Day 6: 170508 Rueili-Taichung

a video on firefly which we saw the previous night.. this is a male-firefly..

we didnt manage to catch the sunrise due to rainy weather..

so we woke up at about 7am and went for breakfast before an arduous task to overcome the 瑞太古道。Then, we proceed to the 奮起湖風景區 before making our way to the Chiayi railway station in the evening.

When male boss drove us to瑞太古道, we thought it was just another P.E lesson.. but we were wrong cuz this P.E lesson almost drove us crazy with the steep slopes, endless heights, grasses which are lethal to cut our legs..cuz we wore bermudas.. haha.. but the scenery along the way was the reward for overcoming this trail..


the orange-yellow trail is the one which male boss challenges us to overcome haha..

the echo valley was magnificient.. we shouted like nobody's business in this valley and the echo was clearly heard.i tink we might have frightened the forest animals..haha..

spotted a cute dog while we were on our descent from the mountain.. a team of Taiwanese folks were climbing up from the other end with their dog.. i tink living in Taiwan is fun.. u get to climb mountains as a form of challenege and exercise accompanies by beautiful scenery.. in Sg, u onli have Bukit Timah Mountain.. in Taiwan.. u have numerous mountains.. that's e difference~

The trail took us about 2h before we reached the end.. perspiring like mad dogs and waiting for the female boss to pick us up to Fenchihu haha..Fencihu is a tourist attraction with old street selliing famous local food, railway lunchbox. It is the place where we going to take the Alishan Forest Railway back to CHiayi Railway station. The Alishan Railway Train only runs once or twice a day depending on whether is a weekday or weekend..there are many cabbies trying to ask you take their cab instead of waiting the railway. we saw a lady.. very persistent.. anyone stepping into the ticket counter will be approached by her haha.. we waited for the railway at 3pm and have to wait 2h plus before departure.. during this time..i was looking at how she approach people in the station.. muz say she has the never-say-die-spirit~finallie she got customers...who are coincidentally the ones that participated with us during the trail..hahaour Alishan Forest Railway Train finally reaches at 3pm. we took the ride and snaked thru forests and tunnels before we reach Chiayi railway station at abt 530pm.. it is less windy as compared to taking a car up the hill..felt very relaxed during this period at Rueili.. a pity to say is that we didnt catch the sunrise.. i think 2d1n is insufficient for a thorough experience in Alishan.. if there's another chance, I'll choose to have a night stay in Alishan.. a night stay in Leye where the Tsou aboriginal people are living.. heard that there are minsu over there.. and most probably i'll come during the blooming of the cherry blossoms to have a wonderful experience..

We then took yet another train ride to Taichung that lasted for an hr.. very tired to take train rides.. i think we would spend the half of our journey in trains..slept during the train ride.. the feeling of concussion is there.. haha.. when we reached Taichung.. we went to the nearby Zhongxiao Night Market for some makan.. too tired to even take pics of the food haha.. rested earlie that night...more adventures to come in Taichung!

Day 5: 160508 Rueili

woke up earlie for a Tse Chiang train ride to Chiayi.. is about an hr plus..
and was quite stunned to see people crossing railway tracks and transfer trains.. there seem to be households staying around the railway station.. and people from there just walk into the tracks to take trains.. i wonder if is legal???
once reached Chiayi railway station, we waited for Mr Lin taxi cabbie to drive us up to Rensheng Holiday Resort.. it was a windy and dizzy ride up the hill.. and before we know it.. we are so way high up from the floor..the scenery up the hill was breathtaking though it was rather misty cuz in the midst of clouds in the hills.. we encounter snake crawling out..machiam to welcome us.. when we are up the hill... saw many bamboo shoots along the way.. never see so many except in those 武侠片 haha...and finallie after abt an hr plus.. we reached the beautiful Rensheng.. this is the place which took our breath away.. very glad to choose it..
is peaceful...cooling.. no airconditioner required cuz is oreadi very cold..they even haf toys.. and they decorate the resort to suit a particular theme..after settling down, lady boss went cooking lunch for us.. i didnt expect much for lunch until we were greeted with a table of organic food..赞赞！lady boss is also very humourous one...male boss is a 原主民..very experienced and nice man..


