Taiwan Expedition Day 3 - Guest-Blogged By 浪迹天涯小狗

又是我!

24th April 2006

3rd day in Taiwan. We dragged our asses outta bed at 3.30am to prepare for our sunrise viewing trip. We wrapped ourselves in multiple layers of jackets, utilised our umbrellas, and wandered ard looking for the pick-up point. Once again the guide obasan found us without much difficulties, packed us into the warm minivan and drove a few rounds looking for other lost sheep. The temperature was less than 7 degrees as measured by the guide and any attempts to wind down the window would bring the cold air blowing into the van, turning it into a mini igloo.

As the sky slowly brightened, we're still not at the peak of the mountain. Anxiety shrouded the mistress as the guide was still navigating the peaks and showing us some historical spots along the way, all the while tokking to the windscreen which muffled most of the voice.

We saw no orange, red and purple combined skies as the sky changed from black to light blue in a matter of minutes. No eggyolk-shaped sun hanging in the skies.


Foggy morning


Mountains yet again

We descended from the peak back to the hotel area for our breakfast at 7am, even thou it seems like we've been gone for half the day.


Very Teochew-styled breakfast. Cant forget the lovely taste of the cabbage. It jus complements the plain porridge so well. And.. NO GARLIC!! Dats perfect for the mistress! Mwahahahaha!


高山青 Hotel.


The marketplace.


The sun finally made its appearance from the bright but cloudy sky.


Walked this torturous path which took us an hr+ after breakfast. Its full of stairs and trees and of course fresh morning air.


神木??


Rock Structures


Mountains somemore


We're at cloud's level!


Looks like a howl


姐潭


The whole place is so mistified.


Dreamland~


The air is very very fresh there. Filled with 芬多精 that soothes the nerves.


Being covered by the towering trees.


Somehow, all the toilets there are called 化妆室. U mean guys makeup too?


One of the temples on the mountain


A little waterfall


Small stream


Thats how high we were. 2138m above sea level


Zoomed in at the village on the opposite mountain.

We got a short trip back to the hotel on motorbike by the guide obasan who was on her newspaper rounds. 3 ladies on a small scooter (+ me of cos!). Kinda cool other than the bumpy back seat which the mistress was complaining abt and the exhaust which stained her jeans. We spent too much time climbing the stairs n were late for the journey down the mountain. Made the other tourists wait for us in the minivan for a few minutes while we packed our luggage and checked out.


Some stupid locked up Taiwan bear which we stopped our journey for. There's a lot of tea plantation ard there.


Its very foggy along this stretch of road.


奋起湖

After an hr's van journey, we stopped here for the next hr and dispersed for our lunch and shopping. The rain persists to irritate us. We bought 6 boxes of biscuits here, for a total of NT500. 5 boxes 1 free. Its kinda heavy for BISCUITS only. Its like.. 5 kg? Made the mistresses' arms ache in pain.


An antique train on display at 奋起湖


Its still misty even after the rain.


The defunct railway tracks.


Express 铁路便当!


花生冰?? I forgot the name already but its very nice! And long-lasting! I placed it aside while eating the 铁路便当 that came at an inappropriate time n it still din melt after I finished the bento.


铁路便当 with 竹笋汤. NT200 for 2 bentos and 1 large bowl of soup. The black pepper ribs is yummy! Not forgetting the tender bamboo shoots. Even the rice is nice. *drools*


Another temple while we're on our way back to 嘉义.


地久桥. We din see any 天长 thou.

After arriving at 嘉义, we psychoed the driver to bring us straight to the hotel. Hee Hee. Checked into 嘉义皇爵大饭店, 3rd floor, 2321. Its like the grandest hotel we've stayed at thru'out the 8 days trip. For a 3 star hotel, it has a huge lobby and good service.


The hotel room of 嘉义皇爵大饭店.

Almost immediately, we wandered out of the hotel room and explored the area. Walked 中山路 and 文化路. Chanced upon a few bookshops and of cos, the mistress started acquiring her collection. Mangas are already cheap there(NT85), and with 10% discount(NT77), its costing only SGD$3.50 per book!


Funny names for a place. 蒜头!?!?!


UFO catcher filled with birdies~~


Baked potato with cheese. Nice but sinful.


BBQ corn. Gets 腻 after a while.


蛤仔面线. Its like the only bowl of orrh arh mee suah we had in Taiwan.


The milk there packed in a powder container. Its not as thick as Singapore imported milk.

We bought 豪大大鸡排 also, but it wasnt captured on camera. The 鸡排s there comes with bones! Very difficult to struggle with the bones and the meat. And the seasoning is TOO SPICY!!

After the numerous times we walked up and down the streets, accumulated to the countless flights of stairs ascended in the morning, the mistress was complaining abt her sore legs in the evening. Useless fella. Some basketball rep she is!

OH no Oh No! The mistress is coming with a cane! HELP!!

Day 4 in a while's time!