Day 9 Fonggang - Taidong

Ready to ride ~ 我們好了

Nice ride ~ 很好騎

Very tired ~ 好累了

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At 9pm - we were pretty much ready to go. Still lots of wind.. no wonder its called Fonggang [Fong = Wind in Mandarin] Sunny too though. I was welcomed to eat breakfast with the Family who ran the hotel, and we ate steamed buns with jam and sweet potatoes. The Taiwanese dialect they were using was very hard for me to understand, I still tryed though. But speaking in Mandarin, is always easier for us both. The two guys who rode from Tainan and I were off, to Taidong. Very steep at first - Moving at about 5km/hr. Got to the top of the hill, at a place called DaRen in only a couple of hours. Saw many other bikers there, all preparing to take a relaxing journey down.. because both ways were going down now. We met others riding from east to west, North to south, and chat a little more..So all in high spirits, it was time to leave. The most amazing down trip I've ever experienced. Reaching speeds of up tp 55km/h, winding through beautiful, green, mountains, breathing loads of the freshest air. We had to stop a couple of times to wait for each other, and to be safe, as the faster we'd go, the more scenery we'd see, and less concentrate. Had to stop soon, before the next up hill, at a small place called DaNiao [Big Bird in Mandarin!] The town, very quiet and peaceful, not many people around. A man on a scooter stopped and asked If I was the Australian cycling around Taiwan for the cause.. I said yes, he gave me a small donation, and invited us to eat at his shop up the hill. I gave him my thanks, and snapped a photo! Inside this cool little town, not much at all. We couldnt find his shop [as he rode to Taipei just then] but managed to find another place with fried rice or noodles! All we needed! Very local, and very not touristy. After we took essentials - we rode on. Feeling a little drowzy and sleepy after another 20 kms, I felt this was the hardest part of my trip. So we stopped and drank a litre of tea, and fell asleep for 15 minutes! Great! Especially after some of Taipeis finest pineapple cake! We went straight to Zhiben hot springs! So comfortable - A well deserved soak and massage for our bodies.. The staff there took photos with us, and we were off with smiles.. So many Chinese tourists we passed, coming to Zhiben in bus loads. No problems now riding in the dark, all lights on, last 17 km to Taidong city. We met our friend who kindly took us to the nightmarket to eat different types of stinky tofu.. tasty tasty tasty! I like Taidong, kind of reminds me of Taipei, smaller, older streets, not so fast paced. We ended a tiring day with a view ontop a mountain watching fireworks, and the lit up city, of course as well, the clear beautiful stars! Tomorrow - rest day..

Taidond here we come!! ~台東快來!!

Very kind Zhiben hot springs staff ~知本溫泉

Taidong chou dofu ~ 台東臭豆腐

Day 8 Kaoshiong - Fonggang

Cute and funny had to stop ~ 可愛好笑需要停





Everyone, lets go and eat local food ~ 大家我們一起去吃飯

This morning, couldnt believe my clothes were dry! But amazingly in the south, it is that much warmer then a few hundred km's up in the north. From 11degrees in Xinzhu, to 33 degrees in Kaoshiong. Much needed shave I had so not to look like a caveman, also, I knew some press would be around in Pingdong, where I agreed to meet the GOH staff, and go together to see the new shelters. I did some stretches this morning with the boys, who tought me some extra positions. Then  after a high carb. sinple breaky of nutty bread, fruits [papayas and banana] and of course Pineapple cake..The family kindly led me into the city. Leaving from Kaoshiong, the old, fascinating train station.. I waited a while and chat with people coming, going or just wondering. Just what I do a lot of the time. So, I got to chat to them, The weather was fine. Donation time, and off to Pingdong. On the way, I didnt want to stop, but had to as I saw traditional big, festival dressed dancing dudes on show infront of a shopping centre.. I kind of wanted to join, seemed they were really having fun up there.. but I had to get riding. It seemed a little confusing to get out of Kaoshiong, but when I did, I got to Pingdong soon after. Where before I even got to the station, was met by one of GOH staff, on her scooter with her big smile! A few questions and photos later, and we were off to eat at the night/day market, including lots of tasty tofus and crunchy shrimp in rice noodle. Even had a jelly tea later, and got to meet the very friendly staff of GOH Pingdong.. we then went to the shelter that was being built. Big and well under way, to completion, it was good to see the donations would go into this worthy cause. To see me on my way, they gave me many many sweets, treats and Pineapple cake, I should have the energy for the next two days no problems!!They even gave me this decorated bottle, with GO GO GO written on it. I think its soda inside.. will find out tomorrow. The ride to Fongang, was tough, long, very windy, and dark came quick. 7 pm arrived.. It serious chill out time!

