台北市動物園 (Taipei Zoo)

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台北市動物園 (Taipei Zoo)
No. 30, Sec. 2, Xinguang Rd., Wenshan District, Taipei 11656, Taiwan
886 (02) 29382300 ext. 630

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Whenever I travel, I always look for a famous zoo of the place.  This is why we made sure that Taipei Zoo is part of our itinerary.

I find it so cool that we can even use our Taipei Metro ticket to enter the place.  Entrance fee is at 60NT while children between 6-12 years of age, students, military & police officers & low-income families can get in at 30NT.

We just rode the Taipei Metro and while we walked towards the entrance, I noticed that the floor has marks of footprints from animals (similar to what hollywood has on their streets wherein hollywood stars have their names printed on the streets).

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Since we have limited time due to a plan to go to some other places that day (& my aunt only wanted to see the panda), we were only able to visit some parts of the zoo.  Still, I enjoyed my stay at Taipei Zoo!  I wish we had more time though..

Here are the display areas we visited:

  • Panda House
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me wearing the panda hat at the souvenir store.

This is the best area that the zoo has since ofcourse Panda is the most popular animal in China.  We lined up just to be able to see 2 cute pandas and have limited time to look and take pictures of them coz obviously there are lots of people waiting for their turn.

The 1st panda is sleeping!!! And he really didn’t care that hundreds of people lined up to see him! hahaha I took a video of him sleeping until the end of my turn, he was still sleeping.  Cuteness!

The 2nd panda is eating!!! Total cuteness, he was munching on the grass like he was enjoying it soooo much!  You better see this 🙂

  • Koala House
Another popular area in the zoo.  Located near the Panda House, the Koalas are brought in from Australia.  We were able to see “Patrick” the Koala.  He was just curled up on the tree though so wasn’t able to see his face clearly but nevertheless, still a nice sight to see 🙂

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  • Amphibian & Reptile House
One of the bigger indoor display areas in the zoo.  It houses over 90 species of amphibians & reptiles.  So many different species of each animal (snakes, turtles, iguanas, frogs, etc).

I saw several species & took pictures of them:
Green Tree Python

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Double-crested Basilisk

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Iguana – seems like the animals really enjoy eating hehehe!  I find this uber-cute!

Turtles – several kinds of turtles in the area. It’s just funny to see them doing different things. I took a video of turtles walking around, turtles eating even (EVEN!) turtles making love! ahahahaha

  • African Animal Area
6-hectared area, we were able just to glance as my family wanted to leave the zoo already.  They stayed a lil while coz they know I wanted to check out the other areas.  I wasn’t able to see the monkeys & the giraffe but I was able to see the elephant for quite a while.

Here is the elephant we saw walking around his area hehehe 😛

If ever I get the chance to visit the place again, I’ll visit the other areas like Formosan Animal Area, Fern Garden, Insect Valley, Children’s Zoo, Asian Tropical Rainforest Animal Area, Water Garden, Australian Animal Area, Desert Animal Area, Bird World, Temperate Zone Animal Area, Wetland Park, Insectarium, Education Center, Conservation Corridor, Children’s Theater, Xinguang Special Exhibit House, Nocturnal Animal House, Cool Energy Conservation House & Penguin House.
This is a must-go if you’re in Taipei.  The rest of our pictures can be found here.

PicPanda.com

Winners of HeaRty’s Haven Slenda Contest

Last August 31, I launched a contest here at HeaRty’s Haven.

HeaRty’s Haven is giving away 1 box of Slenda (1 month worth) & 1 DVD to 5 lucky readers.  I’m pleased to announce the winners of the contest.


Here are the winners:

  1. MrsMartinez
  2. Francesca Ivy
  3. Rowena Lei
  4. Jeff Yu
  5. Suzy
The last 3 names are drawn via randomizer.org (since there are 5 readers who got the same # of points) 🙂  I’ll contact you to get some information on how the items will be delivered to you.

Here are the point breakdown:

  1. Anna Uy – 3 points
  2. Jeff Yu – 4 points
  3. Rowena Lei – 4 points
  4. Ria – 4 points
  5. MrsMartinez – 5 points
  6. Suzy – 4 points
  7. Sadjz Sumague – 3 points
  8. Jane Robles – 3 points
  9. Francisca Ivy – 5 points
  10. czaroma – 4 points

As this is my 1st contest, I realized I should have done things better.  Here are my learnings:

  • Make the contest simple – I’ve put a lot of steps and people tend to feel it’s too complicated to do.  I already thought of what I need to do next time 🙂
  • Make it easier for the judge to pick winners – Since I’ve put complicated steps, I ended up spending lots of time just to determine if each of the person who joined did the steps written in the “how to join” section.
  • Shorten the time of the Contest – I made this a month-long contest, I should have done this like a week-long contest only.  Coz people tend to forget this already.

Congratulations to all the winners!

PicPanda.com

Help for Typhoon Ondoy Victims

As you all know, Philippines is hardly hit by the Storm Ondoy.  We all have our stories to tell on how we were affected but there are surely others who suffered (& is still suffering) more.

