Archive for the ‘How to Save Money’ Category

EYEGLASSES – NEAR SHIPAI MRT   Leave a comment

We old folk get a free eye test every two years in Australia. It’s common to get your prescription details then go to a cheaper store- or go overseas for the glasses. The first store knows this. The prescription I was given was not worth a pinch of sh*t. Wrong wrong wrong. Therefore I have [...]

PEOPLE ON A TRAIN, TAIPEI   Leave a comment

Posted April 18, 2012 by fathomTaiwan in How to Save Money

HELLO TAIPEI ROAST DUCK   Leave a comment

My first feed back in the city is usually at this establishment.  Always delicious. Roast duck has a similarity with roast lamb I considered today. (Years since I’ve eaten lamb or beef though). Taipei rice is always good too.  This eatery was reviewed two years ago.  Nothing much has changed. If entertaining a friend an [...]

Posted February 26, 2012 by fathomTaiwan in How to Save Money

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NET GUIDE   Leave a comment

Better than a guide-book.  I only found this Wiki site yesterday otherwise it would have been mentioned earlier.  Search for any city or area of interest.  Heaps of good information. Having said that, in many respects Taiwan is a good place to do exploring WITHOUT a guide-book. What is best – a surprise discovery OR [...]

Posted February 12, 2012 by fathomTaiwan in How to Save Money

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CHEAP EATS   Leave a comment

We don’t see cooked soy beans for sale in Australia.  These have chili and maybe garlic on the outside of the pods (which I presume, are not eaten). Shell them as with peas, chewy.  Not too bad.  Very cheap food. Compliment these with fresh prawns and a stick or loaf of French-style bread – all [...]

Posted November 18, 2011 by fathomTaiwan in Health food, How to Save Money

HOT-POT RESTAURANT – A popular DIY food   Leave a comment

Vegetables arrive neatly stacked in a bowl – ready for cooking at the table by yourselves.  Cooking is in sunken dishes electrical heated.  Customer controls the heat level. Each person has their own hot-pot. Seafood is one choice.  Various sliced raw meats or chicken is an option. Finally, there is a delicious soup made from [...]

STORE SALE PRICES   Leave a comment

It’s written in reverse to what we are accustomed to in the west.  While we are used to seeing 10% off,  or reduced 30% and so on, the local system is with the shop owner’s interest indicated first. We see large single numerals so what do these indicate I have often wondered.  Here’s the answer. [...]

BEST GUIDE TO TAIWAN – INSIDE PHONE BOOK   Leave a comment

SURF TAIWAN – C I J I N ISLAND   Leave a comment

Eileen (above) is Swiss-German with a Taiwanese mother. She speaks good Chinese Mandarin. Leo is a chef and member of the surf club. Eileen told me a little about the Cijin surf club. 1. Members  can store their boards and can over-night at the clubhouse if they wish. 2. Surf board hire  NT$500 per day. [...]

EATING CHEAPLY – KAOHSIUNG   Leave a comment

I don’t read many Chinese characters so this menu on the wall was a waste of time for me.  I spotted fish and rice at the counter behind glass. The fish cutlets were Spanish Mackerel (OK when the fish is small – avoid large-sized cutlets as this species is a known source of a tastless [...]