Taiwan Day 22 - Taichung Day 7 (spring)

 Last day in Taiwan today. Kinda sad...

Had breakfast and then I just packed the last of my luggage. I still had yesterday's day to blog, so after sorting that and getting dressed, I ended up finish my blog.

Meilin ayi has brought TW style sushi for lunch. She has a lunch date with friends so she left after getting us lunch. Thank you.

The sushi is kinda like a fusion of 飯碗 and sushi. Since they use a lot of 飯碗 ingredients but mis it with some sushi ingredients. I avoided all the mysterious seafood ones. There was also a egg puddings with a cockle inside, seafood flavoured, but it's safe. 二叔 is always so worrisome - we ate lunch early... around 11:30am.... he said we'll leave 12:30pm for the 1:30pm bus. I mean, yeah ok, but ultimately I ended up getting there around 1:05pm.

We did swing around to 四叔's shop on the way to the transfer station to say bye. 四嬸 handed over some documents to 二叔 and I passed it on but 二叔 said it was missing another page?? So 四嬸 tried to print it but the data wasn't loading. So 二叔 will pick it up on his way back. Byeeeeee 四叔, 四嬸.

When I got to the Chaoma transfer station the 1pm airport bus was loading. I got my bags and said bye to 二叔. I sat for a bit and then around 1:25pm I went to ask the staff if I needed to add on a luggage ticket? The staff I asked got out their measuring tape and stuff lol. And ended up asking the other staff member. Yes, indeed I did need one and it was $215. Thank god I asked early so had time to sort this out and buy it without the rush. Once I finished purchasing at the counter, they started loading the bus. They asked which terminal and wrote "2" on the numbered sticker that went on my luggage. Soon after I got on the bus, I slept like a dead fish. Wow I am really tired.

It went by so quickly I didn't really even get to stare out the window, I was asleep pretty much all the time, and woke up groggily twice or thrice and fell back sleep.

I woke up just as the bus was turning onto the off-ramp. It won't be long until we reach the airport now. 

The bus announcement system asked to press the stop button if you were getting off... uhhh I thought they stopped regardless. Oh well costs nothing to hit the button. I looked for it and it was right above my head.

I got off and thanked the driver unloading my luggage. He ran off which I was moving my luggage out of the way, so I didn't get to thank him loudly/verbally. Ahh...

I grabbed a trolley and headed in. I headed to 3F check in counter. What the fuck. Why is there so many people!? It's a Thursday!! The check in counters were not open yet, since we arrived around 3:15pm at the airport. There were so many tour groups. I lined up in the middle where it said "online check in". The counters opened at 3:330pm on the dot.

I was like the third one in this line. There weren't many people in the line for online check in for some reason. I asked the gentlemen what time of the year has less people flying? And he said, recently it's always been as busy as this. Oh man.... my luggage was comfortably under weight. I thanked him and asked where to do tax free stuff? He said 2F.

Off I went. I found the tax free counter and apparently if I already got my tax back, we don't need to do anything apart from exiting the country within the date stated. Oh. Okay hahaha.

Hmmm, maybe the post office here has those scenery stamps? I went to 1F and on the way I checked the website. Yup they do! So I asked the counter if they sold postacrds, and they have plain ones. I bought 2 and got each stamped with a different scenery stamp. It was only $10 ea (no cost for postacrd?!) and I watched the lady stamp and frank the postcard. Coool! Something to look forwards to in 2 weeks haha.

On the way up to 3F I stopped by the display cabinet featuring a traditional Chinese garden in Yunlin. I watched one of the video clips and then had a look on YT and found the other one there. Cool! I can watch this at my own pace later. 

So, then I decided to go to 3F Imei shop to see if they had any of the nice wafers. On the travelator, there was a snacks/pastries shop selling Formosan design pineapple cakes and the like. I paid like $167 for a box of parmesan pastry pineapple cake. I thought there were 6pc in there but later after getting back to NZ I realised there was only 4pc. LMAO. I paid $167 for this! Hahahha. The whole range had pretty neat designs.

Then I went up to 3F, on the Southern end rest area, The Imei shop was small and didn't have a big range. I decided to get some other stuff anyway. Freeze dried banana choc, almond wafer, museli nut and fruit bar...

I was just a little hungry but not too much. I decided to eat now, as it'll be safer than on the plane, and that I'll be dying by the time they serve the meal inflight since I had lunch so early. It was only about 4:36pm now. I decided to get a small bowl of braised pork rice and the grass jelly drink. I saw the drinks were all in the chilled cabinet so I asked if they had not-cold ones? The lady at the counter said no ice but they are all chilled. Alright then.

