Taiwan Day 16 - Taichung Day 2 (spring)

 Woke up today and had half of the obentou 二叔 bought yesterday. It's very aromatic but a little heavy for me. 

I ended up sharting just before my poop???? ?????? At least it happened at home and not outside. Oh well wash my panties after that. And then I had to go poop again before I headed out. 

二叔 was also gonna head out so I got a ride on the scooter to 四叔's shop. On the way, a lot of shop were closed and it was weird!!!! Cause usually the shops never close lol. 

Once at 四叔's he had a visitor who was his friend. They were figuring out what screw to use to open up his smartwatch so he could replace the battery. And also settle a debt that 四叔 owed him for buying something for him. After a while he got a call from someone asking him to move his car. Then he left. 

四嬸 arrived shortly before he left. Then 二叔 came shortly after he left. I got fed some fish strips. And tried a seaweed almond sandwich snack. Thank you. 

Short chat, and then 二叔 took me home. 

Once home I had to poop again.... Meilin ayi had made lunch. So I had the rest of my obentou which I really struggled to finish. Only with the help of Meilin ayi's 排骨竹筍湯 which was absolutely delicious. The bamboo was so tender. The pork bits too. 

After lunch I headed out to where L & M is. I bought a big box for them but they forgot I was bringing that over and they headed over to the Comics Museum already. Ahhh well I'll ask reception to hold it. 

Once I arrived, reception were OK to hold it, and I borrowed their toilet. 

Then borrowed a Youbike next to the park and off I go down to the Comics Museum. 

I parked the bike and found them near the info centre. We did the info centre first and they had a register via QR card and give you a stamp on the hand. And then they gave you a card to DIY your own manga using the step by step stamps. I somehow misaligned the blue on mine????? And came out with a weird one hahaha. So I lined up and tried again in my book. It was difficult because there was no flat surface for me to stamp so I had to line up on the wall and try it. It came out a little better. 

After that we went to the buildings in order. 1 and 2 (the budokan and adjacent) were currently closed. 3 and 4, one of them was a café. 3 had an exhibit (I think it was 3). 

There was a 3 year old having a party outside the Books and Basket café and their parents had hired a jazz band to play happy birthday just for her. Oh my god. It's like those rich parents parties. We had a look into the Bookshop café and there were manga homegrown artists and lots of queer material. I ended up buying a manga about 1960's Ximen ding and the hand painted posters. I wonder what it's about. It seemed interesting! 

Then we went to the next building's exhibit which was for a 16ths Awards winner, which was gay-coded. Okay it's deeper than that but you know, you need some eye candy to appeal to the general audience. It also deals with loss and drug addiction and choices you make that you may end up regretting later in life, etc. It was pretty cool! 

Ice cream time. We had gelato and the bowls they gave us was like a little bathtub. The 雞蛋糕 they included on top kinda looked like ghosts but you can taste old oil in it so I don't think they clean the iron properly... The gelato was delicious though. I got a peach tea flavour, and combination berry. 

Then the next building had an exhibit for the entries of a Youth Comic Award. You can read the entries as well under each stand. I read two, and the one I picked up first was a time slip story with the grandson going back in time and meeting his grandpa as a kid. That was really enjoyable. 

After this building we had 3 more to hit before the museum closes. There was a kids library building, which I found Origami Warriors in there.... Aaaaaaaaaahhh.... 

And the other one was another library and they had Corocoro Comics and 1/2 Prince....!!!!! 

The baseball exhibit was a big one, and there was a set up outside where you can be the batter and scan the QR code to input a text for the marquee screen. Like your name or a catch phrase!! That was pretty cool! The exhibit was also really cool, it had English in it too. Before the regulations were lifted there were pirated versions of translated Japanese manga, and then there was a crackdown, and so published redrew/trace and enlarged the panels onto the pages to get around it. A lot were missing onomaetopaeia. Who knew such a history existed! 

And, a certificate/permit for the book would be included on the back cover - and this explains why some old books I've seen have that. Aaaaaaah mystery solved, many many years later... 

After the baseball exhibit, it was dinner time. We headed towards the gunpla store direction and found a shop that had open store front and we sat near the door. They had an extremely simplistic menu but the food was good! 

