Monthly Archives: December 2008

Nested Vacation — Taipei Day 2

No self-serve vacation is ever complete without a one-day guided tour that brings you to places that all the tour buses go to.  We decided to do the generic tourist attractions on Day 2 with a Cantonese-speaking guide. I was much more interested in surveying more local cuisine, but to placate the parental units I succumbed to their demands for a typical Asian bus tour of the city and Taipei’s surrounding rural areas. I apologize, we’ll return back to the regular programming of mystery meats shortly.

Our first stop was to the Yehliu Geopark, a series of mountainous rock formations facing the pacific ocean. I hate to admit it, but it was very scenic. The decades of salt-water erosion have formed some brilliant rock faces.


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Nested Vacation – Taipei Day 1

Note to self — If I intend on regularly blogging again, I actually have to regularly blog.

Job, done.

My parents decided that I needed to “expand my horizons”, whatever that means, so we hopped on a plane and headed to… Taiwan? I never realized expanded horizons are only a one-hour plane ride away.

I’ve never been to Taiwan, specifically Taipei, but all my relatives tell me it’s a haven for good food. That testimonial is good enough for me.


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Home to Hong Kong – Day 14

I’m a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain, chef and culinary adventurer. He’s a true advocate of trying everything locally sourced and produced, especially the less desirable cuts of meat. Drawing inspiration from him, I bring you this blog post.

On a trip to Mong Kok to pick up a few travel books, my Dad and I stopped by a local congee shop for lunch. Good Hope Noodle, an already unassuming and odd name for an eatery, has had a storied history. It’s been in the neighbourhod for decades and is a popular lunch joint for local office dwellers and retail workers alike. Don’t let the 1960′s decore put you off,  as the food is well worth the drab-looking interior. My dad and I showed up early and was able to observe a steady stream of suits and Giordano associates who skillfully took their seats in the room to consume what is often considered one of the best noodle and congee joints in town.


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