Day 0 - Feb 20th, flight to TPE transiting through LAX from DTW
Mom dropped me off at friend’s house early in the morning around 6:15am so we can get to the airport early. I have never seen DTW as packed as the morning on Feb 20. I had to check in a bag because hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions aren’t widely available in Asia. My friend suggest that we separate as I had to print luggage tag. I printed my boarding pass and luggage tag and got into a line for Delta domestic drop off. Because the first leg of the flight was domestic I was able to drop off my bag and quickly and got into a TSA before checking my phone. By then I had gotten half a dozen calls on WeChat and Line. I quickly called back and informed my friend I was in a TSA line and I will meet her at the gates because she has TSA preCheck.
There was a bit of tension because although we had the same itinerary our needs were different. I needed to checkin a bag, and my friend has TSA preCheck.
The first leg of Delta flight was easy enough where I received some delicious lemon coconut oat bars. Then it was LAX. No expectation no let down. but since my friend said LAX was newly renovated the lack lustre portion of terminal we arrived at where a lot of hispanic people were waiting for their flights was a bit jarring. Then we relaxed and ate the foods that we packed from home. I had some dumplings, red bean bun, apples, and sweet potatoes. It was a long layover and we watched some planes take off and talked candidly without reserve.
I tried sleeping on the plane, don’t think I watched any movies and felt extremely bloated from all the food I ate that day. I had millet and egg from breakfast at home. Than oat bar and banana bread from the Delta leg of the flight. Then a packed lunch.
The china airlines plane was quite old and we sat in seats on the wings right above the engines. It was a louder than I anticipated. The uniforms of the stewardess and attendants were unusually plain with apron like design in the front. There was a difficult passenger one roll in front of us and he was annoyed that the flight attendant was not doing her job as he anticipated. 到帮忙。because she suggested putting things in the cabin storage where he had his belongings.
For meal service we had Potato salad with dijon mustard that I don’t usually eat, then some fruits like cantaloupe, pineapple, orange with the main meal being Rice pork with 腐乳. That meal did not sit well with the stomach. Then I had some yogi tea that my friend brought and my last red bean bun. I had 3 bm on the plain ride. 2 in the evening and once in the morning. This also the first time I heard the terminology chicken fatula? for chicken pasta.
The plane landed and first thing was waiting for my luggage. It took a really long time for the luggage to arrive and my friend left first to find where the exit was. During the time period I was anxious about my luggage but there was nothing I could but hope for the best. My friend’s remarks and worries made me more worries.
Next we had to exchange money and I asked an airport attendant for help. Because of her poor attitude in response my friend said we should speak English instead of Chinese. I heard about this type of mentality before. But this type of using English to feel superior bullshit agitated me.
I was planning on using the ATM to take out money at first but because my friend was going to the forex counter anyways I wanted to save time and exchanged the same amount of money. In order to save a dollar in transaction processing fee we decided to exchange the money together. But the amount of NTD we received were not exactly even. I was confused and did not fully process the 1:30 exchange correctly. And a 20ntd difference in amount seemed huge. 8991 was what we each should have gotten each. 300x30.02-30 ~ 9000. But the exchange person was not able to break it into those amounts and instead we had 9000 and 8982.
We loaded 100 + 500 onto our easy card under my friend’s insistence. And I did not really push further because we needed to top up many times throughout. Then heated towards Taipei main station. I knew how to get there from looking at directions from before and we arrived at our hotel. It was a windowless double room. A first time for me because that would not pass safety code in Canada. Then bought some bananas and tianbula from the seven downstairs. I used my easy card to pay and it was 120ntd.
Day 1 - Feb 21st, 台北 Taipei
Breakfast was a place my friend found near the 龙山寺longshan temple. I had soy milk and turnip cake for 54ntd. Then we proceeded to walk around towards the songshan temple were surprisingly a lot of people were gathered chanting. Different chants at the same time and I as a tourist almost felt out of place observing this spiritual practice and taking pictures. Then we proceeded to the 薄皮料 bo pi liao district which is a commercial section of town during the Qing dynasty and now is a revitalized urban art district. Because we were so early everything was closed. We wandered around and found some narrow street markets and there I saw the exotic fruit that I saw online. I did not barter and asking questions that sounded like a tourist overpaid for the shijia 凤梨释迦 custard apple. The vendor was nice in cutting up the fruit for us to taste and I accidentally ate the skin which was quite bitter. But over paying 167ntd which is around $5+ usd for a fruit left a bitter taste in my mouth as I could not walk away from an uncomfortable interaction. Had I been more confident I would have bartered but I didn’t want to make him lose out after he’s cut into the fruit. My friend noticed the change in my mood but I guess what I was hoping for was a lightened mood like this is what we get for being a tourist, paying the tourist tax.
Next we went to a Michelin rated food stall 一甲子餐飲 with long lines and plenty of foreign tourist. Ordered a fish soup and guacamole bao. They were good but nothing exceptional. Next was ximending and the octagon house. The women in one of the stores selling cute merchandise had the sweetest voice and I felt bad not buying anything from her. It was a rabbit design but I didn’t take any pictures. Then found don don donki or donquihote and wandered through that store filled with prerecorded sales messages and bought a pretty good crableg to share for 30. Next it was a popular O a Jian place 天天利 for about 35. A lot of these places I think I could have eaten a full portion.
