Adding xlwrite to Matlab Static Path

Disclaimer: I'm not sure if the following steps going to mess up your system. This is what works for me, atm. Use at your own risk.

In my earlier post, I added the xlwrite and its needed 6 jar files to Matlab dynamic path. However every time I restart Matlab, I have have to re-do this setting again. I hate going back to my own post and checking out the steps, spending another 1 min to set up the system to use xlwrite. I know 1 min is nothing, but I like things automated. To go about this, add the jar files to Matlab static path. Check here for more about Static Path vs Dynamic Path.

I look everywhere on how to add jar files to static path. I didn't find any clear instructions on how to edit the classpath.txt, anyway this is what works for me.

Steps:

1. In Matlab command window:

>> edit classpath.txt

2. M-file will open. MATLAB reads the static class path only at startup. You can see these are all the files loaded at startup. Eg:

$matlabroot/java/jar/zh_CN/web_connectivity_res.jar

3. We want Matlab to load our desired jar files at startup too. So put your jar files (poi_library) in matlabroot/java/jar/. Where on earth is this place? I'm using Mac, so that place is
Applications> Matlab>right-click>Show Package Contents>Java>jar

matlabroot/java/jar

4. Back to Matlab, append the following at classpath.txt

$matlabroot/java/jar/poi_library/poi-3.8-20120326.jar

$matlabroot/java/jar/poi_library/poi-ooxml-3.8-20120326.jar

$matlabroot/java/jar/poi_library/poi-ooxml-schemas-3.8-20120326.jar

$matlabroot/java/jar/poi_library/xmlbeans-2.3.0.jar

$matlabroot/java/jar/poi_library/dom4j-1.6.1.jar

$matlabroot/java/jar/poi_library/stax-api-1.0.1.jar

Append classpath.txt

 5. Save and restart Matlab.


Note: If you have warning regarding 'undefined xlwrite function', means you haven't set the path to xlwrite yet. To set the path:

Thai Color Run - Happiest Run on The Planet

I don't usually register for such short run, 3 km or 5 km, but I made an exception for The Color Run. According to their website it is a paint race, hosting more than 300 events in 50+ countries in 2014. Coincidentally, Thai Color Run was just around the corner during my trip to Bangkok. I was already late for the normal fee, but registered anyway THB 900. Sob sob.. quite expensive for such a short run. Never mind just for the experience, running in a foreign country.

But my feet was quite sore after 3 days wandering in Hua Hin, the southern Thailand. My run was on 1st November 2015. Now I thank God for it was just for a short run. 

I can't really remember the order of the color threw at me, I think start with purple, orange,  yellow, blue, green.

The run is a bit different than what I used to. This is more like fun run, you can just walk or crawl if you wish. The running is by section, I guess maybe the route in Jatujak not allow all to run to the finish line together. During the run you have to stop and wait at certain sections so the runner before you can finish the route before you run that route. I mean the sections were overlap. The park wasn't close for the color run purpose, you can see some others jog and cycling in the park. 

Anyway, let's just see the pics post, shall we?

Before start: running by section, waiting in my section.

KM 2

Waiting ...

Can just walk the 5 KM

KM 3

KM 5

Yeay.. finishing line

Color party afterwards

Project 33 - Purging My Closet

I always want to live with minimum things/ no attachment to whatsoever and to be able to just pull one luggage out from the door if I have to. Such freedom, not tying to anything and buried with everything. If it was something really darn expensive that I can sell then it would be good, but mostly are those unnecessary and sentimental value items.

One small step at a time. Just like most girls/women, I have more clothes than the number of days in a year. Yesterday I was shopping and saw H&M taking clothes donation for recycling purpose, in ex-change for 15% voucher. I'm not a big fan of H&M but this is a good chance to let go of clothes and putting it to good use.

Ok, just 4 links to get me started...

The Project 333
Into Mind
Capsule Wardrobe 101
Infographic - A Guide to Organising Your Wardrobe


Ganbatte ne!

Warning: Could not start Excel server for export - Use xlwrite

Update 04/12/15 - The following steps will add xlwrite and its jar files to Matlab dynamic path. However, you will have to redo the steps again every time you restart Matlab. To go about this, add the jar files to Matlab static path. Check here.

I can use xlsread in Matlab for Mac successfully, however using xlswrite gives me the following error:

After some googling and trying on csvwrite, I find another code on Mathworks. I strongly suggest those out there that hesitate to use csvwrite to give this a try.

This pic-post will walk you through on how to use xlwrite.