after lunch.. we are going trekking!in one of the mountains that i forgot..this is the 1st mountain we would be encountering in this trip..our 1st day itinerary includes 雲潭瀑布(this was dried up due to lack of rain..what we see are only stones)→午餐→千年蝙蝠洞(very unique, even saw a land full of batshit shown in pic below)、燕子崖→情人橋→晚餐→夜遊(賞螢)→夜宿瑞勝渡假木屋.

what comes additional and unexpected is a trip to 水蜜桃plucking.. as it was during the harvest season, male boss brought us to this farm.. what adds to the fun was we were plucking fruits in the rain! aside me and dear, there were a group of 台南folks..a Taiwanese couple too to pluck fruits.. we haf to grab and eat as many peaches as possible.. provided they are 熟, meaning red and bits of yellow patches..and it was raining heavily..all of us got real drenched after this experience haha..Land full of Batshit

水蜜桃 plucking

after that, we went back to the resort for a warm bath before having yet another sumptious dinner..is like a 5-persons-meal savoured by just 2 of us.. very very full.. feel so sleepy after the meal..as the weather wasnt quite good, there was a possibility we cant see fireflys.. but things turn better at about 9pm when there's no rain.. male boss called us out and there we were searching to see the beauty of fireflies! A male firefly with lighting on the last 2 segments.

everyone were excited to see the whole forest filled with fireflies beaming with bright lights that seeming to welcome the crowd.. male boss said it was fortunate enough to see them even when the rain has ended cuz sometimes they all would hide after rain and come out only when the weather is fine..a memorable experience indeed!

Day 4: 150508 Kaohsiung

Another bright and sunny day!!

We set off for Kenting in an extremely bumpy 2hride from KH railway station..damn tired taking such long bus rides..those famous attractions are far away from the city area..

alighted at Hengchun and went to the bus station..hoping to buy tickets of the shuttle bus which travelled to different attractions of Kenting.. but something disappointing happens.. the shuttle bus onli brings us to Kenting street and Aquarium Museum on weekdays.. as for other attractions like Oluanbi, Maobitou etc..they can only be reached with shuttle bus on weekends.. we went on a weekday.. so this doesnt spell good..an interesting poster seen at the bus station..

nonetheless..we took the shuttle bus to the nationa aquarium museum.. i must say it was an eye-opener.. even better than Ocean Park of HK i tink.. excl those amusement rides.. the fish.. underwater creatures.. and the huge aquarium tank are worth applauding!
we spent quite some time at the aquarium.. apparently that day was an excursion day for many youngsters..probably 国中生, their hairstyle very hip one.. many pretty girls and yandao guys..only later.. we learnt from our tour guide that actuallie the rule to govern over hairstyles are being scrapped off recently..cuz i tink got protest or what haha.. so the student population wins over~

we then made our way to Kenting main street.. there were many interesting shops.. selling seashells..eh beach wear.. cuz thruout Kenting.. sea is beside the street.. so many people go there play seasports.. snorkelling.. banana boat..we didnt go cuz quite troublesome to bring clothes..if wanna play seasports.. should stay a night in Kenting.. that will be more at ease.. along the way also got many go-kart outlets..but all very small.. no kick~haha.. if jus wanna haf a day-tour to Kenting, better to come on weekend..cuz the shuttle bus goes to more places and has a higher frequency..we made our way to Oluanbi by cab..it was said to be the most southern tip of Taiwan.. felt great to be there! the wind was very strong.. we saw the famous Oluanbi Tower..many stall holders selling seashells too..find out more on Kenting with this link
there was a Kissing Rock @ Oluanbi.. just 2 rocks situated adjacent to each other make them look like they are kissing haha...
the above pic shows a rock formation which resembles the side view of a person.. i tink that was taken at Chuanfanshi...