By this time I was pretty tired from walking and wanted to go back for a nap. The walk back we also stopped into some stationary and book stores. I asked about glasses because I had hopes to buy a pair of prescription glasses in Asia but the stores simply did not cater to my prescription and were not helpful in suggesting other places and were generally unhelpful. Overall encounters from less than 24hrs has been people who are extremely unhelpful. From airport attendant to exchange to stores to fruit vendors.
The afternoon we headed to 大安Da an a neighbourhood that one of the bloggers really liked. I ordered a soy ice cream for 55. It gave me a sore throat and I had to buy lozenges. concept of tofu cheesecake was introduced. And I really don’t like the concept of imitation products. Why does it have to imitation cheesecake. really no need. Then walked to a Japanese colonial day prison now turned arts centre Rongjin Gorgeous Time青田 and could not find my friend after using the bathroom. Who goes off without saying anything. Then proceeded for her to use the bathroom. I was irritated but we can’t control our bowels and I needed a rest too. Next was to 师大Shida night market and it was much smaller than anticipated. I was getting really hungry and had some vermicelli noddles and they were cut into pieces. The rain was starting to fall and we were really not prepared for the rain. Had some 甜不辣tian bu la 65ntd at another vendor after standing around and waiting for an open seat. There were a few foreigners and they seemed like exchange students and I felt that knowing the language culture just gives you a different experience completely. Proceeded to Raohe another night market and tried 12.5 地瓜球 35, 50 Skewer 100, 30 Papaya milk 60, then went back to the hotel for the night were I proceeded to buy 15usd 3g wifi esim 30 days from airalo.
There is a lot of restored old areas of taipei. People can walk a small distance to access everything. The zoning of commercial and residential are very much intertwined. A lot more older people in the day out and about. People are dressed casually. I am not familiar with the barter culture in tw but the vendor that sold me the taiwanese pinneaple custard apple hybrid may have sold one to me at a higher price. Lots of walking in neighbourhoods. People in tw are very creative and artsy. With many areas and districts for the creative.
That evening my friend asked me what I wanted to do tomorrow, I told her I wanted to check out the national palace museum but she was disappointed with my suggestion and the tension began. After a long day of walking around I kinda thought we could relax a bit more and head into hualien earlier by train so we could confirm with bike rentals but all these suggestions were filled with tension. I did not want to leave Taipei so quickly either but because she did not want to have her period on the bike ride we moved up the itinerary.
Day 2 - Feb 22nd, 台北Taipei to 花莲Hualien
In the morning she changed her mind and was okay going to the museum and we proceeded to go to get breakfast. I got 20 米浆, 60 猪排 rice roll and gave her some food but then she got coffee and then went back to the breakfast place she skipped and we headed back to the hotel to get ready for heading out and she did not say anything and I could feel something was wrong. I suggested we go with her plan and suddenly she got ready to go out. We packed up and checked our bags at main station locker spending extra money that would have been avoided by leaving it at the hotel. Bought our train tickets to hualien the night before after negotiating with the times. I argued hard for the safety and for bike rental check in.
Walked to 大稻埕Dadaocheng Visitor Center, 迪化dihua, then took bus to 華山1914 creative park. My esim stopped working and her roaming with tmobile still worked. I was doubting my phone and my esim and tired from jet lag. The neighbourhoods were nice. 大稻埕 was again a former commercial district, and 華山 was another creative district. Architecture and creative spaces. Ate lunch 250 veg set meal一碗來TaiwanMama. Then bought a cute sticker with a ming nan saying about 游玩 for 30ntd 我qu tou wan wan. I was tired of wandering through cutesy shops and then we decided to head back to the train station. I bought a 100 train bento, chicken veggie rice. picked up the luggage, 90 locker 寄存行李太北站. My friend bought her own bento for the train and wanted to wander around more before heading in. This time I went with her to wander.
The 3D animals are pretty cool. 650 3d panda maybe. Lots of exhibitions and parks with really quite interesting trees. First time seeing a banana tree. The train system is easy to use and train bentos are quite convenient. The taipei main station has lot more interconnected areas and takes a long time to get through b.w the airport express, tra and mrt.
I feel a bit anxious abt my bike ride. My concerns are valid. Did u see everything you wanted to see. I need to calm my anxiety.
We arrived at Hualien. Checked into our minsu. The place was nice and had three beds. The bike rental place had a guy chasing us just to confirm our information. It was a bit hard to find but I did my research ahead of time. So when later on my friend brought up that she was feeling like I was watching out for the two of us I felt really puzzled. I was busy taking care of logistics, jet lag, and my own anxiety. Had I known she had biked for extended periods of time to train for this train, had I known she had international roaming on her phone, had I known she had tsaPrecheck. Had I known she had all these energy that she must use up my expectations would be different.
Day 3 - Feb 23rd, 太鲁阁 Taroko
breakfast was at seven costing 97ntd 早餐 711, 红薯，茶叶蛋，香蕉. Then we proceeded to the pickup location for the tour. The bus driver tour guide was extremely friendly. Our tour were a total of 7 foreigners. 2 Singaporean, 2 Japanese, 2 Canadian, 1 Spanish. The Spanish traveller had on really strong perfume that gave me a headache. It was awkward having to switch seats and the tour bus, but I had to. I could use the a/c vent broken reason to explain to the bus driver.
