Sep 29 2009
Taiwan fun… in Singapore (a repost… or riposte)
HEY THERE, it’s da Abang is in da house! (Or, if you have to say it in proper English – it’s the Big Brother is in the domicile.) Anyway… if you’re wondering what I’m doing here, it’s because I’ve been getting stars in my eyes, mostly of the Taiwanese variety.
The island formerly known as Formosa is a choice destination for many people here, but some of their choicest personalities have been making heads turn here.
- Jolin Tsai (left) and Wu Nien-Jen (centre) at the NATAS fair
First, Taiwan tourism ambassadors, pop star Jolin Tsai and film director Wu Nien-Jen, popped over during the NATAS fair last month to expound the virtues of Taiwan, such as the wonderful beverage known as gao liang. The most famous one is brewed on the island of Jingmen, and it’s got a kick like a mule – trust me on this.
“Oh, that’s a man’s drink,” said director Wu, before going to describe the effects of imbibing in said beverage, the upshot of which is that there are several versions of the drink, with varying alcoholic levels – 28, 38, 48, 58 – with 58 being the strongest.
“That’s the kind of drink that you take before meals, after meals, any time,” he said, adding that it’s a great complement for any karaoke session – if you’re collapsed on the floor by then.
And what does Jolin think about it? “Yes, I’ve drunk it before. It’s nice,” she said demurely.
- Jolin Tsai after a shot of gao liang. Just kidding
Moving on to things non-alcoholic, Jolin mentioned several music festivals that you should catch when you go there. She demurred to specifically say which one, but she said one of her favourites was the Blue Man Group, currently doing their rounds in Taiwan.
“You want her to say, ‘Watch my show’, right?” joked Nien-Jen. That director Wu, he’s such a kidder.
Speaking of music festivals, three of Taiwan’s top music draws – pop singer A*mei, rock outfit Sodagreen and urban foursome Da Mouth – popped in for the F1 Rocks Singapore With LG concerts at Fort Canning Park.
- (from left to right) Sodagreen, A*mei, Jacky Cheung and Da Mouth at F1 Rocks
They were all happy and honoured to be part of the event, with Sodagreen also plugging their new album, Summer: Fever, the second of four concept albums they’re releasing in 2009-2010. The first was Spring: Sunshine, released earlier this year, and the next two are set for next year, although they declined to say whether it could coincide with the seasons.
“It’s going to be out in 2010, that’s all we know,” they said. “We haven’t even starting recording for those yet.”
No gao liang was consumed during their stay here – that we know of. Perhaps that might have helped when the technical glitch happened during their set at F1 Rocks. Guess we’ll never know.
Also on our shores during that time – Janet Hsieh (below), host of Fun Taiwan and all-round hottie, who was here filming a commercial at Ion Orchard and doing interviews to promote the TV show, among other things.
Other than working, she spent her spare time catching Beyonce at F1 Rocks and sampling the delicacies here – pandan cake, chilli crab, laksa, nasi lemak, chicken rice, thosai, fish head curry, etc. And if you’re wondering how she can consume so much and still keep that slender frame; well, she runs. A lot. In fact, she’s going to take part in a triathlon this coming weekend.
No gao liang was consumed during her stay here apparently, although she did bring a couple of bottles for us. (Yes, I know, I’m a lucky basterd.) She’ll also be releasing her book soon about her travels and life up till the time she joined the Fun Taiwan series. “It’s not like a travelogue. It’s more like my life, but told in travel stories,” she said.
Tune in next time, when I tell you what happened with the bottles of gao liang.
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