Maple Leaf Holiday Villas

It was very different revisiting this place since 2005. Many homestays have been replaced and many new hotels have emerged. I enjoyed my stay in my last visit than this time. Many things have been commercialised. I no longer feel that relaxed this time. I couldn't find the previous home stay place. It probably have been torn down.

For this place, I have chosen to stay in the VIP room. It cost NT2900 for one night.

Toilet

 

Small table area

Queen Bed

View from the balcony

Breakfast: Provided

WIFI: Free

Address: 南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路226-9號

Email: m11708@yahoo.com.tw

Website: http://www.maple-leaves.com.tw/

SPA Home Sun Moon Lake Luxury Lakeside Hotel

This was a really value-for-money hotel at Sun Moon Lake as I was looking for one that has a full good view of the lake in the morning. We paid $211.03 for one night.

The interior is very posh especially the big toilet. Really had a good stay here!

Bath tub beside the window facing the lake

Toilet and on the right is the door to the shower 

Our door

The corridor to the rooms

Common toilet for public

Stairs leading up to the reception and breakfast area.

Balcony facing the lake.

Breakfast

Breakfast: Provided

WIFI: Free

Address: No. 95, Zhongshan Road, Yuchi Township, Yuchi County, Nantou, Taiwan

Tel: +886 4928 55166

Panda's Hostel - Cozy, Hong Kong

On this night, my friends have left for Singapore. I had to find a cheap single room that is near Hong Kong Indoor Stadium. So here's the hostel. I paid SGD117.42 for one night.

It was very very small, but VERY clean. The toilet was really clean and the bed was very comfortable. I had no qualms staying here alone just that my luggage fills up half of the walking space. 

The room was really small. One step off the bed and I'm in the toilet. When I sat down on the toilet bowl, my knees had to bend to the side otherwise I would hit into the wall.

Standing in the toilet. The room is this small. The door opens inwards making walking space even smaller.

The door is automated.

Clean corridor leading to rooms.

Breakfast: Not provided

WIFI: Free

Address: (Reception @ Flat A, 3/F) Flat C, 11/F, 88 Nathan Road, Comfort Building, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Website: http://www.pandashostel.com

Alan Tam and Hacken Lee 2013 in Hong Kong

I went for two consecutive nights - 6th and 7th Dec 2013! The first time I watched a concert in Hong Kong!! AWESOME is just not enough descriptive for the wholesome experience! I bought the most expensive ticket for both nights but the seat on the 7th is the best!! Just less than 5 metres from the stage!!

Waiting for the release of the concert recording!!!

Post-Hacken Concert

The first trip went perfectly well. Everything went according to plan. We only had a little problem finding the place for rehearsal on Fortress Hill and that our hotel was a little of too much walking from Causeway Bay MTR station.

On the day of competition, we were being interviewed as we were the only foreigner group. We made a small video for Hacken's viewing and being Hacken's fan, I was the spokesperson of the group. So I spoke in my half-bucket Cantonese.

Shortly after, we played our two pieces without warming up! It went very well! We were all satisfied with our playing. We were very disappointed that Hacken wasn't there. I thought he was one of the judges. However, his PA was there and we were tweeted onto Weibo.

Right after we finished and exited the studio, the personnel told us there was a change in the date for Finals. That will mean three of our player being unable to make it!!! We were angry and exasperated! Since the beginning of preparations for this, nothing has been exactly smooth!!

Upon returning to Singapore, we quickly sourced for players. One of which is unwilling to pay for air ticket. So it means we have to share the cost! Luckily some players volunteered to share the cost and I managed to get some kind donations from Singapore's Hacken Fanclub. 

Two days before we flew for the Finals, they emailed us saying we had gotten second place in the open category. WHAT IS THIS!? We were only going there to perform and not compete! Exasperation raised to 100%!! 

So on the day of Finals, it started punctually but Hacken wasn't there!! We were the fourth item, and if he couldn't arrive on time, it would have defeated the purpose of us flying there! Firstly, not for competition, secondly not even him watching us?! I was mad. 

We started with the introduction of our piece and the next moment I knew, Hacken was sitting there watching us already!! He actually made it in time for our item. Plus there were SO MANY cameras and video cameras on us!! It was freaking me out! Right after our item, he had to do an interview. So he left for another room, and almost ALL the reporters followed him. The hall was left so empty and I really pity those players who had to play without Hacken listening.

He came back for the last few items and did the prize presentation. There were only certificates and cash vouchers. So we had all the handshakes and photo-taking. But we didn't have any individual shots as Hacken had to go for another interview. 

I was disappointed with the organisation that there were no trophies given out which was written in the competition brochure. Till today, the organisers have not gotten back to me regarding official photos and videos. I think this whole thing was just a promotion stint and no sincerity was given to the musicians involved. This is because Hacken can't even promise a performance opportunity to the overall winner. 

It was an experience for me - the preparations, the people and the performances. 

Causeway Corner

My second visit to Hong Kong for Hacken Lee's Music Competition Finals, we stayed at this service apartment. I paid $202.47 for one night. It was already the cheapest as that was the EXPO weekend. Every hotel was full and super expensive. 