Taroko was gorgeous and filled with tourist. I think my favourite part was probably the shakadong trail. It was also here where I found out my concept of time is very different from my friends. I don’t feel good having others wait for me. I like to be punctual and time. So by this point there were two incompatibilities that I was working through. The concept of time, and the concept of energy. This when I realized that Singaporeans don’t all speak perfect English. And their Chinese is also not that great when compared with native Chinese.
- shakadong trail
- Changchun 长春 Shrine
- Swallow Grotto 燕子口
- Indigenous buffet lunch, 自助午饭
- Nine Turns
- buluowan - bridge
- Seven Star beach 七星潭
3 200 000 population in singapore.
Arrived in hualien last night. The city train station is really nice. Was able to check in with bike rental and the cozy house hostel. Taroko tour was great with many scenic stops as it is a national park. The most memorable part was probably shakadong hike and qixingtan. Seeing the pacific ocean from the other side feels good. Extremely windy tho. Got the bikes from asheng and feeling anxious about riding an e bike. The frame was as requested smaller than my actual height to balance the extra weight from the portable eectric compartment.
After the tour we picked up our bikes and returned to the minsu. It was the first time I was riding an e-bike and also the first time I rode a bike since forever because I can’t even recall the last time I rode a bike. Maybe in San Francisco on the suspension bridge when my food was cramping up.
1800 Bike rental
Proceeded to have dinner at 幽靈餐車80ntd，卤肉饭，鸡汤，青菜，豆腐. It was quite a walk as well. It was a bit awkward not following any recommendation from the minsu. This is when Sha brought out the fact she didn’t know how to respond to some of my remarks. This is when I started not talking unless it was something specific that I needed to communicate to Sha.
Day 4 - Feb 24th, 瑞穗 Ruisui
Packing list for bike trip: Rain jacket Compression socks Tshirt Nike pants Tights, shorts, tshirt, underwear, socksContacts, lotion, facewash, portable charger, hairtie, towel, sunscreen, eyebrow, concealer, toothbrush and paste, Contact soln. Food and snacks.
Dropped off luggages at the train station, I head back to hostel to nap when my friend explored. I bought breakfast at seven and realized seven was really not that cheap, but just convenient. coconut water was 70ntd. The tickets to hualien were also bought that morning
38+19 57 train hualien to linrong, 70 行李托运. My energy level was quite low. There were no taxi service in the morning that can be called without a Taiwan number early in the morning. This meant walking from the hostel with luggage to the train station, then walking back and getting the bikes and walking to the train station.
Sha came just in time for checkout time.We left for the train station and headed to linrong to meet up with my friend at her resort. Met up with lydia who showed her retreat and it was lovely. Had 300 beef noodle 孫叔叔牛骨牛肉麵 at a local spot and it was delicious.
Then headed out the biking journey towards ruisui. Was tired and rested for abt an hr when my friend went to explore another area.
Got a snack at one of the stops at seven 70 rice ball. Wished we stopped at some of the suggestions from Lydia. But just finished a huge meal and needed to make head way that day. Stopped at the Hualien Sugar factory along the way. It was touristy as touristy can get filled with people and food vendors.
Our stay was at 1000ntd 禾頁屋 民生館 and had trouble reaching the host due to not having a Taiwan phone. We were finally able to reach through by calling using the telephone link from google. The place was nice with double and single bed on the third floor. Ended with dinner at 711, 122=89+33 salad hotdog, then some fruits 50=10+40 banana guava.
The bike ride through the darkness was memorable. I am so thankful for the downhill sections throughout the trip. Reading the speedometer indicating 30km/hr is my comfort zone. But later on the trip I did end up going 40km/hr. It was scary thinking about how fast I was going down the winding road. My risk aversion could also be I can’t see as well ahead and going blind is scary. Kinda like how I felt when I was driving at night with car whizzing around.
It was a difficult first day because I haven’t ridden on a bike hours on end. My butt was extremely sore and my hands were cramping up from always being prepared to brake.
Day 5 - Feb 25th 池上 Chishang
40 Breakfast 萝卜糕
80 sweet green tea 蜂蜜绿茶
75 noodles 60+ 15 猪肉米线，A菜
49 two hershey almond, family mart
70 beef stew rice 711
北回歸線標誌公園，Tropic of cancer
舞鶴茶園公主咖啡蜜香專家楊敬敏玉里麵美食坊富里花海景观区100 easy card topup Getting lost on the small detour.
Accommodation at Sophie’s was on the 4th floor.
It was a tiring biking day. There were times we were next to the shoulder of the road. I didn’t really care how we made it to Chishang as along as we did with the least amount of conflict because many times we could have gone a more direct perhaps scenic route as I pictured but most of it was riding on highways. Although it was a longer ride today, I didn’t feel as tired because I learnt about adjusting with the e-bike modes. I gain energy from biking but also also the headaches and not completely being adjusted to jet lag is taking its toll.
I am glad I didn’t get that stupid coin at the picture spot. When she spotted bikers who flipped over in a ditch I almost felt like she would be someone who would be 幸灾乐祸 taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. Because she kept saying how that could happen. No I hope they are okay.
