Aha! I spotted something!

The kid’s play zone was right beside the stage. It was a raised area too. Maybe we’ll position ourselves there before the crowds or guests arrive!

If you’ve missed Part 1..

As we advanced, a young lady has her hands in the air steadying her camera for a snapshot.. I tapped her lightly on her upper arm. Hey, it’s someone I knew from the Singapore office of the Taiwan Travel Bureau!

“I was telling her we could be seeing you here today” I greeted the lady, pointing to my wife. This lady was a Taiwanese, married to a Singaporean and has been working and living here since. She worked in the Shenton Way Bureau and we said hi each time my wife and I collected printed info from their office.

Mystery in my secret spot

We moved ahead.. A couple sat close to my secret spot and we exchanged smiles. Hmm, there was a small package right there on the stone block where I want to sit. Looking closer – it was a wrapped-up (read: soiled) kid’s diaper! Yikes! No wonder no one was there!

Nothing funny smelling so far.. That was it. We began our wait, at this strategic vantage point hehe.. ;)

Activities, personnel and the crowd grew

It was a scorching hot afternoon. Everyone was feeling the humidity on their skins but the mood was generally mild and light-hearted. While the activities created a fair-like buzz, the the guy emcee onstage jested to a quiet audience in their patient anticipation..

Security personnel in black polos were all smiles, maybe they were “trained” to be gentle to fans (?).. I exchanged smiles with the guy emcee as he passed by my way to get his bottled water. Photographers, even representatives from the media exchanged smiles with me and were in a relaxed mood..

Lady in black

From a distance, a tall figure arrived. A lady in short black dress quickened her pace to the stage area. Her wavy hair and dress flowing in the wind as she trotted in.. Not many in the audience noticed her arrival.

But later on as this lady stepped up the stage, I saw the audience taking their second looks. Yes, this was Chermaine Cho – the lady emcee I mentioned in a Part 1 photo. A show host skilled bilingually – and pleasant person we got to know recently. ~ Wolf whistle ~ ;-)

Slightly after 3:30pm, a slight commotion appeared at the far end leading to the Garden Plaza. A small crowd emerged – I told my wife, “Jolin’s here”..

Arrival of diva Jolin Tsai!

The audience was excited, as Jolin was whisked in by her minders and security personnel to the space behind the stage.

From where we sat, we could see 70 percent of the space backstage. Strategic right?

Jolin has settled down quickly. Standing among the small group of personal attendants and makeup artistes (?), she began filing her fingernails.. Her eyes darted around, apparently taking in her environment. In a split second, I saw her looking my way and managed a faint smile in response.

Wouldn’t there be a room or something for her before her turn on stage, I the newbie “celebrity-observer” thought.

Poor Jolin, it must have been really tough being a celebrity.

Flying for her entertainment role all the time, and now, for work as ambassador to promote Taiwan tourism. The demands on her energies, time and emotions must have been tremendous. In a live appearance like this, the tension from the crowd, the show and her performance could be overwhelming too..

Introducing.. Taiwan!

Emcee Chermaine was introduced as she went on stage. The banter, oops I mean – the show, then started. Taiwan as an ideal tourist destination was introduced. A couple dressed for bridal photography went upstage sharing their experience doing their photoshoot in scenic Taiwan.

Soon amidst controlled shouts of delight from the audience, Jolin and famous Taiwanese director Wu NianZhen were introduced and went on stage.

Welcome to 2 ways of enjoying Taiwan

Director Wu and Jolin then spoke of various aspects of places and activities they love in Taiwan. Jolin shared her love for Taipei shopping while Director Wu related tour details of the rural areas like JiuFen Town..

Both bilingual hosts cheerfully and competently moved the discussion, then invited the media to field their questions while they provided translation assistance..

Leaving our strategic base, I managed a few more snapshots. Check them out!

Are you ready to tour Taiwan?

It was 4pm as the show continued on. We had missed our tea break. Hurriedly we went to the food court and had our fill of desserts..

This show was about promoting Taiwan tourism, that’s why I was there, and covering the event for you here. And of course, we were all delighted by the live appearance of the celebrities.

Glad to have you following here till now. Stay inspired! :-)

Want more taste of Taiwan while in Singapore? Get TaipeiDreams – free by email. Thks. :-)

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