Early in the morning we took high speed train to go to Taichung. There was a 15% discount for the ticket, since we bought it early. Most of our big luggage were left at Taipei hotel, so that it's easy for us to move around. Our train left Taipei station at 7:54 am, so, we just had a quick breakfast bought from 7-Eleven that morning. We reached Taichung around 8:45, and our driver has been waiting for us. Below is his contact.
He is a nice guy. We were worried whether we will have time to cover everything that we wanted to go for the day, and he told us not to worry because he won't rush us, since he himself love traveling as well, and he doesn't like to be rushed. He is very knowledgeable about all the places around Taichung and Nantou area. He wasn't only our driver for the day, but also our tour guide.
First destination was 彩虹村 (Rainbow Village). It was showering when we got there.
We then proceed to 日月潭 (Sun Moon Lake). It was raining when we were on our way to Sun Moon Lake. But rain stopped when we reached the destination. We were hungry, so we had early lunch, around 11 am. The popular food was pork knuckle. But, none of us eat that, so we didn't order their specialty. Instead, we ordered a simple meal: Steam fish, mushroom, drunken chicken, vegetable, bamboo shoot. The bamboo shoot is different than the one that we know. It doesn't have the unpleasant smell like the usual bamboo shoot. It looks like asparagus, and the texture is crunchy. Overall, it was pretty good lunch.
Bamboo Shoot
After lunch, our driver sent us to Ferry terminal. The ferry ticket price was NT$300 per person. Here come another good point of our driver. He told me that since he brought us there, the Ferry company usually gives some tips (NT$100 per person). Eight of us, therefore, he will get NT$800, but he will rebate the amount to us. At that time, I didn't even have any words to reply him. How nice he is to do that. But, of course, eventually we included the amount to the tips that we gave him at the end of the day.
The ferry ticket allowed us to hop on and hop off at any pier during the day up to 5 pm.
First stop was Syuanguang temple (玄光寺). We didn't walk further inside, instead we stayed around the port to take pictures.
Since we didn't intend to take cable car, Ita Thao village turned out to be our last stop with ferry. We then met up with our driver and headed to Wenwu Temple. On the way there, we passed by a park. It was a nice park with few beautiful peacocks there. All of us were busy waiting for those peacocks to show their beautiful feathers, then quickly took a picture of it. After everybody had enough of the snapshots, we then carried on with our journey.
The ferry ticket allowed us to hop on and hop off at any pier during the day up to 5 pm.
Second stop was Ita Thao Village (伊達邵). Here we had black tea (紅茶) Ice cream and mochi. Both taste great!
Matithi Ice Cream at Ita Thao Village
Ita Thao Village Pier
Wenwu Temple
As we arrived at Wenwu temple, we saw few stalls selling food in front of the temple. Our driver told us that they were selling herbal egg. Indeed, another famous food at Sun Moon Lake is Ah Pho Cha Ye Dan (阿婆茶葉蛋). The egg was boiled in herbal tea. A lot of shops are selling the "cha ye dan", however, he said that the second shop (from the left) is the original one. We tried it, but, personally I don't think there is anything special about the egg. It did taste fine though, just a bit too salty for my tastebud.
阿婆茶葉蛋
Sun Moon Lake
Next destination was Puli winery factory. On the way there, we stopped by a shop, called I Fu Tang to buy Tai Yang Bing(太陽餅) /Sun cake. Tai Yang Bing is originated from Taichung, so it's a "Must Buy". There is one traditional shop that I mentioned in the itinerary, but we didn't have much time in Taichung, so we decided to just get this brand. It turned out to be good. It's not too sweet for me. I think in total we bought about 20 boxes of Tai Yang Bing and 4 bottles of rice wine.
As I have mentioned before, almost all shops in Taiwan have delivery services. But, the sales woman said they couldn't deliver it, since we would be leaving Taiwan on wednesday (1/5/2013). Even though it usually just takes one day to reach any part of Taiwan, but it was sunday on that day. We almost have to carry those boxes on our own back to Taipei. It was probably ok.
However, lucky us, here comes our Hero. Our driver talked to the manager, and guess what, they agreed! Yeah... He told us that the shop manager is usually afraid of them (tour guides or drivers). If the shop service is bad, they would probably choose not to bring their customer to the shop anymore in the future.
Oh yeah, once again our driver gave us a small gift that he received from the shop. The small gift is the famous Taiwanese pineapple cake.
As I have mentioned before, almost all shops in Taiwan have delivery services. But, the sales woman said they couldn't deliver it, since we would be leaving Taiwan on wednesday (1/5/2013). Even though it usually just takes one day to reach any part of Taiwan, but it was sunday on that day. We almost have to carry those boxes on our own back to Taipei. It was probably ok.
However, lucky us, here comes our Hero. Our driver talked to the manager, and guess what, they agreed! Yeah... He told us that the shop manager is usually afraid of them (tour guides or drivers). If the shop service is bad, they would probably choose not to bring their customer to the shop anymore in the future.
Oh yeah, once again our driver gave us a small gift that he received from the shop. The small gift is the famous Taiwanese pineapple cake.
Puli Winery Factory
After that, Ice Cream time! I have been waiting for this. 18 degree C!!! They sell fine chocolate, and ice cream. I love chocolate! Yummy... The store also served free coffee.
Free Coffee
18 degree C Ice Cream
Black sesame flavor was my favorite. The dark chocolate was a hit too. However, most of us thought the passion fruit flavor was a bit too sour.
Finishing our ice cream, we thought that should be our last destination at Nantou area, since It was close to 7 pm. Our agreement with the driver was only up to 6 pm. But, guess what? As what he has promised us, he still brought us to a small shop to try the authentic Nantou home food snack (小吃 ). The shop called "Su Mama Tangyuan". They sell sweet tangyuan, meat tangyuan, Lu rou fan (Minced pork with rice). We wanted to spare some space in our stomach for Fengjia night market, so, we only tried the meat tangyuan and the braised tofu. The taste was so good. The texture of the Tangyuan skin was so perfect; the meat and tofu taste were terrific! Every bite we put in our mouth, and we mentioned "Wow, enak banget (so tasty)!". Even though we were not hungry yet at that time, especially after 2 cups of ice cream for me. But still, we were glad that we stopped by.
Yeah... Yeah..., when you are at Nantou area, you have to stop by this shop. It is a "Must Visit" and "Must Try".
Braised Tofu
Meat Tangyuan
Nicholas packed the Lu rou back. Unfortunately the girls didn't get to try, and the guys finished everything. They claimed to be the best Lu Rou that they have tried. I think I have to go there again if I get the chance in the future.
Finally, that was our last stop at Nantou. We reached hotel around 8:15 pm. Our hotel (In One City Inn) is located nearby Fengjia night market. I purposely chose it so that we can easily access to the night market. It is the largest night market in Taiwan.
Seasoned Fried Sweet Potato
Everybody loves it. I did try few bites, and yup, it's delicious. But, it's deep fried, and unfortunately my body can't take too much fried food.
Chicken Skewer
I didn't try this. But, if we ask Usman, I believe he will say "Good". We always wonder whether there is any food that tastes bad to him. Haha...
Sausage
This stall always has a long queue. Suryana did try it, and she said it's good.
Soy Milk Tea
It took me quite some time to be able to find this stall. I had the soy milk tea when I visited Taichung few months back. I remembered that was the best I have had during the visit to Fengjia. I love the combination of black tea and soy milk.The soy milk filled up my stomach, and the black tea may help to rinse all the grease that I had from those oily food out of my system.
Fengjia night market was the last one in our itinerary for the day.
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