Taiwan Day 12 (Shizuo 3, Alishan)

 Today is Alishan!!!

After breakfast, I chatted to the lady guest next door and they did Alishan yesterday, and is leaving to go to Tainan today. They said it's very beautiful and I asked about the buses, and was recommended to not take the last one. I agreed! They were doing the tea ceremony today. 

I asked Mr Lin about the bus tickets and he wasn't too sure since he's always used Yoyo card. Since I wasn't sure if I bought the right one, as it's $283. (Later I learnt today that is the correct fare from Alishan to Chiayi). 

I went back to my room and packed my bag. And debated whether or not to take my puffer jacket because it made my pack pack heavy... I left it. I hope I no regretti.

I saw them Lin family shop sunning tealeaves.

I headed to the bus stop and saw the bus already waiting but before departure time. I ran to the stop to find that the driver wasn't there. So probs toilet at conbini.

There was a bunch of what sounded like school girls waiting at the stop, and I asked them if they were waiting to get on? Yes. I waited and debated whether I should go for toilet, since I was really full from bf. Too late now I spent too long debating. The bus driver got back and a foreigner lady was asking for help and apparently she missed her stop and one of the girls called their minsu to help them. I got on first and they followed shortly. The bus was pretty full (10:30am one) and about 6 seats left. One of the girls sat next to me and I asked if everything OK with the foreigner? She said they told her to have to catch a bus down to 龍頭... Wow yeah that's pretty far (looked it up on maps).

Soon after I feel asleep on the bus. Was pretty tired since the cats start meowing at 6am and knock around. 

Woke up a little bit before arriving at Alishan. When we got off, the driver handed everyone a little bigger than business card sized yellow paper, with blue text printed on it for a discount of the park entry fee. Instead of $300 it's $150. I headed for the toilet FIRST, needed to pee! Since it was almost an hour trip up.

Once relieved, I had lost sight of the girls so I went up to 2F to see this little culture and art exhibit. There 2as also a café, and the girl working at the cafe was wrapped up in a beanie and thick sleeves. XD

I felt like it was cool but not too bad. I had a look at the displays and then headed down.

The sun was warm but the wind is a tiny bit chilly. I headed to the Alishan train station and realised they were in lunch and would start selling tickets at 12:30pm.

I was like OK... And spotted the stamps so did those first. Then I felt so tired and was worried I was getting sick. I wandered around and went upstairs to the 3F viewing deck and found a pillar that worked as a seat. And sat down and rested. It was a bit chilly in the shade so I put my scarf on. At some point I felt like I needed to go so went downstairs and into the toilet.

Did a big one and felt so much better afterwards. 

Then I lined up to buy tickets. 

Once I got mine ($100 one way to Chaoping), I decided to go to the shopping area first before the next train. I entered a line of shops that was fairly quiet compared to the middle, and an Ahbei saw me looking at the magnets. They were $100 each. I asked if he sold postcards? No, and the post office is closed today. Ah well.

Next door (last shop in the block) they were selling various Alishan foods including Aiyu. Mmmmmm. Undecided. On the other side one of the shops one of them were selling clothes and blankets. I went around the edge of the shopping area and into the back alley of the restaurants, and along some more shops and into the middle area with the big shop. 

On my way I saw a fluffy dog. A man was telling the dog he can't go into the shop. 

They had way more souvenirs, but the same magnet was double the price!! I did find these fancy 3D postcards though, a bit pricey at $100 each... OK LMN, Bri and Lake gets one.

I did find a value pack for $100 for 5 cards. Kayla and Edwin can get one of these!

I purchased the cards $400 total and then went around to the other shops next door which sold some foodstuffs and restaurants. I came back around and decided to buy a dango for $30. I was a little hungry but not really.

Time to catch the train. I went and lined up and wow! There was a lot of people. 

I got on and there was a nice breeze blowing in from the windows. All the windows were open! Probably because of that, the ppm stayed green. 