My special GOH drink! ~ 我的特別一絣!

1st sight of the sea ~ 第一次看海邊

546 kms!! ~ 五百四十六公里!!

Day 7 Tainan - Kaoshiong

Koxinka and his horse! ~ 國姓鄉跟他的嘛!

Tasty Lamb in Gangshan ~ 羊肉在岡山

Fireworks in Kaoshiong ~ 煙火在高雄

This morning felt lazy. Went to mass with the nuns, and later they provided me with nutritious toast with tomatoes and cheese. Great carb boost. To the train station, the opposite way to the road to Kaoshiong but I want to keep up with the plan and meet whomever is willing to donate or join in and ride with me. I met a kind German lady, who was volunteering in Hualien.. she donated, and we talked a while laughing at our poor but understandable mix of language use. I rode to the Guo Xing Ye [Konxinka] shrine, and admired the statue with him on a horse, its a shame this hero died so young, but atleast a patriot and a loyal man. As the maintanance lady helped me park my bike and even donated a few hundred.. A cheerful smile from her, made me again question why I was leaving this place. I glided on to Kaoshiong at about av. 30km/h with a smile on my face..even trying to keep up with a bus for a short while. Its always great when there stuck in traffic, and I just slide right through with ease. I didn't want to stop, but a good friend told me about the lamb in Gangshan.. and I did. And ate a plate full. And it was trully tasty. In Kaoshiong, it was a little confusing to get around, quite a big city with a lot of streets and traffic. I got to the Garden of Hope office there for a nice warm welcome, had a phone interview in my poor broken Mandarin [worse when Im nervous] took some photos and was off with a friend of a friend I met there, with some tasty deserts and flyers. I followed his BMW to his new appartment [with 5 floors] where we I met his wife, and two cute children, talked about this ride and other things, and ate my favourite Taiwan desert. Pineapple cake!!! After a hot shower I thought I was complete, but we then went to have a big traditional Chinese dinner with some of his fellow Rotarians, and after feeling I'd gained 6kg, we were taken to a highrise appartment to view the end of Chinese new year fireworks on 15th floor. Quite spectacular. Rest is needed for tomorrow.

Delicios spicy fish ~ 很好吃的魚

Day 6 Tainan

So far so good ~ 到了現在很好

Vase means peace ~ 平安

Famous Dan zi mian ~ 擔子麵

Sunset in Anping ~ 安平日落

Well rested, and feel at peace, after mass with the Indian nuns. The Italian priest there invited me to breakfast with him and an Argentinian seminarian, which was very nice. We had a good chat. The priest once rode 3000 km from from Rome to Fatima on bicycle, he says, back when he was skinny like me.. But [1] with all of this delicious food Im consuming, I think Im fattening up, [2] I think he could ride the next leg, to Kaosiong with me! Realized to see Tainan the most convenient way will be, yes, to ride my bike again [on the 'rest' day] First I went to the Chihkan tower amd its old, traditional beauty. Then to the famous Du Xiao Yue  for some famous Dan zi mian, or noodles with braised beef and 1000 year old egg. The boss was so kind, she gave me an extra bowl, probably knew I was really hungry, after the riding! The GuanGong 'king of justice courage and loyalty, was big, detailed and mysteriously [beautiful] but im still a little frightened by the black faced dieties. I continued riding onto Anping stopping for a stroll in the peaceful treehouse covered in amzing long indian ficus or crawling trees. Good place for lovers I think! A climb up the Zeelandia tower of the fort was painful, but worthwhile, just a bit early for sunset, so.. I went down and checked out the Matzu temple. Huge, and again colourfully beautiful. I think the temples here are the best in Asia. I got to a bridge nearby for sunset, and then a met a man with his son, on the scooter at the traffic lights, I followed him to a large kite, flying high in the sky, where I helped small children bring back down! He then showed me how to get to  the biggest food night market I think I've seen, bar Shilin.. and I ate here untill I felt Id gained 3 kgs. So exciting, tryed, fried noodle soup and tofu puddings, and fancy little dumplings... Do I really have to leave Tainan?