Step 1:
1. Download xlwrite .

2. Unzip it and put all the files in your designated folder. (I'm a digital-organised freak).

Content of your downloaded files.

3. We want to know the path to all this POI files. On Mac, click cmd+i.

cmd+i to get the information of the files

4. In Matlab command windows, use javaaddpath to add all the needed jar files.

Or you can add 'xlwrite' to Matlab path. 

That's all. You can see 'test_xlwrite.xlsx' is created in your current folder.

See file xlwrite or go to <url> for full license details.

Windows 7 Startup Looping Infinitely

*** Feel free to jump to the end of this page for the potential solution ***

I have been neglecting to help anyone to reformat their laptop. Installing Windows used to be an easy and straight forward job. Ten years ago you probably need 4 parts: Get a working Windows installer, Format the desire partition, re-install windows, install utility drivers (come along with your laptop in a CD)

But now, you no longer get the Utility CD when everything just a click away. Maybe few clicks away...

Back then, all laptops more or less the same. What made it difference are the specs, what's the CPU used, RAM and hard disk capacity, graphic card etc. But today, with product differentiation, by making the product unique and attractive to consumers, a laptop no longer just about its hardware specification and operating system. 

I only have one windows laptop which is by Acer. I'm pretty happy with. I got it slightly cheaper than the retail price because it was open OS. Meaning the shop that sold it to me installed a non-genuine Windows for me to get started. I don't mind. Acer's laptop in 2009 have another feature called Empowerment Technology (if I'm not mistaken hehe). However that function on my keyboard never seems to response every time I press on it. And yeah 7 years later I still have no idea what I missed from not having this feature on my Acer. 

On the contrary, that could be what I gain. I lost count on how many times I formatted this Acer laptop and I never really encountered any weird problems. It usually took me maximum of 1 hour to format and reinstall, get it up and running like new. 

But hell, yesterday I spent more than 10 hours just to re-install Windows 7 on an Asus laptop. 7 years ago, my Acer was differentiated by one feature, which I happy not to have. But Asus today ... wow. All I can is you should leave formatting a laptop to the professional technician. Where they have all the necessary utility drivers and  access to fast internet in case they need to look for one. 

Ok, so when I almost finish installing Windows 7 on Asus, as usual I get the message that the system will restart several times to complete the installation. And I was like.. Ok.. whatever, just get it done. 

The system was not just restart like 5, 6 or 7 times, but I lost count. I checked my timer, this is unusual. It has been more than an hour and still not done? I was reinstalling about 3 or 4 times, trying both 32 and 64 bit. Then I know I fall into the startup loop. What I can observe: boot up > "windows is loading files" > windows logo > Asus background > boot up

I was googling around and found some commands to try, but to no avail in my case. 

Anyway you may check out this link first, it may work for you, but if NOT, try the steps below :

1. Boot up using your windows installer
2. Click repair/ system recovery options
3. Choose command prompt (If your path is X:\Sources,set it to C, just type C:)
4. Type the following command

bootrec /fixmbr 

bootrec/fixboot 

It's true everything is just one click away, but the RIGHT solution could be 1000 clicks away.

Heal The World Run Series

As I mentioned in my last running post, I was aiming too high to run a half marathon, when I can't even maintaining running a 10 km comfortably with no/minimal injury. So, this is what I'm gonna do. Training to run ~10 km comfortably.

In conjunction with my new goal, today I registered for another 3 charity/awareness run. I wish I have more cash to register for all the other run. But later on I'm glad I didn't. Recall my lesson from Too Fast Too Soon or Too Much Too Soon. Now I am more accepting of my limitations and just strive to make each run better than the last and slowly increased my stamina and endurance to run farther.

Thanks to Heal The World Run Series, currently I'm not sure it officially organised by which or how many associations. According to the T-shirt: Wild Life Alliance, but feel free to check out their official facebook  =) There are at least 12 series, in order:

1. Borneon Elephant Run, 23 Aug 2015 (missed :( )

2. Wild Run, 4 Oct 2015

• Venue:  Likas Parking Area
• Route: Likas - KK - Likas
• Distance:  10.7 km
• Late fee $74.74

3. Rhino X-Run, 6 Dec 2015 

• Venue: Likas Parking Area
• Route: Likas - KK Area - Signal Hill - Likas
• Distance: 8 km
• Crazy bird fee $84.99

4. Sun Bear Run, 28 Feb 2016 

• Venue: Tanjung Aru Area
• Route: Perdana Park -  T. Aru Beach - Perdana Park Area
• Distance: 9 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 27 Nov 2015

