Piotr - just remember to roll for the diplomacy for antagonise if the party doesn't manage to finish off the ghoul.
He was already targetted I thought, meaning he is affected for a minute. But I could be getting my ghouls confused.
Diplomacy: You fluster your enemy. For the next minute, the target takes a –2 penalty on all attacks rolls made against creatures other than you and has a 10% spell failure chance on all spells that do not target you or that have you within their area of effect.
And predictably...when I went for a body composition test, I found out that I lost muscle mass >.< Sigh...how does one train for a half marathon and maintain muscle mass at the same time?
Your reaction mirrored my BFs after I brought him out for a 4 h nature hike. He went back and took an afternoon nap for 3h. I took a 1h nap because I was up at 5.50 am in the morning to exercise before my nap. Then I got bored and bought us tickets to Taiwan(as per previously planned).
Our vacation from the tour group has been cancelled due to insufficient people and so now we planned our free and easy trip to Taiwan from 18th Oct to 28th Oct.
Yep, I think muscle mass loss is expected when training for a marathon - just look at how marathonists are built vs. the 100m dash guys/gals ;)
So... what is there to do in Taiwan?
18 October
Jetstar – Departing flight 0700h to 1130h (2 person round trip – $612)
Arrival at Tao Yuan Terminal 1.
Have lunch at Tao Yuan Airport (Chun Shui Tang in T2/ Homee Kitchen/Food court in T1) and purchase EZ card at Electronic Stored Value Card Service at 1F.
Head from Tao Yuan Airport to Metro to Taipei Main station, switch on red line to Taipei 101. (1h 8 min travelling time).
Collect KKday Express ticket from Taipei 101:
Taipei 101 Observation Deck & National Palace Museum Ticket and Round-Trip Transportation Package (redeem at Taipei 101 counter) ($44.65)
- Redemption point: Observation deck ticket counter on the 5th floor of Taipei 101
Check in at Johnson's place (air bnb)
Take bus 284/611 from Taipei 101 train station to explore Rouhe night market for dinner.
19th October
Show up at Taipei 101 at 9 am in the morning.
Muck around observatory for 1-2h. Have lunch at DTF/food court?
Catch 11 am shuttle/ noon shuttle/12 pm shuttle to National Palace museum. (30 min)
If lunch at National Palace Museum – Dim Sum Buffet at Silks Palace ($14.50)/Food court at basement/San Xi Tang at 4F
Additional Plans:
Shuang Ye Museum of Aborigines
Catch 4.00/5.00 pm shuttle bus out of National Palace Museum.
Head to Ningxia Night Market from Taipei 101 (alight at Zhongshan Station)
20th October :
Leave hotel at 8 am. Head to Taipei main station, walk to Taipei station, take Tze-Chiang Limited Express 212 to Hualien to Ruifang Train station, arrival 9.37 am. Muck around Zushi temple/wait at Ruifang Station for Shuttle Train 4712 at 9.58 am to Shifen. Arrival at Shifen Station – 10.24 – head towards Shifen waterfall (15 min)
Leave Shifen old street at 1.15 pm and take 4723 Shuttle Train to Badouzi (1.40 pm) stopping at Ruifang Train Station
Catch the 2.31 pm bus 965 at Ruifang Station. Arrive at Jiufen Old Street at 2.53 pm. Go muck.
Head towards 1062 bus stop by 6.30 and wait for bus 1062 to Zongxiao Fuxing, change to brown line to Daan, then go towards Taipei 101. ETA 8.30 pm.
Or do a Kkday tour:
Meet at 8.45 am, tour duration 9 h.
https://www.kkday.com/en-sg/product/3154
21st October :
9.00 am Taipei 101 station take bus 281 to Songshan MRT station – arrival 9.30 am
9.40 am Pu you ma 280 express train to Hualien, eta 11.50am
Eat at Wang Tea House, – check in at Ren's place(air bnb)
Then do laundry at快洗可得自助洗衣
Consider renting a bike from Giant…otherwise it’s a 34 min walk to the pine gardens >.<
22nd October:
Taroko gorge (Buy 2 days tourist shuttle)
Catch 8.30 am bus at Hulien Railway Station (1133A)
Get off at Qixintan, 8.43 am.
Catch 9.23am bus 1133A , arrival at Visitor centre 9.50am
Check trails at visitor centre – walk to Shakadang trail via Xiaozhuilu then back to Visitor centre (Each way takes 2.5h)and catch 15:30 pm bus out.
23rd October:
Taroko Gorge round 2
Catch 8.30 am bus at Hualien Railway Station (1133 A)
Get off at Buluowan at 9.25 am (1133 A).Dangle around and take photos.