Before that we had tried ChunShuiTang, but Google Maps photos lied and they did not have any outdoor seating. The second place had an outdoor waiting table ony. :/

The third place was a really unique shop with flavour, and also dessert. I got wonton soup and then silken tofu flower with peanut for dinner. After dinner L headed off to the gunpla shops and subsequently the sanrensei, while we had dessert. Then M and I decided to Youbike to where L is, but he finished when we were partway, so we told him to head back home and will meet him there. We biked and parked at the Park, and very shortly after L met us up at the crossing whilst we were waiting. 

I had a look at their room, and used the toilet, and left. 

I caught the 304 bus home to Maple Valley and walked back. The bus driver... Drive so hard like an F1 driver. Took turns super hard and braked hard. Everyone would topple. 

I walked home and showered and then was too tired to blog so went straight to sleep. It started spitting on the way home and when I went to sleep it started pouring. 

Taiwan Day 15 - Taichung Day 1 (spring)

 I got up a wee bit early so I could take a nui photo of Dan Fei and Juan Juan in the tea leaves before breakfast. 

I managed to find a spot under shade near the steps with the archway covered in vines, and got my photo before breakfast. 

Breakfast is a feast again. This time they had the wavy edge flat noodles instead of congee, and a tea flavoured jelly.  Delicious, fit for royals. As we were eating Mr Lin dad walked past and waved at us. He coughed a dry cough and then it hit that Lin lad takes on his dad's resemblance with his light coughing... Family genes, huh. He's got his mum's face shape though. 

I bought back my tray to the kitchen and Mr Lin came to collect the rest. 

Then back I go to poop. I'm so full... After that I packed up the rest of my stuffs and stripped the beds/combined the rubbish for them. 

Once we were done, we asked for a lift down to the bus stop. Mr Lin loaded our luggage while I placed the keys onto the front desk. Mrs Lin had a chat with me and apologised for the rooms being small and in an old building, but I said no it was fantastic and the rooms have character being an old building. 

She said that having part of the house being accommodation means that it gets maintained and the house slows down the depreciation. She mentioned that if they knocked it down and rebuilt, the rooms would be newer and nicer, like a lot of the other newer minus around here, and some people prefer that. But I said that those people can chose to go there, and those that like old housing can come here. I think they have a great place! 

She told us to come again if we can, and I thanked her for it and got seated into the car. It's the same silver van. 

As we passed the little red shrine I asked Mr Lin if he knew who lived in it. He said he wasn't sure and thinks it's likely 土地公 and/or 地基主. He said it's been there a long time, and when he was a kid in school his classmates would pray at it and he started doing it too. Then his dad told him off saying that he can't 亂拜. So he's not 100% sure. 

We thanked him as he dropped us off at the bus station. 

There were another group of Europeans at the bus station and the next bus wasn't until 30 mins later at 11:30am. And it was the HSR one. As we sat and waited, more and more Europeans got dropped off and there was like a little crowd. Uhhh. We have competition... 

I went across the road to Hi-Life to check if my Yoyo card had enough on it. It did. As I came out I spotted a taxi driver taking a break and his car with the "empty car" light on. I went back and there was the male dog we saw wandering around earlier in the same corner we saw the black dog last night. Oh hello. 

More people arrived. M had a look on the combined taxi app and saw the estimate was about $1000 ish for a trip down to the station. 

A quick debate later I judged to go ask the taxi driver if he was willing to take us down. "I would do it", said M, and off I went. 

Hello Mr. This taxi driver was from the other Taxi Fed something 大隊 and had a "高鐵站專車" label on his car. I asked if he free to take passengers and we had 3 suitcases and 3 people. He said yep, the fare would be about $1500 and I said that's fine, we're willing. He said he'll bring the car around to the Clothing shop since he can't park at the bus stop. Sure! 

I went back to get L and M and moved our luggage over. This taxi driver ended up being sooo nice and explained a lot of stuff. He asked if we were tight on time, nope, and then offered to drive slower. I   said that M gets carsick easier and he said OK he will turn gentler. So nice! M commented at some point that this was much nicer as she can see stuff and be more comfortable. The driver had his windows down partway and we had fantastic fresh breeze until just after Chuko. We saw someone overtake us on the right side (scooter/bicycle lane) and M was like "uuhhhh isn't that illegal" and I asked the driver. He said yes... As long as they don't bring danger to us we leave the rule enforcing to police. Yeah, fair. Also commented that around this time of the day, there's more chance of people wanting to go down the mountain so that some taxi drivers wait around a little to see if they can get a customer to go down. I commented that we were lucky either way! 