I paid just under $200 and soon after my little machine beeped. There was a section in the middle of the tables off on the side that had construction being worked on. My rice came with roe.... I hope this is safe for me. There was also a fried egg. Yum. The roe was a little spicy? The braised pork was very nice and my drink also awesome.

Once dine I quicked remasked, and it was almost 5pm so I headed towards security. There was an 11 min wait (as per the sign) but it went pretty fast. Then the egates - I dumbly went through the e-gate and forgot to go to a person so I can get an exit stamp... ah rip.... they've definitely added NZ onto the e-gates now cause I got through.

Ahhhhh my stamp.... aahh.....

I walked towards C8 and on the way stopped at a shop selling Switch games. I asked if they had the console? Maybe they have tax free? But the shop staff said that there's a shortage due to the RAM and chip shortage. Oh... gg. 

Once I reached my gate, it was a movie themed one! They were showing short films from Golden Horse Award winners and the seats were theatre chairs. Pretty cool!

There was a film called Yong-ching and it seemed like a middle aged dad was getting divorced and he was sneaking into the house and then locked himself out when the typhoon of the name made landfall. Lol. I wanted to know how it ended! There was a stop-animation being played earlier when I was going around the gate taking photos.

I was pretty much the last ones to board. Once boarded, I seated next to a couple on the window seat. They wer eon tour group and is going to the South Island after landing. Good, because there's a cyclone on the way lol. I ended up chatting to them a little bit and at the end of the flight, wished them happy travels. I snoozed most of the flight and only ate a little bit of my food. I wasn't feeling that well. I didn't get to watch Hyaku-emu. Ahhh well. My eyes were dry. It was so unconfortable, I kept snapping awake when my neck was about to crash.

Once out of the plane I headed to grab my luggage. When I was dismebarking I asked one of the crew how to get an exit seat. She said that they get bought up quickly so to book as early as possible to purchase those seats. Then off to biosecurity. I made them a list and the guy who triaged me told me to go to lane 3. A lady officer examined my bags. She asked me about meat and dairy. I was so worried about my Makauy pepper but she only picke dup the bubblewrapped jar, asked "what's this", and left it when I said "tea". And asked for meat lol. She taped my bags with the seal, but I accidentally got the tape on me when I lifted my bag into the trolley and didn't realise. She did let a slight giggle out when I realised after she pointed it out lol.

Out of the 2 bags that were checked, my unchecked one went through xray. No issues. It was pretty quiet, I think we were the only flight landing at the time.

Dad came to pick me up. We stopped at Pak'n Save on the way home, and I waited in the car. Petrol is about $3.50/l now, jeebus.

After I got home, I had some fools noodles, showered, and then slept until about dinner time, and struggled to wake up.

Then my knee popped and it hurt but only when it pops, when coming out from being straightened. Oof. Must be from the flight. (This continued for the next few days, getting better but it still pops. THe chiro said the medial quad on the thigh is too tight, so it creates a slingshot effect when the patella moves over and that's why it pops. Just massage and muscle to help relax).

I couldn't sleep after dinner despite feeling tired. Jetlag... Because of the tour groups all the exit seats were taken. I realised this when deciding to look through Nov flights when I couldn't sleep. All the flights I looked at has the same block of seats taken and the exit seats... so it must be tour groups. Grrrr.

Taiwan Day 21 - Taichung Day 6 (spring)

 Today I got up  early around 7am and finally crawled out near 7:30am to go to my dental appointment on time. Breakfast done, but it was still raining.... 

I walked down and had to make a decision. Do I call a taxi or do I buy a poncho and go? I still had 20 mins to get there before my appointment. I went into 7 but couldn't see the ponchos. Then I went into FamiMart and asked where theirs was - I bought a bigger one that was a better material and longer. 

I put it on once outside and then OK let's go get a Youbike. I managed to borrow one of the last ones (phew) and a dark-skinned guy took the other one. We was in a short poncho, guy smart, later I realised it doesn't get caught in your knees when cycling. 

I had to cycle fast but I forget there is a slight uphill going towards Shuinan so it wasn't as fast as coming home. The poncho kept riding up, but I managed to stay dry mostly. 

I arrived and there were no bikes in the dock near the primary, so I parked it under the tree for a better chance of a drier seat if it was still drizzling when I came back. 

I made it on the dot to the clinic, and took off my raincoat. I opened the door and asked the ladies where to put? And they said just hang it over the yellow moped (it was a Gogoro). Thank you. 

