Taiwan Day 4 Part 2 | One Day at a Time

It’s beautiful up here.

Reached a station and we stopped about halfway to the top of the mountain. We’ve been on the train for a little over two hours so far.

As part of our tour package, we get coupons to pick up bento boxes for lunch. I love bento boxes in Taiwan.

There’s also restrooms, a small train museum, restaurants, and shops here.

He wanted to get a jumping photo in front of the train.

Must stamp everything.

And of course ice cream.

Sakura flavored ice cream, whatever that means.

Ah gong went to pick up our bento boxes for lunch while the rest of us went to walk around the shop stalls.

Mountainous area with lots of hills and steps.

Lots of interesting, strong smells.

They grow wasabi here apparently.

Even up high in the mountains, there’s a 7 Eleven.

Those look like boobs.

Alright, short stroll and now back at the train station.

Quick family photo, then back to sitting in the train to eat lunch.

I love Taiwanese bento boxes.

Yum, as yummy as it looks. American equivalent of this meal would be a dry cold cheese and ham sandwich.

Train gets going again, and at this stop, we pick up more passengers. The newer passengers are all standing room tickets only…they were older passengers too…we felt bad sitting down, but at the same time, we payed for the seated tickets. Was quite a moral dilemma…towards the end of the trip, like an hour and a half into the ride, we did offer a couple of people our seats by having the kids sit on our laps. Still…didn’t like being put in these uncomfortable moral dilemmas.

Dead groves of bamboo. Apparently it’s some disease that only affects this type of bamboo.

Tunnels and more tunnels. We probably went through 30+ tunnels on this train ride.

Then it starts pouring rain.

Some construction along the train tracks up in this area.

Now the coolest part of this train ride. To make it up the mountain the train has to switch directions on a switchback making a Z shape up the mountain. Cool. This photo shows the track we were just on before coming to a stop, changing tracks, and heading the opposite direction to head higher.

The girls are getting antsy into this long train ride. It’s taken us like 4 hours so far, the hour stop included.

Another direction change switch back.

Made it up into the clouds.

Another switch back.

Finally, pulling into Alishan station some 5 hours after we left the origin station.

It’s still pouring rain and we are supposed to walk to the visitor’s center to catch the hotel bus.

Hope the visitor center isn’t a long walk.

It’s the building at the bottom of the hill in the distance. Fortunate for us, the rain has mostly stopped in time for us to make the walk over.

Shuttle to our hotel.

Moss, so much moss!!

Hotel.

Old school mountain hotel, but apparently we are in the newer wing.

View from our balcony, very nice.

The bathtub has a giant window opening out to the balcony (it does have shades).

Giant room.

Taiwan with their sometimes really strange design decisions. There are two frosted glass doors with no locks, one opens to the shower/bath, the other to the toilet. Why would the two rooms that need the most privacy not have a lock or doors that close all the way to the top and bottom? I mean, it’s a giant room with 2 giant beds, so it’s not like it’s designed mainly for a couple on their honeymoon? Sigh.

Hi RL.

Went down to the coffee shop where they also sold beer.

They lent me a bottle opener for our beers…I WANT THIS!!!!! Taiwan beer bottle opener. They had a really beat up one at the restaurant in Taichung that we ate for our first meal in Taiwan. And now, I see it again! I asked the front desk if they would sell one to me, and they said that I they don’t sell them and it’s only given to bars/restaurants from Taiwan beer. Damnit…I tried sweet talking them into selling me one, but no go. Sigh.

The temperature is much cooler up here. First time I haven’t just sweated nonstop in Taiwan. Perfect weather, and a little relaxing time before dinner, perfect.

It starts raining again, sounds so peaceful. Peaceful because the kids are quietly inside the room on their ipads and we are out here on a private balcony with crisp air and cold beers.