Taichung (台中)
Landed at 9.00am after 3 hours flight from Kota Kinabalu, we hopped onto U Bus from Taoyuan International Airport (Fare: 30 yuan) to get to Taoyuan High Speed Rail (HSR) Station to board onto their fast train (Fare: 570 yuan) to Taichung. Comparing to bus journey which may take around 2 hours, the train ride is just less than an hour. HSR tickets can be purchased online in advance for cheaper rate or can be bought over counter or at self-ticketing machine at the station. There are two types of tickets: reserved and non-reserved seats. Non-reserved seats are relatively cheaper but there is a risk that you might not get a seat due to peak hours but the journey between the cities are rather short and hence there is always a chance to grab one when the passengers hop off at subsequent station.
Upon our arrival at Taichung, we settled our car rental with the dealer in which we have made appointment earlier via online. 8500 yuan for 8 days is a good bargain. The dealer was kind enough to lend us one of his phone Sim card so that we can use it for internet while we travel around the island. Subscribed unlimited internet package for 500 yuan, our road trip kicked off pretty smoothly.
One thing is to get a car but it's a different matter to drive it around. The traffic rules are completely opposite of what we used to in Malaysia and there has this weird left turning rule. That excludes the fact that there are many motorcyclists to watch out on the road and abundance of traffic lights. After a while, we are kind of getting a hang of it.
One thing is to get a car but it's a different matter to drive it around. The traffic rules are completely opposite of what we used to in Malaysia and there has this weird left turning rule. That excludes the fact that there are many motorcyclists to watch out on the road and abundance of traffic lights. After a while, we are kind of getting a hang of it.
Checking in and settling down at The Enterpriser Hotel (1725 yuan for quad room) at 3pm, our Taiwan adventure begins.
Rainbow Village (彩虹眷村)
22 minutes drive from our hotel, this village is believed to be painted by a retired soldier. In the beginning, the old chap only painted his own house and eventually, spread out to the neighbourhood. The beauty of his work has prevented the government to abort their plan to demolish the place. It's free to enter this area. The village is quite small which can be easily covered in an hour.
We welcome you to Rainbow Village.
The famous wall for photoshooting.
There are rainbows on the tar road too.
Gao Mei Wetlands (高美湿地)
Driving for 36 minutes to catch the sunset at this spot but apparently it was already too late. Sun sets pretty soon at this part of the earth, at this point of time. It was rather cloudy and very chilly as the sea breeze blows. Still could enjoy the view of wind turbines by the beach. If I recalled it correctly, some of these wind turbines are damaged due to recent typhoon.
Fenjia Night Market (逢甲夜市)
As the night falls, it calls for dinner and hence we headed back to the city for our very first night market. Before we could get off our car, it was a challenge to find parking as we weren't familiar with the rules which eventually cost us 200 yuan to park at designated area (portable double-storey car park). Parking caretakers seem to be doing a good business there.
Exiting to the main road, a stream of unpleasant smell rushed us through and only then I realised smelly "tofu" is a thing there. The smell was rather repelling and I couldn't comprehend how one could ingest to begin with. I didn't even give it a chance to try. Nonetheless. we tried plenty of snack as we stroll along the market.
Other than food stalls, apparently Taiwanese are pretty fond of arcade and games station as you can spot quite a number of them throughout the market.
You could actually step onto the wetland.
Yours truly enjoyed the cold wind and the view despite of missing the sunset
Fenjia Night Market (逢甲夜市)
As the night falls, it calls for dinner and hence we headed back to the city for our very first night market. Before we could get off our car, it was a challenge to find parking as we weren't familiar with the rules which eventually cost us 200 yuan to park at designated area (portable double-storey car park). Parking caretakers seem to be doing a good business there.
Exiting to the main road, a stream of unpleasant smell rushed us through and only then I realised smelly "tofu" is a thing there. The smell was rather repelling and I couldn't comprehend how one could ingest to begin with. I didn't even give it a chance to try. Nonetheless. we tried plenty of snack as we stroll along the market.
Sausage comes with rice cake and pepper
Porky serves with sauces and vegetables
French fries served with vegetables (one of us is a vegetarian)
Translated to English, this is called "Massaged chicken" and the texture is really soft!
Other than food stalls, apparently Taiwanese are pretty fond of arcade and games station as you can spot quite a number of them throughout the market.
Flower Market (中社觀光花市)
Had our breakfast at the hotel which is inclusive in our room package, checking out and we proceed to Flower Market at Zhong She District.
Windmills in a flower garden, are they trying to imitate Keukenhof, Netherlands?
Flower girls
There has this piano in the middle of Lavender field for you to take photo with.
Spotted a bee collecting nectar from sunflower, I think
To be honest, this garden is smaller than I thought it would be as the literal translation of the chinese name is "flower city". Even so, the flower arrangement is still quite a sight. The garden is accessible with a fee of 60 yuan.
Xin She Castle (新社古堡)
38 minutes away we visited another garden which is located at Xin She District.
Apparently, there is no real history behind this garden. Loving the landscape and is a good spot for photography. Entrance fee is 250 yuan (personally I think it is quite pricey).
Xin She Mushroom
Had a fair share of adrenaline rush when we played go-kart for 200 yuan before having our dinner. Xin She is famous for its mushroom. Abundance of mushroom farms can be seen when you are going around the area.
38 minutes away we visited another garden which is located at Xin She District.
Overview of the main garden
A European-theme garden in the mid of Taichung
Goddess of Fountain (seem to be promoting my blog)
The iconic old castle of the garden
Apparently, there is no real history behind this garden. Loving the landscape and is a good spot for photography. Entrance fee is 250 yuan (personally I think it is quite pricey).
Xin She Mushroom
Had a fair share of adrenaline rush when we played go-kart for 200 yuan before having our dinner. Xin She is famous for its mushroom. Abundance of mushroom farms can be seen when you are going around the area.
This fried mushroom is rather scrumptious and the texture is like meat (and look like one too).
Bidding farewell to Taichung and we head to our next destination.
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