5. Run Forest Run, 20 March 2016

• Venue: UMS Area
• Route: UMS - 1 Borneo - UMS
• Distance: 10 km / 15 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 19 Dec 2015

6. Green Corridor Run, 24 April 2016 

• Venue:  Penampang Stadium Area
• Route: Penampang Stadium Area - Lintas - Stadium
• Distance: 12 km / 21 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 23 Jan 2016

Catch the early bird registration =)

To be registered (hopefully...):

7. Cultural Diversity and Ocean Run, 22 May16 

• Venue:  Kota Kinabalu (Tentatively Oceanus)
• Route: Oceanus - Tg. Aru Beach - Oceanus
• Distance: 11 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 21 Feb 16

8. World Conservative Run,  3 July16 

• Venue:  Likas Stadium
• Route: Likas Stadium - Suria - Likas Stadium
• Distance: 10 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 9 April 2016

9. World Primate Run, 11 km, 7 Aug 16 

• Venue: Karamunsing Area
• Route: Karamunsing - Likas - Karamunsing
• Distance: 11 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 6 May 2016

10. Borneo Big 6 Run, 11 Sept 2016 

• Venue:  1 Borneo
• Route: 1 Borneo  - DUN - 1 Borneo 
• Distance: 12 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 10 June 2016

11. Wild Run, 10 km, 2 Oct 2016 

• Venue:  Likas Parking Area
• Route: Likas - KK - Likas
• Distance:  10 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 1 July 2016

12. Mountain Run, 15 km, 11 Dec 2016 

• Venue: TBA
• Route: TBA
• Distance: 15 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 10 Sept 2016

Details may subject to change, check their FB :)

Running for a better world, day after day, mile after mile...

Too Fast Too Soon

So after my last run 4 days ago, I was so keen and rush to keep up with my Penang bridge half marathon training, I hit the track again. I thought 4 days are enough for recovery, and a little bit of soreness is usual, I thought...

But again I was wrong, I felt this unusual sharp pain on my shin. Trying to carry on for another few meters but then I really need to stop. I walk briskly to the bench, hoping nobody realise the pain and disappointment bottle up inside, facing the sun set over the sea... (dramatic imagination intended), I took out my phone and wrote my journal.

Okay , I decided to stop forcing myself. Being able to run 10 km once, is nothing! Doesn't mean the following week I should able to run 11 km. What I really need to do is strengthen my muscle before topping up the distance. That means training to run 10 km, for at least 5 times, comfortably, before thinking to add in distance.

Important lesson : Too fast too soon = Injury

Until next time..

Engineering Run for Lights

I registered for our local campus run kinda last minute. I found 7 km is not that challenging and don't bother at all, but boy I was wrong. I forgot my university located at a hilly area and I just finished my longest run last week. Not sure if I was fully recover for this run.

I thought this will be a good workout, new running environment, and with group of students. I got to the registration sharp at 6:30 am, rushing coz I thought I was late, but I forgot this is more like an amateur program. So the running started at 7:30 am, and I was hungry and thirsty. I had my (light) breakfast before 6 am, planning to eat at least an hour before run. Never mind, I will just pull through, hoping this gonna be like my usual run, under 1 hour.

Again I was wrong, I thought there will be drinks provided every 2, 3 km but no. Calm myself down, this is organised by the students... I don't want to run uphill coz it's not energy efficient for me. If i can walk faster, or maybe walk at the same speed as I running uphill, I think I better walk, thats logic. But I can't run downhill either cause I have a broken toenail. Sigh...  Anyway, I finished it with series of walk and run.

One thing I got to say, I never aim to win any medal or prize. I run for fun, charity, fitness and of course I don't think I can beat other seasoned runners. But I really should have join the women open category. Why? Cause seems like there were only 2 participant in the women open category. Apparently, I was the first research assistant got to the finish line, which I should have get $100. Huh... minus my $35 registration fee, I might as well made some profit from running =)

What can I say, I registered last minute and mistaken bout so many things before 8 in the morning, but hell yeah it was a good start of my long productive day. After run I went to the public pool and had a nice dip, then 2 hours of full body massage, had lunch in the cinema while watching Pan, and end it with my sign language briefing (coincidentally scheduled at the end of the day). I guess I just reached a whole new level of masturdating today :p

World Animal Day - Wild Run 2015

Last Sunday, 4th October 2015, was the World Animal Day -  Wild Run 2015, organised by Wildlife Alliance n Valiant Avengers. This is my first 10 KM run, although I started running since 2012 (I started running after a bad haircut incident) then stopped. It has always been my dream to run a half-marathon before I hit 30. Though I had forgotten my dream over one excuse or another, but I just turn 30 this year and thought it will be never too late to start now. One small step at a time..