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Very very fun ~ 很好玩

Night market delicacies ~ 夜市餐

Day 5 Chiayi - Tainan

The meeting place before the big ride ~ 我們見面婍以前

aaaaaa so comfortable ~ aaaaaa 好舒服

Drink coffee and converse ~ 喝咖啡談話

So comfy  ~ 真舒服

Easy wake up as days go by, feeling better and better, apart from some rashes here and there. The view from my new friends appartment, showed a misty, smoggy, but still pretty skyline of Chiayi; again I dont feel like moving on, in an emotional way, not physical. I felt lazy speaing to Betty [the daughter of another parishiner] who had traveled Europe extensively, and treated me with very good hospitality.. because, I think her English was better than my Mandarin - but I still gave it a shot when I could. Rice pudding and tofu soup at a local restaurant, amazingly, mouth wateringly delicious. Think the place was famous - judging by the photos on the walls. I letf to the station, and at 9, made a call to arrange accomm in Tainan. Met someone here, who saw me in the newspaper! I was so happy and felt quite loved!! Not only did Kelly give me a bottle of water, but also donated nt200 to G.O.H! ALSO, she rode with me along with another [Pro] rider all the way to Guaziling Hotsprings resort. [But I left the bike at the police station in Baihe [why is it called white river?]]and hopped on Kellys scooter, watching the pro fight the mountains, He would not come to Tainan later on.. I needed to preserve myslelf for that. We enjoyed a coffee together watching the lush green beautiful mountains nature offered up here in cool climate, as I, alone dipped into wonderland, and smooth silky grey HOTTT springwater for an hour. Feeling like a new born baby when finished. I rode scooter back down, which felt so different!! [i prefer the bike - maybe just because Im so used to it now!] And it leaves 0 pollution as well, hey! But anyway, we then split, they beck to Chiayi, me onto somewhere Ive wanted to come fro so long TAINAN! I arrived late, 7 ish. But its smaller, cleaner and quite cute. Everyone has been so kind so far... I better not get to comfy or fall in love. I found Teresa house, where ill stay with some Indian nuns tonight. Curry curry curry!

We met riding on the road ~ 在路上我們認識

Arrival in Tainan ~ 到了台南!

So hungry! ~ 好餓!

Day 4 Chunghua - Chiayi

Day [4] So many littlies! ~ 很多小朋友

I think riding is more fun! ~ 單車比坐火車好完

The motel I had to stay at was very convenient. Close, And my bike just outside, so I could give it its daily Tender Loving Care. It was a beautiful morning and I didnt want to leave this city, but of course had to. Sun trying to break through the cloud - already warmer than Taipei and Xinzhu! I was at the Train station by 9am, munching on a Dan bing [egg pancake] and Burger [local and best!] I asked for directions and after walking by, and taking a pic of the amazing Confucius temple [having no time to stop properly] a kind reply and smile with mine sent me on a road for a 4 hour sunny ride, not too difficult. This makes me think and fear of the east coast from what people tell me! I pushed harder to make it to Chiayi earlier. Stopping at 7 for some quick snacks, I also finished my baby bananas that were cooking on the top of my bike pack. I arrived in Chiayi at 2:00 pm!! I quickly found an int. cafe and rang my Mum and Dad in Australia to let them know Im doing this awesome thing, and that im still allive of course :) The locals there were cool, kind and smiley. And gave me a bottle of water. But with the clothes im taking off by the day, as heat is getting stronger, my packs seem about to explode! I found a small Cristian school, and was very welcomed by the cute little kids, we talked, they pointed a place for me to stay [a Catholic church] and I was off, with their nt500 donation!! :) I was invited to dinner tonight, with a parishiner and her son, an 18 yr old, who had great English, really! and ate, Beef noodles, and Chicken rice!! Feeling great.

These pancakes may just be better then famous GongGuan!! ~ 可能這些車掄栟比公館的好吃!

Daily routine! ~ 每天的事

mmmmmmmmm

Day 3 Miaoli - Changhua

Huge white bird family ~ 大白鳥家

Eating sweets at the Night Market ~ 在夜市吃唐

I woke up so tired today. WOW. Looked at my watch and after a slight pannick, realized it was upside down, and really only 7am and not 1 30pm. I got my bike back from the underground carpark, and was off - feeling great to be back on the bike surprisingly. Sad to say, checked all pockets, still no phone.. But I have an Island to ride around, and a charity to support, this is more important to me. A lot of down hills, and beautiful scenery which was quite relaxing. The wood carvings in HouLi were details and very intricate, but, no time to stop unfortunatly. More up hills ahead, but I saw a locals lips move with his right hand saying JIA YO! and this helped quite a bit! Big lunch just about near TaiZhong, And got talking with some local friends on there lunch break who supported me with nt350! They even got in there car and told me to follow them, so they could tell me where to turn. I was very thankful. I stopped in cool Taizhong and bought about 20pices of fruit - all for nt50. Vitamin me! I got to Chunghua, after some circling and touring this nice place, and took a photo of that great big Bhudda statue high on the mountain, [which I was not willing to ride up now] then went to the night market for some Pearl milk tea and offcourse the delicious Chunghua meatballs, which I enjoyed eating while talking to the funny, cheerful local cooks!

So delicious ~ 真的好吃

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