I would recommend doing the bike ride in April or May instead of Feb as I had to layer with rain jacket, sweatshirt with 2 Layer of pants underneath. There was only one stretch of the road where I was actually sweating. I wanted to make the ride as relaxing and enjoyable as I can, but it was hard because I was navigating as well. I probably would have not gone this 3 day bike trip, instead I would have taken the train and perhaps rented a bike one of the days in Chishang. The bike rentals probably costed much more than the train tickets from Hualien to Taitung. Then it was the unaffordable accommodations because of 228 holiday. I enjoy biking but that was not an enjoyable bike trip because it wasn’t my bike and I wasn’t ready. I did it, but it was not fun.
Day 6 - Feb 26th 台东
50 早餐 voucher 40 rice bagel egg vegetable, orange juice 65 set lunch. 蛋卤肉饭，鱼汤 32 Train ticket 21 + 11 60 popsicle holly - treat 190 dinner 鱼烦
Return bike before 6pm. Pick up luggage after bag return. Check in hotel
Laundry 60 wash holly 30pp Detergent 10 sha, 5pp 50 Dryer 10 for 4min, 50 for 20min.
Sha was upset and voiced her thoughts. She felt I’m not really all there on the trip. That she was looking out for us. She was upset that I got a rice bagel without communicating I was getting one by myself because I was going to ask about the content of rice to flour. I can decide to get a rice bagel by myself if I want to. I’m glad she was able to find this place because I could try something new. But the alternative was the breakfast voucher.
When she was upset I could tell visibly that she was angry from her gaze. She asked if we can move seats and was not happy withe seat I chose after ordering breakfast. As I felt her angry gaze my heart slowed down and I felt a rush of blood with time appearing to slow down. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I don’t want to see this persons angry face. Was this my friend, why was she so upset. And the reason she brought up was “she felt like she is alone on the trip”, “I don’t have the same energy as her other friends on the trip”, “She has to be watching out for the both of us”. If this was back home I think I would have walked away. Booked new accommodations, planned a different trip. But I was not brave enough to stand up for myself. I just wanted the anger to disappear. Everyone has to control their own emotions and Sha is a person who is easily angered. I don’t want to be walking on eggshells. Is this how my sister feels when she says she feels like she has to control her emotions. This is probably what happened in the ikea situation when I was upset about the car rental situation. I was time sensitive and wanted to get all these things done, but what's done is done. I wanted to plan and take care of the situation, but Hope did not feel the same way. This is the case in this scenario. Sha wanted things to go her way, but I did not. I’m going to know how to treat Hope better. By respecting her choices even if I don’t agree.
Met a group of very friendly bikers from Taitung at seven. I was thrown off when my friend decide right after I bought my train and bike ticket to tell me she wasn’t taking the train and wanted to bike all the way to taitung. No where was this communicated beforehand and feels completely different than buying a bagel by myself vs deciding to ride on your own. I did not ask what her plans were. But when she ignored my message that is when I can tell she doesn’t agree. If I were to follow up with what do you think about what I suggested maybe that would have been better. But communication isn’t about always asking other people where they are. It’s willingness to share. Withholding information is a communication style I've seen from several people and it irks me when information is not shared. Like later on when she wanted to meet an acquaintance acquaintance. Why would you not communicate in advance. Just dropping off is not healthy communication. Reminds me of the Toronto trip where she dropped off after a day at ROM.
Sense of time
energy levels
Communication style - Direct vs questioning.
Day 7 - Feb 27th, 台东Taitung to 高雄Kaohsiung
Mask 39
Top Up 100
50 noodle 米苔目
233 train ticket BeachCity walk 铁花村Local train
I forgot my mask when I got down to the ground floor and bought extra masks from seven. Then waited at the bus stop to get into the city. We were living close to the train station, but the city itself is a bit further in. The roads are wide, new, sparse with cars. With the bike ride behind us, I was relieved because the most anxiety causing part of the trip is over. One of the reasons why was because I was not confident being able to bike for 3 days for extended periods of time because that was not something I have ever done. When there is no dress rehearsal and you move onto the real thing then it is pretty normal not to have the confidence. Had I planned out the trip around this bike trip then I would have gone on some long bike rides to practice and ease my stress. But I always knew that my backup plan was the trains and I could always drop out and take the trains to the next destination. It is much safer biking in pairs rather than alone and I did not want to abandon my travel mate. I’m thankful nothing went wrong but am unsure if the other person will have my back. Or maybe they will but criticize you at the same time.
While waiting for the bus in Taitung to get into the city, the bus was delayed. Sha was visibly annoyed and asked if I still wanted to wait for the bus. What was the other alternative I wondered? What did she want to do? I wanted to give it more time and the bus did arrive shortly. The beach was beautiful. But it was definitely hot. I did not put on sunscreen on my shoulders or neck area and was visibly burnt by the afternoon.
There were several places that Sha booked on google maps so we went to the restaurants she marked out because she already did some research. The vermicelli place was average taste wise. Filled with people a mix of tourist and locals? I could not really decipher. Then walked around and headed to Mochi place that had a line that never moved.
Later when Sha asked me which city I liked the most and I replied with Taitung she couldn’t hide her shock and disdain. Someone really needs to teach this girl how to have respect other peoples responses.
The people of Taitung left a mark. The sunburn also physically left a mark. The exotic fruits are also produced in Taitung. The smallness of the city was comfortable.