Recently, I have been training for my first half marathon, only God knows when it's gonna be, but anyway I feel pretty good to go for this 10 KM. I have been jogging 7, 8 KM along Tg. Lipat. To be honest, I felt quite lazy a few days before the race. I was exhausted from my sign-language course and postgraduate research seminar that just ended last Friday.

Anyway, reporting time at stadium Likas car park was at 6am so I woke up at about 4 am to get ready. I read somewhere people do get up as early as 3 or 4 am so I decided to do the same. I had an apple and a cup of coffee and watched a series of Agatha Christie - Poirot.  I just got my usual running gear, running shoes, iPhone 4 fully-charged, and the case to strap on arm. I got to the stadium on time, traffic was good and lot of parking. In the stadium, I just followed the crowd and listen to the organisers countdown on the loudspeaker. The atmosphere was pretty good altho I came by myself. There was drone in the air capturing the event.

So off everyone went, I am not sure how many runners there were. It was a nice morning, great weather. We were running up hill Jalan Bukit Bendera, coming down to Padang Merdeka, turning left at the next traffic light heading to Berjaya Palace Hotel, climbing up the asphalt road again, heading to Bulatan Nenas, coming down to Jalan Tuaran. I thought we were gonna turn left at the traffic light and finished off in another 500 m but no, we carried on to the next junction turning left to Bangunan Jabatan Pendidikan.

Most runners/joggers/walker literally walked to the finished line. So did I. I checked my time, 1:40 mins for 10 KM? I wasn't aiming too high, just wanna finish it under 1:30. But, I told myself it was a HILLY run and giving myself a pat on the shoulder. I love the feeling running past Habib Suite, which I usually just able to look up from coastal road. After the run, I stayed a while for the police dogs demonstration, took some pics, some selfie with Husky and French Bulldog. There were awesome. 

Until my next run/jog: Engineering Run 4 Lights (10/10/15)

Zip Folder in Mac OS X (Mavericks)

Steps:

1. Launch Terminal

2. Type the command

zip -er ~/Desktop/EncryptedFolder.zip ~/Desktop/Journal

3.  Enter the password and verify (in Terminal, the will not display)

Input = Journal (located at Desktop)
Output = EncryptedFolder.zip (put back at Desktop)

Zipping a folder in Desktop and put back the zipped folder in Desktop

To open the encrypted folder, just double-click then expanded in Mac OS X  Finder or Windows (not necessary to unzip in Terminal)

Can do so in terminal:

unzip EncryptedFolder.zip

Until next time. Tata ~

Postgraduate Research Seminar

I know I have been posting nothing much about my research stuff. Let's today be the first post about my research. I'm registering for my third semester, and we all were scheduled to present our 'research-stuff' in these 2 days seminar, organised by the Postgraduate Research Association 2014/2015. What with the 'quote '? Because they didn't put down in details what this seminar about. What's the theme? Is it about my whole research? my progress? or what I plan to do? or what's my contribution? It might seems no difference but time is the constraints, 15 minutes.

I can talk bout my research progress, what I up to and what I plan to do, but there also had evaluator to evaluate us. So they going to evaluate me that still 'ting tong' here and there and doesn't have any significant contribution to my phd research yet? Since I just done my second semester, basically what I did so far was doing literature review and finding platform to build up my system and test my theory.

Enough ranting and whining, I just did my slide to the best I can. Am I nervous? Maybe a little bit, but being a lecturer for the past 4 years definitely help me. Plus my new motto to go, or you can call it my chanting 'just try to have fun'. This is a good advice given by a friend, which is 10 years younger than me. I was nervous going up the platform to sign for our sign language course graduation, but she told me to have fun??? Then I realised, am I going to have a second graduation? No, this will be the one and only sign language course graduation I'm going to graduate, ergo have fun. Whatever the situation is (a logical situation), have fun!

With my motto, I presented my progress and pull through and HAVE FUN. The evaluator was nice to me. He was my undergraduate professor.

It was good to have this kinda seminar, though the theme is not well established, but it helps and prepares postgraduate researchers to present their idea, and get feedback from other experts. I hope I can do better and more productive in third semester.

And the 'other' great things about this seminar? We got free food 4x a day for 2 days. I definitely have fun =)

Acer Aspire 2930 - 7 years old, still up and running..

