Road Trippin'

Taiwan was an amazing road trip thanks to Kristen. It was amazing to be able to see the country that way.

This black line on this map shows our route around the island. One of the red pins is in Taipei. The other red pin is in Taichung (the town which Kristen lives)

Our first day we headed east across the island towards Cingjing. This place is a cute little village built into the mountain and is made to look swiss. They even imported sheep. In the mountains, it was a little chilly. It got down to about 8 degrees overnight; while sitting out on our balcony we were so cold we bundled up in our sweaters and blankets.

     

Our hotel 

From there we went to Hualien. We drove (by "we" I meant Kristen drove) through the mountains, above the clouds and back down again. It was so beautiful! In Hualien, while walking to dinner Kristen spotted some leaves falling from the trees and then MONKEYS. There were a bunch of monkeys just hanging out in the trees. It was so cool to see wild monkeys in Taiwan. 

       

In Hualien we visited the Eternal Spring Shrine, which is a shrine built to honor those who died building the Central Cross-Island Highway (of which there were 226 people who died). 

The first part of the Baiyang Trail, unfortunately the trail closes about 1 km in due to destruction from the last typhoon

Playing in the tunnel at Swallows Grotto

What else is there to do in Hualien? Lots of hiking trails and natural hot springs. We went to the hot springs. They were amazing! They were closed, due to parts of the trail being wrecked from past typhoons, but you just jump a fence and you're golden. 

The stairs leading down to the hot springs. The handrail doesn't follow the stairs all the way to the bottom, and some of the steps are broken off, it was a little scary.

The crazy river that happened to also be very cold next to the pleasant hot spring. Thank you to whom ever built this, it's awesome. (I love that you can also see the top view of my Innukshuk).

The Innukshuk that I built

Selfie at the hot springs (Kaylee would be so proud of how expert I am at selfies now)

While driving we also passed through the Tropic of Cancer. This was so cool because the Tropic of Cancer mostly passes through the ocean. 

Just before we got to the Tropic of Cancer, this picture made me feel like a pirate...

The phallic Tropic of Cancer monument between some foxy ladies

Standing on the Tropic of Cancer

Our next stop was Kenting. We arrived just as the sun was setting and were able to catch a glimpse of a beautiful sunset. We had a beach front room with TWO bathtubs. This is a big deal, bathtubs are not a common thing in Asia. One bathtub in the bathroom and the other was on the balcony. We were both going to have a bath that night...guess which tub I picked? 

Our night began off with us going out to the strip. The main road had vendors down both sides of it, selling everything from alcoholic beverages, food and souvenirs as well as having games to play. Umm....alcoholic beverages to go...? Count me IN. Mojitos, and other things filled our bellies and we were feeling happy fairly early in the night. The street bars were just too exciting. As well as drinking my way through the street, I also ate my way through it. I ate a corndog, deep-fried oreo, deep-fried potato things, and grilled squid. 

Deep fried oreo

MMM...mojito

Even a Duvel 

After drinking our way through the strip, we decided it would be a great idea to set off fireworks. It was - they looked great. But they are horrible to take pictures of.

It was such a warm night, and we were already on the beach, so I decided that I wanted to go for a swim. It was dark so I went in my birthday suit. Usually this wouldn't be a problem. I stripped down and began running towards the ocean and then all of a sudden I fell. I tripped on sand. I hurt my ankle, didn't even make it to the water. If you have ever seen me trip, then you know how graceful I am. I was afraid that I may have hurt my ankle, mostly because now I am just a drunk naked lady on the beach at night - my best look yet. I got back up and it was fine enough to walk on, so I continued on into the ocean. My ankle would go on to hurt for a few weeks, I just twisted it. 

Only a bath under the stars could make this night better. And it did. It was magical. Around midnight the people from the room next to us came home...I said "hi" to the four of them as they walked past me in the bathtub...good thing I am comfortable with my nudity. 

The next days were filled with beach lounging, beautiful views, camping, hermit crabs and star gazing. Having clear nights not surrounded by light pollution made it easy to see millions of stars, shooting stars, planets and all that the night sky has to offer. 

Hermit crabs...at one of he places we went camping, there was a hermit crab sanctuary. This place was crawling with crabs...all the puns intended. During the day this is just a pile of shells, but at night this becomes the place where hermit crabs can change their shell for a new one and go to see friends. It was so cool. I was able to see a hermit crab change its shell when we firs got there, I went back later with my camera and did not see it happen again for film, I was there another half hour or so. 

Taiwan was amazing! I am so happy I was able to put that on my list of countries I have visited. Kristen you made this trip so amazing, thank you so much. I can see why you live there. 

Halloween

Apparently, I'm super lazy. Okay maybe not apparently. November is almost over and I'm blogging about Halloween....What did you dress up as for Halloween?

I was Ariel. YIPPEE

My friend Kristen made my costume. While planning Taiwan into my trip I didn't even register the fact that I would be there for Halloween, but Kristen did. She made the most lovely Ariel costume. She dressed up as Ursula. We looked a-mah-zing!! I always wanted to be a mermaid; when I was little and in the bathtub, I would pretend that I was a mermaid (because I am so cool).

We went to a party and stayed there until about 3 or 4am. We danced the night away. I wish I also had a photo of all of the people that wanted to take pictures with us, there were so many. I think partly because we are hot white girls and partly because our costumes were on point!

