Alishan

Alishan 

We made our way to the Alishan National Forest Area in the late morning on the second day of our trip. I dont recall seeing the information online that the famous railway is CLOSED! After a serious typhoon 4 years ago!! you think they would mention that..... But Vicky let us know of a bus to take and we were able to head out there for a small day trip all the same.

The bus ride is really not the best experience. You are able to purchase a ticket for 250 NTD at the small bus station near the main train station in town. WARNING!!! If you get car sick easily, I would recommend this trip. Its a 2 1/2 hour ride in a crazy bus around sharp corners and a bumpy road. We were lucky and got a nice 1970's looks driver who drove like he had a brick instead of a foot. It was an interesting journey to say the least. But we did get to see some puppies at the rest stop. So ....there's that. 

Have Tabi-Chan will travel! My new journey buddy TABI! He got a great deal of attention on the trip. People seemed to think he was real at times. He was glad to meet so many people.  

 THE PUPPIES! On a short stop on the bus ride to Alishan we ventured around a shop corner and found a fair size pack of puppies. So cute and happy. It brought some cheer to the boring bus ride. The girls that saw us fawning over the puppies may have thought we were crazy.

The pups loved on us but weren't too keen on the other girls... oh well pup love anyway 

 Our crazy bus driver! With his vintage 70's glasses and a heavy foot, he got us there in no time. Even after a short stop for some food along the way. We had no idea what he was doing at the time but we figured it out. 

 Something about eggs. Taiwan and eggs! I thought Japan really loved eggs but not compared to Taiwan. These are, I believe, tea soaked/cooked eggs. 

 Waiting at the train station to head up to the sacred tree area in the Alishan National Forest Area. Yuou can purchase a ticket at the station once you arrive. Its around 15 NTD and the view along the short ride up is incredible. 

Alone in the car on the ride up to the scenic area Tabi was horsing around! I see you Tabi, I see you. 

Some of the beautiful trees along the way as we rode in the train. 

 A glimpse of the little train as we headed up to the Sacred Tree area.  

 The man made paths that lead to all areas on the mountain were beautiful to walk along and take in the scenery. 

 Tabi was on the hunt for a perfect tree, but maybe this one was a bit too large for his three toes

 A small pond at the top near the temple.

Inside the shrine/temple there were some quirky offerings and colorful "gifts" for the gods.

 These flower papers didn't have a smell but they were well crafted. 

 A little heart break for Tabi-chan! No climbing sir, off the trees!

 People got a good laugh out of me taking this picture. Tabi-chan loves swinging ! 

We headed back down and to the bus ride home. At the bottom you can take in some of the touristy shops and check out some of the delicious Alishan Green Tea at the lovely shop up the stairs. 

This is where Tabi made friends with a little boy who was just obsessed with him! He got some serious love and Tabi was claimed by him. You dont need to speak the language to know that this kids was happy as a clam to have a Tabi. 

After Alishan our journey in Chaiyi was finished and we headed up for 5 days in the colorful city of Taipei. 

Chaiyi, and the Wonderful people of Taiwan.

Tabi and the Assemble! Bear :) 

I recently spent a week in Taiwan traveling from Chaiyi to Taipei, discovering that I really should plan better and just how wonderful the people of Taiwan are. I spent a few short days in the south central part of Taiwan in a small place called Chaiyi on my way to Alishan and though I had hoped to see more, I found that the few short days there were enough to say that I need to learn more Chinese before my return.

I took Peach Airlines from Osaka to Taipei Airport. From there you can take the a bus from the airport to the bullet train terminal. From there you are able to proceed to other other cities and begin your journey. I had considered taking the local train, which is a 4 hour ride from Taoyuan, but I chose the bullet train to get more time to see the city. It cost around 1,400 NTD(Taiwan dollars) if I recall correctly. Comparable to the Shinkansen in Japan.

Once I arrived in Chiayi I took a bus from the bullet train station to the basic train station directly in Chiayi city. The bullet train station is a bit far from the actual city center, but the ticket is free with bullet train ticket purchase. Very convenient. From that station you'll head inside the station and to the left there are stairs to take you across the tracks and into the city. Its a nice view and you can skip the long walk around or through the station. Once int he city you will be met with people who know right away that you are a tourist and will not be shy about trying to get you to Alishan by taxi/bus/ what-have-you. It takes a little effort to get past them, but just be polite and I'm sure you'll be fine. The people there are typically nice and will offer help if you look lost, just be careful not to hop to quickly into a cab thinking they know exactly where you need to go.