I would like to dedicated this post to the very first laptop I bought in 2009. I remembered I got this laptop for my master research. All I need was a machine that able to run Matlab (meaning at least a dual-processor, 2 GB RAM), 12" to 14" display, DVD-ROM, a basic integrated-graphic card because I'm not really a gaming person. In my searching I came across this specs built perfectly for my needs.

Acer Aspire 2930
You can check out the specs in detail and the good reviews too.

Anyway, I got a Macbook Pro as my main laptop, and use this Acer as my spare. You know the time when your laptop crash, and you were at the end of your study compiling thesis and oh gosshhh.. how much you wish you have a clone of your laptop?? And that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Get a spare system to access all my files, at anytime.

Although my old Acer doesn't stand up to Macbook that I'm using now, but I put all my files in the cloud and sync it in both laptops. So if anything bad ever happened to my Macbook, I would have the exact copy of all the files, in exact place on my Acer. It just like an insurance, peace of mind indeed.

Download disassemble Acer Aspire 2930 here (Machine disassembly and replacement pg. 41-123)

Taiwan Trip summary

As a little reward for myself, thanks to my scholarship for sponsoring my trip to Taipei, Taiwan (13 May - 18 May 2015). If you are into street food and night market, Taiwan is a must go place. I think 'eating' can be counted as their national past time =)

I'm not a good travelling blogger and I'm sure you can find other bloggers that can tell their stories much better about this wonderful country. As a technical researcher, let me just sum up what I LOVE about Taiwan in few points below:

• If kindness and friendly can be accounted as super power, then all Taiwanese are superhero 
• Street food just as good as any fancy Chinese restaurant
• CLEAN
• Their summer is great for me (less humid compare to Malaysia)
• Well preserved nature: national parks, beaches, mountains
• I can't stress enough the point about how great the Taiwanese are

I wrote few posts about my trip so that I can easily come back again. Check out the links below.

Accommodation: Minsu @ No.35 Jilin Road (Songjiang Nanjing station, exit 3)

Day 1 (13/5/15) - Arrival, Taipei 101 and Rao He night market
Day 2 (14/5/15) - Taipei Zoo, Ningxia night market
Day 3 (15/5/15) - Wufenpu and a Samaritan
Day 4 (16/5/15) - Yehliu and Jiufen
Day 5 (17/5/15) - Din Dai Fung, National Palace Museum, Ximending and Rao He night market again
Day 6 (18/5/15) - Going back. Check out here how to get to Taoyuan Airport

In Taiwan, I felt like a guest, not a tourist. I think you will have a good time, give it a try. So I'm just gonna end this post with a Chinese proverb about friendship, that I seen myself in Taiwan.

Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.

Affordable Minsu at Taipei - Chen Tai Minsu

We were looking for an affordable minsu for our trip to Taipei in May 2015. We came across few hotels within our budget but reading the mixed reviews in TripAdvisor making us skeptical to proceed with those hotels. I was trying to limit our budget to RM1500 for 6 days/5 nights, mainly because

1. I don't want to spend too much (guilty of overspending)
2. kinda poor postgraduate student 
3. I just overspent in an unexpected trip to South Korea last February

Our criteria in searching for minsu/hostel/hotel:

1. Safe (Got CCTV)
2. Clean
3. Near MRT
4. Have walls (not comfortable with dormitory)
5. Non-attached bathroom - OK
6. No amenities - OK
7. No room service - OK

Basically we are just like those backpackers travelers, just that we are not yet ready to settle for dormitory. We just need a room for shower and sleep at night. We wont spend the whole day enjoying the room tho (except sleep in), unless if I were on a honeymoon then that's another story.

Our search come to a conclusion (based on one review): Click here for Taipei Chen Tai Minsu, Jilin Road 35.

We were searching for some review on this minsu, saw some people post in TripAdvisor asking bout this minsu but to no avail, no body reply. So after our stay, I decided to write a post dedicated to this minsu, based on our experience. However, I can't guarantee you guys will have the same experience, because our experience can be biased-first our room was on ground floor. Read on for more info.

What you need to know about this minsu?