I went in and they asked if I wanted to make an appointment - I said I was the 9am. Oh! You are Alice. They asked me for my Jianbao card on auto drive - I don't have one hahaha. 

I sat for a wee bit and they asked about my trip this time around - I've already been! And fly back tomorrow. 

A guy came in to deliver a stamp when I got seated, and then Dr Huang came at 9:10am. And commented to the stamp guy when he said "這麼早就上班" that he's already late by 10 mins. Lol. He replied "喔，你們還要準備，我們開門就好".

A lady walked in when I was halfway through my treatment, but I think she maaaaay be Dr Huang's wife. Not too sure. 

My clean wasn't as painful today, perhaps cause it's only been like 3 months since. Just sensitive near the gum line. Dr did polish off my stains though with prohpy. 

He said I should get my wisdom pulled sometime, as there's not enough space in my jaw and it's pushing on the other teeth. I need 1 week recovery time. 

An Ah-bei came in and got seated just as I finished. I asked for the toilet and it was on 2F - their toilet still retains some of the original wall flower tile. Maybe even the original tap, cause it was a oblong handle type you turn, and it was old. 

After I was done, I thanked them and paid $600. See you next time!! 

After that I went to 三舅媽's place. It was OK busy. I hung up my poncho and put down my backpack on the shelf. 三舅 was going to 炒油蔥 and he said it takes like an hour. Honey wanted a hug so I carried her for a wee bit. Then I let her onto the ground. She just walked here and there abd eveb under the stove!! Gurl! Ain't it hot there! 

I watched him do fry it for the whole time. He used lard, and added some salad oil. Then the red onions (chopped by machine) into the heated oil. And just stir so it doesn't burn. Scoop off the scum (because they didn't wash the onion). Until the onions become brown, float to the surface, pushes easily and follows the spatula, and the bubbles become fine and almost none. Then you turn the heat off and add some soy sauce for it to add some aroma. At some point I went to the dry goods store to buy 榨菜. The shop lady was happy that I bought my own bag and said that plastic bags are now expensive and very hard to get. I asked why? Oh it's because of the oil shortage. 

When I got back I asked 三舅 about it. He said that it's true and they can't get more. It started 1-2 months ago (the shortage). And pointed out that their stock in the corner - once it's gone they will have none. 

I also managed to add him on LINE, and he asked how to get to watch 棒球直播 on YouTube or similar. He said a retired teacher comes almost everyday and he watches live broadcast. We couldn't get it to work so he said he'll ask the retired teach. 三舅 also said he never wear pants, after commenting on how the mosquitos here keep biting. Only shorts. He did buy 4 pairs for their upcoming trip April 23-30 to China. In case it's cold. He bought 1 pair for his trip last time, but ended up wearing it once and then just shorts after. Hahaha. 

After 三舅 was done with the onions, he just let it cool there. I went out and saw 三舅媽 picking off the tough bits off the 榨菜 so I went to help. Not too long after 三舅媽 fed me and I had 陽春麵 and added just a tiny bit of their chilli, which was quite spicy. They gave me a side with the pork bits and a braised tofu & egg. Delicious. 

After eating I went back and helped finish picking the 榨菜 off. I asked 三舅媽aabout the plastic bag situation, and sje said it used to be $100 for a box, and not it's $500 for a box/bag. 

Honey got picked up for her groom and wash. Once done with the 榨菜 it was pretty much time for them to tidy up. So I said my goodbyes and hugged everyone. 

I said bye to the big sis but I don't think she realised/heard me. 

Ah well. I went around and onto the main street to go to the bus stop. I took 82 to go to Chungyo Dept Store, not a lot of people were riding at this time of the day. 

I headed to Eslite on 10F once here, opting to take the escalator so I could also see what's on the other floors. It stopped at like floor 9F, so I had to take the elevator up.

Eslite was big. They had 2 floors! I managed to find my book cover but also asked a staff if it was the right one because the packaging was different. Turns out I got the fat book one and not the normal one, which was just behind it. The lady at the checkout had to call the stationary lady (whose checkout was closed), and I ended up checking out at the stationary checkout. The stationary lady helped me and opened up the packaging to check/confirm. 

I had a look around and ended up buying a papercraft kit (the same maker as the plant ones). They also had these gorilla massages for smartphone swiping sore hands, and high heel sore calves. The branding was funny. 

Floor 12F was Daiso but the elevator doesn't go there - I got into the elevator and a lady going to 15F told me it's a 夾城 so I need to go 11F and walk up, (and the elevator just passed it as I hit the button), or 13F and walk down. Opps. Thank you lady. I went to 13F and walked down. 13F was an exhibition space - lots of temp stalls here. 12F was indeed like an inserted level. This Daiso had more stock but I couldn't find any of those dehydrator beads??? No oshikatsu sticks either. 