When we almost reached Chuko the driver also asked us if anyone needed to pee. At some point of the journey he asked where we were from and I said NZ. He asked if people were like allergic to wearing masks as his sister said 千萬不要 when he offered to send some to her. His sis said only sick people wear masks. He 

When we reached the city boundary he pulled up the windows for A/C but left a small crack at the back for air, as it got very hot. 

His driving was very safe and he stuck to the rules and speed rules with the little machine telling you the speed limit and speed cameras. I wish I got his name or taken a business card from him. Regret lol. 

Toilet break, L babysat our luggage. And then we went to get train tickers for them. They booked the Puyuma Express at 1:30pm. It was about 12:30pm now. 

I said byeee I might see you later if the buses are full. I went my way to the back Transfer Station and asked the info desk. Ho-Hsin and KuoGuang go to Taichung Chaoma. Thank you. I found a Kuokuang ticketing machine just next to the info desk and managed to buy a ticket and pay with Yoyoyocard. There was one at 12:50pm. That's in about 10 mins... Okay! 

I bought an onigiri and a banana from the Hi-Life at the gates and sat down. But then the bus came so I couldn't even eat my lunch lol woops. The bus was fairly empty. About 3-4 other people? I feel asleep partway and woke up just before Chaoma. I thanked the bus driver as I got off and asked for the luggage hold to be opened. He told me to watch my head so I don't knock it. 

二叔 was ready to pick me up. Helloooo. I ate my onigiri (Chiayi chicken flavour). It was tasty but greasy!! He stopped by 四叔's shop to pick up my rice and box of prawn crackers. 

I was still eating and asked if he wanted me to lift my 9kgs of rice... Nope... 四嬸 came over to talk to me and asked what' s the red line on my nose - that's a mask line. She took a step back lol. Don't think I didn't notice. 

二叔 loaded my stuff and we went back home. He tried to convince me again to loosen up with the airborne infectious disease precautions. Welp after the graves sweeping on Sun the whole family is going to Taobanwu to eat. Uhhhhhh. >_< I guess I'm just going to eat with my mask on... 

Once home he dropped my off and disappeared somewhere. I unpacked some stuffs and hung out the washing in the washing machine, started sweeping the floor cause I could see hair and dust in places. He came back just as I was doing the last 2 rooms. He said he'd already done it before I came. Oh well let me do it for you.

I had called Pan ayi earlier to arrange to give her her stuffs and she went to Fengjia's main entrance with the 7-11 and Hi-Life. She arrived and called me, I went down. Turns out the main entrance I was thinking of and here's is different - there are both 7-11 and Hi-Life at the back and front entrances. Woops. Well let me walk over. She had cycled here. 

When I arrived she was chatting to an old coworker's of hers who immediately tried to Christianise me. Yeah whatever, I stayed polite. Pan ayi game me a teapot to take back for dad cause she saw the one he had had a chipped stout. Sweat, dad had lots. But thanks! Then I went to the post office. 

I ended up eating the left over fried rice in the fridge at his suggestion, and then had a cup of tea. 

He went off to pick up Meiling ayi as she comes back from Taipei today.

I mopped the floor whilst he was out and then went down to 7-11 to pick up my doujin that I had ordered and arrived. And also got some yoghurt. 

I then returned and took a shower. He came back as I was showering and had bought a bentou for me.... Aww thanks but no thanks. I don't feel like eating and I have brushed teeth. 

My PJ's still smell like Drizzle Tea... The faint smell of cypress plus the disinfectant clean smell. It's wonderful. Can I buy this in a bottle? Lol. 

I put my washing on and blogged while the washing goes. I'm a little hungry now but don't really wanna eat. I will sleep soon. 

Taiwan Day 14 - Alishan (spring)

 Alishan today!!! It's also L's birthday today!!!! 

Breakfast was a Royal feast again. Mrs Lin was like "sorry the colour for the veges looks a bit ugly because I was worried it'd be too cold and I had to reheat it!". It's ok! It's delicious. 

