy anything and only prepared for food since no Halal food was prepared for us for this trip.

I had my Trust card with me in case I needed to withdraw more cash since I only did a currency exchange of SGD200 first before leaving. Didn't want to use the SGD300 given for my trip expenses yet - or so I thought.

Packed my cute luggage with only 2 sets of outfits for the 7 days 6 nights trip - since I got the solo room to wash my laundry (upgraded and paid SGD305 for it coz I didn't want to share the room with anyone since I had been snoring lately). And also coz the other Noraini had to go with the 2nd group instead due to work schedule. Sad much. But no worries coz we were reunited the next day when my group flew over.

The journey took us 4hours plus and I had the worst flight this time round (Perth was 6 hours but I slept peacefully because it was Qantas), I couldn't sleep coz it was hot (not sure if the aircon was working), the lights on my seat couldn't go off and they kept serving us food! Our flight was at 2 am and I hadn't had any sleep the day before since Lil' Precious had his circumcision.

We landed in Taiwan at 6-ish in the morning with sleepy faces and went to have breakfast, leaving our luggage at the hotel since our check-in time was 2 pm later on. Had to sneak into the other's room for my toilet break before we headed out to do some shopping; had to get my shampoo and shower gel because I didn't bring along any since my luggage was so cute and had to fit in the first aid kit as well.

I was guiding the first group of Muslim staff as to where to get their meals since no food was provided for us the day before and got them to guide me around to the place I told them to get their Halal Beef Noodles after our small shopping trip since it was about lunch soon.

I was so happy when we got our meals because I had been researching of places to eat and do our sightseeing on our free and easy days. The Beef Noodles are so delicious that I keep going back for them daily.

Before that, I had my first taste of their Cafe Latte at the 7-11 store upon landing at the airport and couldn't stop having them for all 7 days! And it was only SGD1.30!!! Stocked up my room with it since we had a mini fridge.

I was so sad when I realized I didn't have a bathtub in my room since I had a bigger room with windows. Sad much. I didn't have a bidet either - I kept my shits till I reached home! Only went for it on the first day upon landing and on the fifth day in the other's room.

Nothing much on the first day, just had our company dinner at a restaurant (our table was served bento sets) and we had free time afterward.

Our second day was supposed to be our team-building activity day but I had a bad high fever on the first night and had to skip it. Woke up at noon after going to bed at 10 pm the night before while the rest had their night outs.

Ordered the beef noodle through Uber Eats and collected it at the lobby, paid cash for it. I ordered the mandu and unlike in SG, where normally 4pcs or 6pcs are the norms, I was given 10pcs instead which I couldn't finish. Had my beef noodles and got changed to meet the rest for dinner.

We skipped dinner since we were only given an Indian Bento Meal. Headed for Taiwan 101 - coz they said if we never went, it's like we never go to Taiwan ever. There was not much there coz it was basically ION itself and we only took photos and walked around.

Came back to Ximending Night Market, did some little shopping for the boys, and had Cold Stone ice cream, a treat by the other company's TL. Watched some street performances to end the night before heading back to our hotel.

Day 3 was a little better. We had our tour sight-seeing. Our first stop was Chengde Road for the souvenir shop. I bought a box of pineapple cake and 4 bottles of the Salted Egg Yolk Square Cake. It was so sedap gila!

We went to Jiufen Old Market after and got Mother her fishing cap. Walked around and got separated from my trip partner, Rashel (my Mother actually called him and asked him to take care of me since my TL wasn't around). I love my Mother lah. Since there were so many tourists, I continued walking since I couldn't find my partner. So I bought an ice cream waffle that cost SGD8! Continued walking until I realized that I had reached out of Jiufen market and landed myself at some housing premises - walked back and waited at the temple entrance (our meeting point). Saw 7-11 and got my Cafe Latte again. Hehehehe.

Next, we went to have our "takes forever hiking" at Shifen Waterfall! It was really tiring for me to climb up all those stairs just to reach the waterfall but the view was AMAZING! No regrets after. You should visit it once! Just amazing and worth all my effort! Got Mother a bag at the souvenir shop since she wanted one and I was like, "I have been getting things for my Mother more than myself and the boys.