we made our way back to KH railway station and went to Love River.. weather was good.. at night was cooler.. beside the river has many lightups.. like Singapore's Clarke Quay.. we took the boat ride which was worthwhile..quite long ride too.. river was beautiful.. very enjoyable ride to witness the beauty of Kaohsiung at night~then, we went to Liuhe market again to makan.. this time ate 官才板, it was like toasted bread encased with some creamy sauce..quite creative..
that's the end of our journey in Kaohsiung.. moving off to Alishan the next day!more adventures await~

Information Outlet:
1.Kaohsiung Bus Guide
2.Pintung Bus to Kenting
3.Kaohsiung Bus Info

Day 3: 140508 Kaohsiung

woke up earlie today to catch the bus 151 to Fo Guang Shan..it was a long bus ride for 2h..very bumpy too..along the way.. many old folks boarded the bus.. filled with hokkien languages which we at times listen and seem to understand a bit haha..i didnt know taiwan has quite a large population of elderly..

finally we reached our 1st stop: FoGuangShan.. located up on the hill.. surrounded by beautiful greenery and peace that cant be found easily in cities..
we each received enlightenment from a nun..superb indeed.. without even sayin.. she knows what kind of person we are.. i tink this is an interesting encounter.. having to finish our uni courses.. embarking on a different journey from now.. we may have to face with different challenges.. her words of enlightenment somehow gave us guidance on how we should do to enter into the workforce that lies up next.. haha.. we indeed do feel peace after a trip to FGS.

in the noon, we took the same bus 151 to 旗山北站 to catch another bus that bring us to Meinong Hakka Village.. but boy.. i tell u.. something very bad happens.. each bus frequency is like 30mins.. at any time, a bus will reach the station and a lady will report where does this bus go to.. but she speaks very quickly and the stereo sound system is very bad over there.. we sat there waiting.. looking at the supposedly-correct-signboards on the destination that each bus number brings to.. we sat there staring for 1.5h.. but no bus to Meinong comes.. we decided to ask the lady.. she say 2 buses have gone off le.. and she says the number board is WRONG!.. by the time we know about this.. it was 3pm.. Meinong Hakka Culture museum closes at 4pm.. out of despair.. we took a cab.. reach there.. and went into 美浓文化村..initiallie i tot the museum is within this 村, but wrong.. is located somewhere further.. no choice we jus explore this area.. is very touristy.. onli sells things but never show how oil umbrellas are made.. i came with an intention to know more abt the umbrellas.. but didnt manage to.. i onli saw the beauty of them.. not the work.. quite disappointed though...and this area closes at 5pm.. all close so earlie how to enjoy.. sigh.. we went to the bus stop and wait for bus back to Kaoxiong railway station.. and then again, we met with another setback.. buses of such frequency is like once in 1h.. so we sat there, got stranded, while seeing the greenery of Meinong.. i expect more actuallie.. i want to experience the food they offer, the work they do..and the Hakka culture but all was not met.. as my thoughts wander away.. Dear suddenly jumped up and I was startled.. he said the bus jus moved off even after seeing us at the bus stop.. wth... arg.. 1h wasted.. how could this happen!

duno is it heaven knows we very 可怜, about 10mins later..this 小黄(taxi) comes to us and ask whether we wanna return back to KH railway station at NT100 each.. piang.. is cheap!we quickly took his offer and asked if he could bring us to Dream Mall instead.. phew.. finallie no more waiting for buses.. Kaohsiung reallie needs more improvements on their transport facilities.. tourists will go crazy waiting for buses one lor!
we reached Dream Mall梦时代 in abt 1h..taxi driver surprised us by giving 2 mangoes which he has grown at home.. touched~cuz we told him we were very very stranded in Meinong.. and he said it was such a pity we didnt try 板条which is the most famous food ever as produced from Meinong.. no where can you taste such tasty 板条, so he offered us two mangoes haha.. but i was quite startled when i saw his mouth.. cuz he was chewing 槟榔, his whole mouth was deep red.. i almost tot he dropped his teeth and was bleeding.. i wonder how that fruit taste like
dream mall was very huge.. and EMPTY... practicallie no one wanna shop in shopping centres.. things are expensive as compared to night markets.. quite waste electricity if open the whole day and no one wanna patronise..there were many storeys actuallie.. it will be good if they do more promotions haha..but i think highllight of this mall is the Hello Kitty Ferris Wheel.. is cheaper than Sg ferris wheel.. probably more colourful.. and we enjoyed the memorable night view of Kaohsiung from the ferris wheel!