After breakfast, I pooped again, and then we went down to the bus stop. M popped into 7-11 for an umbrella, and we took the 10:04am bus (it was a bit late) up the mountain. By the time the bus got to us, it was standing space. This bus driver didn't have the front windows open, it was raining intermittently lightly, so maybe that's why. The bus was also extremely warm, and the Airspot read 6976ppm, I saw it go up to 7000ppm though. Yikes!!!! M got a bit carsick and sat down. The driver took some corners pretty fast so the swing was pretty big. 

We finally made it, and I hurried everyone up to go through the entrance (pay $150 entry fee with bus voucher discount), and to go to the train station to get tickets before they go on lunch!! We were cutting it so close, at 11:24am we lined up with 3 other groups in front of us, and the staff was just going "here hurry up the train is leaving!" and stuffed us the tickets and gave change fast. The tickets were to Shenmu and not Zhaoping lol. We ran for the line, it was still moving, phew. But board the train fast. It was the cypress train! The special one with the windows that can go all the way down!!! YAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! 

The train was full but I managed to open some windows partway and then someone left their seat, so I bags it and opened up the windows near there. Phew. I got a bit nervous with just my KF94 on ears so I quickly took out my ear saver and re-tied my hair so it would sit on it. Phewwww. Better now. Enjoyed the rest of the ride. The train did smell faintly of cypress. 

Once out we tried to get photos and managed to get some when most of the crowd dissappated. 

Then we could finally do the toilet. After that we had a look through the little area to the left of the station with the shops. I got some Taiwan cut-out shaped postcards, and they also had a special stamp here! Win!!  The stamp was sooo cool! The shop gentleman was so busy though lol. 

Then we started to walk towards the sakura grove. FINALLY!!! The Sakura are in bloom here!! YAAAAAAAAAAHHH!! 

We took a while getting photos and stuff and then made our sweet way past the Alishan House/Hotel/Resort (not the Grand Hotel). The Police Station we saw from the train was here, with two magnificent sakura trees blooming. The old entrance of the House was cute and they had a wonderful blooming tree. 

We continued and made our way towards Shousan Temple for foods. Eventually we got there, and it was almost 1:30pm. 

I ended up getting a guabao, and a millet donut. The millet donuts from this stall was sold out, so I bought the ball version of it from the next stall over. 

This stall had a lady who was a great talker, and convinced me to try one ball with wasabi. They planted this wasabi themselves and the recipe won an award. I tried it, it was pretty good! They mixed it with some salt and pepper. The balls were a bit cold but still good. 

Then I bought a cup of oolong tea from next door. 

And then got a few photos with the trees at the Temple area. 

Toilet, and I also checked with the temple had a stamp - yes! Woot! 

We went along towards the Old Tree Walk and Museum. We ended up missing the Three Generation Tree (didn't quite get there, ran out of time). There was a tiny suspension bridge which was 90m from a walkway intersection so we had a look at it and it was a tiny little one. I didn't go on it thought haha but L did walk it. 

Then we went towards Cishen Temple, and passed a viewing deck with a nice view of the rolling clouds over mountain peaks. 

Past the temple we reached the Museum area and I finally could have a good look at the Museum. That said, it was about 3:30pm now so we didn't have that much time. I did take a lot of photos though for later. 

About 3:50pm I started heading towards Shenmu station. On the way past we saw the big Shenmu tree. Because the tree was too ugly it was not felled by the Japanese. A lot of the older, ancient trees were too ugly so they survived. Then back to Shenmu Station. 

Just as we arrived to the ticket office, they closed it. The staff came out to do the key exchange!!! Ahhh!! I managed to get it on video!!!! 

Once they were back I bought tickets and then we headed into the train, but not before a quick toilet break for M. 

We ended up getting on the last carriage and the train took 7 minutes back to Zhaoping. 

We only had 20 mins before we needed to head down to the Transfer Station for our bus that we already booked tickets for. I went into the first floor of the station and saw they had a tiny exhibit on salamander. I took photos as I didn't have time to read it. Then a quick walk down the shops area, not really having much time to buy anything. I did stop in front of the post office, but their postal services end at 4:30pm. Rip. It was 4:29pm. Then I walked towards the info centre thinking maybe they have stamps? But checked how long it takes us to walk to the Transfer station - 10 minutes. Uh oh. I aborted that decision and texted the others to let them know we gotta GOOOOOOO. 