Then I went down to 11F and saw the Eslite. This floor was a big Eslite bookstore and cafe. They have cool shelves. 

OK enough mucking around let's go home. By the time I crossed the road and got to the bus stop 25 and 35 bus were already leaving the stop and waiting for the lights.... 

I ended up waiting from 2:18pm to like 2:40pm (the next 25/35 bus never showed up on time), and took a 303 since it goes to Taiwan Bouvelard. Turns out it goes the other direction and the final stop was the high school. Lol woops. The bus driver shouted out to me and told me it's the final stop. And I got on the wrong direction when I ask - doesn't this go to Maple Valley? Ah oh well. 

I just walked out and checked the bus stop and they all stop here. So I G Maps and walked 10 mins to the next parallel big road and took 33 to get to 教師新村, which is actually even closer to 四叔's shop??? The stop before was Shinkon Mitsukoshi. Everyone got off here. There wasn' t much people on the bus. And then the driver didn't stop at my stop?? I pressed the button! I walked up and politely asked when the bus would stop at 教師新村 and the driver let me off as we were stopped at the lights, just past the bus stop. There was construction going on and he told me to be careful. Thanks driver. 

Seems like the construction is redoing some pipes as they dug up the middle of the road and were adding concrete back in when I walked past. I took a detour around the alleys and a tiny back alley connecting the back alleys, and got to 四叔's shop. Phew. He had a friend visiting. I left my 榨菜 as it was so heavy, and went off to buy my bus ticket first. 

I went by foot and took a sky bridge. The arcs were really pretty, and a building 2F next to the stairs had a tiny balcony, but really old wooden door and glass just like the juanchun. Nostalgic... 

Some of the floor tiles were loose on the bridge and someone had stacked them on the side. Who knows how long this sky bridge would exist, they seem to be getting rid of them now. 

What a privilege to be able to walk one. 

I got to the Ubus station and purchased ticket. Then I took a bike back... One day I will actually go into Maple Valley and have a look. 

Once back at the shop (parked at Shangshi Park) I got treated to tea and some Vita brand nuts with caramel flavouring. That was really nice?! There were 6 other flavours as they came in a new year pack, but some had garlic and some had pepper/salt... I think the caramel ones are the best lol. 

四叔's friend was younger than me, they are bug hobby buddies. They talked bug, and ended up talking about his 3 dogs and how they came to be taken care of at his family. His family lives at Nantou, on the middle of the mountain, facing east side so they get the morning sun. It's a wooden house so it heats up quick. Lots of nature and vege fields near his house growing up... And he once captured a snake with his brother to take home lmao. 

Guy sat from 3pm to 6pm just chatting with 四叔. I left just after 6pm and went home. Organised myself to go out to grab dinner and also see if could change Ange's Pom shirt for the women's version. They can change but can't refund the $100 difference, unless you buy like something else. Dang.... 

After debating a wee bit and tried calling Ange (but she was already asleep), I opted to just keep it as is and took measurements with the ladies version so I can modify it... Since it's just tailored slightly with with shorter crop and sleeve. It shouldn't be too difficult. Famous last words I bet lol. 

Then onto dinner 中興素食. I got them to put the rice into my box so saved a bowl, and then took some soup. $95. 

I thanked the lady, and went home. Goddam how do they make it taste so good?! Especially the stir fried green chilli?!?! And the hash... Everything yum... The kimchi... Dang... 

OK so it is a wee bit greasy you can see it front the leftover juice in the box, but it doesn't feel heavy. Maybe that's why it tastes so good lol. 

After dinner I ended up liquid pooping for a fair while... Dafuq... As long as it's not something more serious. 

I just finished packing up the rest of the luggage and then showered and sleep. 

Taiwan Day 20 - Taichung Day 5 (spring)

 I naturally woke up just before 8am today. Had breakfast, some wood bread with a banana (yum), and then headed to the post office just after 8:30am.

The post office was busy with 11 people for banking services and 3 people for postal. I went to print the EZ Post label but it didn't come out. It took ages to print. So I tried again.... And then decided I need help so took a number. 

The gentlemen was patient and went to get the label from the print - it was an A4 paper and he said only the small packets print from the EZ Post machine, the EMS ones are bigger so they get printed inside. Sorry... I printed twice... 

The package was 6.1kgs and cost $2305. Pretty cheap if you think about it. 

Then I bought stamps for the rest of my postcards - he was going to stick it on for me but I said I can do it, and he can service someone else. 