This trip was filled with a list of drinks that weren’t as expected. The five star bubble tea was a disappointment with customer service. The average person is annoyed to help other people. Maybe this is a problem with too many people. I didn’t get too many drinks but most bbt places don’t have milk alternatives. Disappointed with bbt place in Taitung with and orange drink, coffee chai latte in Kaohsiung was not flavourful, bbt from hohocha was good but felt bloated, millet wine slushy was too alcoholic, roselle drink is too sour, grass jelly drink was bitter. The rice drink at breakfast was good because it was essentially porridge.
languages used on the train systems.
闽南语, hokkien 福建话。
客語、客家話， hakka.
English
Mandarin
Japanese
I like kaoshiung because it feels young new and developed. The public transport system was straight forward. Although there was a lack of pedestrian walkways. Ruifong night market was good.
50 Baiyulianwu 白玉莲雾 white jade wax apple
130 paella. with meat instead of seafood.
60 lamb eggplant skewer
高雄比台北年青。感觉在台湾可也不被看到。在人群里游走自在。人们都比较自己管自己。穿着没有那么正式。繁体字还是困难。农村还是挺朴实。没有感到那么贫穷。物质是可以接受的。 虽然有热情的人，也有感觉到大部分的不耐烦。比如店里的服务，飞机空乘的服务。这次旅游的节奏比较快。每天睡觉的时间还是不规律。希望可以按时10点睡。吃饭缺乏水果。想吃新鲜食物。早饭喝粥，晚饭喝粥，中午吃好。
Day 8 - Feb 28th, 高雄
39 egg rice ball from seven
Pier 2 art center. Very hot and opens later than usual. Got to see all that I wanted and headed back into the city to see if we can get a haircut. The staff all had blond hair and coloured contacts and there was no one available to do a haircut but they did not inform me unless I asked. So I decided to leave and discovered a long line for a lunch place where nurses and everyday workers lined up for. I didn’t understand the price and gave them the wrong amount and there was visible annoyance. I guess I’m not used to visible annoyance. They don’t need my business as they have so many customers. I miss the niceness of Canadians and how I can show up to a salon and receive direct communication at K town. After the takeout I also passed through the market and bought the atemoya fruit for a much cheaper price than last time. It was still more expensive than the supermarket price but at least it was ripe and ready to eat.
90 排骨饭
80 释迦果 70一斤69
I had a little rest and called my sister to just to relieve some of my stress. The highlight of the trip where I truly nice people at that point were the bikers in Taitung. Everyone else was very apathetic. Even the Taiwanese hostel owner kept trying to use English when he knew we spoke Chinese. And explaining to everyone my identify was tiring. Being Chinese Canadian somehow felt second class to “real” Canadians.
The afternoon was spent at the beach on the west coast. The times that were good on the trip were the times when we agreed on what do. For example this afternoon. When Sha got her haircut.
西子湾 beach was right next to 孙中山university through a tunnel going through the mountains. There were a lot of couples taking proposal or wedding pictures. The sea was warm and the sound of the waves were calming. I was so excited about the ocean I stepped into a puddle. My shoes got wet and Sha was upset that I did that. Sure it wasn’t comfortable but not the end of the world and not that big of a deal. I took off my shoes and admired the ocean. After watching the sunset I bought socks at seven. They had embroidered bunnies on the ankles and were 70ntd. A bit pricy for socks but it was a good decision to not walk in wet shoes.
70 socks
65 weigh your food dinner
Because I had food already from lunch and Sha did not we found a place to eat. The food was a bit cold as it was a buffet bento place and peak dinner time has already passed. Then we walk to the lookout point of Kaohsiung with the LOVE sign. The path there was a bit dark and windy up a mountain with no pedestrian path. But to be able to see a city view from up top is one of my favourite things to do in each city I go to.
Love lookout point
Then we went to the Liuhe Night Market where I was able to try to Aiyu drink.
Liuhe st night market
20 aiyu
I withdrew about 7000 from the atm before I needed to because we reached an ATM and Sha wanted to withdraw some money. I thought that maybe she was running low on money and needed to make some withdraw. But it was another 2 days before this happened. She asked me to withdraw when her card failed. And I just cooperated instead of thinking too much into.
I also bought a sunscreen that she suggested because I didn’t know how long my sunscreen will last and know that it is about expire and running low. 289 sunscreen biome white is around $13cad and about how much it is on stylevanna. It is designed for oily skins and leaves a slight white cast.
This is the first time we have to share a bed and sharing one with a blanket hogger is not fun.
Day 9 - Mar 1st, 高雄 台南
The next day was a cafe day and because Sha needs caffein everyday she picked a place with wifi. Looking back I guess I could have just stayed in, but we were checking out that day and that wouldn’t have worked out. The cafe offered sandwich and it was a pretty good one with dijon mustard. The chai latte was just average. I decided to get a haircut but google review led me to a place that only cut male hair and they clearly had picture of females. Very confusing. So I came back to the cafe and let Sha know. Then I ended up going to the place close to our hostel that was recommended by them.
I did not appreciate how the salons were pushy with their sales tactics and because I did not know what was the norm I didn’t find out about the cost of the service thinking Asia was just cheaper in general. But I ended up with a short hair cut and a massage for about 1100ntd. This is about $50 cad which is not exactly cheap, but at least I didn’t have to tip. Then we took the train to Tainan.