Once in the city I headed out to find the hostel with my travel buddy and it took a little effort. We stayed at a hostel call Assemble! Backpackers Hostel. (http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Assemble-Backpackers/Chiayi/64419) A wonderful hostel run by Vicky and Marcus. Two of the coolest people I've met in my travels so far. A very laid back and comfortable atmosphere, the hostel is clean, affordable and Vicky was AMAZING at helping find places to see and ways to get there. They provide you with an awesome map of the Chiayi city area and where you can go to try interesting foods and hit the night markets. Being a vegetarian I was super happy that she had veggie friendly places marked on there as well. Its a great place to stop in for a night or two while you travel and meet these fantastic people.

Kari at the tasty vegetarian place we tried. We ate there twice because we couldn't find the others but it was  good and the people are really nice. By the way, that rice, is awesome. 

Walking around we came across this temple/shrine but I was completely thrown off the most by the screen on the front. Strange to add that to the front of something like this. 

There are a few museums and sites to see in the city. We didnt manage any museums but there is a wood carving place that seemed nice near here. 

Something I noticed in Chaiyi that is a big part of Taiwan in general is the amount of SCOOTER! Everywhere! IN MASSES. It was crazy to see so many people on them. Hordes of scooters.  We considered renting them, but it is a little scary to see people ride them and honestly Im not sure I would have been comfortable. 

A fair warning, the water in Taiwan is not clean enough to drink from the tap. Please do not attempt. There are however adorable water stations. Tabi-Chan found this robot water machine to be just adorable. 

We saw an abundance of these soda/beer/juice shrine thingys everywhere! I have no idea what they were for but they seem to be offerings, or the sort. I wonder what they do with them after time. Is it just thrown out?　Ｗｈａｔ　ｈａｐｐｅｎｓ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｊｕｉｃｅ？

The little touches of the culture were in the nooks of each street. It was beautiful to see the little bits of color and creations to the somewhat rougher looking streets. 

The night market in Chaiyi offers everything from stinky tofu (which you couldn't miss if you tried) to shoes and clothes. We walked about for a time. Its interesting how most places cook on the street corners and wash dishes in the road. Meats and veggies just out in the open ready to be devoured. OSHA would not approve. 

Shops are colorful and what one might expect from a night market. Filled with students still in uniform and couples strolling along, you can find almost anything you like. Except if you have big feet like me.... no dice. The way to this market is easily mapped on the paper Vicky gave us (we used it A LOT) but if you cant find somewhere you can just ask someone. Most people speak or understand a little English in Taiwan. 

One of the little side road shops. She was really nice. 

I laughed SO HARD at these manikins. They look like a distorted Leo DiCaprio or my sister friend Mark. BAHAHAHAH
 Too good. Way to go little shop, way to go. 

Taiwan in general has no shortage of street foods of ANY kind. Those my friends are duck heads..... on a stick. I'm fairly certain you can fry any part of the animal and put it on a stick in Taiwan. (shutter) I have no idea what else is going on there but this little booth had plenty of people ready to chow down. I passed, quickly. 

On our journey to the market these super genki girls gave us some bread and talked to us a little. They also helped us later on find our way back and other places to travel. After we bought some tasty bread at the shop the girl in the middle even offered to take us to the other night market when she got off work. It was a such a nice offer but we didn't accept. Next time TOTALLY! 

Assemble! This is the door to the hostel. It is a little hard to find if you aren't paying attention, but Vicky is amazing and will send you great directions with the reservation. Thanks again VICKY!

The wonderful Vicky and Marcus! Thanks for the great stay ! 

We loved our stay in Chaiyi! Thanks again Assemble!

Momiji Leaves and a Miako

Yumi, John and Megumi cheezin after they caught me take a candid photo of them talking on the crowed bus.
We took a fully loaded bus out to Kinkakuji Temple or The Golden Temple in Kyoto. Its really amazing and I'd like to go again on a day that is not the busiest day of the year. So that I can take my time and wander about more.
Yumi had a wonderful day planned out  for us! She is simply amazing!
If you want to check out some more info about the temple, heres a link
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html

Leaves indite the temple gate. It really is like a Bob Ross painting in Japan! Happy trees, happy trees EVERYWHERE! 