That's also because I didn't leave enough space for some that ends up getting 2 stamps so I have to rewrite what it covers up... 

After that, I headed home and got ready to go to 三舅媽's place. 二叔 offered me a ride since he needs to go charge his car. Yay I don' t have to solve the problem of how to get the stuff I'm bringing for 三舅媽 onto the Youbike lol. 

Once arrive, I greeted the auntie that fries the eggs. She told me 三舅媽 is at the back 在打麻將 loooool and then I walked there and found out she meant it as 炒麻醬. XDDD 

I gave the stuff and then chatted with 三舅媽 for a while. 

And then got bitten many times by a mosquito just hanging out around there... Vicious. 

When 三舅 was free I greeted him and asked if everything was good. 

At some point Honey wanted me to hold her so I got to hold her twice. 

I got fed 麻醬麵 and 豬血湯 which was all delicious. 

They had less customers today. A lot of the stalls were closed and that was kinda a rare sight. I even went to the dry goods store in the arcade, but both were closed! 

Instead 三舅媽 gave me 2 packs of dried black bean instead. 

三舅媽 told me about how they went out to Hualien on a travel trip with a friend, and their lil brother suicided so had to go back ASAP without completing their trip. It was so sad. The brother was happy about anything the wife did - he fried chicken for a living and the wife would just come to collect the money. (My brain went, I bet she's a narc, I think I may be partially right). He would do anything to please the wife. At some point the wife wanted a divorce, and he took it way too personally and couldn't unthink himself out of the depression pit. All his siblings were supporting him and said that they'll support him in what he wants to do. The day before he was found dead - hung himself on a bridge; he sent a photo to his sister dressed up all fine and got a new cut and shave. Asking if he was handsome. His sister said, of course, you look absolutely handsome. 

ON the way back this friend insistented on dropping them off at home, when 三舅媽 said that just drop them anywhere near their neighbourhood and they can  arrange a taxi hime, and would save them 2 hrs travel time as it'd be faster for them to go to the funeral home straight from the highway. But nope they insisted... 三舅媽 also said the friend likes to go see animals, like eagles that cost a lot, and the aquarium/sea park in Hualien (they have one to?!). Originally they were going to go to Kenting's one but then they got the news. I felt so sad as well. The brother probably thought it was him that was at fault when it likely wasn't, and the trauma bond just took a really bad turn. 

About 12:45pm I left as they were packing up. It was raining lightly when I left, and I managed to find a Youbike (2 left!) with a dry seat.In the 10 mins that I cycled home, I got drenched lol. But at least my undies stayed dry hahaha. 

A shame, I couldn't stop at the juanchun spot on the way home. I forgot an umbrella. 

Once home I got changed and the rain lovingly helped me to wash my pants which I had splashed the noodle sauce on lol. 

After a wee break I headed out to the TVGAME 360 shop, but they didn't have Ryuusei no Rockman package version. Oh well... Guess I'm going to 小拳王 then. They did have!! And also Rockman EXE Collection. For some reason $200 more lol at $1390. I also spotted the MHST3 Amiibos around $580-680. But I really, don't have space for them, especially in the box, as it's so big. 

I exited the shop, and walked a wee bit debating. Since the package ver was in Chinese and the cover art was different and not Japanese, it felt weird. And inconsistent with the rest of my games. After like 15 mins in the pouring rain I ended up going back and buying the game. Lol. $1190.

Then I went home as it was raining hardcore and my feet were real wet. 

I changed out from my socks and just chilled. 

At some point I ate dinner from leftovers in the fridge. And then decided to sort some luggage out. 

Then decided to go out at 7:45pm to grab the Pompom shirt I had sent Ange a photo of a clothes store stand. Just as I left the front door downstairs, I bumped into 四叔 going home. He said he was worried that I didn't have enough money left. I said, then I will take $10000 to give back to dad so he can spend straight away when he comes back later in the year. He handed me the cash right there lol. 

I got to the shop CACO and they had a 2 for 12% off promo, but one shirt was $790 (they signed me up for membership so I could get that $790 price, otherwise it was like double the price). I had a look around but I didn't really like the material they use for their shirts and stuff. So just ended up getting the one shirt for Ange. The ears on pompom move, it's cute. 

On the way home I looked at a couple of figure shops, and eventually found a cute human Eva blind box as a gift for Bridget. OK this will do! I picked the heaviest one as I think Rei or Misato would be heaviest based on their hair. The carton comes as a full set. There were 4 left. It was $280. I hope Bri gets the girl she likes. 

Then home and shower.