KFit – The Middle East Dance Studio (Solaris Dutamas)

I am delighted to see that The Middle East Dance Studio is one of KFit partners. I have always wanted to join a belly-dancing class. In fact, I’ve heard about this place since I was working at Solaris Dutamas 2 years ago, but I didn’t get to join because of some unforeseen circumstances.

The Middle East Dance Studio is located on the 3rd floor at Block A3, near to Subway. The moment you out of the elevator and entered the studio, is already the dance floor. There’s where the classes are held. The place consists of a 2 washrooms and 1 of the washroom there’s a heater and shower (but I did not shower there as it’s quite inconvenient and uncomfortable), next to it is a kitchenette, at the back is a balcony and there’s a sofa at the far corner of the room. There’s also a section where there’s a rack of hip scarves, clothes and props. The place has an air-conditioner, but on the dance floor, there’re two wall fans just in case it’s not cool enough.

The Middle East Dance Studio only allows KFitters to go up to 3 visits per month. So far, I have joined the Aerobelly class on Thursday at 8pm for 5 times since I signed up on KFit. It was taught by Ms Malar, who is really patient, friendly and kind. I don’t feel so awkward and shy if I did wrong or I’m not flexible enough as she will help to correct you and guide you on doing the right way. Since it’s the Puasa period, there are only 3-4 participants. I’m not sure once after Raya the amount will increase. But I’m happy with small classes. It’s more personalized and I like it, especially since I’m a beginner.

I may consider signing up for the class, however I recently found out that they will be moving to Neo Damansara in September as the studio there is much spacious. I was quite disappointed upon hearing it as Neo Damansara is so far, it’s at Damansara Perdana, near to Tesco Mutiara Damansara and IKEA. Coming all the way from PWTC to Damansara Perdana is definitely not worth my time, effort, toll and petrol. Even my brother also conceded that it’s totally not worth to come here, just to join an hour class. And the parking there is also not really cheap, too.

Far Far Away Homestay 5, Taipei, Taiwan

This is the fifth homestay of the FarFarAway chain. This is slightly away from the city area, and it's about 15 minutes walk to the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall MRT station.
This building doesn't have a elevator. And our unit is on first floor, and it's difficult to carry our luggage on this flight of stairs. A real turn-off for me.
The place is as nice as the Far Far Away Homestay 2. Cosy, homely and relaxing. Only thing different is that this place doesn't have a back yard to dry our clothes. Even though they provide a washing machine.

The size is slightly smaller than Far Far Away Homestay 2. And the Wi-Fi connection is strong. Toiletries, towels, hairdryer, kettle and slippers are provided. This time, there's actually a wardrobe in each room! I almost thought wardrobes are non-existent in Taiwan. And they even provide ironing board and iron inside the wardrobe.

The bathroom is nice. There's a shower room. And after shower, the floor is still dry. And there's place to put your toiletries.

Overall, this place is really nice. Really comfy. I like it here.

Sea of Clouds Vacation Villa, Chinjing, Nantou County, Taiwan

I don't quite see any sea of clouds in this so-called villa. It doesn't really look like a villa to me. It's a like dull and a bit rundown. It's a row of houses, so you have to walk one end to another. No elevator.

The room is spacious, it's a quad room. There's a shoe cabinet in between of two rooms/houses. The bathroom is next to the entrance. The bathroom, there's a shower room, however, after you shower, the whole floor is still wet. And there's limited place to put your toiletries, too. Toiletries, towels, hair dryer, slippers, kettle, coffee and tea sachets are provided. 

There's a hot and cold water dispenser outside, so you will have to go out (in the open) to get drinking water. There's limited sockets, too. The lighting are quite dim. Wi-Fi connection is poor. 

Overall, I don't feel comfortable staying here. Luckily, it's just an overnight stay.

Blue Ocean Bed and Breakfast, Shoufeng Township, Hualien, Taiwan

The exterior of this place is beautiful. Facing the ocean and I was told you can view sunrise from here. The place is really inviting. And I hope the interior to be the same. It's a two-block, three-storeys minsu. So no elevator. Only staircase. And you have to remove your shoes upon entering the premise. There's a shoe cabinet provided, with slippers, too.

Fortunately, our room is just on the ground floor. Thank God. Even though I am thankful that the guide helped me to carry my luggage, but I will still have to carry my own the next morning. 

Anyway, the hot and cold water dispenser is outside our room.

The room is not too bad. Though it's not as spacious as the ones I stayed. Towels, toiletries, kettle, refrigerator and hairdryer is provided. There's actually a clothes peg next to the entrance and clothes hangers are provided, too. But limited sockets. Wi-Fi is pretty good here. Even when you sat outside the picnic table, you can still be connected.

However, I dislike the bathroom. No shower room, hence after you shower, the whole floor is wet. And limited place to put your toiletries, too. 

Overall, pretty OK. I like it here.  

Ying Shan Hotel, Alishan, Chiayi, Taiwan

The Ying Shan Hotel is located at the Alishan National Forest Recreation, about 2200 meters above sea level. The weather is cold yet refreshing. There's a convenience store, retails and restaurants just 10 minutes walk from the hotel.

Our guide helped to drop our luggage at lobby as my friend assist on the check-in procedure. The lobby is rather small and the lighting is quite dim. Overall, the place was quite dull and a little rundown. So I can presume the room will be the same as well. There's only 1 elevator in this 5-leveled hotel. And the size is just right for 4 ladies with 4 medium-sized luggage. No more.

The room is spacious. It's a quad room. It consists of 2 queen-sized beds, a dressing table and a bathroom. The window can be opened to let the fresh and cool air in, so there's no need to switch on the air conditioner. The bathroom is quite spacious with a bathtub. Towels, toiletries and hairdryer are provided, so does tea sachets and kettle, however you will need to go out, near the elevator to get hot water from the water dispenser. Mind you, the hot water is really hot so be extra careful when you refill your bottle or kettle. The water dispenser comes with a hot and cold water.

Overall, the place is OK. Clean and comfy. Adjacent to retails and restaurants and most importantly near to Alishan Forest Railway as we need to take the tram to go up to the peak to see the sunrise. Only the Wi-Fi here is pretty weak. Me and one of my friend manage to connect but not really stable, however my other two friends failed to find the connection.

LoveI House Minsu, Feng Jia, Taichung City, Taiwan

Back to town, we stayed in a minsu which is very near to Feng Jia Night Market. Just 8 minutes walk. And the surrounding area consists of retail outlets as well as eateries. You will be spoilt for choice when comes to food. So you needn't worry you'll starve here.
They minsu is located at the back alley, five minutes away from the main road. You will need to remove your shoes upon entering the premise, but there're shoe cabinets provided. There's slipper provided inside the shoe cabinet, you just have to make sure you remember which shelves you put your shoes. There's no elevator here and this minsu consists of two levels. So you will have to carry your luggage up a flight of stairs. Fortunately, our room is located on the first floor (my luggage already deem heavy to carry to the first floor).

There's a water dispenser, which consist of hot and cold water located on the first floor, right in front of our room.
The room is very spacious. The bathroom is right next to the entrance. The room consists of 2 queen-sized bed, a sofa bed, a table and a small refrigerator. Towels and toiletries are provided as well as coffee and tea sachets and kettle.

The bathroom is small and clean, and there's no shower room. So literally the whole floor is wet after you showered and there's limited place for you to put your toiletries. This is something which I really dislike.

Overall, the room is comfy and the location of this minsu is great.