Off we go... Woooo, the ride was only 7-8 mins. But it was fun. 

We arrived at Zhaoping and everyone was taking photos. I helped a family of 4 get their photos with their small kids. 

I found the stamps! And then off we go on the walking trails. I saw 3 foreigners smoking... In a non-smoking area. I went back inside and told the station staff who went and told them off. 

I just followed the crowd. We passed a hotel that had these cute statues outside. There was also a beautiful maple. 

Eventually we walked, past giant cypress roots, cypress trees, and got to the Sister Ponds. 

I took the boardwalk and saw the 3 stinky foreigners smoking AGAIN and polluting the air. They're so despicable. There are smoking areas, you've already been told off, and you're doing it again? You come to our country and disrespect the rules! I hope they got fined $10k.

The ponds are naturally formed and part of the ecosystem. Very nice. I even saw tadpoles! But no frog. 

Then we continued down towards the temple. The cypress is amazing. 

When I got to the temple I was feeling a little hungry. I ended up getting rice steamed in a bamboo! While I was eating the temple started their parade/worship, and they even had a pole dancer!! Firecrackers, the little trumpets, the whole works. Very lively. 

The lady in the store next door gave me a sample of tree seeds drink, which is similar to chia seeds but way crunchier. The seeds are bigger and all black. 

I continued on, ended up following the crowd and came to the magnolia/cherry area. I realised that I wanted to go see Shenmu, I had to go now since it's already 3pm. I checked the Alipedia app and made my way there. I got to the museum and walked through, but didn't really have enough time to look at the displays properly. I asked the museum staff, the lady said Shenmu 2nd gen is like a min away, and 1st gen root remnants would be close to Shenmu station. And that the last train is at 4:10pm, and you have to go now. I thanked her and off I went. 

I found Shenmu 2! So giant. Grand. Ancient. 

Bask in their energy and presence. I had to be fast. And then off I went towards the station as it's a 20 min walk. 

Zoooom. I got to the station, but didn't really stop to try and figure out Shenmu 1. I don't think I saw them. 

I got my ticket and sped stamped the station stamps, and also onto my postcards. 

Then I went to the toilet, when I came out the train had arrived early. 

Get on, and get in. Sadly I had to stand. The ppm was worst this time as the breeze didn't come in directly through the windows, and there was more waiting time as the staff hustled people onto the train and announced it was the last train and to hurry up. 

Off we went! Only like an 8 min ride. 

Once we got to the station, I quickly went back to the shopping area to grab a magnet. I greeted Ahbei and picked the blue version, and asked if he had Aiyu? He said next door has, and to come. But I haven't paid yet! It's OK, he took me next door and told the lady. It was also $100 for the Aiyu. And I paid. Then Ahbei said you pay me $100 too. Oh yes. I gave him money. And Ahbei said to the next door lady that we are good neighbours, not to worry. 

He said, one packet is for 2500cc water. 

You boil, let cool, place Aiyu into the water in a cloth bag, and massage it to release the Aiyu. Then remove, and chill. It will become jelly. 

If one pack is too much, you can use half packet for 1000cc water. 

I thanked them both, and left. 

I didn't want to catch the last bus, but the second last one. I went to line up early and the line was already long. One foreigner couple French? Was asking about if this is the HSR bus and about tickets which had to be purchased at Famimart. 

We managed to get on as the last people, and the bus was standing space. They got to sit at the steps. The ppm was 2000+, and the front two windows by the door and driver side was open, so it wouldn't have been as bad. The driver was nice. 

My feet were sore and the handle bar was a little tall. Only 1 hr to Shizuo. I survived. 

So tired. 

Went back and had a rest, did my postcards, and went back down to the Tong Xin quick fry and had the lamb version of 酸白菜炒羊肉. 

Back home. Exhausted. The cats were making a racket. 5 kittens!