2015 Dec. Finland. Dining in Helsinki.
Before the trip, friends were telling me Nordic food is boring, and I am gonna eat salmon, salmon and salmon. It didn’t help when on the first day upon arrival, the local tour guide shared that Finland is not big on farming and local produce is very limited. Undeterred and determined to make a good trip with good food memories, I did my homework and made several reservations at recommended restaurants in Helsinki before the trip. Continue Reading
2015 Dec. Finland. Helsinki.
Experiencing the beautiful white winter wonderland and Christmas magic in Arctic Circle was a memorable experience. I had initially planned to fly to Moscow and then travel to Finland by train, only to find out that travelling to Moscow in Dec is a really bad idea. Changed my plans and went on a packaged tour with EU Holidays instead due to cost and logistic considerations, my first taste of packaged tour, and hopefully the last too. 🙂
Flew in to Helsinki and arrived really early in the morning. Had a cuppa and bought local sim card and data plan at the airport, before the tour bus took us into Helsinki city centre at daybreak. The changing light conditions at dawn was simply gorgeous.
2016 Mar. Taiwan. Taidong.
林家臭豆腐。非常好吃的臭豆腐，炸得很脆。泡菜加了九层塔很香，醬汁
2016 Mar. Taiwan. Taitung (Taidong).
从花东纵谷來到了台东市，看到了也触摸到了太平洋，真是舒服！原本没做好功课，不知道要住在火车站附近还是住在市区，所以到了台东扛着背包走了好几公里，到处找住宿。才发现火车站离市区真的很远，而且周围只有民宿却没什么商店，非常不方便。最后決定住在市区，比较热闹而且有很多好吃的。建议来台东玩但没开车的朋友，还是住在市区好。
2016 Feb. Taiwan. Chishang + Guanshan
池上最出名的就是产好米，所以来到池上一定要吃池上饭包。这家“池上饭包文化故事馆”的悟饕飯包经营得最有规模，人气很旺
2016 Feb. Taiwan. Chihshang (Chishang)
今天来到池上，台湾最好的顶级好米都产自这里。池上饭包是池上的特产，我还没找到住宿，就到「池上飯包文化故事館」报到，先吃了再说。饭包的特点是使用池上米制作并以木盒盛裝，日据时期的第一代饭包是以竹叶包裹饭团搭配卤肉、黃萝卜、烤肉乾、豬肝、瘦肉片、一小块蛋饼、炸虾饼及梅子等配菜而成。往返花東的火车乘客经过池上站时都会买来充饥。后来改成木片盒裝便当，才成为今日广为人知的池上饭包样貌。
2016 Feb. Taiwan. Ruisui.
瑞穗是乡下地方，吃的地方不算多，但也有几样当地著名的美食。首先要介绍的是涂妈妈香粽，是瑞穗的特色小吃，吃过的都赞不绝口。食材只有糯米和半肥瘦猪肉
2016 Feb. Taiwan. Rueisuei (Ruisui).
从壽豐搭火车抵达瑞穗时已经很晚了，在火车站附近找看有沒有喜欢的民宿住下來。走了一圈，看到一间装潢得还不錯的養和屋民宿，但是沒人在。原來经营民宿的是隔了几间店面的道明檳榔行，联络接待处在这里。运气真好遇上非常热情好客的杨家一家人，原本只打算过一夜，结果一住就连续住了三晚。入住时杨二姐详细地介紹了附近的景点和路线，还请我吃自家种的水果。杨大姐第二天一早就帶着我骑车在瑞穗温泉区的瓜田和果园到处逛到处看。
2016 Feb. Taiwan. Hualien.
从太魯閣下山一到花蓮，就遇上万安演习，花蓮市全封，街上沒车沒人什么都沒有。哈哈，这样也給我遇上！还有战斗机飞过巡礼，VIP待遇真让我受宠若惊，哈哈。
