Taiwan Day 10 - Tainan (spring)

 In the morning we just had breakfast in our rooms with conbini feed, and headed to Zuoying Station for the local train to Tainan. 

Once we got to Tainan the station was so nusy! It's the busiest I've seen it. We got our stamps, and then looked at getting a bigger taxi for our 3 luggage. But 55688 app couldn't find a driver so we said, worst case scenario we take 2 taxis. So we called a normal taxi and they were like pretty much just in front of us. 

The driver was so nice, and we fitted 1 luggage into the back seat on top of L and M's laps. I sat in the front. The driver was introducing which streets, that were close to our hotel, with good eats and events happening, which was the main Street next to Shennong Street. And the street parallel to it had good eats. 

We got to the hotel and thanked the driver, the fare was about $120. 

We checked into the hotel, and the staff could do English. We dropped off our luggage and decided to go to MOGU KABI first, the Capybara cafe. 

Called a cab, and the taxi driver was talking about which pets/dogs he'd like to own, but the are all expensive upkeep dogs. His friend owns a Samoyed which he would also like, and we talked about how the fur of the SAmoyed means a really bad match in Taiwan summer. Basically the air con has to be on 24/7... And only take the doggy out for a pee and can't really do exercise outside. 

He said that he would like to own a Bi'shuan, and he looked up a pic on his phone; it was a black and white sheperd dog. He said they ar the smartest dogs but I said, if they're too smart they will be problematic lol. He said he want to MOGU KABI back in the peak pandemic years with his brother from America, who commented teh food was a little pricy even for him. They weren't allowed to touch the capybaras but it might have been a pandemic measure. Also that he wasn't sure why they're called capybaras now, they used to be called 水屯（？）. I said maybe because the Japanese called it that and it became trendy? Anyways the driver was super nice and the fare was about $105.

The cafe wasn't that busy when we arrived, phew. 

There were 2 other groups of diners there. We opted to get the fruit cakes and if you bought 4 you get a free cooler bag with their cafe image on it. We got an extra fruit tart. I chose lemon, and the extra one was a combo of fruits. It was very good. Mine was SO TART, they used the green lemon, which is very very sour. 

The shop did have 1 LG ThinQ air purifier inside, but it ain't gonna cover everyone with the amount of people in the space... Better than none I guess. 

After eating we were allowed into the outdoor section with the capybaras. They let us touch them, but not if they are feeding/eating. They Re so chill. It feels like touching a bristle brush. 
The younger was was softer. 

After a while we were done and decided to leave for Shikhan Tower. 

The driver we got was also nice, and at the end of the ride I wished him an easy day and he said, 平安就好，to which I said, yes you're very right! The fare was about $105.

As soon as we got in after buying tickets, they had a tour starting at 1:30pm. No English, so I translated for L&M. 

After the tour, we had a look around the gift shop, and I bought some postcards. 

Then we were done and M needed coffee and I decided to go for 冬瓜茶 since I saw the sign. 

The shop had no electricity until 4:30pm, so they were only selling bottled tea. Okay... I'll take it then. This shop must be really famous cause they had so much ordering machines. 

Afterwards, we headed into the Grand Mazu Temple. I remember visiting this temple! They did had a stamp but you have to ask for it at the counter. They have the pool with heaps of turtles. 

Next we went to ChihMei Theatre, where they have the hand painted posters. The theatre has had its 70 year anniversary last year. They also had stamps but only if you buy something! They had heaps of postcards of the master's painted works. I bought a couple and their stamps were all so nice. 

Cause the lady re-added the stamp ink, the stamps too ages to dry hahaha. 

After the theatre, we headed to Snail Alley. 

I was getting a bit tired and hungry and came to Escargot bistro, and they are open until 11pm on weekends. So yes! I ate here and so did L and M. I got a Pesto Tomato Arguala sandwich for $240, and a honey lemon Yuzu drink that was very very nice. My sourdough bread was awesome and the pesto with heaps of flavour but not too overpowering with the garlic. Mmmm. 

Once we rested and filled up a little, we finished looking around the Alley and then headed towards Shennong Street. At the end of Smail Alley exploration, I found the temple that was illustrated on teh floor tiles and the manholes. They had a stamp as well (had to ask the front desk), and it was a super cute one. 

Shennong street was busyyyyyyy. The vibes were great with the lanterns though. We walked to the end of the street, and looked through a few shops. Cause it was so busy, it was easy to miss shops. Once at the end of the street, you cross the road and there is a small section which was much quieter with less shops and more houses. There was an area with a guy selling panna cotta and pudding with his goose pet. The shop was even named after goose and had a drawing of the goose with a pudding on its head. Hehe. 

