So, the last I updated was a few days ago in Kaohsiung. Staying at the Single Inn was my first introduction to staying in a cubicle of a room. I miss the interaction of other travelers that you experience a Youth Hostel, but I not keen any longer, at staying in a room with others. And so, the Single Inn worked great for me. Did I mention, it was $30 US for your own room. The spa area was of high standard. It also included breakfast. It was pretty easy to obtain a high speed rail ticket,though the price did seem pretty high for the convenience. I dont fully recall, but I think I spent more than $50 US. Well, it was well worth it since it wizzed through the country bringing me almost to the … [Read more...] about Having Fun Being a Tourist: Just can’t stay off the bike
Biking Taiwan
Long Ride to Kaohsiung: Last day of the bike journey…What an adventure it has been
Was on the road before 7 30 am. Would have started earlier but wouldnt pass up a free meal. I had a feeling there would be one heck of a wind today. And yes there was. Kenting looks way different early in the morning. The nights are filled with action, food vendors up and down the street, a heavy flow of people wandering up and down the Main Street. But the mornings are peaceful and the streets are still lined with leftover trash and remnants of the fun everyone had the night before. There was hardly anyone about at that time. There was a nice bike path for quite a while but the wind hit me hard from the very start. I tried to maintain a positive outlook, though I did wonder why I didnt … [Read more...] about Long Ride to Kaohsiung: Last day of the bike journey…What an adventure it has been
Thoughts as the bike tour soon comes to an end: About Water, food, lodging and other concerns
It is quite possible that tomorrow will be the last day of the bike tour. Before coming to Taiwan I had concerns about the rental bike, traveling alone, would I be safe, how would I find a place to stay each night and how would I be able to order food. Also, would I be lonely. I will talk about those concerns and some other stuff. THE BIKE The bike suited me OK though I would have liked an extra low gear. I would have preferred to use my own panniers and would ask the next time if I would get the bike without panniers. I was glad to have brought my own extra front and rear light. I would also bring a handlebar bag. I had my own helmet with me from home. TRAVELING ALONE There are a few … [Read more...] about Thoughts as the bike tour soon comes to an end: About Water, food, lodging and other concerns
Another day in Kenting: Bike and bus day
Great breakfast at the hotel. Peaceful sleep last night. Although there are lots of hotel and hostel options I am enjoying the peacefulness of this hotel in a park like location and next to the ocean. Rode my bike to and up the 4km hill to the Kenting National Forest Recreation Area. Lots of monkeys everywhere in the park...and did I tell you they are the only live thing I am afraid of in the country. . When you get to the top there is a fee to enter and enjoy all the beautiful walking trails. Some of the sights are Caves, Gardens, a lovely greenhouse, Giant Maple, Weeping fig and on and on. It was quite nice. And of course the 4km back to town was enjoyable. Joined a leisurely bus group … [Read more...] about Another day in Kenting: Bike and bus day
On to Kending (Kenting): Glad I took the slow road.
As you know, you will get a variety of advice to get you to the same destination. Some will put you on the quickest main road and others will advise you to get off the beaten path,yet others may look at you as if you say its too far, or I dont think you can make it there. In the end you have to decide for yourself. I met a number of cyclists also heading to Kenting and most of them were planning on taking 9 west from Dareen and continuing all the way to 26 on the west coast and then south on 26 to Kenting. The route did not look appealing to me. Thanks to a few crazyguysonabike and their journals it confirmed my intention to choose another route. As I may have mentioned route 199 yesterday … [Read more...] about On to Kending (Kenting): Glad I took the slow road.
More mountains down to the ocean: Should have started earlier…ride from Chinlun (Jinlun) to Hsuhai (Xuhai)
Although I intended to heave Chinlun (Jinlun) by 7am I was told free breakfast at 8. If you know me, you know I dont pass up free food. I fell asleep to Kung Fu Panda movie in Mandarin last night at the most comfortable hotel so far. I would recommend it to any travellers if you dont mind the 1500 NTD. There were some rolling hills and beautiful ocean views heading south out of town. Quite a bit traffic and often not much of a shoulder to travel on. I loaded up with 4 drinks from one of those places that look like someones garage but its really a shop with a cooler and a nice variety of green tea drinks, sodas, water and cigs if you want to huff and puff your way up the mountain. Past … [Read more...] about More mountains down to the ocean: Should have started earlier…ride from Chinlun (Jinlun) to Hsuhai (Xuhai)
On to Chinlun (Jinlin): Great to be back on the bike
Up and out at 7am. Cold and Rainy start to the day. Oh, forgot to mention that yesterday I was told that I am very wise to travel clockwise around Taiwan this time of year. The man said the winds are to my back along the east coast right now. Had intended to go to Dawu but things change from day to day and that is the great thing about being on the bike as a solo traveller. Today I met the most cyclists I have met all trip. They were mostly going the opposite direction and all of them giving me advise about which road to take or not to take. I was leap frogging a few guys from Hong Kong most of the day. I also met up with another female solo cyclist from Taiwan. She was heading north and … [Read more...] about On to Chinlun (Jinlin): Great to be back on the bike
Yet Another easy rest day: Lucky to be here for the Amis Music festival
I was torn between heading down the road and staying one more day for the festival. I was told it would be a rare opportunity to view the ethnic local people and hear their traditional music. And so I opted to stay. I dont know if I already mentioned it but there are a few hostels in town and the easiest to findis across from the 711. Think it is Dulan 101. Since I had been invited to stay at a small guesthouse called ROSE just on the west side of the town up a hill I decided to go for it. I rode to the south end of the town and I believe to took the last right just before the gas station. For about 10 minutes I cycled sllllllllllllooooowww uphill and came to a small sign that said rose. I … [Read more...] about Yet Another easy rest day: Lucky to be here for the Amis Music festival
Lazy day: Just Biking around town exploring
Like I said...this is a slow bike tour of Taiwan. I an in no rush to get to any city. I am originally from New York City and dont find much joy in touring cities. Yes, at the end of my trip I will spend a day or two or three in Taipei. Its funny how a person can speed past village after village forming an opinion of whether they like it or not just within moments of arrival. I know , I do that myself often. And when i arrived in Doulan yesterday I thought not much of it, and what is all the hype about . As usual I had difficulty reading any signs denoting lodging. I stumbled upon a funky looking hand painted sign thinking it might be a funky place to stay. I was correct with that. Just … [Read more...] about Lazy day: Just Biking around town exploring
The tunnel was my best friend today: Over the mountain and down to the Pacific
I had a slow start today, as the owners of last nights hotel were happy to hang and and talk to me this morning. They were really nice people, and the skies looked cloudy and cold and so I was happy to delay my departure. I should have known better and should have started earlier. I wanted to pick up route 193 again, instead of heady south on the busy route 9. I checked it out last night on googlemaps and wrote down the road i needed, in English and also in taiwanese. Was happy to pick it up just by the the helpful police station in town. Once again route 193 was a pleasure to ride on. Very little traffic as well. I had one set of mountains to my right and another mountain range to the … [Read more...] about The tunnel was my best friend today: Over the mountain and down to the Pacific