Working Out

I tagged along when Michelle went to the gym this morning. When was the last time I hit the gym? Mmm,....I could not recall. Not a gym person. Curiosity sunk in when Michelle told me she had signed up as a member at Celebrity Fitness and she had also engaged a personal trainer to help her work out.

We were greeted by the receptionist and Customer Service personnel at the entrance. CK, the Customer Service personnel explained to my sister and I on the facilities and the membership details before letting us off to try out the equipments as well as the classes available.

It was barely 10AM when we arrived but surprisingly there were already quite a number of people working out on the equipments. The environment is rather clean and comfortable. I like the idea of having Sauna and steam shower in the fitness centre. It's like a one-stop healthy centre.

After working on the threadmill, we headed off to a class. Latin Mix dance class. Phew, the blonde instructor was lean, rigorous and sexy in a sporty way. A rather attractive lady, I would say. I had problems co-ordinating my mind and my body. Gee, they just didn't co-operate. The existing students were quick and sleek. I felt retarded. LOL. Anyway, it was an interesting class.

At the restroom and shower room, there were groups of ladies chattering away while applying make up and blow-drying their hairs after shower. Yeah, the restrooms(Ladies) are always the chosen spot for gossips and meetings.

I am now awaiting for my muscles to ache. It will most probably take effect tomorrow. Ouch ;p

Will I sign up as a member? Mmm....I don't know. I doubt I will diligently hit the gym daily. Having some fresh air while jogging around the neighbourhood is more appealing at times while being able to use the equipments and attend classes unlimitedly sounds great. Anyway, I have a week of trial membership session. Shall decide after that.

Hot Dip

It's addictive.

It makes your heart pound.

It makes your skin tickled with warmth.

It makes your cheek blush.

It makes your heart yearn for more......

My previous experience with hot spring wasn't exactly a pleasant one. It's a public hot spring in Malaysia. Perhaps I had high expectations as my colleague kept telling me how much fun she had. I, on the other hand, was utterly disappointed.

Nevertheless, the recent visit to hot spring in Taiwan brought back my interest in hot springs. I am in fact looking forward for more hot spring baths! It's definitely one of the things I enjoyed the most during the entire trip. It's such a pity that we only had a night (actually a mere 2 hours) to indulge ourselves.

The highlight of the hot spring is that its water is being kept hot by charcoals. We were staying in a Charcoal Musuem. Shower gels and shampoos provided were made up of charcoal! Even the food we ate consist of charcoals. Interesting...

Our room at the resort. Outdoor hot spring. Only spotted one while strolling early in the morning. The ones we bathed in were indoor.

It's a pity that the resort does not allow photography. That's why I do not have any photos of the resort's interior design. I like the design of the resort. Quaint and cosy.

I am now looking out for more hot spring baths and spas. A hot dip, anyone? =)

Taiwan Trip Photos V - Temple around Sun Moon Lake

Continuing from my post on Sun Moon Lake, we visited a temple which was located above the hill. The view from the top was simply scenic.

The Dragon Human robot. According to our tour guide Chris, this guy is mute. He's cute :) Many visitors wrote their wishes on the golden plates and hung them over the wall. Deadly weapon!
Modern age fortune teller.

Temples are indeed abundant in Taiwan. The architecture and interior design of each temples are mesmerising. If you are in for photography, temples should be one of your destinations. Otherwise, visiting two or three would be more than enough. I am sure you would not want to waste any precious time away from shopping, food and spa!

Getting Quiet....

Today is the second day my boss did not turn up for work. He's down with fever and sore throat. Nah, he's not infected with Swine Flu. Doctor said it's just the normal flu and fever. Phew...

It's pretty quiet at work. My colleague who sits next to me has been away for 2 weeks. Starting to miss her voice and laughter. She'll only be back from Copenhagen the following week. Hope she'll be fine. I got to know from my other colleague that someone from Copenhagen who flew into Malaysia was quarantined for 48 hours as a precaution measure :S

I am so happy it's Friday tomorrow! Yippie. My mind is starting to wonder what to do over the weekend. Gee, I am still not over the vacation mood. Was actually close to falling asleep during a 3 hours long conference call. Luckily, I hop in an hour later. How unappreciative of my colleague (she hosted the conference call). Sorry, it was after lunch and all the oxygen was loitering in the stomach area =p What a great excuse!

Okies, I better catch some sleep. Night! =)

Taiwan Trip Photos VI - Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake was one of the tourist spots I enjoyed the most during the trip. The boat ride was simply refreshing. We saw a couple shooting wedding photographs by the jetty. It seemed a little challenging as the jetty was not a fixed platform. It swayed from side to side as the wave hit against the light-weight platform. It did make me think that I wasn't walking straight. LOL. Anyway, the man-made lake is indeed a perfect spot for outdoor shootings.

Camwhoring while the boat speeding its way across the lake to the temple. The driver was actually explaining to the passengers about the lake and other attractions around the lake but we weren't listening (sorry, sir!) as we were at the front deck, talking, joking and laughing away while enjoying the scenic view before us. Just loved the wind!

View of the mountain ahead while enjoying the cooling breeze against our cheeks.

Yikes, that's all. Nothing much really. A relatively small platform on the water which one could camwhore. Next stop, the temple. Ooops,..I completely forgotten its name. My memory ain't that good lately. Sign of aging, I suppose =p

Recuperating

Perhaps it's the long vacation. I am slowing down. Recuperating from the layback lifestyle. Vacation always have a magical effect on me. I tend to dwell in the memorable moments and reluctant to set my foot again into the bustling world I left prior to my vacation.

Today is my last day lazing around at home (basically Facebook-ing and blogging away). I must appreciate the remaining hours I have.

I vowed to myself that I would travel once a year, at minimal. Being cautious and hesistant, I missed a number of fun and enjoyable moments in my life. It's time to gain all that I had missed. Time to take a different approach and view in my life.

Way to go.....

Taiwan Trip Photos V - Hualien & Taroko Gorge

We have been changing hotels every night. Felt like a nomad. Hehe. From a positive view, We were able to try out 5 different hotels at one go. That's cool. The first hotel we stayed in Taipei was Meadow Hotel and a taxi driver told us that our hotel was right next to a place full of sex workers. Whoa....@_@

Second night - at Hualien. This was one of the best hotels we stayed in apart from the Spa Resort at Guba. Look, Jolene was flashing her NTD1000 =p My sis took photos of Hualien while seated in the bus. We were on our way to Taroko Gorge, which is also one of the tourist spots everyone must visit at Taiwan.

We had finally arrived Taroko Gorge after hours of bus ride. We wasted no time in camwhoring. Time is precious!

View from the top

Cooling and refreshing water from the mountains. It's crystal clear.

Amitabha. Apparently, there're temples within the Taroko National Park.