I had a caramel pudding and the flavour was very rich. The good kept looking as the owner and pecking him affectionately. There was also a black cat that kept meowing in the little stand behind the pudding store, and the owner lady came to open shop (crystals) and the cat came out. 

After pudding, we walked to the end of this street and there was a diety getting ready to go out on a walk in the carriage. The temple workers were doing a process or ceremony with swinging the carriage lightly in place. One staff came over to where we were standing and told us we are OK to go up to take a look. I asked if the diety - 藥皇大帝  was going out ona  stroll. Yes, he said, the diety will go out all around Tainan and also catch any ill spirits on the way and take it back to take care of it.

They are also building a new temple and the staff said they set in the two dragon pillars in the day time today, and then the deity is going on a stroll out in the evening,

We watched for a bit and looked at the dragon pillars, and then headed back home.

We had a look at the other shops on Shennong Street on our way out, and I got some funny stickers at an indie arts shop. The temple on the street was really quiet and I ducked in and found stamps!! 6 of them! 

The lanters with Shennong Street name was free so we got a quick photo.

Then out on the street they had lots of food stalls, and one was an Indigenious stall/cuisine. Called Puliman.

L got some BBQ meat with 刺蔥 and the owner of the stall asked L if it was good. Yes. 

Another uncle stopped by when I was taking to the stall owner and he said he was also Paiwan. Malimali is the northern way of saying thank you, and Masuali is the southern way of saying thank you. 

The uncle asked the stall owner (who was a young lad) where his home and, and the owner also said that the stall is named after his dad because his dad is the one who plants the 刺蔥 and other herbs (but not the Makao pepper). 

That was cool. After the quick chat we headed home, showered, and died. 

Taiwan Day 9 - Kaohsiung 2 (spring)

Out plan today is to do the Lotus Pond Pagodas, the military battlement on Turtle Mountain, and one of the city gates. 

First off we headed to Lotus Pond and Youbiked there. We arrived and parked the bikes, and entered the little gift shop pop up. I got some postcards there, there was a lot of indie artist wares in there. Then we released the Youbike park was around the corner and returned our bikes. 

L went off into the Pagodas to get photos. They finished renovating the Tiger and Dragon pagoda towers but I opted not to go up and see, because climbing stairs in this humidity and heat would make me dizzy, especially as the stairs go round and round, and there was also a fair amount of tourists today. 

M and I went to the temple across the street and licked soft serve. We both got combo flavour of choco and vanilla. It was $40 a serve. 

Then we had a wee look around inside the temple at the intricate art and carvings. 

Of we go along the path as we met back up with L. To the next pagoda! This one extends out into the pond a little more and the breeze is nice. 

We stayed for a bit, and they had a 2F at the pavilion at the very end, which was very full of bird poop everywhere lol. They did have a dragon tunnel you could walk through the head to the tail (one way), and the inside had statues of the various rohan etc, like the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas. 

The third pagoda was very long and had a fish feeding pond! The breeze was good here too. The Yuandi temple had a long walkway down to the temple, and there were statues of various guardians along the bridge/walkway. At the front they had a karaoke station and some uncles were going at it. The koi pond was just off to he side before the main temple. The main temple had a frog with a coin in the mouth where you could touch it for good luck. They also had a stamp! 

Next to the frog there was a glass full of $1 coins so I gave the frog a coin and touched the head, the tail, the feet. 

I also went upstairs and they had Yuandi also venerated there. The room was smoky and stained black from all the incense. 

At the entrance of the main temple they also had many machines that you could do fortunes by putting a coin in, or a rooster with a golden egg that have you a charm. M did this one and got a little wooden charm that wished for peace/safety and fortune to stay inside. 

We started looking for food and there was a shop along across the road that did the wheel cakes. We got 4 red bean, 1 butter, 1 seasame/peanut, and 1 taro. I had the sesame peanut and one red bean. 

Then we wanted pepper buns but when we got there, the owner was preparing tomorrow's buns and said that sold out today. Aww. 

So we just walked along the road and passed a traditional market, and many many old temples/miaow with old sanheyuan style housing down there and around as well. 

We passed a noodle shop and open to eat inside there. I got 酸辣湯麵 and so did L. M got a plate of 10 dumplings of Park & chives, 

L also chose a big plate of 鹵味 as a side dish, We also ordered a plate of kumara leaves for the table, but didn't manage to finish this because we were so full from the wheel cake earlier... 

The soup was great! No unneceesary flavours, full of veges, just right in sourness, light and not heavy, and the kumara leaves were stir fried. M commented she liked the one from yesterday better, which was blanched. 

L managed to finished all of this side dish.... (amazing) and I managed to finish 90% of my bowl, just leaving soup. My noodle was $70! Kumara leave was $40. M's dumplings (10 on a plate) was $60.