1. All communication need to be done in Mandarin (Chinese).
2. Safe
3. Clean
4. 2-5 minutes on foot to Sonjiang Nanjing MRT
5. You can choose double room (with queen bed or bunk bed) / family room
6. With attached bathroom
7. No amenities
8. No room service, but you can put the dustbin outside every morning and they will clear it.
9. Got washing machine on 4th floor
10. Got water dispenser for hot and cold water
11. Got refrigerator
12. WiFi was super fast
13. No lift
14. Owners very friendly 

This minsu was totally what we were looking for. We paid NT$3750 for 5 nights. If you just need a place to rest and shower, this place is for you. I just asked a friend to write the Chinese email for me. The response was fast, NO DEPOSIT needed. You just have to attached your flight itinerary to confirm your stay. Sometimes I just used google translate to double check stuff with them.

We asked for a bunk bed and got a room located on the ground floor. It was very easy for us after a long day outside and can just walk straight to our room, enjoying night market snacks. I can't imagine if I have to drag my feet go up and down to 4th floor everyday and night. Maybe you would like to check which floor is your room if yo have an elderly with you.

The condition of the room was good, kinda like Tune Hotel. Actually this minsu was more spacious than our stay at Dragon Hostel in Mongkok, Hong Kong. 

On the arrival day, we followed the directions given by the owner. However, with my limited Mandarin and google translate, our journey wasn't that smooth. 

Summary of the directions, as attached in the email:

1. At Taoyuan Airport, take Evergreen bus (5201 bus route). 
2. Get off at 6th station, Changan East road ‘長安東路二段’(5th station is Taipei University of Technology). Bus fare NT$150. 
3. Get off from bus, walk toward white-square-building. 
4. Walk toward 3rd exit of MRT Songjiang Nanjing station. 
5. Nxt to 3rd exit, there is an alley Songjiang Road 100 lane fu hua (松江路100巷”馥華商旅”). 
6. Walk toward the end, there is a sign 機車維修'. Got a sign nearby 大家恭喜 
7. Total 2-3 minutes on foot.

We showed the address (Changan East Road) to the bus driver so that he knows where we want to get off the bus. I don't think step 2 is reliable because the number of stations where the bus stop can be varied. I counted the number of stop was exceeded sixth time even before we reached Jilin Road. Anyway the bus will stop at Changan East Road, where the bus stand was just in front of Chunghwa Telco shop. I remembered walking in thinking to get a prepaid number but they seem like only selling phones. 

In step 3, after get off from the bus look,  walk toward 'white-square-building'. It was kinda hard to find, coz most building also look white. But look for the definite 'SQUARE'. Square, and not rectangle, and you will find it. You will know you are on the right path when you see Sonjiang Nanjing MRT exit 3.

Step 6 was the hardest step for us because we can't read Chinese. We don't know which is the end of Songjiang Road 100 lane fu hua (松江路100巷”馥華商旅”). But after getting help from few helpful Taiwanese we found our way. 

Right next to Sonjiang Nanjing exit 3, walk down that alley, cross the road, and walk till the end. The end of this second alley is a gas station. The minsu is just before the gas station. 

Walk down the alley next to this exit 3. Lot of scooters on the left, and bicycles on the right.

I started RunKeeper when I was on the escalator inside Sonjiang Nanjing MRT. Coming out from exit 3, turn right, and walk about 3 minutes to Chen Tai minsu.

GPS tracked using RunKeeper.
We stopped by 7 eleven to get sandwiches for tomorrow.

Using IOS map to check current location, a little bit off.
The current location is No.35, Jilin road

My bed

Chen Tai minsu front door.
You can detect buffalo WiFi here.

Some note in the room

Small but clean and cozy

Panorama view taken from gas station. Gas station is in bewtween Mos burger and a Siam restaurant

Overall we are very satisfied with this minsu. The owners are friendly and no fuss in checking in and out. They even provide supports before you arrive in Taipei, such as what to fill in the immigration arrival form, or in case if you run out of money in Taipei you can inform your parents how to transfer money to you, via their account (just in case of emergency). I will come back to this minsu if I visit Taipei again.

How to get from Taipei to Taoyuan International Airport

We read few blogs before we tried it out. Some blogs were very helpful, step-by-step instructions on how to get through the maze in Taipei main station.. but it comes with a very little mistake. We know this little mistake can be a matter of dead or alive... ok it's not, but still imagine if you in a rush to catch your early flight, a full backpack on your back, suitcase to lug up and down the staircase, and handfull of shopping bag because you were thinking to carry as much of hand carry to board on plane and oh nooo the crowd in that rush our. So, while the directions still fresh in my head, I'll try my best to put it down as clear as possible, for the future me, and the rest of you who not intend to pay the not-cheap taxi fare.

Okay, basically you just have to get to Taipei Main Station. And look for Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A.

