il Giardino Romantico

倫敦熊好久沒出來曬太陽了！經過幾次不小心被我遺忘之後，這次終於記得要帶他一起出門了！還好，老天爺算賞臉，這天太陽超大，超熱的！倫敦熊非常懷念南國的熱情呢！
It'd been a long time since London Paddy's out in the sun! I'd been forgetting to bring him along with me, but this time, I finally remembered! The weather was gloriuos today! Extremely hot! London Paddy misses the passionate weather of the south!
倫敦熊準備好要搭船囉！London Paddy boards the ferry, ready to go!
比船上任何人都還要興奮呢！More excited than everyone else on the ferry.
興奮到整個人都黏在船身上了！ So excited he got stuck on it!
停了幾站之後，決定帶倫敦熊來品嘗旗津的海鮮～ And after a few stops, we all took him to enjoy some yummy seafood.
各式各樣的海味～ Various types of sea flavours.
準備開動了嗎？ Ready to dig in?
炒箭筍～～ Fried bamboo shoots.
炒海瓜子～ Fried clams.
鮮嫩海蝦 Fresh shrimps~
他的確吃得很開心唷～～ He really enjoyed his meal! 
祝大家：

看到填滿塗鴉的牆壁，知道這是哪了嗎？（抬頭好像就有寫了說）沒錯！就是高雄的渡船頭海之冰！天啊！記得我上一次來這裡吃冰是大學時代了。歲月真是不饒人。不過話說最近天氣熱到爆炸，如果能來一碗冰消暑，真是太棒了不是嗎！
This ice-shop is famous not just for their ice, but also the fully graffittied walls and, well, furniture. This is the famous ice-shop in Cijin, Kaohsiung. It's right by the ferry station, not hard to find at all. The weather has been scorchingly hot lately, and wouldn't it be great if we all get to have a bowl of this to cool ourselves off??!!
連桌子也被塗鴉惹～
Tables are full of writings, too. 
倫敦熊也迫不及待～
London Paddy can't wait for his serving
都忘了他頭上有顆磁鐵～
Almost forgot about that magnet in his head! 
將～將～
Ta-ra!
光看照片就消了....5度 囧"
Does it help to cool off just by looking at a photo of it?
水果、布丁、冰。有比這個還要妙的組合嘛！？
Fruits, pudding, and ice. Can't think of a better combination!
布丁咬一口～
Big bite of the pudding!
實在太好吃啦！
Yum! Yum! Yum!
倫敦熊也不亦樂乎～
London Paddy's enjoying himself, too.
似乎每位人客都吃得超開心的呀～
I can't seem to find a single unhappy face in here!
最後一定要來張經典的塗鴉啊～
Ooopsss...Sometimes graffiti can go off colour... (it's the Chinese equivalent of a certain f- word)

這天早晨起來的第一件事情，就是期待著收留我的女主人親手做的愛心英式早餐。或許有人嫌他油膩。或許有人嫌它不好吃。你看那大家都討厭的豆子，英式早餐少了他卻又不能稱之為正宗的英式早餐。
A hearty homemade English breakfast. That was the first thing to expect that day after I opened my eyes. People think it's greasy, and some say it's barely edible. Many of my Taiwanese friends are disgusted by the baked beans, something that makes English breakfast what it is.
不吃豬肉的我，因為真的很想吃道地的homemade英式早餐，因此也沒跟女主人說我不吃豬肉。早餐有什麼，我就吃什麼。我吃的狼吞虎嚥，停下來才看到男女主人都悠哉地慢慢吞食。此時我才察覺到，我的狼吞虎嚥，是因為我捨不得。
I don't eat pork. But I really wanted to try a homemade version of English breakfast. I didn't even bother explaining to my host about my dietry preference. I ate whatever was put on the table (thank goodness there was no black pudding!). I devoured everything like a hungry animal, then I noticed how gracefully my hosts were consuming this delightful meal. That was when I realised that this was because I was reluctant to leave this country.
這一餐吃完後，我這一生還有機會吃到人家親手做的英式早餐嗎？這一餐吃完，我下一次來到英國又會是什麼時候呢？所以我貪心的想要把我看到的一切全部吞進肚子裡。
After this meal, only heaven knows when I'll be able to enjoy a homemade English breakfast again. Or even when I'll be in this country again! So I wanted to stuff everything I saw into my tummy and take it home with me!
這一餐吃完之後「英式早餐」將成為一段回憶。一段很美麗的回憶。
Everything will become part of a beautiful memory. 
這段回憶屬於我一個人獨有。因為天知道，我利用多久的時間醞釀的念力才將我自己送到英國去。這段過程，親友的陪伴與支持成了最佳的鼓勵與動力。
This memory will belong to me, and me alone. Only heaven knows how long and how hard I've worked to get myself to the UK - a process that wouldn't have fruitful results without the help and support of family and friends.
上天真的是很戴愛我的。我真的萬萬沒有想到離開後還有機會能夠再回來，完成我前一次離開沒有達成的一些遺憾。
I thank the heavens for giving me a second experience with this lovely place. I got to finish what I didn't do when I left after my first stay.
一份英式早餐。
One English breakfast.
一對英國夫妻。
One English couple.
三個禮拜的行程。
Three weeks of travelling.
前一年的夢想成真。
Realisation of a dream a year ago.
十年的美夢．．．
Of a ten-year dream...
將成為我此生難以忘懷的美麗回憶．．．．．．
Have now all become memories of my entire lifetime...
 
