Waking up in Pingsi, with the cool morning mountain breeze and the quietness of Sunday morning village life, leaves you with the feeling of...DON'T MOVE THIS FEELING CAN LAST, just draw the curtains and pull up the covers...alas...Mindy came knocking at 7am sharp and kept knocking until 7:10am.
After a quick refreshing shower I headed down for breakfast, and after a couple of locals with the locals the previous night...breakfast, a grandpa and a jug of water was just what the doctor ordered.
I was happy with my choice of garlic toast(my only choice mind you), fried egg, ham and 2.5ml tomato sauce exactly.
Beautiful garden of guesthouse, I loved the lanterns, naturally.
Enjoying breakfast and coffee in the beautiful garden, you had to admire the amazingly constructed, Jingan Suspension Bridge built in 1947, for transporting coal of course,crossing the Keelung River and at 128 meters in length it is all but impressive.
Outside dining area
Pathway from guesthouse to Shihfen Old street
Jingan Suspension bridge, at night time...
Jingan Suspension bridge, at day time.
While taking in all the beauty around us we took another couple of pictures, said our goodbyes to our amazing host at the 1922 Louachu guesthouse and piled into our waiting bus.
Group photo on the bridge...
And we all stand together!
Our next stop was the town of Neiwan in the district of Hsinchu. It was about a 1 hour and 40 minute drive so time was either used by chatting with new friends, getting some more shut eye or just listening to your favorite music.
Neiwan is surrounded by green mountains and on a beautiful sunny day it takes your breath away. Neiwan is located between 500-700 meters above sea level in the Hengshan Township and with the Youluo river twisting through this valley, we can call this a sub-tropical rain forest...beautiful.
Taiwan flag, blue skies and green mountains...picture perfect.
Crops to the north of the river was mostly planted by man, and the area to the south of the river is mostly sloped and covered with fast growing shrubs and small trees. The area habitats a variety of birds, animals and insects AND from May - October large amounts of fireflies can be seen in the woods and I'll definitely be back to witness that.
Neiwan is home to the white ginger lily flower which grows in abundance in this area. And with a White Ginger Lily Theme park the scent fills the air and is used to flavor many local delights like egg rolls, mochi, cakes and ice cream. Not being a very big ginger fan I must admit I enjoyed the subtle taste of ginger that is created by this beautiful flower.
Hand made egg rolls from Neiwan
As my brother and sister-in-law lives in the Hsinchu district, Tertius and
+Christelle De Jager took a 30 minute Sunday scooter drive to Neiwan to come and say hi. It was the first time I've seen them since arriving in Taiwan it was a welcome mental boost to see and spend time with family. Thanks De Jager's and thanks to the group for welcoming them and making them part of the tour.
Our Brilliant guides in Neiwan
Busy street market
We walked down a street market that was bustling with people and tourist. The stalls sold anything from clothes, shoes, cold beverages and Michael's favorite stinky tofu, man you can smell that miles away.
I seem to want to do a leopard crawl just to get under and away from that smell...
We walked through a tunnel that passed under the train tracks on our way to the comic book museum.
Neiwan is home of the famous Taiwanese comic, Big Auntie and writer/creator Liu Hsing-Chin. Figures and characters of Big Auntie can be seen all around town and this attracts many tourists.
Walking through the comic museum was like walking through a timeline of ideas, characters and drawings. Filled with earlier methods of writing and publishing comics, the life of creator Liu Hsing-Chin is also displayed through out the museum giving it a personal touch. The guide were dressed in character and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Before entering museum, relieving Mindy from board carrying...and I clearly have no clue what she's saying.
Inside of comic museum...too cool!
What was even cooler...The Big Auntie removable heads that we could put on. We had loads of fun with her.
Big Auntie Mariza...
...Product of Wellington??
Giving Big Auntie Mindy a kiss!
Meis...Auntie can't breath!!
Our next stop was the Neiwan Police station. It was a old wood constructed building which was build during the Japanese ruling, early 1900's.It is known to be the oldest police station in Taiwan and while police men are still stationed there, this actually makes Neiwan police station the oldest operating police station on the island.
