@ Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
Woke up early coz we intended to do some cycling before the sun gets too hot. Took our rented bicycles at 7am (NT100 for a whole day). For that the price you get pretty basic bicycles, nothing fancy. You would need to top up a for a performance bike if planning to do the 30km round-island ride, which entailed some steep climbs. It is best to look around and choose a bicycle that you delight in and negotiate a price, rather than buying bike rental coupons from the lodge without seeing the bicycle first.
Weather was great, the air was chill... perfect for a morning ride. There was a lovely 12km cycling track that curved along the most scenic part of the lakeside. As it was mainly flat ground, ordinary bikes would suffice.
Part of the track was on wooden platform.
I had a city bike with a front basket, and Ryan had a small mountain bike. Both bikes had gear shifters. I think it's time to upgrade Ryan's kiddy bike at home.
Beautiful beyond words.
Riding safely away from the main road.
Now we could say... been there, done that.
Observation decks for visitors to admire the stunning views of the lake.
Morning lights are the best.
Getting a feel of autumn colours.
Returned the bicycles, had a quick bath, checked out and bought tickets for our next destination. These triangular rice cakes wrapped in seaweed a.k.a. "triangle sushi" from 7-11 soon became a main part of our diet for the rest of our trip in Taiwan.
We had wanted to return early to Taichung coz there was nothing more to do in Sun Moon Lake. Our Airbnb host in Taichung then suggested that we spend more time exploring other areas in the vicinity rather than going back early to Taichung. And so we took a bus to Checheng, the final station of the Jiji Rail Line.
That looked like a hydroelectric station.
The Visitor Info Centre was absolutely helpful. They gave us a map and sightseeing tips, helped to store our bags, and there were water refill stations. This is how you treat tourists like VIPs.
Ryan got excited over decorative rubber stamps.
@ Log Museum 木业展示馆
Checheng was an important timber processing centre in its heydays. The Log Museum kept alive memories from those glory years for the younger generation to reminiscent.
Being a favourite spot for field trips, there were busloads of excited school children and teenagers exploring the area.
DIY session where kids tried their hands at assembling a wooden box.
Knock out some tins and you win a soft toy.
A teacher patiently explained the history of the timber industry in Chechen. This, is how you make history lessons come alive.
Log-storing pond.
Ice creams to keep cool on a sunny afternoon.
Pork chop rice for lunch. Ryan was holding up a toy hoping that I would buy it, but I didn't fall for it.
Fooling around with railway paraphernalia.
Decorative trains on display. Bride at the back must be thinking... "Hey kid, get out of the way!".
@ Jiji 集集
The train station was an interesting building. "Attractions" were at least a kilometre away, so there was nothing much to see within walking distance. There were many bicycle rental shops just outside the station, for those who intend to spend a couple of hours exploring the little town.
We found a Carton King shop with a rocking horse made of carton.
Waited for the next train to get to Ershui Station.
The train was oozing with colours and cuteness. We had a band of grandma BFFs on outing as company. Senior citizens in Taiwan really know how to enjoy their golden years.
Hey, we found a lion on the train.
@ Ershui 二水
With about two hours of daylight left, we quickly rented bicycles to explore the countryside.
There was a cycling track which ran alongside the railway tracks.
Passed by a replica jet fighter.
The cycling track passed through delightful farms and orchards.
That's how a cute vegetable sculpture should look like. Much better looking than the boring lettuce statue in Kundasang (see below). Taiwanese have the magic touch of adding aesthetics to things rather than settling on being functional.
As the sky darkened, we return our bicycles, had dinner and took a night train back to Taichung.
@ Taichung 台中
Pleasantly surprised that our lodge was so spacious and classy. Thank God for a wonderful rest to end the long day.
1 comment:
i feel like going to taiwan after reading your sharing.
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