2010英國遊記．全文完 
Finis.

This was the last meal I had in the UK. I was taken to a place that aptly marked the end of my entire experience with the UK (well, for now, anyway). The place was called Marlow. I couldn't help but associate the name of the place with the dramatist whose work was included in my dissertation. Seemed like a suitable place to end my journey.
To me, it seemed like a serene little town, but rather intriguing in its seemingly uneventful nature. There is not much to write about the place, as I did not get to see much of the place, except a walk along the river and through a park. So I'm going to focus on the meal... the last meal. 
這是我在英國最後的一餐。這個地名非常有趣。叫做Marlow。論文中我有探討一位與莎士比亞同期的作家－Marlowe。雖然多了一個"e"，不過念起來都一樣。所以對我來說，很難不去做聯想。當然也覺得這裡實在是很適合做為我這次英國行的最後一站。
這小鎮看起來挺安靜的。雖然有點矛盾，但這裡的平靜，使得這裡變得更加的有趣。因為停留在此的時間不多，因此也沒辦法分享得太詳細。不如就把重點放在我們的這一餐吧！這可是我的最後一餐啊！
Having wine for a change....
這天改喝紅酒～
After leaving the UK, my tummy will no longer be on vacation. Thus I took this last chance to order a very meaty meal!
離開英國後，我的胃就不再是度假狀態了！因此我趁機點了個全部都是肉的！吃到過癮～
My friend's meal.
朋友的餐點
After meal coffee.
餐後咖啡
My latte.
我的拿鐵
I guess I will never understand why people think food in England is almost on the verge of 'inedible'. I find the food here so delicious I had never gained so much weight while living back home. But I guess I can relate to how one's tummy will never be satisfied with the food in a foreign land. Chinese cuisine is also an aquired taste for many Westerners. However, for me, the food in the UK may not be the best in the world, but because of my experience and my memories, it will certainly be the most meaningful!
我想我應該永遠都不能夠理解為什麼有人會覺得英國的食物難以嚥下。我倒覺得很好吃啊！其實我是可以理解，身在異鄉，當地的食物真的很難滿足自己的味蕾。中國菜對西方人來說也是需要訓練的！不過由於經驗以及回憶，英國的食物或許不是世界上最美味的，但肯定會是對我最有意義的料理～
 
