Choc Seven: 超克7 [♥]: 2009/1/14 MoFanBangBangTang- MoFanQiBang's Journey Challenge: MaoDi's Search For Courage Out At Sea

As part of MoFanQiBang's individual self-challenge episodes, MaoDi was assigned to embark on a mission at Nanfangaou, one of the largest fishing harbours in Taiwan, in order to face his phobia of the sea.

Step 1: Setting Out
MaoDi began by contextualising the key aspect of his task: courage. Despite MaoDi's personal belief that he significantly embodies this quality, justified by his uninhibited impersonations of the ridiculous joker, 'Gya-Gya', on MoFanBangBangTang, the show's crew was nonetheless able to discover that MaoDi had an extraordinary fear of the sea. MaoDi explains that the source of his fear comes from his childhood, when he was bitten by a fish whilst swimming with his family in the ocean. In addition, MaoDi has also heard many stories in his childhood, of people being engulfed by waves, which gave him the impression that the sea is a ruthless murderer. To be able to face his fears, MaoDi is to search for a fisherman called Li Da Ge, who will take MaoDi onboard on his fishing boat. At only 4am in the morning, MaoDi was unable to find any detours, such as his hilarious suggestion of eating some breakfast first, so he had to get straight to his task of finding Li Da Ge at Nanfangaou.

Upon locating Li Da Ge, MaoDi checked with Li Da Ge whether he had all the appropriate clothing to go fishing, which included a hat, a raincoat and pants. As MaoDi was fully equipped, he was prepared to board Li Da Ge's fishing boat.

Step 2: The Beginning of the Courage Challenge
However, MaoDi was shocked to learn, after being all geared up on Li Da Ge's fishing boat in a raincoat and all, that he was only to go out to sea the next day, as they needed to set out earlier. Instead, MaoDi was tasked to assist with transporting the fish that had been caught that morning. MaoDi innocently asked Li Da Ge whether it hurt the fish to be hauled up from the boat with a steel hook and rope. Li Da Ge assured him that the fish's nerves had thouroughly died after being out of water for so long.

After overcoming his fright at the sight of such large fish, the smallest of which he jokingly claimed to weigh more than him, MaoDi learnt to lift and unhook them to be taken off the boat and cleaned. These large gilled specimens turned out to be 'Gui Tou Dou' fish and were to be used to make fish balls.

MaoDi commented that after three hours of close contact with the largest fish he had seen in his life, he felt that he had faced many of his fears in such a short space of time. Furthermore, MaoDi finds it to be a valuable experience, as it is not an everyday occurrence that to be able to witness and assist fishermen at work.

Step 3: Making Seafood Delicacies
Next, MaoDi was to learn the process of making fish balls. It was indeed interesting to see how the fish meat is firstly filleted, then ground into fish paste and finally shaped and boiled. Gradually, MaoDi developed the delicate art of squeezing the fish paste with one hand and scooping it with a spoon in the other to make the meat into a spherical shape.

After all the fishballs were made, it was MaoDi's turn to taste his own handmade fish balls. MaoDi gushed at the freshness of the fish and also cheekily revealed that he had made a long, oval shaped fish ball when the cook wasn't looking. In addition, MaoDi also tasted some unique flavoured fish balls, mixed with pork and black pepper.

Step 4: A Sunny Lunch Break
More tasting of the local seafood at Nanfangaou was in store for MaoDi, as Li Da Ge took him out to a seafood restaurant for their lunch break. MaoDi highly praised all the specialties that he was introduced to by Li Da Ge, such as white bait sashimi, fan-che pufferfish pieces and fish fins.

MaoDi's courage was really put to the test when he heard from Li Da Ge that there was going to be high waves and a powerful wind at 10 knots when he goes out to sea for the first time the next day.

Therefore, MaoDi decided to take a walk in 'BeiBing GongYuan', a popular National Park for those who are in search of some peace and quiet. Whilst admiring the wonderful view at the park, MaoDi found a route that could take him to the nearby beach. However, watching the waves thrashing from the shore made MaoDi feel uneasy, and he exclaimed that the waves were too 'over'!

Step 5: Serenity
As MaoDi would need to get up at 5am the next morning, Li Da Ge generously prepared a bedroom at his house for MaoDi to stay in overnight. MaoDi was very touched by the adorable furniture and decorations that Li Da Ge had put in the room, and learnt that it had once been the room of Li Da Ge's son, who had now left home to pursue work.

Before going to bed, MaoDi revealed the contents of his backpack, which turned out to be comfort snacks and chocolate!

Step 6: Seeking Courage

Expectantly, MaoDi was very nervous on the day of the voyage. In particular, he was especially worried that they will get lost, or he will get seasick and throw up. However, MaoDi tried to overcome his nerves by introducing the steers and controls of the boat. The navigator screen particularly comforted him, as it sends out signals of the boat's whereabouts, and he recalled being afraid of being stranded out in the ocean when he was little.

Unfortunately, MaoDi did gradually get seasick, as the trip out to sea was a long, gruelling one. The high waves and drone of the boat soon became unbearable and MaoDi had to throw up over the deck.

Nevertheless, MaoDi was still determined to continue his journey to catch fish out at sea, and endured his nauseousness. Furthermore, he even became accustomed to hauling the fish onto the boat, patting the fish first to check whether it was still moving.

Therefore, MaoDi had finally successfully completed his challenge, mustering up a lot of courage along the way to overcome his fears.