Catch 10.05am bus (1133A) out from Buluowan and get to Yanzigou at 10.13 am. Walk around(it may not be safe as it is rather congested…shared with traffic – bring a torch) and catch the 11.03 am bus (1133A) out of Yanzigou.
Arrival at Tianxiang – 11.15 am
If lunch at Tianxiang (food isn’t very good and overpriced)– catch the 12:50 pm(1133A bus out of Tian Xiang, otherwise catch the 11.40 am(1133A) bus out of Tian Xiang
Arrival at Changchun (Eternal Spring Shrine) at 12.02 or 13.12. Leave Changchun Eternal Spring Shrine at 13.12 or 14.37. (1133A)
Stop by visitor’s centre to return safety hats at 13.20 or 14.43. (1133A)
Return from visitor’s centre by 14.40 or 15.30(1133A)
24th October:
East rift valley and coastline(https://www.kkday.com/en-sg/product/9708)
Or
East Coast Explorer Tour (https://www.islandlifetaiwan.com/tours/epic-coastal-explorer-highway-11-an d-beyond/)
Or
East Rift valley day tour
(https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/420-east-rift-valley-day-tour-hualien /)
25th October:
Self guided bike tour (start at 9 am ish) to Emerald Valley and Liyu Lake.
10 am reach emerald valley, start trekking, finish around 12 noon, cycle 20 min to Liyu lake for lunch.( 鯉魚潭樹屋餐廳) Bike around the lake after lunch, then head back to Hualien around 4-5 pm. Alternatively, spend the day kayaking at Liyu lake and not go to Emerald Valley.
26th October:
Return to Taipei by pu you ma 411, 9.45 departure, get to Taipei by 11.59. Head to Beitou (30 min), then find a nice hotspring hotel to check in. 皇家季節酒店北投溫泉館 - $118/ night. Explore Beitou park and hotspring museum (on foot).
27th October:
Laze around in hotel until checkout then take metro to airport to catch the 2.30 plane back to SG.
I like eating this =)
Another long run done. Catching my long run this week is going to be challenging. Either I do it on Friday night (I hate night runs) or do it on Sunday afternoon (after I've gorged myself on food expo) - which also has its drawbacks because afternoon is fekking hot. Sure, I make light of the effects of heat but it still will slow me down. No more sub 7 pace, I'll be stuck with something like 7'30, which will mean my run will take ages to complete since I want to do full 21 km.
Boiler shenanigans you'd want to heat the boilers from the other side, where you guys first came up. I'm also considering doing a half marathon before work tomorrow. Means I'll have to get up at 4 am and all that.
Before work??!? 4am?!?!? Mort... you might need professional help, said with all the sympathy my out of shape computer nerd body has for yours.
:)
I'm a little pressed for time this week with wedding gift negotiations and all. Else I really wouldn't be doing this lol. I'd just do it in a more leisurely fashion on the Weekend. Unfortunately the gym I go to for weds morning class is moving and the new address isn't out yet. So I'm bored - and thus the idea of killing 2 birds with one stone and getting my long run this week.
Getting up at 4am to run a half marathon because you are bored... that is awesome. Enjoy and stay safe!!!
It might not be a bad thing. The pen opening time for the actual race is 4.45 am, flag off time is 5.15 am. So I will still end up running on the roads before the sun comes up on the actual day, must as well get used to it.
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I... I.... I mean... I... Half-marathon BEFORE work?! Wait... Half-marathon?! :D
One second, what are wedding gift negotiations?
There is a gift ceremony before the wedding. The groom needs to give the bride's family some stuff and the bride's family needs to give the groom stuff in return. What is actually given, here's a list I compiled from two websites:
Groom to provide:
1) Dragon and Phoenix candles to be burnt at the bride and groom’s house
2) A bolt of red cloth to be hung over the bride house door house (provided by the groom)/ 2 sets of red banners 红彩两套 to hang over main door. 1 for groom, 1 for bride sets
3) Pin jin (to be shared between families – after being given by the groom)
4) 1 red packet (Hong Bao 红包) with "Diaper money" 洗屎喜包.
5) Black Red or Straw Basket to carry items
6) Double Happiness Stickers 喜字貼紙
7) Assortment of fruit and food
- Oranges (8-12?)
