Taiwan Day 19 (Chishang, Guanshan)

 Well, I got up around 8:30am and got ready to go and have breakfast at sausage boss' as he said he'll cook me kumara. I had a look at the balcony and could see what I think is his kei-truck. 

I arrived around 9:30am and he was already set up and waiting. He also gave me a small sausage to eat. I was willing to pay but he didn't want to take any money. He had a different kumara today, no. 57? It was a longer shaped one than a rounder shaped one than yesterday. He said this one is nicer. I had one and agreed that it's not as dry and a little sweeter. He also gave me a 百合固金? Drink which has a peculiar taste. It's a dark brown coloured tea of some sort. He commented that my bike from the minsu vs tyre tracks have been worn so it's easier to slip in the rain. 

Whilst I was eating the kumara a group of 3 other visitors came and the boss asked if they wanted to eat kumara? And also 請他們吃. They are from Taipei and mentioned that the people sell via weight in Taipei for the kumara. Boss said kumara no charge but big sausage small sausage sells for $70. I finished and took this as an opportunity to leave! I said bye to the boss and cycled back to the minsu.

Sorted my backpack and walked to the station, and I passed the 池上風情 boss lady. I greeted her and said I'm going to Guanshan today.

I went and bought a ticket at the station and the train journey only takes like 8 minutes. 

Once I arrived I went for the stamps and they had so many?! The biggest one wasn't in great shape and didn't stamp well at all. What a shame. 

I wandered down and decided to hire a bike from a local business but the one at the station was unattended... So I walked down to the old station which unfortunately was closed, but took some photos. Then there's another hire place called 杰泓租車 with an ahbei that I borrowed a normal bike from. $100.

The bike was a normal one and when I rode it the front tire was so flat. The primary school where having their sports day (on a Saturday?!) and you can hear the announcement from the station. Riding to 米國學校 was a slight uphill but I made it even with the underinflated tyre making it tough.

I arrived! And the first thing I walk in and see is the lady speedily harvesting royal bee jelly from the hive rack. She let me taste on and it was a weird taste. Spicy, with the taste of beeswax, and just a tiny hint of sweetness? She mentioned they have to remove the larvae before harvesting. Her speed was just amazingng - she mentioned she's been doing this for decades.

Then I had a look around and there were some fresh produce and honey being sold, with an honesty box. I went into the museum part which had sensor lights that lit up when you get near. They had a lot of antiques! Of actual household items that people used in their lifestyle of farming rice. 

Upstairs there was a play area and amongst the animal furniture there was a black cat sleeping so still, I thought they might have been a fake!

Downstairs linked to the warehouse is the farmer assoc's store. 

And then to the side there's a factory telling you how rice is processed with the machines and each stage. 

The little rice mascots were very cute. 

One of the farmers were selling these tiny oranges that you could eat with the skin on. They tasted a bit like kinkan but quite sweet with a strong orange taste. 

I was getting hungry so wandered into the food hall and couldn't figure it out. I went out and had another look around and to the café, but the café was closed this weekend due to staff on leave. 

When I got back to the food hall one diner said I need to purchase from the till outside. Oh thank you! It was $100 and they give you a postcard with a tearable side foe the bentou.

The food hall lady gave me a lunch bowl and said there's also soup. I thanked her and exited the hall to eat just outside at the farmer assoc market. It's quieter here and one end has the door open to access the toilet. The ppm was green, though I wish I could have sat outside!

The soup was pork bone and delicious. I managed to finish the whole meal which is a feat considering my shrunken appetite.

After that I did went to return my bowl and asked the staff lady if I could take the postcards in the pile that they have there? She was like, you can take the whole stack if you want. Hshfjsjsns. I took a couple and then went to do some shopping at the market.

I ended up getting guaiguai and 6kgs of rice and a dried preserved vegetable. Total was like $1110 ish including the $120 postage.

Then I was done and went outside and decided go fed the fish. The vending machine gave me a tube this time, and the fish weren't very responsive.

There were also hens around! 

Finally, I went back in and asked the market lady if they had stamps. She directed me to the desk with a hidden drawer and there was a lot! But they were missing the 米 stamp from the name so I couldn't complete the grid. 

Then, it's time to leave. They have a bicycle fix station but the pump head doesn't fit the tyre nozzle. 

Ah, well. I cycled back and return the bike and told the ahbei that the tyre needs some air. He looked at it and said there's a puncture in the tyre... Made by me riding. And I was like?!?! But it was already like that when I set out. He said I can go so I thrashed and said bye. 