Here is how you can help:

Monetary

via SMS:
Philippine National Red Cross – Type RED to 4493 (Smart Money), 2899 (Globe GCash)

via Bank Deposit:
Account Name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Metrobank
Peso Account # 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Account # 151-2-151-00218-2
Branch: Port Area
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Peso Account # 4991-0010-99
Branch: Port Area
Type of Account: Current

Account Name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Dollar Account # 8114-0030-94
Branch: UN Branch
Type of Account: Savings

Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation
Bank: Banco de Oro
Peso Account # 5630060113
Branch: Mother Ignacia

Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation – Sagip Kapamilya
Bank: Banco de Oro
Peso Account # 39300-48145
Branch: Sct. Albano Branch, Quezon Avenue

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: Metrobank
Peso Account # 3-098-51034-7
Dollar Account # 2-098-00244-2
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: UCPB
Peso Account # 115-184777-2
Dollar Account # 01-115-301177-9
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: UCPB
Peso Account # 160-111277-7
Dollar Account # 01-160-300427-6
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: Banco de Oro
Peso Account # 469-0022189
Dollar Account # 469-0072135
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: BNORPHM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: PNB
Peso Account # 121-0032000-17
Dollar Account # 121-0032000-25
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: PNB MPH MM


In-Kind

  • Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.
  • NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.
  • Miriam Quiambao drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.
  • Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.
  • Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.
  • Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)
  • Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)
  • Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy
  • Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.
  • Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)
  • Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)
  • Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)
  • Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
  • Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.
  • Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at La Salle Greenhills Gate 2 tomorrow or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.
  • Petron: You may bring your relief goods to all Petron branches.
  • LUCA stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).
  • “LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray”: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, MeralcoAvenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com
  • MOONSHINE boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.
  • Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.
  • Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.
  • Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)
  • MINISTOP IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.

 

*** Information gathered from Google.

肯德基 (KFC Taipei)

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肯德基 (KFC Taipei)
Taipei, Taiwan
via MRT – 南勢角 Nanshijiao

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There were 4 of us so we decided to order the 9pc chicken package.

For 449NT, we get 4pcs sweet corn, 2 orders french fries, 9pcs chicken, choice of either a liter of green tea or soda.

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The big difference I’ve seen between KFC taipei and KFC philippines is that Taipei branches doesn’t serve utensils & plates, we really have to eat KFC chicken using our hands & fingers.

following KFC’s finger-licking good 😛

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More pictures from our experience here.

蔥花 (Shinyeh’ Table)

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蔥花 (Shinyeh’ Table)
台北市大安區忠孝東路4段201號2樓
Taipei, Taiwan
886 (2) 2778-8712

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After such a tiring day, we decided to have dinner at 蔥花 (Shinyeh’ Table).  We were all a bit tired especially my mom so we didn’t stay long.  The food is nice though, service is cool too!  The server doesn’t speak english so my aunt’s friend ordered for all of us and my mom became the interpreter for the day hehehe.

So if you’re a foreigner and can’t speak chinese, all you can do is just point your finger to the menu dishes that you like to order 😛

Here are what we ordered:

  • 涼ㄚ涼拼盤 Cold Platter Deluxe (290NT)
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I didn’t dare try it, cold cuts make me feel that they are not cooked.  so I didn’t bother to try even though it looks delicious.

  • 蔥花卡好空肉 Shinyeh Signature Stewed Pork (180NT)
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This one is really good!  I can see that my aunt loved this as well coz she was asking if she could eat more of this lolz!  It was cooked perfectly, meat is tender, sauce is yummy.

  • 鹽酥軟腳蝦 Wok Seared Crispy Shrimp with Green Onion & Garlic (280NT)
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We were told that we can eat the shrimp skin.  This is the 1st time that I have eaten shrimp skins.  Hey, it doesn’t taste bad, I think I was actually the one who finished this dish.  My aunt though still didn’t dare to eat the skin, so she has to peel them. 😛

  • 糖醋姥姥 Sweet & Sour Fish (260NT)
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Everyone uttered this dish as their favorite.  I felt it just tasted normal but my family & aunt’s friends thought otherwise.  They said that it tasted sooo good and they liked this the best.

  • Green Vegetable
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This is put in front of my area so I ate a lot of this dish.  This is a simple dish but tasted good, it was served hot and I totally forgot about it.  So when I took a bite of it, it was like ‘ouch!’ hahaha!

  • 老師對不起 Sorry Teacher (180NT)
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  • 蛤蠣泡湯 Clam Soup (220NT)
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  • 這個那個西米露 Ziga Zaga Sago Cream (60NT)
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Very tasty.  You can really taste the taro and it’s creamy as advertised.  we all liked this 🙂

My aunt for sure had a great time coz she was able to see her long-lost friend and got to chat with her during dinner.  I enjoyed peeling the shrimp for my aunt hahahaha!

You can find pictures from our dinner here.

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