Group photo in front of Neiwan Police station.
Ters, Meis en ek...tussen treine.
Our next stop was the Neiwan train station. Originally trains did not run to Neiwan, but with changing times the railway reached the area in the 1950's. The station building is still in it's original architectural style of the 50's and 60's, which I of course love and respect.
Back door and track side view of Neiwan train station.
Smile...smile your on Vincent Phang's camera...Vincent is the only one excited:-)
Awe!
Next we were off to lunch at the Neiwan Theater. The theater was build in 1950. And with no TV in the 50's I can just imagine this was the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night. After years of wear and tear the theater was restored but was turned into a restaurant. The restaurant serves traditional Hakka cuisine, and may I add...absolutely delicious, mind blowing flavors, textures and the best food I have yet to eat in Taiwan.
Entrance of the Neiwan Theater
Neiwan Theater restaurant
While enjoying your exquisite meal, patrons can enjoy early Taiwanese movies, creating a unforgettable atmosphere and mood. While dining we enjoyed a war themed movie...
Fried pork, tofu, spring onion and white ginger lily flowers for a mild ginger undertone ,in the background is the same dish except for pork squid is used.
This was by far my favorite dish...I hastily took a picture before I polish it all.
It was a pork dish done in a seaweed spice broth.
Pork meatballs in a rich vegetable and mushroom broth
Simply delicious fried chicken served cold.
Medicinal black chicken hot pot...I gave this one a skip...one bad experience with a hot pot was enough for me to avoid the next.
Man of the moment, owner of restaurant giving us a personal demonstration class on how to cut Mochi. This after Mindy pulled out some muscle and broke the chopsticks.
Superwoman...Mindy!
Go Christelle...I'm taking note wide eyed and chewing.
....practice makes perfect.
After lunch we were allowed to stroll or rather roll around the street market but time to leave came too soon and I had to say my goodbyes;-(
Back to city life and Taipei, where we visit a old sugar refinery museum. Taiwan is very tropical and therefore sugar cane grow in abundance.At the museum the whole process, ancient and modern, of sugar making was explained. From harvesting the cane through every stage until you get the end product. Fine sugar to rough sugar crystals.
The old train that use to transport sugar cane in it's day.
A model displaying the method of crushing the sugar cane.
Original stones used.
Sugar cane growing in the museum garden
Smile your on 'candied' camera!
Wanhua is a district in Taipei which is also called Moga in Taiwanese. This was our next stop, and Moga is known and promoted as the commercial fashion area in Taipei. We were joined by the chairman of Moga district, a man with passion for his town, country and clothing.
The fashion institute of Taipei
We were privileged to be taken on a tour through this boutique where real fancy clothes are designed and hand made. There is small show rooms displaying clothes, and we even saw a room where they have fashion parades with cat walk the works...
Naai, Naai, Naai....
I was absolutely in love with this display...so organized!!
One of the many showrooms with awesome designs and clothing.
From the Fashion institute we were taken to one of the oldest buildings in Taipei. It was currently standing empty and really sad because it is a beautiful piece of history.
One of Taipei's oldest buildings.
Just the day before
+Michael Turton and I had a discussion on driving and traffic rules and signs in Taiwan. And we both had to agree of how little stop signs there is. Well I did not have to go far from that conversation to find my first stop sign. Of course I was so excited everyone else thought I was nuts to take a picture of a stop sign...well I haven't seen one since leaving South Africa and I have never seen one in Chinese...OK!
My very first stop sign in Taiwan.
Last and final group photo in Moga Taipei.
I would like to thank everyone involved in making this a absolutely memorable trip. Everything I experienced and learned was priceless. Not to mention the fascinating and interesting people I had the pleasure to meet.
Thanks to Mi-Schi Chang and Vincent Phang for some memorable photo's used in my blog.
I hope everyone enjoyed a superb tour through Northern Taiwan?!
Until my next Happie
Regards
Mariza....Mo Li
.JPG)
.JPG)
