Taipei, Taiwan: Arashi Around Asia 2008

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!! So many reasons to be excited today. One, it’s a non-working holiday and, for that alone, YAAAAY! Two, I’m off on another adventure later this afternoon, so it’s bound to be another fun- and nature-filled weekend. And three, before I go on said adventure, I get to be nostalgic and take a walk down memory lane, almost 7 years ago! 

I noticed I’ve just been making the travel posts in confusing order (but there is a method to my madness, and I won’t tell what it is) and I thought, I should probably try to make my posts relevant.

And so, this Chinese New Year, I am going to talk about the first time I set foot on Chinese land. Haha! I know, I know. It’s a bit random, but hey, there’s still that Chinese connection, right?

This trip marks a lot of firsts for me. The first time I traveled with my best friend. My first overseas travel. The first major travel I spent my own money on. The first time I drew up an itinerary, absurdly rough though it is.

The first time I prodded at my wanderlust.

Hey, I’m a late-bloomer. *shrugs*

Also, the first time I saw Arashi live. In concert. For two nights.

I’ll be honest. Sightseeing was not the primary purpose of this trip. It was to watch Arashi in concert. Period. Because it was a rare opportunity, for Arashi to have concerts outside Japan. So months before the actual date, when the announcement was made, I moved heaven and earth (oh, OK, just Livejournal.com) and hunted for tickets for my friend and I.

The itinerary involved:

Day 1 – arrival at night

Day 2 – line up for con goods in the morning (because that was how long it was) then concert in the evening

Day 3 – walk around anywhere then concert in the evening

Day 4 – meet up with friends and family (based in Taipei)

Day 5 – early morning flight

We had no idea where to go. Haha! We were such noobs at travelling and planning trips back then!

This will be a photodiary of sorts. We didn’t even get to take lots of photos, and my memory is hazy on most of these areas, so bear with me.

Unhealthy fare, you may say, but damn they taste good!

Lining up for con goods at the Taipei Arena. The queue pretty much circled around the Arena, then extended to the side of the road. I think we lined up at past 8am, then managed to buy the goods at around 12 noon already. Such dedication!

While we were lining u, I bumped into a couple of LJ friends and (former) staff members of STORMY team sub, one from the US and the other from Australia. It was brief, but still we met in person. I wonder how they are now. Hmmm.

Here’s proof of how unplanned Day 3 was. We just decided to walk down the road aimlessly until we see something worth checking out. Haha!

I think this was around 9am. Roads are still pretty empty.

And then we stumbled on the National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

Before entering, however, we hung around outside a bit, and there’s a view of Taipei 101.

It was actually located close to the hostel where we were staying at, which is right across the Taipei Railway Station building.

But we did not feel the urge to check out Taipei 101. Something I regret, to this day.

There were already a lot of people going inside the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

This national landmark and tourist attraction is named after Chiang Kai Shek, a former President of the Republic of China.

Outside of the main gates are pigeons. And kids playing.

The place was vaaaaaast. 250,000 square meters in the heart of Taipei!

If I remember correctly, the National Concert Hall was under renovation at that time, (and I read “Recital Hall” as “Rectal Hall” so I went WHUT there for a moment before I realized my blunder) so we went directly towards the Memorial Hall itself.

I don’t know much about architecture, but this was one fine place we got here.

I mean, check out that ceiling!

The structure was surrounded by well-tended (or dare I use the word “well-manicured” again?) gardens. We hung out for a bit in one of them.

Here’s the Memorial Hall, from the garden.

Now what about the reason why we went to Taipei?

It was a lotta fun! Taipei Arena staff were strict about cameras and taking photos, though, but I managed to sneak some BEFORE the concert started (I haven’t awoken my ninja instincts at the time yet, I suppose).

Here’s a peek at the stage. I was on the right side of the stage… and many times Ohno (and Sho) was situated right in front of my area. Lucky~!

Both nights, the place was packed.

I also confess to being the penultimate fangirl back then. And by that, I meant, we devoted an entire morning hunting for magazines to weigh our luggage with.

Here was my con goods loot. Believe me when I tell you they are well-preserved to this day. Packed carefully. The Ohno poster, however, is hanging framed in our living room. Haha!!

The magazines that I cannot read. Haha! Yes, there was an F4 CD set, as well. I scored the Hot Shot clear file, folder, stickers and mouse pads when we were conveniently lost in an underground market/department store one evening. 🙂

And proof of how much of a nutty fangirl I was (I still am, but a bit watered down now), I even got this McDonald’s paper placemat of Rainie Yang and Show Lu (although I got it because of Rainie. XDDD)

Looking at these now, I am honestly shaking my head. Wow. WOW.

Those were fun times, though. FUN TIMES.

Oh! By the way, for the second night of the concert, I wore this shirt.

It was designed by my friend Silvia from Costa Rica (whom I finally met in Tokyo last November! Remember this, this and this?) So I told her the words I wanted written, she came up with the design, sent it to me, and I had it printed.

What does it say, you ask?

“WANTED: JAPANESE FISHING INSTRUCTOR”.

Haha! *facepalms*

Yea~hhhh~ FUN TIMES.

Again, Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!!!!