Once I sorted myself up and blogged and packed up, it was time to check out just after 11am. Reception was great, and I asked them to call me a taxi. This driver Mr Liu, is part of the yoxi taxi group. Ride was exactly $100 and I thanked him to have an easy day until he goes home.
I bought a ticket for the 11:38am Tze-Chiang Hao, and the ride is only 20 mins. I forgot to ask about baggage...
But once I got on, it was the push pull train type of Tze-Chiang, and they don't really have big luggage space? It was full of foot rest on both sides behind the chair. Strange.
When I got to the station, I had a look around and then went for the stamps. They had so many! Like a whole page didn't fit (because I made a booboo with one of the big ones and had to stamp it thrice, it may have fit if I didn't do that). I think they had at least 10 stamps. I had a good time and the lady at the counter took a photo of me "活動照" holding the book up with all the stamps lol.
They also had a cute mascot done by a Japanese artist.
I headed out to find the bus station and ended up waiting at the terminal bay and not the departure bay... It's actually inside the Bus Transfer Station and not the one outside. Lol.
I got there though. I dropped into the 7-11 and grabbed an onigiri and sat down and ate. I was too tired and the CO2 was green, and the immediate passengers around me were masked. So I made it quick.
Soon after the bus arrived. I had to carry my luggage into the top part of the bus, rip. The bus driver was nice though.
On the ride a masked lady smiled at me and asked me about my luggage. I told her I was here on a huandao and I was staying near Dongning Chun. There's a minsu there, I am from NZ, etc. She said there's a Youbike stand at the 媽祖廟, and she lives near Neipu. She mentioned that this is pretty rural. When I had to get off she wished me 旅遊愉快 and I said bye bye ~
I got off and walked to my minsu and they have sent instructions on entering and leaving baggage.
I got in, and borrowed their toilet. Found the bear to leave luggage at and sorted myself out. Then discovered there is no Youbike stand near here I had to walk 15 mins to the temple (like the lady said) to get there.
On my way I walked through a park by the river which has historical Hakka significance. There are plenty of temples along the river, and it used to be a gathering place for water, laundry, and some markets?
That was really neat. I got to the temple and maaaan it's so weathered and old!! I noticed it said is a 3rd grade national relic. I found the Youbikes and off I went.
I had to keep checking Maps but I made it. The roads I cycled in were pretty rural feeling and highway indeed. A lot of houses had 5 or 6 words on each of the pillars of their front gate. I wonder what the tradition is. It took me about 15 mins? Maybe to cycle slowly there.
I saw the sign and went in, and could see that there was no one in the café from the window, which is great. I'm parked and locked the Youbike and went in.
There was a lady at the counter who greeted me and I said it's my first time here. So she recommended the hot cocoa and I asked, anything to eat? She recommended the almond sesame waffle.
I was the only one in the shop, hooray, but you can tell the air is kinda stagnant. The ppm was yellow.
The lady asked where I was from and turns out the owners' daughter is in Auckland LOL and currently working after graduating from Auck Uni.
I sat down, it was still hot and sweaty in Ping Tung... and the cocoa came. The boss lady turned on the fan for me which did help. Mmmm I drink the juice of the tree first. It's good. Deep and rich without additives.
Then the waffle came, and I was a little surprised to find it just waffle with no sauce. It's a little dry... And tasted a little fridgey? It wasn't exactly airy inside, but it was crisp on the outside. I wonder if it's been reheated...
The owners' son 小老闆 came out and let me taste their raw coffee choc. It's slightly acidic, with fruity notes and the coffee taste without being too bitter/overpowering. They say they extract the juice?? And concentrate it. Wasn't too sure.
The 小老闆 chatted with me about all sorts of stuff, some cost of living and employment rate in NZ, and language similarities since I asked if they were speaking Hakka. Then I asked if they would consider adding a sauce to the waffle? And he bought it some honey for me. Awe thank you. At some point he got called out to do work.
After I finished my drink and waffle (it was a little bit of a struggle tbh), I bought my dishes to them went to ask if I could see the cocoa tree? And he took me out to see.
He said that there are two varieties. One that has red fruit, and one that had green/yellow fruit. They also grow coffee beans, two varieties as well. One ripens yellow, and one with reddish purple tinge leaves that ripens red. I think he said the variety is Polai? Or similar sounding.
The cocoa tree flowers are so tiny! There were heaps of ants on the tree and the pollination is via them or wind.
He mentioned that it if like 10 flowers only like half?? Or less will fruit to ripen. The ones that are eliminated from the tree turns black/brown. From a tiny flower it turns into a giant pod! He let me pick one... And then we went back to the café, saying I could taste it fresh.
I asked no tool needed? When he was about to break it open. And he just, rolled it on the table and it cracked and open.
I ate the flesh... The seeds are coated kinda like 釋迦 fruit. The flesh tasted fruity with a little tangy. Then the seed, tastes nutty and then becomes bitter as you chew it. How strange. Fascinating.
After that, he gave me a 85% chocolate bar to taste. Ohhhh it's nice. Smooth but not plant/vege oil smooth. Fruity aromatic with slight acidity.
When I was done I went to buy a box of their choc. And the boss lady gave me some cocoa tea to try. Ohhh it feels like liquid cocoa. I asked if they sold this too? They said they'll give me some. Wth?! Okay. I bought the 85% and it was $400. They also gave me a nougat to try. But it wasn't quite my thing.
They told me to be careful cycling on my way home. I said I'll have a look at the trees first before going home.
The trees are fascinating. Aye.
After that, I cycled home but missed my turn and took a detour back to the Mazu Temple.
I got there but there's no toilet? I had a look around anyway inside and it is olllllldd.
I walked back and noted a lot of eatery businesses were starting up and getting customers (it was about 5:30pm now).
Finally home, and went to my room.... Uhhhhh okay I thought I booked a private bathroom? Pee first. Then struggle my luggage up to floor 3.
There's no window in this bathroom... Just a fan.
Turns out, I did not book the room with private bathroom. Yuck! Room 302.
I had added 小老闆 on Line and he offered to drive me out to eat yummy as most places may be closed already. I errrred and just politely declined by saying I'm eating at the noodle shop.
The noodle shop was so quiet, only me. It's like 6:10pm now and they close at 7:30pm.
I took ages to finish my bowl of 榨菜肉絲麵 and 地瓜葉. I'm hungry but whenever I start eating I feel like I don't wanna eat. It's so weird. Am I just tired? Idk. And my portion size has shrunk. Ugh.
Once done I went back and got into the shower first. After I finished not long after someone used the shower. Cries. Shared bathroom... At least I got in first.
Just blog a bit and check how to get to the station tomorrow.
Then bed.
I could hear whoever is next door use the toilet in midnight... Why so loud.
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