檢視較大的地圖 

If you are a JRR Tolkien or CS Lewis fan, you will, no doubt, have heard of this place before. Yes. The last stop we decided to make during our Oxford day trip was to make a pilgrimage to the place where the Inklings would have their regular meet ups. 
托爾金（魔戒三部曲）迷或是CS路易斯（納尼亞傳奇）迷應該都會知道這個地方的。是的！牛津一日遊的最後一站，我們選擇來這裡朝聖。這裡就是The Inklings常常聚會的所在地！
Although there is no beer garden, there are two tables available for people who enjoy "fresh air" with their pints.
雖然沒有戶外花園區，但門口還是放了兩桌，讓享用啤酒的人兒可以順便"呼吸"新鮮空氣... 
It's a small building, but not unexpectedly, the smallness creates it coziness.
雖然面積不大，但也因此讓整間pub的氣氛感覺相當舒適～
A pint at the table where the Inklings used to sit... make every sip a literary gulp!
坐在當時Inklings成員習慣的座位上，喝著啤酒，彷彿每一口都為自己添加了一點文學氣息（其實是氣泡）
The Inklings were an informal literary discussion group of which JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis were memebers. Back in Liverpool, we used to have our own sessions at our campus pub The Cambridge. Sitting here makes me think of not just the two authors, but also my lovely course mates! 
The Inklings是一個非正式的文學討論會。其中成員就有兩位大文豪托爾金與路易斯。想當初在利物浦時，每次上完課與同學相約於The Cambridge校園pub時，大概也是這種感覺吧！
 
This is proof that I am not just pulling your leg.
這張照片證明我真的不是在唬爛。

 01
拉德特立夫圖書館 - 牛津地標 Radcliffe Camera - landmark of Oxford.
對於觀光客或旅人來說，牛津與劍橋似乎就像是個爭風吃醋的雙胞胎。相像處之多，可以比喻成像是雙胞胎一樣，但卻又互不相讓。每年查看年度大學排行榜時，一下牛津奪冠，一下劍橋奪冠。很好奇在這裡完成學業的人究竟身懷著什麼樣的才能（與財力）。這裡的世界對我們來說似乎遙不可及。不過也正因此使得牛津與劍橋整座城市所散發出的氣息又更格外的濃郁。
For tourists and travellers, Oxford and Cambridge are like twins that fight over almost everything. Their similiarities make them like twins, but their competitiveness cannot go unnoticed. If you check out the annual university ranks, you'll see that they always take turns topping the chart. It makes you wonder: exactly what type of people (and with what king of fortune) brings them here to places like Oxford and Cambridge! To us, this place is like a million galaxies away. But I guess this is the exact reason that makes a city like this even more intriging.
 02
 03
 04
 05
   06/07
當天我們walking tour 的解說員。
Our very own guide for our walking tour.
 08
是否看起來似曾相似？
Look familiar?
 09
解說員說，這裡是哈利波特裡的場景之一。
The guide said this is one of the place that made it into 'Harry Potter'. 
 10
當地人俗稱的Rad Cam，其實是一位John Radcliffe（威廉三世與瑪莉二世的御醫）所承諾要搭建的圖書館。在此，camera並不是英文中的"相機"，而是法文"房間"的意思。［資料來源：維基］雖然沒有進去一探究竟，不過光從外觀看起來，就知道又是一座了不起的宏觀建築物。
Colloquially known as Rad Cam, this is a library built under the promise of on John Radcliffe, physician to William III and Mary II. According to Wikipedia, the 'camera' here does not refer to that gadget we use to take pictures, but rather, it's the French for 'room. Despite having only seen the exterior of the building, it's not hard to imagine how impressive it would be inside! 
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
Walking tour帶我們經過一條小巷弄。裏頭有個有趣的蛋糕工廠。
Walking tour taking us through an alley with a cake factory.
 20
當時剛好是畢業季。
It happened to be graduation season.
 21
雖然明知是畢業服，但我想像他是穿梭在麻瓜間的巫師（霍格華茲逃出來的吧！）
Knowing it's a graduation gown, I'll still pretend he's a wizard from Hogwarts admist muggles.
 22
他不是隨機選擇的pub。雖然我沒在這裡喝上一杯，但他的確是有特色的！
This is not a random picture of any random pub. I didn't have a pint here either, but it does have its unique feature!
 23
牆上的領帶都是牛津畢業生留下來的～
On the walls are the ties of graduates from Oxford colleges.
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
這條巷弄竟取名為"邏輯"...真的很牛津............
Logic Lane... Yes, this is definitely Oxford...
 31
 32
檢視較大的地圖 

真可惜沒趕上鐵達尼熱潮。不過也沒關係。因為他根本不是重點。其實這間叫什麼，我真的忘了。還是我根本沒有知道過。來這裡是與摯友的友人碰面。也是這位友人帶領我們來到這裡的。據說是還小有名氣。
Well, I guess the Titanic fever has died down already. But no matter. Actually, I can't remember the name of this pub, that is, if I knew the name at all at one time or another. We came here to meet up with a friend. It was the friend who brougt us here. Apparently, it's quite a famous pub. 

