Day 3 - Sun Moon Lake, Jiji Rail Line, back to Taichung

@ 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.

@ Checheng 车埕

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.

Day 4 - Tunghai University, National Museum of Natural Science, Fengjia Night Market

Ryan had bacon sandwich, I had noodle soup for breakfast.

In Taichung, public bus rides were free for the first 10 kilometres. Each stop along the bus route was clearly displayed, so it wasn't too difficult getting around on public transport. Ryan was holding Easycards with reloadable funds, which we would use to pay for transportation and purchases in 7-11.

@ Luce Chapel, Tunghai University 东海大学

The main attraction in this campus was the uniquely designed Christian chapel. This was THE landmark in Taichung.

@ National Museum of Natural Sciences 科学博物馆

A short bus ride took us to the science centre. Here Ryan was watching a 3D animated movie.

And then we watched another movie in this odd sphere-shaped cinema. The visuals were projected all over the ceiling, making you feel very much being in the movie. However, they played a boring marine documentary, which I slept through most of it.

There was this video game where you make your race horse advance by concentrating your thoughts. And believe it or not, Ryan won the game beating two adults and a kid.

There was an exhibition hall with dinosaurs on display.

An antique gigantic clock of some sort.

@ Botanical Garden 植物园

Had an evening walk in the garden beside the science centre. Every other person there was catching Pokemon.

@ Fengjia night market 逢甲夜市

A very lively night market located beside the Fengjia University. Being a weekend night, it was overcrowded with campus students and shoppers. Stalls were offering 'student prices' for food, drinks and electronical gadgets.