Ariel, Ursula, Mother Nature (FYI - all of the plants on mother nature are alive)

Ariel, I seriously LOVE this wig

Ariel and Ursula

Sexy kitty, Ariel

Ariel, Mother Nature

Still Taipei

So Taipei is a very interesting place with lots of things to do. I only spent a total of 5 days there, but could have continued to explore it.

I went to visit Lonshan Temple, a very old a beautiful temple. When I arrived at the metro stop I got off and decided that I needed to have breakfast before I do my sightseeing for today. So I went to find some food. I had that same anxiety where I was unsure of how to order or what. I found a little restaurant, there was an entire street of them I sat down and pointed to a picture on the wall. The picture looked like dumplings. I was excited for dumplings for breakfast.

This is what I got...not dumplings at all. In fact it is something that I never really wanted to try. It is tripe (I didn't find the out until later). It wasn't very good. I ate about half before I decided that I couldn't eat any more. I left and headed back towards the temple, found a bakery on the way and went inside. I figure I am going to eat something baked and delicious because I was unsure of what just entered my body and my body was not happy about it. 

The Temple:
Upon entering the courtyard I was greeted by an amazing waterfall and beautiful landscaping.

The temple

The Temple

Upon entering the temple, it was full of people. People were just everywhere, there were things everywhere, a quarter of the people were praying and the rest were tourists trying to get that perfect picture. I felt very uncomfortable inside, so I left. I had been in lots of temples in Thailand, but this one just felt different. Not just because it wasn't a buddhist temple. 

There was supposed to be a fountain near by, so I decided that I would go and see it. I got there and there wasn't even water. Sad day. I thought maybe I should go to zoo already, but I was stopped by an elderly man. He didn't really speak much English, he asked if I would sit and chat. I did, we talked mostly through charades. During our time together we drank a beer (it was 11AM). His friend was drinking wine I thought it was weird that his entire mouth was blood red, and the red stuff just kept coming out. I think he was chewing Beetle Nuts. A guard came by and asked us to move; there were lots of people sitting around, I was confused why we had to move. At this point I just bid them good-bye. But, not before I took a selfie...

Did I mention those eyebrows...

More Taipei

Day #2

I feel like I did a lot on my first day in Taipei, so I thought I'd make a second post, rather than 1 really long boring one.

On day 2, I went to Tamsui. A little district in Taipei that it right on the water. I was told to check it out, there are some cool things here. I noticed that there are a lot of balloon shooting games, with bb guns and with darts. Side note - I SUCK at throwing darts, I later found out that I have stellar aim with the bb guns.

Here at Tamsui you have to get tall ice cream. What is tall ice cream...? It is soft serve like you haven't had before. I ate most of it, after a while I couldn't sit and eat it while there were other people around, it just felt dirty.

me with the tall ice cream

Note the pictures of ice cream on the ice cream machine in the background....makes for easy ordering. 

I continued to walk down the pier and found this man paying harmonica for money. He was very good. 

When money would go into his bucket he would stand and play, and then sit as if he were a machine. I have no idea what he was sitting on. There was no visible chair.
I had heard that there were some cool ruins near here, so I went to go and find them. I passed helpful signs like this:

It was really good to know that I was there...? Anyways I continued my journey and found an old shell oil plant instead. 

It was an interesting display/collection of items. I continued on because I wanted to find these ruins before sunset because I wanted to head to fisherman's wharf for sunset. 

As I continued on I was stopped by a man who asked to take my picture. Sure, this wasn't the first person to stop me. He said I  had very beautiful eyes. He took a photo and then another and then another. He asked me to pose different ways and he took my pictures for about 15 minutes. It was the full Asian experience. These poses were interesting and characteristically Asian. I don't usually do many poses like that. Afterwards he asked for my contact information, e-mail and he also wanted my Canadian phone number in case he ever comes to Canada....sure. I also got his e-mail and phone number. His name was Jason. He said that he would send me the photos. I have not received them yet. He told me that Taiwan is generally a safe place but I should be careful, and I should feel free to call him if I need anything. A very kind offer. 

It was almost time for sunset when we finished so I headed back to the pier to purchase a ticket to go to fisherman's wharf. 

The boat that I rode

The sun as is started to set...it was a foggy day

At Fisherman's wharf. Me with Lovers Bridge in the background.

Because I do love myself

Lovers Bridge at night. It glows. 

While I was exploring I came across a wall of hanging wooden postcards, where lovers would fill out their wishes for each other and tell the world how much they loved each other. I can't be left out..so I did it too.

And I tied it into the mix of thoughts of love. 

As I was about to walk the top of the board walk, I noticed a sign that said "world chocolate wonderland".....whozawhatnow? I must investigate!

It was magical. Everything was made of chocolate!

Life size chocolate car

Even the King of Narnia

Cinderella Carriage (decked out for halloween)

Nobody was looking....

At the beginning I was given 3 gold coins (made of chocolate), if I didn't eat them I could trade them for things. This post card was one of the things. Let's see if it ever makes it.

Lots of opportunity for photos. Because this place was closing in about 30 minutes, I was the only one there

This place smelled amazing, they have some master chocolatiers here and everything look stunning. They even do classes - so cool. So happy I decided to go and check it out.