The next train is not until 3pm so I got my ticket and went to Famimart and picked up an iceblock. Pomelo and honey flavour, Famimart brand. I ate it outside the station but there was no bins so I had to go back and ask the uncle at Famimart to dispose for me. I think he's the same uncle as I visited in 2023.

When I got on the train, there were a couple of cyclists with their bikes. One started talking to the other when it was almost my stop. Asker cyclist asked the other if he was going up participate in the race tomorrow, but no he's here just for fun. He kept asking questions about where it's all uphill until Hualien and then it's all downhill to Taitung. Guy got up at like 3:30am and started cycling. Asker cyclist was in awe. I am in awe too. 

I got off after that, and then headed to 池上風情 to hire a bike. The boss lady today me no need for payment??? Are you sure?? And the staff lady got me a bike with a caterpillar on the electronic panel. But turns out this bike's electronics were not working, lol, so she got me a different unit. All good, and I set off to see the sights.

On my way I stopped at the sign just before Brown Bvld and a guy from 藍霆 came to talk to me and he added me on Line. Why is it all the guys that tend to do this? Lol. He said the photo of Brown Bvld was one he took. He also does portrait photography. 

Then off I went down the road and ended up cycling around and getting some (nui) photos. 

The livecam I always watch! 

Kaneshiro tree had a big group from Taipei so I just doubled back. And ended up stopping at an orange shipping container that's new. I asked the lady how long has this been here? 2 months. And said that a young one would try entrepreneur business here. I got a hot black tea with a little sugar. It was good. $50. Then after that a tea egg for $15. Very aromatic. Whilst I was drinking I talked to the lady and helped call out to customers saying that it's declious lol.

The older lady left just as I finished my drink, saying that she has to go back and ready up snacks for the tour group. 

Then it was just me and the younger lady, I got an tea egg. And then I suggested she make a G Maps listing but she hasn't decided on a name yet.

Off I go, and down Brown Bvld again for a bit. This is the best time for photos since the sun sets over the mountains and the back lighting is really pretty. I Then realised the time and should head back for 5pm return bike time.

As I was zooming back, the wind has picked up and it was colder. I remembered yesterday on my way back, I passed the gammy shop with the cut tree in front, that I got a drink from last year and their shop space was bare. The front glass cabinet was empty. Nooooo I guess they closed up shop. TToTT

I made it up back to 池上風情 and returned my bicycle. I thanked the staff auntie and heard her say to another person the uncle felt like he needed to sleep so he went back home in the afternoon.

I remembered to pick up my ticket from the station, and on my way back the boss lady was there. I thanked her for a good time and said bye. 

On my way back I passed a store Fullness 圓滿 and they have the most amazing decor and design inside. It's full of handmade goods focused on natural materials, so a lot of dried flowers, grass and plants. They also had a stamp! Sadly, I couldn't find anything suitable as a gift. But they had these odd key chains made from plants I have never heard of before. 

"Sea lemon plum"  海檬果 and "foxtail palm" 狐尾櫊. 

And I quickly went into the Farmers' Assoc market to do my shopping and bought another 3kg of Dragon rice, grass jelly, and glutinous rice. 

I saw these, might get some next time. 

When I got back to the minsu, I rested for a bit and then decided to go to the vegetarian restaurant 巧本味 and get takeaway (one of the the minsu voucher restaurants too). I ended up getting dry sauce udon. I ordered at the counter where there was an uncle.

And a lady with super short hair bought out my order. She said they have another shop near the station (but didn't say which station), and I sadly said I leave tomorrow. But I'll be back next year! 

The noodles smelt so good. They used the herb that leaves turn pink and then green! Which gives a slight onion-ey smell but not the taste. Taste is mild. Very aromatic. The sauce is nice but it was a wee bit on the greasy side (but not greasy on mouthfeel). The noodles were nice and chewy. Serving size is a bit small but just right for my reduced appetite. 

I then poured hot water and the leftover sauce on my leftover TR bentou as not to waste it and finished that too.

Rest of the night was just packing and finishing blogging. Man I love this room. It's so nice, the atmosphere is really nice. Really good airflow too. I checked the balcony and saw another???? Gecko much bigger and lighter in colour just on the side of the balcony but ran away when I tried to get a photo.

 

Sleep now, early start tomorrow.