Solar Tree Time: Taiwan Day 10 (Chiayi, Shizuo 1)

二叔 dropped me off at the bus station in the morning, but he decided to bring the car around early at like 9:40 a.m. So we ended up being at the Kuokuang bus station at 10:00 a.m. which was 40 minutes too early for my 10:40am bus to Chiayi, lol.

Kuokuang we're having a half price sale on their tickets for 11/11? So my bus ticket only cost $93! Once I bought my tix then 二叔 left me at the stop. I hugged goodbye to him as I won't see him again when I come back from my 環島 tour since he'll be in Bris for my cuz's graduation.

There wasn't a lot of people headed to Chiayi. I noted most of them were older people. Someone sat in my seat, I couldn't find 17 in the empty seats so I just sat anywhere. I feel asleep for a while on the bus until the announcer said we were arriving at Chiayi interchange, and I snapped back thinking we were almost there. In fact, we still had a couple of stops to go.

Well. I stayed awake and looked through the window. We got there and I got off. Got my luggage, and then the Bus Transfer station was pretty empty. I went to the bathroom and sorted my luggage out a bit. Didn't think they have a stamp do headed to the TR main station (as the bus station is known as the back station).

They had an over pass, and to pass you had to swipe your card or ticket, unless you weren't catching a train then you get a paper with a number for a pass. Walking over the overpass and you can see construction ground, looks like they're expanding more rail lines? and then the rail way with the trains going past.

Once I got down I wanted to check in my luggage but the Luggage check was on lunch break! Rip! 12-1pm, and they had just gone on break.

So I exited the station and found the memorial stamps. They had a lot! Chiayi Train station is also the original one.

OK so I needed to put my luggage somewhere and headed towards the lockers... But the 2 large ones were already full!! Dang!! Uhhh OK guess I'll babysit my luggage and have lunch. I should have bought a TR Bentou on the platform. So I just stopped in the Famimart in the station and got a bentou, and asked the lady to heat up for me. Then I went outside and sat down and ate.

It wasn't too much but the portion was just a tad small. I went back inside looking for a rubbish bin but didn't see one and asked the Famimart lady to dispose for me, or if there was a rubbish nearby? She looked at me for a bit and then took my rubbish. I thanked her and left.

I went back at 12:50pm but the luggage room wasn't open yet. I passed by the front corridor of the station and noticed they had a TR Bentou counter... Awww man. Wish I had seen this earlier! And also a rubbish bin in this corner.

So I went outside and sat for a couple more mins. Then went back inside... Asked the front ticketing counter if I needed to get a pass? And no I didn't I can just go in. There was one lady there manning the room and it was $80 for the whole day until they close. There was only 1 other person's luggage there.

I left and headed to the Old Tile Museum.

I saw a cart, which I think sold convenience goods for the train.

I walked towards the museum and ended up in the back alley part cause Google navigated me with car not walk. I got to see the Alishan railway tracks though!

Also a lot of old wooden houses!! Which I alter learnt were likely all the warehouses of the lumber company that the museum building used to be.

I found the museum they had some tiles outside!! You had to ring the doorbell to go in, and the lady issued my ticket for $100.

They had sooooo many tiles inside! Touching is ok.

There was a short 15 min tour that started at 1:30pm.

I learnt that the tiles were largely imported from Japan, and due to the costly production, manufacturing ceased after WW2.

Even if the base of the tile is the same, or the same mould, each one is different due to the artist/paint/colours/glaze.

There were a couple of reoccurring themes.

One common one is a fruit bowl, with the apple for 平安, peach for longlivity?, grapes and pomegranate for fertility/many kids since they are fruits of many seeds, and 佛手瓜.

Another one is peony? 牡丹花.

Peacocks, mosaic designs, many many more... I wish I had more time to stare at them all.

The tour lady mentioned that the floor tiles were restored from a clinic? That was demolished and it was the biggest piece of floor rescue project they have done. And the tiles on the bricks were rescued from demolished sanheyuan. The museum building used to be a lumbar company (and the signboard is still there! I forgot to take a photo), with the while row of buildings as part of the warehouses. The building is made from Alishan cypress.

Restoring a tile is labourous and may take up to 6 months. They also have Taiwan Renga bricks!

Upstairs they had century old furniture also embedded with tiles and some clips with their story and history. I wish I had enough time to sit down and watch.

I was a bit tight on time as my bus was due at 3:05pm and I was worried it would be very busy! And had to line up. So I quickly made my purchase, and ended up getting the Tile 365 calendar, and 4 tile coaster combo for $1980. They said they can send it for me instead. I opted for this. I had trouble picking out tiles and had to quickly pick 2 more. I was wanting to gift 2 of the portrait ones (peacock and heron) to friends. So decided to get one for myself and another peacock for the couple.

