Taiwan Chiayi - Kaoshuing

5^th January   Fisherman’s Homestay, Ita Thao  - Jia Xin Hotel, Chiayi  106kms

Gorgeous cycling to begin. Left the accommodation and had breakfast at the 7-11 at 7am. Biked up out of Ita Thao through gorgeous sunny jungle. Just amazingly quiet and peacefulwith the sun’s rays shining through.  Climbed up a big hill to Master Xuan Zang Memorial Hall/ Temple. Gorgeous and very peaceful so early in the morning. Then a great descent – through damp jungle with the sun shining hotter all the time. Some amazing tunnels with Ita Thao mosaic tiles through them. Huge descent below the level of the dam and then an ascent back up to Yuchi Village and back round where we first met the lake road. What a fabulous trip and truly beautiful place.

Descended through the tunnel and then steeply to Shuili and on to Jiji where we reunited with 85 degrees for some coffee and croissants. Long trip down to Chiayi – flat –but a long long way and a little uphill in one of the first towns. Good to get there just on dusk at 5.30pm and find it fairly easily. Relaxed at the Jia Xin Hotel and later went out for food – had yummy laska at an authentic fast food type place. A bit stunned when Hugh ordered the starter of pigs’ ears but predictably it wasn’t a great hit!

6^th January   Rest day Alishan Railway – Chiayi   Lots of walking at Fenqihu

We were up for breakfast at 85 degrees at 7am and queuing for Alishan Railway tickets at 8am. Got them easily and were soon on the 8.30am to Fenqihu Station. The journey took 2 hours 20 mins and became increasingly dramatic and through jungle and forest with gorgeous skylines – really fun journey and lots of fun people as well. When we got to the town we walked down the Old Street and Lucy had a Bento box for lunch and we had garlic bread and Chinese doughnuts. Then went for a walk for an hour or more through the forest around the village. Absolutely gorgeous. Wooden walkways, monkeys in the bamboo wild, stunning views and just very very peaceful and lovely. 

Caught the train down again at 3pm which was even more gorgeous with the golden hour between 4 and 5pm as we came down with the sun setting over the mountain ridges. Amazing and such a shame that the line is closed to Alishan since a typhoon. It would be great to revisit if it was rebuilt.

Back to the hotel and out for dinner later. Walked to the Wenhua Night Market and had street food there – yummy deep fried scallion pancakes with an egg tossed in – absolutely amazing. The kids had crepes as well. Lots of the food is so lovingly and carefully prepared, nothing is wasted and everything is recycled. Remakable country.

7^th January        Jia Xin Hotel, Chiayi – Maple Hotel, Tainan  75kms

Left Chiayi and the Jia Xin Hotel early after breakfast at McDonalds!! – after there wasn’t a table at the 85 degrees. It was a bit of fun – probably the first time we all have been there ever. When we left the hotel the lady hugged me which was unexpected but lovely. Pretty big flat ride from Chiayi to Tainan. Stopped at Carrefour and Decathlon on the way out of town but Decathlon not open and Hugh got lost in Carrefour shooting baskets! We stopped again at the Tropic of Cancer Park which was impressive but a little run down.  Arrived at the maple Hotel late afternoon and it was lovely! Went for Vietnamese dinner later. Really low-key and cheap. Lovely.

8^th January   Maple Hotel, Tainan – Leesing Hotel, Kaoshuing   52kms

Lovely breakfast at the maple Hotel, packed up and left. What a day! Great first hour down the coast south of Tainan and cycle path right by the sea. Cloud keeping things cool. Saw a shipwrecked boat – cool. Then came to a fork in the road and argued a bit over which way to go. In the end John and Hugh went back the way I wanted to go and Lucy and I went the way they wanted to go. Nightmare! Ended up getting completely separated. Lucy and I went to the 7/11 the way we went and then after a few desperate texts John and Hugh arrived 45 minutes later! All tired and a complete cock-up. 

Carried on flattish terrain to Kaoshuing. Very busy and we all tired but easy to get into town. Arrived 5pm-ish. After a terrible day we ended up having the best evening. Walked down to love River in the dark about 7pm. Absolutely gorgeous. Had a beer by where a jazz busker was playing – so good. Lovely temperature after a very hot day. Wandered further down and Lucy wanted to go on a gondola so we did!! $40 for all of us and the guy sang on the boat which was a total highlight. Amazing. Then we found a cool bar and had burgers and chips and beer which was great! We all relaxed and had a great time. Then looked at a retro Vespa shop and wandered home. It was such a nice evening and such a cool city.