150, 160 chai latte, sandwich cafe 400 scalp treatment, 700 haircut 106 train kaohsiung to tainan
Tainan was completely different from Kaohsiung. The public transport is all buses. We arrived and the room was the smallest one yet. The plan was to head to the night market one of the biggest or the biggest in Taiwan with the best food. But public transport was really unreliable. There were many routes to get to the night market and with the multitude of options Sha had to have the final call on which bus to take. Tainan felt warm when we arrived and so I did not take a light down but only a thin long sleeve. Waiting at the bus stop, the delayed bus arrived and was filled with people and did not take on any extra passengers. We probably could have taken another bus and walked the remainder of the way but Sha wanted to walk to another bus stop. And so we did, but once we got there the stop was a tiny one and since I was half way to the night market and the hotel we walked the remainder of the way to the market.
2175 ntd 108港会馆 2 night total - double bed 30 chicken 串30 棺材面包100 牛肉汤 holly30 肉燥饭 sha 110 taxi back
The market was in an open area and had lots of tables for people to sit at. The lanes were wider. Sha played some shooting games in Tainan and won a stuffed animal that she left behind. People with good vision envious. Night markets are a good business because you eat a variety but you never really get full. I wanted to leave after the food and did not want to wander because I was cold. I told Sha I wanted to leave but she did not. And I still followed her because I did not want to leave without goodbye. But It did not feel good when I had to wait for permission to leave early. I walked and it was cold. So I decided to go to a seven before the bus was suppose to arrive. But it never did. And I went into a hotel and asked them to call a taxi. The taxi driver also sighed when I didn’t give him the change he wanted. The attitude of the general public in Taiwan is 叹息“sigh” to express their apathy. Is it a way exhale to destress cuz it is a long exhale. An expression of 无奈。
Many people give me a feeling of 无奈. Irritableness, weariness.
Day 10 - Mar 2nd, 台南
Chill day in Tainan. Because of the previous days bus fiasco there was no bus planned into today’s itinerary. It was just walking around and wandering. Sha had coffee and then we had breakfast.
25 toast with egg
Confucius temple
Then we went to a supposedly popular chain for lunch. It was very average. I was tired from all the walking. We met a tour group of teachers who were on a trip to learn about architecture. She recommended some dinner place and I marked it down. But people who ask for others suggestions and dismiss their suggestion irks me.
140 但在米粉 = 50 + 90
80 广东周 chicken and mushroom
50 酸梅甘草guava
I had congee and guava and walked around other neighbourhoods that were artsy and selling goods and sat with Sha when she bought her dinner.
compassion is not wanting people to suffer. I don't want those who wronged me to suffer either. I want acknowledgement. I want basic decency.
Day 11 - Mar 3rd, 台南 嘉怡
I had my breakfast at this lovely son father stall. And shared half with Sha. Then we went to the district I wanted to yesterday. The anping tree house was fascinating but I think Sha has seen something similar before. I enjoyed the historical museum and learning more about the history of Taiwan. Da Yuan, Tayuoan, Taiwan. This trading port was witness to lots of history and changes.
55 35 20 粽子
50 安平树屋
Lunch was at a place with huge line and it was good. My period came later that night and drinking eating all these beef soups was a good idea.
110 牛肉汤，rice，空心菜
Because I got a hair cut, I was trying out hats. Bucket hats are popular here. But when Sha is around I some how felt pressured to buy a hat instead of walking away when I don’t find something I like. This is because I don’t like taking up other peoples time. I didn’t wear my baseball hat those couple of days because baseball hat and my hair cut might not have worked together. And it blows around when I didn't have a clip. The hat I ended up with was $5cad and was reversible and light. It was blue and matched everything I had that was blue.
120 帽子
I skipped the fort zeelandia and Sha went in to explore then I was ready to head home. At the bus there was another discussion about the route of the bus which I didn’t really care for. After we got back to Tainan hostel Sha wanted to check out the blueprint creative centre which I did want to go to yesterday. But I was pretty tired. This is pretty late in the afternoon and I decided to go to. I wanted to just sit in the cafe but the price to sit inside was much more than takeout. I really don't understand why there is a surcharge. So I found a chair in the blue house and just sat inside. We had our first and only burger place and got a beef sandwich but it was less than average. The bun is a cake instead of a bun.
120 sandwich burger
While getting ready to leave, calling a taxi is an option, but the hostel we were staying at was in an alley way and the nearest intersection was going in the opposite direction I didn’t think it was worth calling one. But walking to the bus stop there was taxi waiting there and we hopped in. I had a feeling Sha wanted to take a taxi because I took one on the first day and she did not. The taxi driver was nice because we were going to the train station. And gave suggestions on how to feel less tired. I guess he was nice because he had context of who we were. But the taxi driver from a few days ago saw that I called him from a hotel. Had I had more energy, maybe I would have chatted more about public transport. For some reason Sha really like Tainan and I think it’s because she was influenced by the hairdresser who coloured her hair and also had success finding her comb and bags. I really did not like Tainan because of the poor transport system.
50 taxi
139 train ticket
We got on the train to Chiayi and I was passed my tired point. Sha stated that I just zone out when I’m tired. And it is because I don’t have the energy to express my opinion. And it’s just easier to let someone take control. Why argue about what is the best way to get there when the other person doesn’t trust you. To not be trusted and only trust yourself. That is normal.
This was where we arrived at our accommodation with bunk beds. I was tired. We had a long day and asked for preference before quickly deciding on the bed and showering. I was criticized for washing my hair. Sha didn’t trust that I would take a short shower.