We half ran down to he transfer station and arrived at 4:35pm. The bus driver was an Ah-bei and said "Why you arrive so late? Everyone is waiting for you (rerved tickets)." I apologised and quickly went to get seated on the bus but someone was sitting in our reserved seat - uuhhh no matter the other side is still free and we are still in the front row. 

The bus driver did leave the door side window open. Fantastic. The bus filled up to standing space at the door steps. This driver is so Taiwanese, he's wearing the classic beige jacket with a gingham print lapel, Drives with mostly one hand turning on the wheel, and leans over on one side, and was chatting in Taiwanese to another passenger sitting on the steps.  He did open his driver side window slightly. The breeze coming through really helped and felt really nice. 

After Shizichun, he turned the bus stop announcement off. I played Pokemon Go and made a remote trade with Mipo-san.

After my incense ran out, I checked the map and we were close to Shizuo. Once I saw the familiar street, I undid the seat belt and stood up to hit the bus stopping bell. We got off and the driver was like "tap your card" to L and M as they walked off, so I followed up and said "we bought tickets". And made sure to thank the driver for his hard work. 

This driver took the turns much more gently and M did not get as sick. 

Once off, we saw the black dog mum in the corner of the bus stop. Later M saw them shivering and wanted to give them a blanket. We could buy one from the conbini but then it would be littering as the dog leaves the blanket... 

We decided to get dinner at Ping'an Quick Fry. The English speaking dude was there with a t-shirt that said "帥哥" on the front in red. He said he went to NZ not long ago after asking us where we are from, He said he went to Hobbiton and Auckland. 

We got Mapo tofu again, kungpao chicken, mountain pig, and sizzle plate oyster. 

The oyster was really tender and juicy, I had two, but not too much in case I get allergic. The Mapo tofu, mmmmm yummy. The pork was nice and tender and on the lighter flavouring side, which was nice. And then the kungpao chicken had a bit of a pineapple sweetness to it (without pineapple??), and was great. Yummy. 

Then we went to the conbini and I picked up another yellow watermelon for dessert. There was a lot more people in the store today.... 

We did stop by Hi-Life but they didn't have what I wanted! 

Back home. It's about 6:20pm now.  When we got back the front door was open and a bunch of Europeans were having dinner served on the side room to the reception. Mr Lin was there and I asked him if it was convenient for him for us to ask a question, or shall I wait until tomorrow? He said to wait until the last 2 trays are served, 

We hung out around for a bit and looked at the cats. 

Then when he was free we asked about the tea leaves. 

M and L ended up getting 3 diff boxes, and I got the black tea with the honey taste (2x 150g packs) for $800.

The honey black tea has been bitten and eaten by a larvae, and their spit left on the leave creates the honey flavour when undergoing the fermentation process. The tea leaves are left thin and loose, and the leaves are thinner so it's easier to crush. The packets inside are half-vacuumed as to not crush it. Not kneading it into a ball shape means that you can seep it for 10-15 mins and the tea won't become bitter, whereas the ball shape means the bitterness comes out more after seeping for a long time. 

The high mountain oolong pack (150g) is $400 I think, and the black tea (ball shape 150g) is also $400.

The other high mountain oolong tea has been roasted twice, so the fragrance and aroma is stronger, along with a stronger sweet aftertaste. That one is $600 (I think it was). They sold out of Jinshuan tea, which was L's favourite from the tea ceremony. M's was the black tea with the honey taste. Mine was, of course, high mountain oolong haha. 

Because L and M bought 3 packs? Mrs Lin gifted a set of the tea pourer and cup to us. She also wanted to gift me one but I said my dad loves tea so we have everything at home! So then it because L and M both got one each. 

I asked Mr Lin what was happening with the dinner, and he said that they booked a dinner experience. Ohhh thank you, I understand. It felt a bit awkward asking but then later I thought about it and it made sense. Initially when I booked last year, they also had a dinner service. But because the Taipei Tea Expo was on, it wasn't available. 

Once back in my room, I relaxed for a bit (it was 7pm), showered, wrote postcards, I blog, and now I will sleep. It is almost 10pm.