After this we went for the Youbike station down the road and decided to finish cycling the pond. On the way we passed a water sports centre, with one uncle just sitting at the stand in the shade, with life jackets for the paddle boats. He had no business.... I wanted to paddle but the thought of actually paddling in the Kaohsiung mugginess put me off. This was right next to a cafe with coffee and M got an iced mocha. 

There was a corgi on the next table over. They had a lot of outdoor seating with a view of the pond, and also a fabulous breeze coming through. L got a macha soft serve. I didn't get anything. 

After this we continued the cycle and got back round to where we started, We saw the water skiing with someone actually doing it in action. They have a pulley system that pulls you along to ski. It looked really cool, perhaps we can do it with the proper preparedness next time. 

Next we went to Turtle Mountain to find the military battlement. The mountain had lots of stairs... And the remnants of the battlement were cool. Smelt very earthy and dusty though! Some of the round placements for the guns, had numbers on it like a clock, for orientation. That's cool. And a little recessed part under the rim, I guess for ammunition storage. 

You can see the qilin rock and the pebbles in the concrete mix, and the remnants of the camouflage paint on the concrete outer. 

There was also a good view of the lake from the mountain. I can see why this was a stragetic military point. 

Afterwards, we walked along the old city wall. We walked along the part where they had juanchun housing, and you can see the joints of the brick walls and the various tiles for kitchen or bathroom. One of the walls even had part of the bathtub with the mosaic, the same an Laolao's house!!!! 

This was neat. The other side of the wall still had housing, I assume the roadside row of the juanchun. There were kids playing in the park (must be primary or before primary aged) and one mum just keeping at eye out. It felt like the kids backyard. 

At the end of the juanchun section, the wall was cordended off so we couldn't go further. They were building that new walkway to see the old city. 

So we had to turn back and go around, passing by the playing kids again. There was a small alley leading to the road so we went out there, and could see the houses of the roadside row. One house had a notice from Taipower warning that they were going to cut power aon March 10th. There were also heaps of mail and flyers stuck in the bars of the front door. Some of the houses had front doors or side entrances that were very nostalgic.... 

We finally got to the South Gate and initially we thought it was covered up, but it was just the end of the walkway being built, and they were building an elevator. The actual South Gate was in the middle of a roundabout, and we could cross to go there. You can go up to the top of the South Gate!! You could get a good view of Building #1 of Guomao. 

Afterwards, we headed to Guomao and had a look at the inside of the buildings where it looked like Kowloon, and then the playground at the centre of the community. We took some photos that looks like a band cover hahaha. 

Then back home. We opted for dinner at Dandan, and got takeaway. They did also have a nice long outdoor seating section with a fantastic breeze flowing through today. 

L and M headed to FamiMart while I waited for the order. 

I got the order and headed to the FamiMart we passed, and they were just finishing up as I arrived. 

They got me breakfast! And I asked if there is banana? No banana... L went back in and got me one. Thank youuuuu. 

Off home we go. We ate,... I got the set #1 with the 肉羹湯麵, L a teriyaki burger, and M the set with 2 types of chicken nuggies. 

I had iced lemon black tea. This was very nice. Their chicken is not greasy but oh so moist and crispy. 

Shower, postcards, blog and bed! Tainan tomorrow. 

Taiwan Day 8 - Chishang/Kaohsiung (spring)

 In the morning we had the Minsu breakfast and they did not have lobogao with the tofu skin, but an onigiri with a salted pickled plum inside instead. The club sandwich had a hash brown inside and it was yummy. I swapped with M's mantou for a kumara one so she could have my red rice once to be different from yesterday.

Then back to our room for a poop and to tidy up the rest of our luggage. 

We opted to check out first and left our luggage storage at reception. Mr Guo was there and said byebye.

We took the Minsu bikes with L taking the Youbike ebike cause it's easier for him to cycle.

On the way to coffee M stopped to see some cats and then more cats followed. One was very vocal and wanted pats. The other 3 stared lol.

A dog from the neighbours came out to greet us and then went back home through the other entrance. 

First we went to Mi May Coffee and the husband was there! We parked the bikes on the side. They have a huge gazebo now. He records every visitor's name and date in a little book, that's so cute.

I also learnt that thank you in Amis is "arai" for Northern (Hualien), and "aguisai" for Southern. They tend to sing out the last vowel longer too.

"Hamhamen tayni kiso" was the new sign, and it still means "welcome" or "hope you'd come". I forgot to get a photo of this.

I chose the 瓜地馬拉 coffee made from central north beans. It had a slightly acidic taste with a dry-sweet aftertaste. It wasn't very strong, but very nice.

M chose a latte and since Mr 老王> (owner's name) gave us 2 cups, he tried some and it was wasn't what he was expecting. They also had rose tea which he let us have a cup to taste. It was more herby floral with a stronger minty taste. But it was smooth.