You can get the bus to Yehliu and Taoyuan International Airport at Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A. So we tried out the directions on our way to catch the bus to Yehliu (two days before our departure).

Directions to get to Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A:

1. Once arrive at Taipei Main Station, follow the blue signs for Bannen Line.
2. Go up the escalators (2 escalators)
3. Walk through the corridors, as you follow the Bannen Line sign, you will come to a T intersection.

Step 3: Panorama view at the T-intersection

4. Make a right at the T-intersection.

Step 4: Zooming in the panorama view, you can see the sign 'Zhongxiao W. Road / ShinKong Mitsukoshi'. Turn right.

5. Follow the sign 'Zhongxiao W. Road / ShinKong Mitsukoshi'

6. Exit the station

Step 6: Exit the station

7. Follow the sign 'ShinKong Mitsukoshi / Station Front Metro Mall'

Step 7: After exit the station, follow the sign 'ShinKong Mitsukoshi / Station Front Metro Mall'

8. Go up the escalators.

Step 8

9. Go down the stairs towards the sign 'Taipei West Bus Station'

Step 9: Go down the stairs and keep on the right side

10. Stay on the right side as you head down, coz you wanna look for exit Z3 (exit Z3 is on the right side)
11. Look for exit Z3 (you will walk pass Z1, it's quite further down the hall)

Step 10 and 11: Looking for exit Z3

12. Go out from exit Z3, climb the staircase and you will see Taipei West Bust Station on the right. Go in the station, and you will see ticket counters on the left.

Step 12: Walk up the stairs

Step 12: Taipei West Bus Station on the right

To Taoyuan International Airport: Take the Airport express. NT$125

Airport Express to Taoyuan Airport. One way, non-stop for NT$125

To Yehliu: Take the bus 1815 to Yehliu. (I forgot how much, can pay using EasyCard)

Take bus 1815 to Yehliu

Some remarks:
On our day to Yehliu, the directions that I googled has a little mistake at step 4 and 5. It stated turn right and look for Zhongxiao N. Rd. I guess 'N. Road' stands for North road, we round and round looking for the N. Rd. It was during the rush hour, the crowd made the T-intersection kinda less obvious. I went down the escalators following the Bannen Line, hoping there will be a Zhongxiao N. Rd., but no I end up at the platform for Bannen Line. So I figured I could be wrong and check back again the blog, and it clearly stated 'Zhongxiao N. Rd'. We can't find the Zhongxiao N. Rd and just continued with the Zhongxiao W. Rd. And the directions after that matched our walk all the way to exit Z3. We relieved that this not happen on the day to Airport.

On our day to the Airport, the flight was at 9:55 am. We already checked in but still we have to get there at least 90 minutes before departure time, meaning by 8:20 am. And we still have to drop our baggage, the expected queue, and some room for mistake on the way there. So we head out from minsu at 6:15 am, walked to Sonjiang Nanjing MRT, got to Taipei Main Station, got through the maze, and got on the bus before 6:45 am. The traffic was clear that morning, it was a one-way express bus to the airport. I felt relief when the announcement kept on repeated all the way to the airport. I read some horrible experience where the bus will stop to take passengers on the way to the airport. We made it to the airport by 7:45 am, went through the immigration and still got 45 minutes for a proper breakfast. It felt like a huge victory that day.

If you guys didn't plan to visit Yehliu and Jiufen, I strongly suggest to try out the directions to get to Taipei West Bus station before your departure day. It's cheap to get to the Airport by bus, and Taipei Main station is not really a menacing maze of corridors like others describe.

I hope this little guide was helpful to you. If you've got any suggestion or if I left anything out please feel free to drop me a line below.

Taiwan Trip - Wufenpu and a Samaritan

We planned 5 days of travelling around Taipei, and we would like a break in this trip. We chose the third day as our relaxing day. Maybe we can just sleep in and shopping at Wufenpu in the afternoon, chill out having some shaved ice, and maybe a short trip to night market for dinner. But my friend's swollen feet getting serious. In fact she shouldn't walk at all, but she didn't want to stay all day long in the minsu. Sure, who wants that? We just head out anyway, and see how things go.

We got off at Houshanpi station, walked to exit 1, my friend got to take a break so we sat outside the mrt station and had some delicious chicken floss bun that we bought yesterday. Just some heads up, I can't stress enough the kindness of Taiwanese people in this post. You may just skip this post if you are already tired of my rave on the Taiwanese people (the good side btw).

