First family trip to Taiwan 台湾之旅

In November last year, we had our very first family trip to Taiwan. In the past, this country was not my preferred vacation destination. However, after being convinced by many that it is a wonderful country to visit, we finally decided to book a flight there. 

Instead of joining group tour, we opted for private tour guide cum driver (車導）for a more carefree & relaxed trip. After a few emails on itinerary and price, we were ready for the trip!

慈濟(Tzu Chi) is my favourite buddhist organization. Our tour guide cum driver purposely drove us to see a few of the Tzu Chi landmarks in 花蓮。I'm grateful to him. 感恩。

My MIL enjoyed the trip very much. She said it was very relaxing.

We are fortunate to have Peter - a good tour guide cum driver with a big and comfortable MPV. We are satisfied with all the inns/hotels recommended by his team, especially 七星海民宿 in 花蓮 (clean and nice, and within walking distance to the beach) and 川湯養生館 in 礁溪 (do bring swim wear if you want to try the hot spring)。

We spent the last 3 nights  in Taipei without Peter. We put up in Just Sleep 捷絲旅 - a clean, nice and modern hotel conveniently located in Ximending. We booked two rooms with 3 single beds, and the rooms are spacious enough and the beds are very clean and comfortable! There is a washing machine and ironing board (FOC) in one of the floors but I was too lazy to use it.

Another wonderful & unforgetable family trip :-)

The places we visited：

日月潭(搭船游湖)/青青草原 - 武嶺合歡山/太魯閣峽谷/砂卡礑步道/七星潭/花蓮 - 清水斷崖/南方澳/宜蘭傳統藝術中心/羅東夜市/礁溪 - 金瓜石黃金博物園區/野柳地質公園/九份 - 台北自由行 (my favourite is 故宮博物館）

What we got from Chatuchak, Bangkok

My girls were so excited to see the gifts we got for them.

 My elder daughter whom is a "mustache" lover was thrilled to get this t-shirt and a mustache shape leather keychain with her name initials.

Bought a few packs of buttons in a shop specializing in buttons and mosaic art. 

The 2 packs with pink labels cost THB110/RM11 each.

The price for this pack is unbelievable! It is only THB45/RM4.50!

My girls can't wait to sort out the buttons...

There are shops specializing in ribbons but I only bought the special priced items above. 

Mosaic Art frame that costs THB89/RM8.90 in Chatuchak (the small pack) but a ringgit more in B2S, Central World. It will be a fun activity for kids and adults.

There is a shop selling bags made of Jeans.

I bought this one for my maid - THB199/RM19.90

A gift for myself. THB700/RM70

Front & back part of the bag

I bought 2 sling bags for my daughters. It costs THB199/RM19.90 each

I purposely bought the simple ones without any patterns or deco so that my girls can freely customise them with buttons, ribbon, fabric crayons and pens. 

My little girl is using fabric crayons to draw some patterns on her bag. She later sew 3 buttons on it. Nice.

A space theme bag.

Hari Raya themed "Ketupat" purse? 

THB10 (RM1). Bought it for my maid's daughter ... 

My elder daughter loves to make miniatures. She requested mini bottles to keep those tiny little things. We found a shop selling all types of bottles. Those we selected above cost THB410/RM41

The different shapes of bottles

I was thrilled to find a shop selling many interesting miniature items such as black sushi tray, flower pots, basket, plates, cups etc. 

Mini display shelves from the same shop

In total I spent THB930/RM93 for quite a number of miniature items plus the 2 display shelves. (I saw some of the items in an art store in Power Ikano and the price is much more expensive! Should have bought more... )

Kids arranged the items inside different compartments. 

My elder daughter couldn't wait to decoden one of the bottle caps with fake whip creme etc. Kawai.

I came across a shop selling wooden frames and the price is so affordable!

The big frames cost THB100/RM10 for 5 frames!

My daughter's work. Can you find this frame from the photo above, before its transformation?

If you were to buy this type of frame, do check on the base. Some were a bit porous.

However, can't complain for the price we paid :-)

Another good find. Each wooden box is only THB25/RM2.50.

My elder daughter couldn't wait to transform it into a delicious looking box.

 I regretted for buying 2 only. I should have bought a few dozens!!!

I found this cool apron for THB250/RM25

My hubby bought some ropes and buckles. Not sure what are those for...definitely not for art and craft!

He bought me 2 leather purses that were suppose to be my birthday presents. No more sweet surprise since I found out before he managed to hide them. He also bought a card holder and 2 money clippers for himself. 

My lovely hubby even bought 2 cute fridge magnets! The leather keychain is for our daughter TZ.  

We also bought 2 different sizes & patterns of Thai Brand notebook bags plus one big tote bag for THB1000 (RM100). My little girl brings the one above to school everyday (her school bag is too heavy, so she puts some of her exercise books inside this bag and hand carry it. The size is just nice)

Oh ya, I remember the last trip we were there, there were many LeSportsac imitations.  This round we couldn't seem to find any.

As for my son who is very passionate about photography, his dad found him some colour lense caps for his Nikon camera. THB50 (RM5) each. My son thinks the colors are too striking :p

THB150/RM15

THB150/RM15

Our son simply loves these 2 T-shirts printed with cameras that his dad bought for him. 

Man is man. My hubby also bought his son an army pants (THB280/RM28) and a "sniper" key chain.

I found this necktie for my son who is a music lover too. It was only THB60/RM6.

Beautiful artificial orchid THB150/RM15

Apart from the above, there are a few more items that I bought as gifts to others.

For those who love shopping, I'm sure you will not go home empty handed from Chatuchak.

For me, I somehow feel that THE MORE I SPEND, THE MORE I SAVE :D