Day 12 - Mar 4th, 嘉怡
64 = 25 guava, 13 egg, 24 apple
30 turkey rice
50 冬瓜菊花
100 tile museum
175 砂锅鱼头
20 tomatoes with ginger syrup
69 feet patch
75 hair clips
I got up went to stores and had breakfast. This was the day where finding a cafe seemed so difficult because there was a minimum spend for each customer but there was only coffee on the menu. I was not feeling good compromising and decided to leave to find my own place to relax. I got a chrysanthemum wintermelon drink and that was probably the best bbt drink I had in the whole trip. Relaxing outside allowed me to search for what to do and explore.
I headed to the tile museum that was not far away. And sat there for a long time resting. I needed to recover from the day in day out walking. I was early to the meet up location for fish head soup and waited a long time for soup. Then we walked around bought some tomatoes and headed back. I waited for her to come back to share the tomatoes. To me it makes sense the person who comes back early should use the washroom first. And to my surprise when I came out of the washroom my things were all locked inside the locker with the key inside. Believe people are not intentionally bad. But the selfishness side will come through. I spend 100ntd unlocking the locker because we had to leave early for Alishan. Sha did not want to take the early bus, but the later the bus will be more crowded. We decided to leave early and I skipped breakfast because I wanted to get there early. After reaching the bus stop there were no lines formed and I wanted to leave my stuff to get breakfast but Sha wanted to go too when earlier it was all my decision to go or not. I guess what irks me is when people change their mind. And maybe that is why Sha was annoyed when I changed my mind and got my own bagel. We made it on the bus sitting in the last row. Having done some research we knew the ride was going to be bumpy. And I do get motion sickness on buses. Saying I hope you don’t puke was not comforting at all. And when later a little boy was puking due to motion sickness she had to point it out.
Nit picking me here there for less than 2 cents is annoying. I will dish out the same. The last time we went to Pavarotti she never paid me for the tea or bun. That’s probably $5 there. I’m not going to to fuss over it. But when some does that it annoys me. So I will pay separately when I’m out with Sha to make things easier.
100 door unlock fee.
I’m thankful for the Vietnamese travellers who asked their friend that had a Taiwan number to call for me to have someone come and unlock the door. They were sweet and stuck to my side so I don't feel as alone. Kindness will find kindness.
Day 13 - Mar 5th, Alishan
8:40 bus 7322c 240 Breakfast. Egg rice ball 30, 50 chocolate
Lunch. 60
711 Dinner 75, 59 tianbula, yogurt Train 120, 100
Entrance 150
Very big trees, lots of stairs going downwards because we took the train into the station. I only had the choice to pick a restaurant when we walked up and down and she didn’t want to eat at any of them. But when I ordered a plate of rice beef dish she did eat half of the portion.
The mist started flowing in during sunset and visibility became really low. I didn’t see any pictures of Alishan beforehand, but the flowers were only partially blooming. Every spot was filled with tourists and people had these walking sticks. The paths were mostly stairs and it’s not the easiest on the joints for the elderly. I think the naturalness of a mountain is much more impressive than a bunch of tourists. If you like mountains Taroko might be better because Alishan is really commercial.
The hotel was probably the worst accommodation I have ever stayed at. Heated blanket instead of real heating. Bathroom smelled horrible. And you can hear everything from the next door neighbour.
Day 14 - Mar 6th, sun moon lake
510 leave from hotel530 am sunrise Checkout 11am 55 egg, egg rice
60 almond tea
Free bkfst porridge and veggies
70 Turnip cake, millet porridge
6739 bus @ 1pm 350 ntd
Wenwu temple, 6669 bus Last bus 6:19pm 10 Banana 402 credit card, 345, 20 thao style. shao 邵族风味200 each
You want me to assert myself but when i do make my needs known you are not happy. You feel alone on the trip but you walk away without communicating. You don't trust my decision or opinion so in order not to have conflict i do not offer my opinion. But then you feel like you are making all the decisions. But when i make a decision you are unhappy.
Do you have a preference for top or bottom?
No
Ok, I’ll take the bottom.
Comes into room and puts all your stuff on the only side table. I put my stuff on the top bunk.
I’ll take the top.
Okay not happy with how bunk beds have been shared. I don’t have a preference. Why don’t you pick.
I don’t comfortable making the decision.
am I going to be able to sleep tonight over this stupid bunk bed argument
gets out the coin. you flip it.
I don't want to.
fine. Flips coin and bed is decided.
Day 15 - Mar 7th, sun moon lake to taichung
bkfst, trail, hohocha
60 tea, tea egg55 bbt 100 ferry
55 35 20 skewer, zongzi
40 45/2 35/2 dango, millet doughnut
25 millet wine
65 chicken veg Lunch 26 bus
Taichung
193 ntd6670D 6:25pm Taichung minzu station 9:10 arrive 3hrs27, 51, 11 bus to stray bird 6670A 5 - 7:30pm
15 Banana
25 28 sweet potato, yogurt
The right side mirror of the bus was side swept on a tight turn and fell off. I was sad for the bus driver but felt he did a great job keeping his composure. I was glad I was patient even when I was annoyed while waiting for bus because your travel partner gives you anxiety. There is nothing you can do but wait.
