Wild Grasslands, Water Views, Glittering Jade, and Night Market Munchies
Taiwan
It’s hard to believe, but my time in Taiwan is coming to an end! With just a few days left, I make sure to do some things I’ve been looking forward to.
If this isn’t your first time on my blog, you hopefully know by now that I Love cows! So, when I learn there are some water buffalo at a spot on Yangminshan National Park, just hanging out, I know I have to go!
It’s another hot, muggy day, so I figure it won’t be as cold and gloomy back on Yangminshan. I’m right that it’s not as cold, but, it’s significantly colder, and a bit gloomy. So, once again, if you go to Yangminshan, even if it’s hot in the center of Taipei, it may not be on top of the mountain!
I follow Google’s instructions and grab the MRT out to Shilin on the red line, and then await the bus I need. It’s a fairly long wait, and, unfortunately, even though fairly early, packed with other people heading the same direction. Despite this, and the twists and turns of the road, I’m eventually to my destination.
I start with the visitor center, and ask where the water buffalo are. They point, and I’m off! I’ve got a giant spring of excitement to my step, and most of the scenery is a blur as I race out to the water buffalo!
I start with the visitor center, and ask where the water buffalo are. They point, and I’m off! I’ve got a giant spring of excitement to my step, and most of the scenery is a blur as I race out to the water buffalo! And, they are right by the fence! They’re grazing, and there’s a baby buffalo, and as you can imagine, I am in complete heaven. I take photos, someone photographs me, fate is obviously winking at me. 🙂
Once I’ve had my fill of playing with the water buffalo, and they’ve drifted out to sit and admire their surroundings, I decide to do the same.
This is another of those places I could have spent a few hours, but I am a little chilly, so instead, decide I’ll just walk up the hill in front of me. When I get there, and I see how gorgeous it is, I keep going around what’s supposed to be a loop, until there’s no point going back the way I came. At one point, Google makes it look like the only way I can get back to the bus stop is to double back. I ignore it, and follow the path in front of me, and happily make my way back just fine.
Another place I haven’t yet been is the Jianguo Jade Market, so I cross this off my list and go. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the MRT, through a flower market, but in the middle of the flower market are…puppies! Another weak spot for me. Obviously I have to go over and pet them. I’ll be honest, I have no idea where they come from, if they’re healthy…but they are very cute.
The Jade Market ends up being fascinating. There are so many different cuts, colors, weights, and sizes. I speak to a few of the vendors, but end up realizing I have no idea how to tell the quality of the jade, so decide to just enjoy the browsing. If you’re in the market for jade, this seems to be the place to go. (ooh, I made a market pun!)
The other thing that caught my eye here were the number of beautiful small Chinese tea pots that exist! I wanted to take all of them home. They’re another fun part of the Jade Market.
My last day in Taiwan is bright, sunny, and hot. I head over to Tamsui as it’s by the water. It is an enjoyable area, however, also mostly shops and restaurants and a boardwalk. I didn’t have time to grab the boat to Bali, the one across the water, not the country, but that’s another activity you can do while there.
In order to get out of the shopping area, I rent a bike. If you’ve read about my falling off a bike in Vietnam, you know that I’m not the biggest fan of bikes. But my ride at Sun Moon Lake was so good, I figured why not give this one a try?
What I learned is, bikes are very different from each other. This one is so weighted in the front, I can barely get started. When I do, I’m wobbly, and freak out when small kids blast past me on their little bikes. I get to a steep uphill and realize I’m not going to be able to bike down, or further, so walk my bike back to the bike station, and give up for the day.
I booked one last tour – a food walking tour with Viator. We end up being a group of nine and our guide is Taiwanese American, who moved to Taiwan a few years ago. We are led all over the wonderful streets of the Daan district, where we taste all kinds of foods I would never have done on my own. That includes choosing food on sticks and having them cooked while we wait. What was great about these is they were in a refrigerator, instead of meat sitting out in the heat and open air, so seemed more likely to be safe.
This tour is where I had my first bubble tea. And, I mean I was a bubble tea virgin before this moment. Unfortunately, I found the tea delicious. I’m sure I gained 5 pounds with the sugar alone, but wow, that is one great drink!
These are like the pineapple cakes I made a couple of weeks ago! My favorite one ends up being taro.
Another fun activity in Taipei is to find these gorgeous manhole covers! There are many different decorations all over the city.
I’ve wanted to come here ever since my Sun Moon Lake tour with Vincent at the start of my Taipei stay. I tried another time, but ended up being too tired, or it was too late, so I make the trip my last night in Taipei.
This is by far the most interesting night market I’ve seen. There’s a giant temple by the entrance, which I also wander through. The entry gate is impressive, and there’s a huge line for some dumplings. It’s so long, I don’t bother, and just walk inside. There are so many vendors, and restaurants, and game shops and clothing that it’s hard to believe I didn’t trip someplace and fall on my face.
I try a few bites, but, unfortunately, most options are fried or sweet. So, after a bite or two of each, I can’t eat anymore. I end up enjoying the sweet dessert I try the most, and that ends up being dinner.
Fish cakes
Cilantro Doritos! Had never heard of them, and I don’t like Cilantro so didn’t try them, but they do exist!
What a wonderful country! I’m so glad I got there before China invades, and hope they won’t. This country is full of wonderful people, intoxicatingly gorgeous scenery, and while I did not love the food at the markets, there are plenty of other food options to try. I plan to return to see more of the southern parts of Taiwan in future, and look forward.
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