- Hard liquor/2x red wine or white wine (to be given to the bride’s father)
- Biscuits
- A whole suckling pig/slabs of canned pork/ 6 slabs of canned pig trotters (to be given to bride’s mother)
- Peanut and sesame candy
- Teochew wedding cakes
- Bananas
-Black Moss, 发菜
-Charcoal,旺炭
- A pair of coconuts
- 2 cans of tea leaves and 2 packets of white sesame seeds
8) 六礼(bride family keeps – after being given by the groom)
9) 四点金 from groom’s family (present for 过大礼, but only given on tea ceremony)
10) Lucky fruit tossed on matrimonial bed, and male child sent to roll on it/Parent set the bed and put a pink or red bedsheet on it
If 安床 An Chuang is done (presentation of items but brought back to groom’s home):
1) 1 Gift Box 礼金盒 containing:
- Dried Longan
- Red Dates
- Lotus seeds
- Dried melon slice
- Lily bulbs
- Walnut or Peanut
- Dried tangerine
- 2 boxes of 5 elements seeds
-Charcoal,旺炭
Bride to provide:
1) Watch, cufflinks, belts, gold ring or wallet with ang bao 红包.
2) 2 bottles of orange juice or syrup in exchange of liquor
3) Portion of the gift received from groom. Part of the items received such as the wedding pastries and cakes will be returned.
4) Huat kueh 发糕
If 安床 An Chuang is done (to be placed in bridal chambers):
1) Furniture such as bed, mattress or dressing table
2) 1 Dowry Sewing Box Set 嫁妆锦绣针线盒
3) 1 Ruler
4) Sugar Cane
5) Bridal essentials consisting of:
- Descendant Pail Set 子孙宝桶
Mug set 家翁家婆对杯
- Face Towel Set 家翁家婆面巾
- Wash basin
- Spittoon
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
6) 2 pairs of slippers for wedding couple
7) Linen cover
8) Dining set 丰衣足食碗: that includes 2 bowls and 2 pairs of spoons and chopsticks 家翁家婆对碗
9) 1 pair of Prosperity Lamp 添丁灯
10) 1 red umbrella 红伞
11) Fate coins - Da Yuan Xiao Yuan 大缘小缘
12) Charcoal 旺炭
But of course the actual nature of the gifts are to be negotiated between the bride and the groom's family.
The actual websites where I pulled the data from is here:
https://www.blissfulbrides.sg/articles/trending/through-the-years-teochew-w edding-traditions-in-singapore
https://weddingplannersingapore.net/chinese-wedding-guide/betrothal-gifts-g uo-da-li/teochew/
My personal view on the whole thing? I really couldn't give a fk, but my mom who is very traditional wants things "done right" and frets to pieces if they're not, then complains that I am not doing my part because of my lack of interest in these customs. Fine, if you want to complain, I'll bloody hell give you a list so you can't accuse me of not doing my job...
(which is more detailed then her haphazard ways of asking everyone and not writing down what they tell her)
At least the research is out for everyone to see, whether you agree with it or not or think I missed customs (customs are at the end of the day - up to human interpretation), you can't say I didn't do anything...
I... I.... I mean... I... Half-marathon BEFORE work?! Wait... Half-marathon?! :D
One second, what are wedding gift negotiations?
It's a bit complicated due to my... Less then optimal run speed. Life would be simpler if I could run a sub 2 half marathon but alas, that would take more training then I currently have, so I have to compensate by waking up earlier. Let's hope my aunt doesn't stop me from running before the sun comes up.
Now THAT is a list :D
It is a very impressive list indeed.
Had a compromise with my aunt and ran at a nearby stadium instead. Did not manage to run full 21 km due to time constraints but did manage to run 20k before heading to work.
1K short... how could you? :) Great job!
I could have finished the 1k. If time permitted. Unfortunately the stadium only opens at 4.30am in the morning and I was there right when it opened. And I refuse to give myself pressure to run at a certain pace for such long distances(it's a risky proposition) and being late for work is not advisable as well.
Also, you DO NOT skimp on the cool down unless you want to go around limping for the rest of the day and the next day as well.
Going this kind of mileage is not a oh I feel like doing it and just do it kind of thing. I may make light of it but behind there is a cold, calculating mind planning on how to squeeze in a run before work.
My advice for anyone trying this is that you have run the distance before so you have some idea on what timing you will complete the run. And also make sure you're still functional for the rest of the day.
Give yourself some buffer time and don't get late for work just to cover distance. If you can finish 20km, 1 km doesn't make much difference. Don't sweat the small stuff =)
So how long do those involved have to arrange for everything in the list? Hope it is a looooong time :D
You can go to a Chinese wedding specialty shop and get all those items in a wedding package for $198 or so..
Some of the items like the wedding cakes you may not be able to obtain any other way either.
