In the morning we just had breakfast in our rooms with conbini feed, and headed to Zuoying Station for the local train to Tainan.
Once we got to Tainan the station was so nusy! It's the busiest I've seen it. We got our stamps, and then looked at getting a bigger taxi for our 3 luggage. But 55688 app couldn't find a driver so we said, worst case scenario we take 2 taxis. So we called a normal taxi and they were like pretty much just in front of us.
The driver was so nice, and we fitted 1 luggage into the back seat on top of L and M's laps. I sat in the front. The driver was introducing which streets, that were close to our hotel, with good eats and events happening, which was the main Street next to Shennong Street. And the street parallel to it had good eats.
We got to the hotel and thanked the driver, the fare was about $120.
We checked into the hotel, and the staff could do English. We dropped off our luggage and decided to go to MOGU KABI first, the Capybara cafe.
Called a cab, and the taxi driver was talking about which pets/dogs he'd like to own, but the are all expensive upkeep dogs. His friend owns a Samoyed which he would also like, and we talked about how the fur of the SAmoyed means a really bad match in Taiwan summer. Basically the air con has to be on 24/7... And only take the doggy out for a pee and can't really do exercise outside.
He said that he would like to own a Bi'shuan, and he looked up a pic on his phone; it was a black and white sheperd dog. He said they ar the smartest dogs but I said, if they're too smart they will be problematic lol. He said he want to MOGU KABI back in the peak pandemic years with his brother from America, who commented teh food was a little pricy even for him. They weren't allowed to touch the capybaras but it might have been a pandemic measure. Also that he wasn't sure why they're called capybaras now, they used to be called 水屯（？）. I said maybe because the Japanese called it that and it became trendy? Anyways the driver was super nice and the fare was about $105.
The cafe wasn't that busy when we arrived, phew.
There were 2 other groups of diners there. We opted to get the fruit cakes and if you bought 4 you get a free cooler bag with their cafe image on it. We got an extra fruit tart. I chose lemon, and the extra one was a combo of fruits. It was very good. Mine was SO TART, they used the green lemon, which is very very sour.
The shop did have 1 LG ThinQ air purifier inside, but it ain't gonna cover everyone with the amount of people in the space... Better than none I guess.
After eating we were allowed into the outdoor section with the capybaras. They let us touch them, but not if they are feeding/eating. They Re so chill. It feels like touching a bristle brush.
The younger was was softer.
After a while we were done and decided to leave for Shikhan Tower.
The driver we got was also nice, and at the end of the ride I wished him an easy day and he said, 平安就好，to which I said, yes you're very right! The fare was about $105.
As soon as we got in after buying tickets, they had a tour starting at 1:30pm. No English, so I translated for L&M.
After the tour, we had a look around the gift shop, and I bought some postcards.
Then we were done and M needed coffee and I decided to go for 冬瓜茶 since I saw the sign.
The shop had no electricity until 4:30pm, so they were only selling bottled tea. Okay... I'll take it then. This shop must be really famous cause they had so much ordering machines.
Afterwards, we headed into the Grand Mazu Temple. I remember visiting this temple! They did had a stamp but you have to ask for it at the counter. They have the pool with heaps of turtles.
Next we went to ChihMei Theatre, where they have the hand painted posters. The theatre has had its 70 year anniversary last year. They also had stamps but only if you buy something! They had heaps of postcards of the master's painted works. I bought a couple and their stamps were all so nice.
Cause the lady re-added the stamp ink, the stamps too ages to dry hahaha.
After the theatre, we headed to Snail Alley.
I was getting a bit tired and hungry and came to Escargot bistro, and they are open until 11pm on weekends. So yes! I ate here and so did L and M. I got a Pesto Tomato Arguala sandwich for $240, and a honey lemon Yuzu drink that was very very nice. My sourdough bread was awesome and the pesto with heaps of flavour but not too overpowering with the garlic. Mmmm.
Once we rested and filled up a little, we finished looking around the Alley and then headed towards Shennong Street. At the end of Smail Alley exploration, I found the temple that was illustrated on teh floor tiles and the manholes. They had a stamp as well (had to ask the front desk), and it was a super cute one.
Shennong street was busyyyyyyy. The vibes were great with the lanterns though. We walked to the end of the street, and looked through a few shops. Cause it was so busy, it was easy to miss shops. Once at the end of the street, you cross the road and there is a small section which was much quieter with less shops and more houses. There was an area with a guy selling panna cotta and pudding with his goose pet. The shop was even named after goose and had a drawing of the goose with a pudding on its head. Hehe.
I had a caramel pudding and the flavour was very rich. The good kept looking as the owner and pecking him affectionately. There was also a black cat that kept meowing in the little stand behind the pudding store, and the owner lady came to open shop (crystals) and the cat came out.
After pudding, we walked to the end of this street and there was a diety getting ready to go out on a walk in the carriage. The temple workers were doing a process or ceremony with swinging the carriage lightly in place. One staff came over to where we were standing and told us we are OK to go up to take a look. I asked if the diety - 藥皇大帝 was going out ona stroll. Yes, he said, the diety will go out all around Tainan and also catch any ill spirits on the way and take it back to take care of it.
They are also building a new temple and the staff said they set in the two dragon pillars in the day time today, and then the deity is going on a stroll out in the evening,
We watched for a bit and looked at the dragon pillars, and then headed back home.
We had a look at the other shops on Shennong Street on our way out, and I got some funny stickers at an indie arts shop. The temple on the street was really quiet and I ducked in and found stamps!! 6 of them!
The lanters with Shennong Street name was free so we got a quick photo.
Then out on the street they had lots of food stalls, and one was an Indigenious stall/cuisine. Called Puliman.
L got some BBQ meat with 刺蔥 and the owner of the stall asked L if it was good. Yes.
Another uncle stopped by when I was taking to the stall owner and he said he was also Paiwan. Malimali is the northern way of saying thank you, and Masuali is the southern way of saying thank you.
The uncle asked the stall owner (who was a young lad) where his home and, and the owner also said that the stall is named after his dad because his dad is the one who plants the 刺蔥 and other herbs (but not the Makao pepper).
That was cool. After the quick chat we headed home, showered, and died.
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