The view at Houshanpi, exit 1

So we sat outside Houshanpi station, take a break before continue to Wufenpu. As we were sitting eating our bun, few Taiwanese walked passed us and one aunty, I guess she was in her 60s, sitting next to us, doing some kinda stretching and knee exercise, not in any weird way tho. She tried to have some small talk and asked about my friend's feet. I tried to reply with my limited Mandarin. My friend's Mandarin even worse than me, so I have to do all the talking. This friendly aunty suggested my friend to take some painkiller to reduce the swelling. She said something in Mandarin, of coz I didn't get it and I asked her to type the medicine in Chinese characters in my phone. But instead, she offered to get it for us, however she not familiar with Wufenpu area. She assured me that she can get it at some pharmacy at the other area. We didn't want that aunty to go through the trouble and paid for us, but she insisted.

I went with her, went back in Houshanpi mrt and got out from another exit. We had some small chat and I figured that aunty was in her 80s, and she is in perfect health for her age. As we crossed the road, some funny negative thought crossed my mind. How if this is a scam??? I know I know it's very bad of me to think of some samaritan/stranger's kindness in a negative way. Coming from Malaysia, stranger's kindness is kinda an oxymoron here. Since we were kid our parents were like a tapped cassette recorder with the reminder 'don't talk to strangers, don't take things from stranger, don't listen to strangers, don't verb to/with strangers. You can just fill in the blank. It is quite hard to relate strangers with kindness, especially in a foreign country.

As we walked down the road, I opened my running apps and use the GPS to track my path. In case if I were mugged or stranded somewhere. I don't want the newspaper title come out the next day 'Young tourist tricked by 80 years old granny'. But I was also thinking it might be a good idea so I don't have to trouble the kind aunty to walk me back all the way to exit 1 of Houshanpi.

Now with my GPS switched on, I followed her. Down the quiet alley, she really brought me to a real pharmacy and INSIST to pay for the medicine, NT$150. My level of guilt were already pretty high, and again we were bombarded by the aunty kindness. She knew we planned to go Taipei 101 by MRT, so she offered to walk us to Taipei City Hall all and then to Taipei 101. We kindly reject the offer because we didn't want to trouble her the whole day.

I already knew Taiwanese are friendly and kind, but today I seen a whole new level of kindness, how far they would reach out to help a mere stranger. My hat's off to you.

Me and my stupid GPS, and I burned 116 calories. What is not shown here is my level of debt-of-gratitude to aunty

Ok, my rave on Taiwanese ends here.

Now, we were hungry and looking for place for lunch. Just crossed the road and we saw a fish fillet shop full of people. We walked in and ordered some simple meal, sticky white rice with minced pork on top and a bowl of fish soup. It was quite nice. A lot of people ordered fish rice soup, 1-bowl-meal.

After lunch, we saw a Cosmed and decided to stop by, if there's any good deal or maybe some stuff that I never seen in Guardian or Watson back in Malaysia. Before our Taipei Trip I googled some of the top Taiwan made skincare and the result turns out to be Dr. Wu. Some blogs suggested to pick up some Shiseido drugstore products. I have to be careful after my last Korean skincare haul, I will never have to buy face sheet mask  for the next 3 years. No more face mask from Taiwan.

Let's see my Cosmed haul. I love Nexcare patch and I seriously think it is one of the main products that help with my hormonal acne prone skin. Although my skin is pretty clear now, but I still very traumatised with my last 3 years hormonal acne experience. I picked up the moisturiser made for acne prone skin (NT$800) and a DD cream also made for acne prone skin (NT$850), both by Dr. Wu. It was a pretty good deal, buy one and get one for free. I used to use Holika Holika CC cream, but I suspect that was the culprit in causing my skin congestion, ever since, I've stopped using any makeup product.

Cosmed haul

I knew I don't have that much cash and checked with the salesperson beforehand if I can use credit card. I just wished it was a weekend, then I can get 5% cash back from Maybank Amex.

My receipt came out to NT$5758, ~ RM694.17

After our trip to Cosmed, again I was beaten with spending guilt, in a DRUGSTORE? To make myself feel better, I kept convincing myself that at least it's not all skincare this time. I really restricted myself from spending in the next trip to Wufenpu, but still can't help myself when I saw a set of bra and panty for NT$100.

Good price. I will never get this in KK. Love that leather bracelet, NT$50

These Taiwanese sausages were awesome, NT$30. We came back twice.

We had good time today. Met good people. Wufenpu is very big, most of the sellers were friendly and kind, but if you are not lucky you might meet one or two non-Taiwanese sellers. And I tell you it was not a good experience. We went home early and had good rest.