Actually I thought of trying my hand at making the wedding cakes but the issue is I don't have the 喜 chop to stamp on the completed wedding cakes. And peanut and sesame candy, I don't even know how to start.
From 12th October both families have around 2 weeks to get everything.
I will be on vacation from work from October 12 - October 21. My posting will be sporadic over this time frame, but I will try to check in when I can. GM, please bot me as necessary.
Enjoy the vaycay Rozalia!
Just a heads up, as my Taiwan trip and wedding draws closer - my activity may become erratic. I usually will try to make a point to check at least once per day but it might get iffy as RL gets busier. I should be able to keep up with posting even when I'm in Taiwan since we're not going particularly fast, but will give updates when I'm there.
Also entertained myself climbing rocks today:
I can do 5Cs on rock climbing walls and most of the time on bouldering sections(grip dependent).
Have a good vacation, Rozalia!
Enjoy your vacation! No worries Mok on your extremely important and awesome wedding taking precedence over our game :)
What does 5C mean Mort?
And I am with Piotr on this one - if it is THAT important please feel free to address your wedding first... Bah! :)
5C denotes the difficulty of the route. The routes are graded according to their difficulty and their conversion charts are here. The higher the number and alphabet the harder the route. They're using British (tech) grading for the rock walls I'm climbing.
Squeezed in a final run before I fly
This time with some pre emotive stretching, my knee only started complaining after 19km.
Me at the base of Taipei 101 and the vases in the National Palace Museum
That's beautiful, Mort! And huge!
Wow... That view is brutal Mort!
I went to the beach in shorts and sandals expecting soft white sand and I got rocks lol. But that's unusual in a way because all the rocks have been ground smooth. Not the sort of thing you see everyday.
I cheated and used my BFs pictures because he has a Hua Wei phone that takes much better pictures then mine.
Seems like you are enjoying yourself Mort - at least the sightseeing has surely been nothing less than spetacular?
Eh, I could use more vegetables but it's my BFs fault. He finds it not worth it to buy vegetables, saying meats are more worth the money,and thinks a salad is enough veg for the day(hint, it isn't). Salad type veggies do not have enough fibre. I'm keeping up with vitamin C at least because I eat one kiwi or one orange everyday. And he hasn't eaten a single fruit since the start of the trip.
Gah!
I agree it sounds like you are having a blast, well besides food wise :) Showed the pictures to my wife and she is jealous. Someday I have to take her travelling.
View from Baiyang Trail part 1
View from Baiyang Trail part 2
We back tracked as we were neither equipped with a flashlight(mine wasn't powerful enough, even a cellphone did a better job) nor wet weather gear.
Note about the Baiyang Waterfall trail:
Baiyang Waterfall (2.2 km/1.2miles) (round trip 4 km/2.4miles)
Seven hundred meters up the highway from Tianxiang is a tunnel carved into the cliff at the roadside. The tunnel is about 380 meters long, and the trail continues from the far end. An hour walk brings you to Baiyang Waterfall. This trail exhibits splendid examples of the geology and morphology of the marble gorge. The path is wide and well maintained with a comfortable pavilion near the waterfall. Shuilien Tunnel, beyond Baiyang Waterfall, is closed. Please do not enter.(This section of river is the main Liwu River; the section of river the highway follows out from Tianxiang is only a tributary).(Please bring a flash light.)
Unfortunately the path to the shrine was closed due to maintenance.
Waiting for party actions.
I did an impromptu 1.6km run round trip to cover distance between places so I could get to thermal Valley and hot spring museum in time to take pictures, under an hour to catch the train to the airport.
You just can´t stop running, can you Mort? :D
The weather looks hot and humid - what temperatures are we looking at here?
I've been doing a thing where I walk 2.2km to the train station. I do this about 2-3 times a week. It started out when my transit pass expired, and I was too lazy to buy a pack of tickets. Now I walk to the station and buy a ticket with my credit card there. I don't have the cash for the bus near my house. I've been doing this for about 2 months now.
But hey! It's more exercise than I've had in years.
2.2km! That's great sir. Building it into you normal day to day activities makes a lot of sense Treasure. Best way to keep it up.
You just can´t stop running, can you Mort? :D
The weather looks hot and humid - what temperatures are we looking at here?
23 degrees over there actually. Around 70 percent humidity.
Perfect weather for running Mort :D
Fox, 2,2km a day seems like a great start man.
Thank you, you two.
2.2 km is quite a bit. Estimated time around half h? I know I do the 2.5km thingie to my run and it takes me about half an hour. But walking is good exercise - its not that strenuous on knees esp if you're on the heavy side.