Off I go to the TR station. On my way back there there was a masked lady asking if I knew where the Tile Musuem was. I pointed out to her to keep going and the entrance is next to the water blue entrance you can see from here.

When arriving back at the station entrance, I saw an older lady with a old cart and seemed like she was grilling sausages and squid?? But there was no sign. Or maybe I missed the sign on the other side.

I got my luggage and when I was getting it I asked the lady if she wanted my stub back from my suitcase? She said depends, and I decided that I can keep it for a souvenir. She said I could take it to 摸摸ㄓㄚˊ？ and was laughing but I didn't know what that meant and just laughed along! I can't remember the exact phrase she said....

I went and waited at the bus stop for Alishan shuttle and an older lady was asking where people were going, including me. She said that there were no more Alishan buses, and I said there is because I have already bought my ticket? I'm pretty sure she was trying to hustle business. My radar went off and told her that the 3pm bus will take me where I need to go. OK ok and she left me alone. She tried to hustle others.

My bus was late and I had to ask the driver if there was someplace for my luggage? And the driver opened up the compartment. It was a small one that couldn't even fit my luggage in straight, and I had to put it sideways. It would fit 2 large suitcases and 1 carry on, I reckon. The bus driver was a bit grumpy and told me that he'll take my ticket when I get off when I offered it to him.

Someone also took my seat... But there were only about 10 ppl on this bus so I just saw anywhere.

I feel asleep and at some point I woke up and looked at the scenery outside.

Misty! Curvy. How do the bus drivers do this all the time?

I also saw lots of big, silken cobwebs on the plants, many many of them and wondered what spiders made them.

Finally we got near Eryangping and the mist was rolling in thick. How do the bus drivers do this when it's dark...

And then Shizuo. I gave my tix to the bus driver and he took that stub, also reminded him I needed to get the luggage. I thanked him but he remain grumpy.

The mist was also wet. I contacted Drizzle and waited for pick up.

A car came and the driver was a young guy who got out and showed me his Line messages confirming if it was me.

He explained, (with the windows down), that it was good weather before but the mist has rolled in thick, and driving at night becomes very tiring. I can imagine!

We arrived at the house. It was a lovely old house in traditional sanheyuan style (or only 2 heyuan). He explained that the house were currently in was build by his grandpa's dad, so it's also a century old. I noted the bamboo! And the lovely old doors. It was renovated a few years ago. How blessed... The feeling I couldn't quite describe.

He showed me to my room and explained that the little tap and water basin is all spring water, but it needs to be boiled.

And showed me the map with landmarks, and where the stairs are to go down to the town. And told me to key my shoes inside the room since there are stray dogs who might chew on it or take my shoe for a run into the tea farm. Also the tap outside with the stone basin are mountain spring water. But you need to boil first.

Breakfast at 9am and if I was interested for a tea showing at 10am tomorrow? Yes!!!

I settled in and dropped my luggage.

I noticed that the room behind reception is a kitchen. And he was feeding the cats! They were loud I could hear them.

I went into the reception area to take photos of the house. Mr Lin explained that his mum picks up strays and they now have 12 cats who are all too spoilt and will only eat canned tuna or prawn, and not cat feed.

He also said that the cats have been neutered, but there is one wild one who keeps having litters but evaded capture so can't be neutered... Thrice they have left their kittens here. And then also explained that when they first started planting tea, they went to the tea exhibition and the vice prez liked their tea, and gave a name to the tea of their farm area and designed the packaging. But the tea farm prints their info on the side of the tin, so there's no obvious distinction.

This year they did a renewal and designed their own packaging. It looks modern and clean.

Soon I went back and got myself ready to go to dinner, as per recommendation of Mr Lin. He also saw my kettle outside that I placed down so I could come in to take photos. He said all the tap water is from the 山泉水, so no need to come out to fill.

I took the flashlight and went down... Thank goodness I bought one cause the stairs were dark! It felt like drizzle with the mist. I went to 7-11 first, but passed one of the recommended shops. I managed to print my postcards x4 for $26 on the ibon machine.

Then to Tong Xin Quick Fry since they have their front door open.

I ended up getting $280 酸菜炒豬肉 and it was really good!! I sat near the door. Rice is self serve. Even though the onions were a little crisp they were sweet enough I could eat most of it.

The extractor fan was really loud and the ppm stayed green. I had 2 bowls of rice.

Once done, I headed back. When I got back up the stairs I saw something move in the verge garden. I stopped... And what hopped out of the weeds was a frog!!!

BLESSED!!

I couldn't get too good photos but that was so good. And then at the front yard, there were 2 cats and you can hear frogs... I think it's frog calls.

The main house had a 廳 with an altar, and photos of some older males x2 and one older female. I think they may be family photos and a family altar. The windows were left open, and the smell of incense wafted through. I noted the ceiling was kinda black, likely from incense.