Day 2: 130508 Kaohsiung

We left the hostel very early today.. was traumatised in the morning when I woke up and went to the toilet..wasnt a good start to be greeted by an awful sight..mayb im just not used to stayin in a hostel.. aniwae.. i shant elaborate on it.. ask me more if u interested haha..

went to take the High Speed Rail from Taipei Main Station..today we were heading towards Kaohsiung.. train ride was about 1.5h..damn fast..cant see much of scenery cuz train went too fast..but damn shiok..comfy seats..we reached Zuoying HSR Station and had to take this newly opened Kaohsiung MRT with a single-way token to Kaohsiung Railway Station..where Shunyu Hotel is nearly located..


the room was comfy enough of a night's rest..friendly receptionists..even have free breakfast..and with numerous tv channels.. and is affordable..less than sgd30/night..and it was the tv programmes which attarcted us..those variety shows.. so many.. 大小S(爱吃)..康熙来了 etc..damn nice..

after putting our luggages.. we took a bus to Gushan Ferry Pier to take the ferry that brought us to Cijin..a very short ferry ride of about 10min plus.. nice view of the sea in Kaohsiung..the 豆花 in kaohsiung seem to be less smooth than what we ate in HK..there was a seashell museum..all very nice but cant bring home..cant take photos..of different genus with super long names..but just by viewing the design is a very good take-home-gift..

we rented a bicycle and travelled around Cijin.. weather was hot.. sunburnt at the end of this cycling trip.. saw different attractions along the way.. one of them is the seashell museum.. another is the windmill park..generation of wind energy and conversion to electricity is wonderful..we also visited a temple..as recommended by one of the passers-by uncle who came to us..and told us more on Cijin history.. some Taiwan history on Chiang Kai-shek..i tink the uncle was very warm to foreigners..very willing to share what they know and recommened us places to visit.. feel really good in Taiwan!


after touring Cijin.. we walked to 中山大学 which some of our friends went to for Taiwan INSTEP exchange..i must say the university was fortunate to have a beautiful scenic sea jus right beside it.. i mean Sizihwan.. it was like a tourist attraction.. we have to walk through a tunnel before reaching the uni..which I thought was very big and spacious..as we made our way to British Consulate located near the uni.. we saw students running on track.. many riding on "小绵羊"/motorcycles..which are priced quite cheap..i even saw one student who had a lion-head helmet on him..after walking about 20min.. we saw the british consulate..sunset was coming.. how the sunlight hits the sea can only be described as 赞!


the day ended off with sumptious food @ 六合夜市..our 1st try eating the food from night market was fabulous.. there wasnt too many people which was quite surprising.. certain stalls were filled with photos taken with celebrities.. and huge banners thanking media for coverage and adverts on their food.. and so.. we tried those which appeared to be highly recommended. some deserved two thumbs up!.. while some tasted OK to us only..haha those which appeared in the pic below were ones that we thought excellent delicacies of Liuhe..

Day 1: 120508 Taipei

Finally comes the long-awaited grad trip to Taiwan!

we took the 1pm jetstar flight to Taipei and reached Taoyuan International Airport @ ard 540pm..went registering for youth travel card, bought sim card and the GuoGuang Bus tix to Taipei Railway Station..which is located near to the Taiwanmex Hostel..

wasnt quite pleasant when we 1st arrived at the hostel cuz it appeared extremely cramped to us.. we couldnt check into our room cuz it was not available and was asked to loiter outside till about 10plus..so we left our luggage in the locker and went searching for food.. the lady which we met at the hostel was very nice.. we didnt see the owner yet..
the rest of the day was spent eating 鲁肉饭, 茶果 and noodles as found in stalls located near to the hostel.. we also visited taipei railway station underground mall.. too bad the shops closed rather early.. played basketball.. such arcades are found anywhere in taiwan within few steps apart.. huge craze for it!