I was happy to meet the Turkish shop owner but sad his friendliness is taken advantage of. He has been in Taiwan for 7 years that is a really long time. Its Shao is really dead in the evenings. And the disappointment of reading some guys blog raving about a place and not being able to visit it the first night disappeared. How can you not trust someone when you didn’t plan for anything. You can be disappointed but being unreasonable is a female quality. Ugh I hate when people make me guess. I only say guess if I don’t want to truly answer. Not going to bother entertain you. It is important to communicate when a group is going to separate ways.
Stray bird is a nice accommodation. No longer having to share tiny showers and deciding who to go first. Laundry facilities.
Day 16 - Mar 8th, 台中
artsy district
120 beef noodle
春水堂 115 bbt 梅露洛神花 mei lu luo shen hua Literature museum - colonial Japan space
tea area
Confucius area
old railway homeless person
130 curry pork
100 Icecream Miyahara pinneapple guava chocolate icecream
Day 17 - Mar 9th, 台中 to 台北
Hola store 249 slippers 103 =18,18, 25, 42, apple2, guava, rolls 70 北京炸酱面，刀削面。
375 ticket train
Standing seats till hsinchu
Elephant mountain common street names:
Ren ai Lin seng Zhong shan Zhong zhen
50 sushi 60 takoyaki 40 grass jelly, 黑粉团, 青草
rude people at tonghua district. if you don’t spend you don’t get service.
Day 18 - Mar 10th, 九分
seven 25, 30 bkfst Jiufen bus 90ntd
30 tofu stuffed 1.5
45 Ice cream Keelung mountain
miao kou night market 125 sushi
45 taro cake Crab and rice 75, 35 = 110
people want to practice their English. retired people live in Taiwan but worked in China.
Day 19 - Mar 11th, 台北
1965 built to store treasures
Bronze mixed lead, tin, Shape, 3 legs, Ding I am my grandfathers grandson Hu Older than 3000 years more masks
Jade yu bi disk harder than steel or iron Worship the universe 天圆地方 jade changes colour green to white Red tree root brush wash Orange peach long life Bat lucky
Pottery faded colour Porcelain withstand high temp
Ru yao factory green blue porcelain White blue colbalt from arabic countries
Sugar white
Ivory ball 17 layers
Lunch Set 385 pork knuckles
Wonton 35 Bbq pork sandwich, potato. 25, 45
Met a guy from Taitung on the airport express. He had tattoos and was dark skinned with those eyes I'm familiar with. People in Taitung are nice. But general population is not nice.
Day 20 - Mar 12th, Singapore
7.5 breakfast chicken rice set
10, 5 +5 ez card
Bakguak ~5
1.5 ice cream bread
1 watermelon slice
Radish cake 4
Popiah 2 16 for food total
10 transport 26 spent24 remain
2 airport to chinatown
1 bay to chinatown
Cendol Gado gado salad...
Day 21 - Mar 13th, Singapore
Kamponh village in malaysian Indonesian earliest settlers Lavender st. Used to smell b.c of fertilizer.
3% land agriculture
75 chinese 15 malay 10 indian
Public housing apartments $20,000 50years ago $500,000 minimum to $1million Pinnacle
2 million for private apartments
Gambong glam tree
6 tour 3 milo 7 fried soup lunch 6 Biriyani 2 bus 5 mrt card 1 soymilk on card 7.85 Grocery 0.65 Snacks
36.5 cash remaining 365 ntd remaining
Maybe im allergic to soymilk. After drinking one from 711 and the soymilk icecream i do get a scratchy throat.
Its my last day in singapore and last day of this trip. To be able to reflect and think about the past 3 weeks which i have not fully processed. It has been an intense trip. Full of anxiety but high lights as well. Did i challenge myself? yes. Did I experience new things? Yes. Did I try my best? Yes. I gave myself the gift and luxury to experience new things. What am i goong to do once i get back. Will i be as motivated to want to integrate. Its strange being the same but also being different in a new place. To look the part but feel lost and uneasy. Its not home. Im not at ease. To feel at ease immediately. There are more young ppl in singapore. But people are generally quite grumpy. From the hawkers to the bus driver. The huge disparity b.w rich and poor is clearly visible. The mix of races is forced integration. People can coexist peacefully but the mixing is it truly there? How do the singaporeans see themselves.
Interesting architecture. British colonial reminense to connect india and china with malay roots as its neighbours. It can import everything from malaysia via land and is a city nation but not an island nation.
Taiwan and singapore both have chinese connection with distinct accents. Both of their accents take getting used to. And understanding singlish is difficult because its very choppy without any emphasis on syllables.
People coexist but people are not seen. No one will hold the door for others.
The people from this trip that made an impression.
Taitung 711 bikers Taitung airport express california traveller Turkish sun moon lake vendor Drama teacher from Tainan Retired businessman keelung mountain Spanish taroko gorge traveller Vietnamese group at chiayi German flight attendant singapore
People are very active in singapore at night. Because walking outside is tiring for long periods of time. Lots of runners, bikers and rollerbladders
Day 22 - Mar 14th, Singapore to Taipei
Bohemian bkfst Kaya toast
10.20 bak kuh teh 8.60 on menu Slide 210 set dinner soup, rice, veggie, drink
26.30 sgd remaining Fx sgd: ntd 22.79
155 ntd remaining Sgd to ntd 25sgd to 522ntd
720= 677+43 gifts
Flight afterthoughts
Emily the criminal Trading places Decision to leave Player one
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