在英國，沒下雨就能算是好天氣。2010年七月的時候剛好遇上heat wave。真的很不敢相信英國竟然會跟臺灣一樣熱。不過此時已經開始變涼了。對我們熱帶國家的人來說，若不準備外套，還真的會有些涼。所以這種天氣呢，一定要找間有garden的pub，在戶外小酌一兩杯才是真的在享受人生啊！
In the UK, if it doens't rain, you might as well consider it good weather. I remember that year, with the heave wave attacking the UK, it was difficult to accept the fact that the UK was actually just as hot as it was in Taiwan. However, at this time (when in Oxford), it had already subsided a bit, and for tropical people like me, a think jacket became a must-bring. This is the kind of ideal weather to go out in the garden, and have a pint or two! 
這間pub的格局挺有趣的。如果不是熟人帶路，我想我們根本不可能會想到要來這種地方吧！
The layout of the pub is quite interesting. I don't think we would've ever found a place like this, if we had been on our own.
當我們選好位子坐下後，來了兩三個來自南美洲的學生（如果沒記錯的話...反正是某個說西班牙文的國家），說想要訪問我們。攝影師忘了打上馬賽克，這絕對不是因為他比較帥，真的是因為我忘了... 
Once we were steated, three students approached us and asked if we could be intereviewd for their project. I think they were from South America, if I remember correctly (some Spanish speaking country anyway....) I forgot to cover up the photographer's face, but it's not because he's extra cute or anything. I just forgot.
 
如果你剛好去過這間，認得出來，也記得他叫什麼，麻煩你告知我囉！
If you happen to have been here, recognize this place, and remember its name, oh! Please do tell me what it's called!
檢視較大的地圖 