Yumi and the Golden Temple

This is part of the garden that surrounds the temple. Its beautiful in the fall. Momiji is what they call the changing of the leaves. 

This picture does not do justice to the red that that tree possessed. 

I got a fotune (one of my favorite things to do) It was "Very good" and Really fit with my time in life. Weird how we let those things make connections with our lives. I can see why people invest so much in them. 

Roxanna got one too! Hers was better than mine NICE! She should have a "happy life" and I think it said something about babies. No Japan babies Roxanna...no 

A small example of just how busy it was. People were so happy to see the colors and families walked along taking photos of babies and trying to get leaves in the shot. Pretty interesting to watch if you ask me. 

Girls at the Temple. This is a different temple. in Kyoto. This is the temple that the famous scene from Memoirs of a Geisha was filmed at. I think you'll remember when you see the Tori Gates.  

Before you enter the temple grounds you must "cleanse". You use the ladle to rinse your hands and then a little water goes in your mouth as well. Sounds gross but I think they filter it.....I think 

Lets hope so 

The girls kept taking photos of the backs of each other walking around the temple. So I took one of my own. 

There are several places within the temple grounds where you can pray and give thanks to the gods. Those wooden blocks are for writing wishes on for the next year. 

This is what you do with your fortune if it doesn't quiet tickle your fancy or you happen to get a bad one. 

Know it yet......

Disco! The Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto! It was crowed and I didnt get a clear shot of all the Torii gates. Yumi told us that those gates are purchased and donated to the shrine and they cost about 1,000 or more. I could be very wrong though... Sorry Yumi.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Japan/Kyoto_fu/Kyoto-973793/Things_To_Do-Kyoto-Fushimi_Inari_Shrine-BR-1.html

Me and the famous gates! See all the people, this was a slow moment ! 

I wish I could read the writing on the gates, maybe one day 

This man was selling beautiful handmade pottery on the side of the road. Or at least that's what he claims. True or not. They were amazing pieces to be sitting on the side of a road. 

Felix being photogenic 

There was one little fish inside this pond, all alone. He was beautifully colored, though I couldn't get a great photo. 

Ladies and gentlemen!!!!!! I present to you, Japan's oldest toilet. I cant remember the site. Ill have to look it up soon. I think I remember Yumi saying ti was around 600 years old and people had to bring buckets with them to wash their feet before and after use. 

Roxanna, checking out the toilet....wait YOURE TEXTING PICTURES OF A TOILET. Why didnt I think of that 

Part of our large group wandering around Kyoto. I think in all we had 23 people. 

Finally ! Tea with a real Miako!
A Miako is not a Geisha. A Maiko is a Geisha in training essentially. And no, they are not prostitutes. That is a very old and outdated idea.  It usually cost a large amount to see a Maiko dance and have her serve you tea. We got a great deal because of wonderful Yumi and we also got to talk with her and ask her questions about her life as a Miako. 

She was so elegant. They have very intense training and they do not spend time out like a typical person their age. This particular girl chose to leave school at 14 and become a Maiko. She was trained from then. 

She had a sweet manner about her.

I felt like a GIANT standing next to this tiny girl. I say girl because shes only 17. 

Usually very poses and beautiful, I got this cute Miako girl to make a funny face for the camera. She was so embarrassed afterward, but again shes still just a girl so she enjoyed it. 

The hair of a Maiko is VERY intricate and takes about 30 minutes or more to prepare. Typically a Geisha uses a wig or hair piece for their styles, but a Maiko uses only their actual hair for every design. They must leave it in this manner for 10 days. They have to sleep with their head on a special bar that balances their neck up so they do not mess up their hair. 

The dance was wonderful and I loved the traditional style music and poses. 

Finally, as we left so did our Maiko friend. Typically Miako do not talk to people on the street, only customers. But we walked with her ( a giant crowd) down the road until we separated ways and she went home for the evening. It really was a nice way to end the trip to Kyoto to see the leaves.

Then I got lost on the subway...but that's life