He is so nice and chatty. He also asked us if we were going to 大池 (yes) and then asked where L was from, and knew how to say thank you and hello in Vietnamese. When we left the wife also walked out of the house and waved goodbye at us.

Dachi is right next door and it wasn't very busy! Score. My order was number 13 lol. We were so full but I stuff it in anyway. I made it and finished it all.

I shared a plate of tofu skin (thick soy with spicy) with M and we had a tofu flower each. M also tried the soy milk and we had a 泡菜 to share. L commented that it tastes like KFC coleslaw lol!! And I can definitely see how.

After we finished we had a look at the factory where they make the tofu skin. So cool. Then we rode back towards the Minsu.

We grabbed our luggage and got ready to leave. I wanted to enter the gate a little early so we can look at the paintings in the corridor between the platform and concourse. Since they swapped all the paintings out!

They have cute name signs too now. 

Not long and the train came. We are in carriage 10 right near the back. The carriage was pretty empty until we got to Taitung.

Going through the tunnels that cut through the tail of Taiwan is cool. My ears pop because of the pressure. The sea view is gloomy today but still beautiful. 

On the train I saw the Taiwan Rock Guy?!? Walk past and did a double take but tried not to stare too much!!! Omg. I spent a couple of minutes trying to figure out if it is him, and even asked M. He was in a green shirt and brown overalls. M concluded it is him because the nose looks the same. WTH!! That was totally unexpected. He got off at Kaohsiung Station. It's like meeting a celebrity in the wild lol. 

We got off at XinZuoying and got our stamps, peed and then bought a ticket for the local train to Zuoying. 

Once off we rolled our luggage 10 mins to the Minsu. The host (did not get him name) was super like making sure we were looked after and knew where everything is by telling us how to work the TV, where the bin is, how to work the door, what the common area is like, which way to turn the tap for hot water, aircon, and saying that there are English channels and switched it to that. Lol that was so funny and I tried to tell him that they like to check out local TV but that didn't go anywhere in convo. XD 

Once we settled in we decided to go for dinner at Guomao and stopped at 麵點麵 for dinner. Their noodle broth were good - I had 榨菜肉絲麵 and the noodles wasn't too salty. The kumara leaves had the raw mince garlic on it :( and the pork belly sauce. :( Nooo. L had a dry beef noodle and M and wonton soup noodle. It was a hit. 

L went around to take photos while I finished eating and M and I ended heading back to the Minsu first to grab stuff. L followed soon and we split up. M went to Kinokuniya and L and I took the 205? Or was it 201? Bus to Dream Time Shopping Mall to go to the Pili store. Before we even got there lol we were sidetracked with the other figure shops while trying to find the way to the Pili store. 

L found some Rockman figures and also a gift for his friend. Very fruitful. We finally made it to the store and they had most of their puppets in glass cabinets above the goods shelf, which was a pity because the reflection made it hard to photo and see the details!!! The store was pretty big and L ended up getting quite a few stuffs and I just got a Thunderbolt Fantasy postcard set. 

L decided to try the gacha for the TBF figures, aiming for LXY and Dan Fei (which we could see at least 1 of each inside), and got 3 duplicates of Lie Mei. His first one was LXY, and then Lie Mei. The third one was also Lie Mei. Lmao. The store had a buy $3000 get $300 promo so we went to exchange that at B2 info desk, and also did tax refund at the same time. Then went back up to do the rest of the gacha with the voucher. The fourth was Dan Fei, yay! But we did the last once since we already bought the gacha, and it was Lie Mei LOL. 

We stopped at 7-11 before heading back up to 2F after the info desk and they had a buy 1 apple soda get second was free. So the shop lady asked L to go get another one and he came back with a diff drink in the same area, but it wasn't part of the promo. And so he went back and went through the queuing maze instead of just around the side straight through and the shop lady was like "why he go through the maze? Www" and I laughed too and said I will tease him later. XD

After the gacha we headed up to 8F as they had an anime exhibition for a couple of series, but mostly ones I haven't seen. It was like 15 mins before 10pm closing time and as we entered the area the shop lady started closing the curtains. So L sped run getting photos while I mostly walked through and ended up at the gift shop. My browsing was made easy by knowing like 2-3 series lol. And then sped purchase when L caught up, a Kusuriya t-shirt and a Dandan Dan cat figure. They had some Western animation goods at the end, K-Pop Demon Hunters and others. Took some photos and headed back out of the mall. 

We opted for a taxi home and the fare coat $295 for a 25 min drive. The cab smelt faintly of cigarette smoke. 

Cause M already went to sleep we had to ring her a few times to wake up her (we organised this before hand) and she came down to open the door for us. Thank you!!! 

Back to sleep. xD

L went off to do laundry and I took a shower and went to bed.