原本想先把英國遊記全部寫完之後，再來好好專心寫三月底的花蓮．墾丁遊記。不過由於友人剛好在策畫花蓮行的過程中詢問到我當時選擇的民宿，所以就想說先把這篇寫出來提供他參考。這段旅程的緣由，我將會在日後補上。不過目前我想討論的是單獨旅行的問題。我想如果你迷戀單獨旅行的過程，你就會知道很多時候即使你很愛這種可以一個人自由放空、自由安排行程的感覺，現實層面總是會狠狠地給你來個當頭棒喝：許多旅行社的行程都是兩人成行，網路上寫的價格也是算人頭的（除非你願意出兩倍的錢），更不用說住宿了。這個社會對單身的人就是這麼的不公平啊！所以一氣之下，我還真的上「股溝」查了「花蓮　單人房」。後來找到一篇好心人整理出來的一些有提供單人房的民宿。點了進去，研究了一番，最後選擇了「柚子家」。
I was planning on completing the 2010 England series first before moving on to my Hualien/Kenting articles. But it just happened that my friend is also planning a trip to Hualien and is asking me about the place I stayed at. That's why this article is being posted right now. I'll get into the reason why I decided to take this trip later, but for now, let's discuss an extremely serious issue: why is society so unfriendly to single travellers? For those of us who enjoy the freedom of going where ever we want at any time we want, and glazing into nothingness whenever we feel like it, reality often comes as a serious shock. Most package tours are designed for two people. Accommodations are more affordable when you've got company. It's unfair for singles who wish to travel on their own. So I Googled 'Hualien' and 'Single room', and found a list of accommodations especially designed for single travellers. In the end, I chose this place: Yo-tze's Home (You-tze Jia)
其實不難找，只是我路不熟，所以有稍微迷路了一下。但親切的柚子家主人熱情的在門口向我招手。此時我就知道，我這個選擇，是對的！
It wasn't hard to find actually, but because I was unfamiliar with the city, I still got a bit lost. But when I saw the host standing in front of the door, waving to me, I knew I had made the right choice!
單人房 Single room.
麻雀雖小、五臟俱全 Tiny little space, but it's got everything you need.
沐浴間 - 我很喜歡這個設計！ Shower area - I love this design
倫敦熊休息ing London Paddy taking a rest.
書桌區 Desk area
顏色鉛筆是拿來留言用的～ The coloured pencils are for guests to leave messages in the notebook.
如果你也來住這間，也會看到天仙的留言喔！
You'll see my message if you stay in this same room!
樓梯間 Stairs to the third floor
小角落 Corner
往一樓 To ground floor
偷窺對面的房間 Peeping into the room across.
那瓶不是酒（殘念...咦？）That's water, not wine.
私房地圖 Their very own Hualien map
柚子家主人精心製作的私房地圖，告訴你哪裡好吃哪裡好玩！
Their specially made map tells you where to eat and where to go!
門口的夜燈 Night light. 
晚上的房間 Room at night.
貼心到這種地步啦！有沒有搞錯！！ Just look at how considerate they are!
連這個都幫你準備好！ Sanitary pads for single lady travellers (just in case)
經過一整天滿滿的行程，能夠回到這麼溫馨的地方，知道有熱情的主人管理著，真的不用怕睡不好。
After a fully-packed day, it was so nice to come back to such a lovely place, with such warm people tending it. Really, no need to fear about your sleeping quality. You'll sleep like a log!
瞧！他不是也睡得真熟！ Sleep like this dog, rather! Teehee
住了兩個晚上，其實有附上一天的手工早餐。但因為柚子家提供早餐的那天，我行程安排得太早，所以無緣能夠品嘗。當然我也不好意思請他們太早起來就為了幫我做早餐（我誰啊我）但柚子家還是幫我準備了稀飯，讓我可以吃飽了再上路！
For two nights, they offer one breakfast meal. However, because my plan to leave was way too early, so I did not get to try their lovely breakfast. They prepared me something else simple instead, so I could have something in my tummy while I travel to my next destination.
如果你到花蓮來，想要有「回到家」的感覺，柚子家真的是個不錯的選擇。當然辣，天仙這可是生平頭一次去花蓮，所以沒得比較。但我至少可以說，柚子家讓我的花蓮初體驗更加的難忘！
If you want to 'feel at home', this is the place to be. Of course, since this was my first trip to Hualien, you might say that I have nothing else to compare to. True. But this I can say: they have helped make my frist trip to Hualien even more unforgettable!
檢視較大的地圖 
Blog: 花蓮民宿 柚子家B&B

這是我2010年旅遊英國三周的最後一站 - 牛津。這一站有一位摯友相伴，讓我這次在英國旅遊的最後一站充滿了言語無法表達出的意義。在拜訪了劍橋之後，牛津似乎也就成為了必逛之地。兩者比起來，我比較喜歡牛津。不知道是不是因為造訪牛津時，那不太做美的天空，讓整座城市多了點灰暗，照射出我內心對於這塊土地不捨的心情。或許是因為這樣，比起烈陽高照下的劍橋，反而是牛津比較深得我心。
This was the last stop of my 2010 three-week travel in the UK. I had the pleasure of having a good friend as my company this time, adding a bit more melancholic delight to this last stop of mine. After seeing Cambridge, it became obviously that Oxford was also a must-visit. I think I prefer Oxford. I'm thinking it's because of the almost-grey cloud that gives it a sort of melancholic touch that makes it even more attractive than the sunny Cambridge I saw. 
這樣的天空似乎更能襯托出古老建築的味道。
The grey backdrop brings out the features of these old buildings even more.
鐘樓 Clock tower
其實在這裡停留的時間並沒有很久。雖說是一日遊，倒不如說是半日遊。回程的時候還因為看錯時間表，差點回不去。不過，旅程不就這樣嗎：所有發生的一切都是很難忘的！
The time spent here in Oxford was not long. A little less than a whole day, and a little more than half a day. On the way back, we almost missed the coach back! What an unforgettable experience! 
還好，有好吃食物的慰藉。最後還是順利地回到家了。
After a bite of food, we finally returned home.
未完待續．．．
To be continued...
檢視較大的地圖 
 