I really liked this place. It was very clean and well-equipped. Though small, it had many shelves for placing your things! It was a really neat place. There was even a microwave and hot pot! You can cook in the room! Best of all, it is located very very near the MTR exit. After a long day out, you just want to get back really quickly to rest. At the ground level, there is a famous snake soup shop beside the entrance to the apartment.

Entrance looking in. Built-in shelves and wardrobe on the right hand side.

Queen bed beside the window.

TV with DVD player and a mini work desk.

Utensils and the hot pot!

Toilet with shelves on the right side.

Shower area

Towels provided.

Breakfast: Not provided

WIFI: Free

Address: 18 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Website: http://www.causewaycorner.com/mavista/cms/en/home

Best Western Hotel Causeway Bay Hong Kong

The hotel we stayed on our first trip to Hong Kong for the Hacken Lee music competition. It was one of the cheapest one around Times Square. There are many shops around the hotel. The electric tram also stops steps away from the hotel.

The only bad thing is it was too far away from Causeway Bay MTR station. We had to walk about 15-20 min from the MTR station back to the hotel. It was really tiring carrying our instruments and walking to and fro. 

However, it was a really spacious hotel (in Hong Kong sense) and very comfortable.

Breakfast: Not provided

WIFI: Free

Address: 38 Bowrington Road, Hong Kong
Tel:+852 2496 6666

We Are Flying!!

After all the confusing information, we called up HK side and clarified our queries. Since we have paid HKD180, we are in the second round directly. So we do not need to do recording.

It was a tight time scrambling for air tickets and accomodation two days ago. We are flying in two weeks' time! Air tickets are expensive!! So much more expensive than what I bought for my upcoming December trip! Furthermore, we have to eliminate all budget airlines as we are carrying our instruments on board. And I have to fly right after school ends on Friday! And return on a Monday midnight!

We are flying in batches and staying around Causeway Bay which is walking distance to Times Square, the location of the competition.

I managed to seek help from my ex-violin teacher who is staying in HK to book a music studio for us to practise. Another member got a friend to help us arrange our second piece and also got her cousin's apartment for the girls to stay. We also got a conductor-friend to help listen to our ensemble-ship and give guidance.

We are a big group of 11. Of course there are disagreements here and there but I learnt that if it's legit, others will stand by your side. Maintaining good relationships are also very important. In times like this, you really need  many people's  help.

We need some magic dust to bind us together and play the music with soul. Very excited yet I think we will not make it much up there. So much so for an expensive thrill.

Hacken Lee Music Competition

This is it! We are entering the competition!!

The details are kinda confusing and we put quite a bit of effort to get the details right. We got a friend from HK to help us register and DHL the scores to us.

We just got together yesterday for our first read-through. Of course, I hope to make it to the second round and get at least a prize. Either way, I think it is good opportunity for me to participate with my idol!!

We are gonna do our recording coming week! Hope everything goes smoothly!

Summon Ticket

My first summon ticket...

Tried my luck by too much by tearing a 8pm coupon at 7pm. LOL. In the end I spent $1 on coupon and $30 for the fine.

Lesson learnt:

1) Don't try too hard.

2) AXS has an app for smart phones so payment is very easy!

Hacken Lee World Tour 2013 (Singapore station)

It was another wonderful weekend with Hacken Lee. We had a fanclub meeting with him on Friday and then the concert on Saturday.

Met and catch up with the fan members. We are also planning to watch the 10th Anniversary of 左麟右李 in Hong Kong in December. ^^

 

Drama Love

I have gotten this drama since last year but didn't watch it because of its wierd publicity poster. Without having any dramas to watch, I started on this last week and finished watching in a week! It's awesome! The drama is Rooftop Prince (북탑방왕세자).

It talks about the crown prince Lee Gak from Joseon who travelled 300 years into the future and met Park Ha, the reincarnation of his "missed" love. In this journey, he discovered the evil character of his Joseon crown princess and later fell in love with Park Ha, the reincarnation of the crown princess' sister.

The ending was heart-wrenching. The writer has written a good story with good story features linking the Joseon and present day storyline. The only part I don't like is that they didn't explain the part when Park Ha went to the library to read up on the history about Lee Gak.

Because of the show, I like Park Yoo Chun now. Will start on his most recent drama - Missing You.

In one of the episode, Park Ha demostrated how to eat instant noodles with the four characters from Joseon. Here's the noodles:

Violin Strings: Evah Pirazzi (Gold)

Strings by Evah Pirazzi (Gold) is my latest new favourite! It is a little pricey compared to other strings but its sound is fantastic! They are also quite durable! Buy it when Gramercy has a sale! 

The G string is Gold, D is Sterling silver, A is Aluminium and E is stainless steel. G string being gold, gives a mellow, rich and warm tone. E being stainless steel isn't too bad. The tone is still sweet. I like the tension on all strings and the sound comes out easily.

The ends are golden yellow with black stripes for G, D and A strings. The heads is brown for G, pink for D, dark blue for A and green for E.