We then headed to Pingxi Rail Line and had our sky lantern session. I only found out that it was not permitted for us Muslims to do it after I had done it. So it's not advisable for you not to do it if you ever head over, for Muslims.

That was all for our tour and we went back to have our dinner at Chang's Halal Beef Noodle shop since the other Halal Beef Noodle shop had closed for the day. For SGD20, you can get a complete meal! Comes with 3 sides, 2 drinks, a bowl of noodles, and a pancake.

After dinner, we went to Ximending to watch the street performance. Walked around and saw an 11.11 promo at CosMed and got myself some face masks because they were only SGD3 per box of 5 pieces!

Walked more and we ended the night with a leg massage because I was complaining about the waterfall hiking the whole night.

I couldn't read Mandarin but I could read Hanguel and saw a massage shop offering a good deal. Rashel and myself were conversing in Mandarin with the shop owners only to realize that they had English price boards behind us. Tired and with me complaining all along - did not even realize that.

The other Noraini didn't tag along as she had to pack her stuffs since their flight was early in the morning the following day.

On our fourth day in Taipei, I was telling Rashel that I was not going to do any shopping anymore but I was going to go for sightseeing the whole day and I had lots of places to go to. He said he wanna tag along so we went to the museum first.

It was literally cheap! 2 museums for SGD1.50 ~ TWD30! I just had to video call the boys and made them see the dinosaurs especially BabyK! Hehehe. Spent some time walking around at the second museum which was just on the opposite side of the road.

I was like a little child hunting for the stamps to bring back home and gave it to BabyK who loves dinosaurs!

Lunchtime came and we went out looking for my Fried Chicken Master and we walked and walked from our hotel, Richardson Midtown Hotel to Datong Street only to find out that it was closed!

I was super sad and started googling for the next nearest outlet. We took the metro, headed east instead and found a small cute Fried Chicken Master outlet. How happy and excited I was that I shrieked with joy when I saw it. Because it was the only halal fried chicken I could find and know of near our district.

Then we went to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall to see their amazing national monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-Shek, former President of Taiwan. The monument was just spectacular and I was so happy to be able to see it!

We took the metro again and headed over to Shilin Residence Park. Some kind of like the Istana converted to be a tourist attraction but it was closing time and we only managed to take photos with the wonderful flowers and scenery instead.

Took the bus back to Ximending and had Ice Papa before having our last night shopping at the market. I bought more face masks and had fun watching the street performances for the last time. Didn't manage to find the popular TikTok cat though. Sad much. Only to find out that it was not in Taipei City during our visit. But I found our Chiki Chiki halfway through and he helped a lot in translating - so I did not have to struggle much. And they were asking how come I know how to converse in Korean but not Mandarin. Not that I couldn't but their Mandarin and ours is a little different.

Was supposed to head over to the Elephant Mountain at 5 am to see the sunrise but I overslept and went out for breakfast instead at Chang's Beef Noodles. Packed some to bring home too! Did some last-minute shopping for more Pineapple cake at Vigor Kobo; and grabbed 10 boxes in total to finish off my balance fund which I withdrew from my Trust fund on the 2nd night (gosh the rate is much better than changing at Money Changer)!

Took the night flight back, sent our Chiki Chiki home, and realized I didn't have my keys with me since I gave them to the ex-husband who slept over to look after the boys. Had to call the helper at 2 am in the morning to open the door instead. Haiz! Dumb me again.

Took the next day off to enjoy my sleep!

Taipei is a place where I'll bring the boys if we ever have the chance to! Lots of sights-seeing places but be prepared to answer their curiosities so do your research on the places you wish to bring your kids. I did mine before going and had to explain to my travel partner Rashel about each place he tagged along.

If you're wondering why I wasn't in my niqab, I did ask around and was advised to not don the niqab due to the ongoing conflict in our beloved Palestine. I had them removed at the airport before checking in and had them on upon arriving at Changi Airport.

Gosh, I miss the Beef Noodle! Till next time 145 (inside joke for one-year anniversary on our next trip)!

Xoxo,

N.A