誰說在台北就不能有像在英國的feel啊！在台北下班後同事們也是可以這樣約在pub裡，晚餐、小酌一次解決（雖然那不是當晚的重點，不過卻是本篇食記的重點！）這間天仙已經來過好幾次了（因為有啤酒又很英國）但就是還沒機會好好嚐嚐他的餐點。這次同事們下班的約，因為是我起頭要約的，大家對我都很好，這樣的安排大家也都不敢有沒什麼意見。來到餐廳裡才想到，咱們同事聚餐好像都是吃中餐來著。印象中沒啥機會吃到西餐。那也算是這次晚餐約的特色了吧！因為大家看著玲瑯滿目的英文菜單（明明就都有中文）都傻了，所以就很信任的交給天仙來點餐。不過餐點其實真的不是重點。重點是cider（蘋果酒）。
Who said Taipei couldn't be English. Here we are in Taipei, and we still manage to have some pub food and a few pints after work! Of course, we had another agenda that night, but that's not the focus of this article. I've been here quite a few times, but had not had the chance to really try the food here. Because I came up with the plan to get together, everyone indulged me by letting me plan the entire night. The group of us, my colleagues and I, always seemed to have oriental cuisine. This might be the first gathering where we had western food instead. Everyone was rather confused by all the English on the menu, despite the fact that there was actually Chinese translations... So, boldly, they let me order all the food! However, the food was not the main point, cider was.
 
這不光只是cider！這叫「舌吻」，是一半白啤酒，一半蘋果酒！（很威的）年輕人不要輕易嘗試，天仙阿姨是有練過的... 
This is not just cider! It's called 'snakebite' - half cider, half lager. More dangerous than cider on its own!
因為pub裡燈光都暗暗的。調了ISO，開了閃光還是沒能拍出我想要的效果。此時我想到我那玩攝影的乾弟教我的一招：用手機打燈！
Because of the dim lighting in the pub, it was really difficult to get a nice shot... Then I thought of something my dear brother had taught me - use the light app on the phone as lighting!
雞肉口袋餅 Chicken pita and chips 
雖然很好吃，但因為五人一起吃，實在很難分。
It was quite good, but because the five of us were sharing, the pita wasn't exactly easy to cut into portions... 
炸魚＆薯條 Fish and chips
道不道地呀，其實味道還不錯。如果你是要跟英國街上的take-away比，味道當然有差（這個比較好吃）因為天仙喜歡炸魚要淋檸檬，而take away的都沒有！所以囉！看你喜歡哪種囉！我覺得他的裹粉應該有加香料，蠻好吃的。
Authentic or not? Well, I liked it. If you compare it to the take-aways, there's still a bit of a difference (this is better). This is because I like my fish with lemon. And take-aways don't give you lemon. I guess it's personal preference. I think there's some spice in the batter. Tasted quite delicious.
Chicken burito 墨西哥捲餅（雞肉）
這個也很好吃喔！右上角那個莎莎醬也相當美味～（可能是太久沒吃到了）
This was very nice. The salsa was very nice as well.
英式香腸薯泥 Bangers and mash
香腸的味道，我當然是沒吃啦（雖然只要遇到英國菜我就會有雙重標準 - 可能會破例地吃豬肉）不過我倒是有吃它底下的薯泥！實在太好吃啦！！那一坨的一大部分好像都是我吃掉的哩！
I didn't try the Lincolnshire sausages, despite my double standard towards English foods, although I did try the mash with gravy. It was absolutely delicious! I think I might have finished most of that blob!
怎麼樣？都快清空了！我想同事們應該對我的點菜沒什麼意見吧！？另外，大家是不是也覺得「手機打光」這招實在很妙呢！？食物的照片都是用這張來著～（不過有點累就是了）
What do you think!? Look at the plates! I guess my colleagues were happy with what I had ordered for them! Or else they were just extremely hungry. Also, don't you think the idea of using the flashlight app on the phone as lighting is such a brilliant idea!? All pictures of the dishes were taken using this method!
最後，我們這餐就在蘋果酒、啤酒、以及調酒的微醺中結束了。不過，這夜晚還沒結束呢... 
And alas! The meal ends with empty glasses of cider, lager, and a cocktail. But the night is still young... 
 
巧妙的取景 Great timing... 
檢視較大的地圖