The plan for today was no plan at all. I spent half the day walking around town and then bicycling random back roads around the village and beyond. It was a pleasure to watch people working around their homes, seeing people out the fields, chatting with kids at the school and visiting a few temples along the way. The afternoon was spent in the hot springs at the hotel. And although I do not even own a TV I am trying to work on the language by watching Disney Channel. As for my language skills - I can ask where the bank is, where the hotel is, please give me a beer, too expensive and a few other phrases. A small dictionary has come in handy as well. Todays expenses - Hotel $54 Shirt at the … [Read more...] about Another day in Ruisui: Easy rides on random bike paths and country back roads
Biking Taiwan
Slightly overdid it today 6am to 5pm: Ended with Police escort
I was up and ready to go at 5am. Still too dark to head out. After about 15 min I decided to enjoy the coming of light and walked the bike towards the center of town. I had expected to get some breakfast but alas, the stalls were not yet open. Todays plan is to cycle back town the Gorge, pick up the bike trail to Hualien and find an oceanside hotel just south of town. When the road was visible without headlamp I hopped on the bike.Once again, it was my goal to enjoy as much of the Gorge without the touring traffic. Nothing against the other tourists, but the road is wide enough just for one bus in many spots. There is a severe drop to the raging river at most spots along the way. I was … [Read more...] about Slightly overdid it today 6am to 5pm: Ended with Police escort
Amazing Taroko Gorge: On the list of the most beautiiful places I have ever been to
With eyes wide opened I experience an incredible day in the Taroko Gorge. I set out by 7am hoping to avoid the continuous flow of tour busses inching their way behind me. Since I arrived at the Liwu hostel last night in near darkness I had no idea what lay ahead for todays ride. As I walked out of the hostel door this morning I looked up towards the direction of my intended travel I was almost breathless. I had no idea of the mighty mountains that lay before me. I made my way to the 7 11 for a cofffee and some kinda packaged bun (not too bad). Did not see any other place nearby to grab some breakfast. I felt a slight amount of fear for what lay ahead since I dont have my cycle legs back … [Read more...] about Amazing Taroko Gorge: On the list of the most beautiiful places I have ever been to
Here we go: Finally on the bike…Happy Happy Happy
So it was a pretty good night sleep at Hara Zuru even though I felt like I was sleeping on a rock. It was peaceful quiet and the staff were quite helpful and friendly. I awoke to a super spread buffet with choices both east and western style food. I pigged out mostly on the tofu, fresh sprouts, misu soup and white rice. A ten minute taxi ride took me to the Taoyuan train station getting there over an hour before my trail were to depart. I had an enjoyable time people watching and they were also most likely people watching me as I was the only blonde I saw all morning. Whenever a train were to approch a crew of neatly dressed workers paced up and down the platform making sure no one stepped … [Read more...] about Here we go: Finally on the bike…Happy Happy Happy
Happy to arrive: A Good Traveller Has No Fixed Plans….Lao Tzu
It has been a long journey getting here. And now that I have arrived I have no regrets. I am wishing I could be on the bike right now, but there is still another leg of the journey to get to the starting point of where I rent the bike and where I start to pedal. As a foreign woman arriving late at night, I felt right at home from the start. I have already tried out a few words and phrased in Mandarin and they seem to get some smiles, if nothing else. I think the taxi driver understood me when I asked him how much the trip would cost. So far, everyone seems to be going out of their way to help and to make me feel comfortable. Despite the fact that the hotel bed feels like it is missing the … [Read more...] about Happy to arrive: A Good Traveller Has No Fixed Plans….Lao Tzu
I was not supposed to be in San Francisco: Sorry, there are problems with the nose of our plane..we have to make an emergency landing
So, I was at the Albany NY airport before 5am for my 7am flight to Chicago Then I was to connect to Narita Japan and then on to Taipei Taiwan. Our flight was delayed due to a battle of too muich luggage on the flight. No one wanted their luggage to be delayed to a later flight Massive amounts of luggage was being added at the last minute from an RPI hockey team. We are told that some of us had to have our luggage put on a later flight. An argument erupted with the person in charge of getting the luggage on our flight. The argument esculated and her supervisor was called in. We sat, in Albany for over an hour. At that point I knew I still had an hour to spare for my next flight. So they … [Read more...] about I was not supposed to be in San Francisco: Sorry, there are problems with the nose of our plane..we have to make an emergency landing
Just Two Weeks To Go: Countdown – Two Weeks
With about two weeks before take off I’m doing a last minute review of what needs to be done. BIKE – The dream of owning a Bike Friday didn’t materialize. I realized I could not afford it at this time. I will be renting a bike from Giant Company. I will take a train to the east coast and rent in Hualin. The Taroko Station (Xincheng) would have been more convenient but is closed for renovations. I plan on bringing my own helmet and some tools. I’ll email Giant a few days before the trip to re-confirm. PANNIERS – The panniers will be supplied by the bike company. I’ll pack my gear in a large duffel type bag that was purchased at a thrift store for a few bucks. My gear will be put in the … [Read more...] about Just Two Weeks To Go: Countdown – Two Weeks
The Plan: Which Is Sure To Change
Over the course of the last couple of weeks I've change my mind a few times. Part of me feels compelled to take a more difficult route and cycle over Taiwan's highest mountain passes. The more realistic side of me confirms to take it slow, take it easy and have fun. I am very much looking forward to seeing the country by the seat of a bike. I am looking forward to meeting locals and travelers along the way and to try to get my needs and interests across to them with my limited Mandarin. I don't want to ask for the menu in English. I don't want to just point to something. I am hoping to get some of my wishes across to folks in a polite, respectful and understandable manner. Another goal is … [Read more...] about The Plan: Which Is Sure To Change
Countdown: 38 Days to Go
Lots to do before the trip, but if I had to hop on the plane tomorrow I could. Here's where I stand with things: THE BIKE Although I have a bike in Ireland, a bike in Vermont and one in New York I don't plan on taking any of them. My choice is narrowed down to utilizing the Giant Bike Company rental bike program once I arrive in Taiwan or purchasing a Bike Friday folding bike here in the states and taking it with me. Through Giant Inc. I was able to obtain a list of locations throughout Taiwan where I could rent and where I could drop the bike off. The only problem was that the list was in Chinese. The only email contact I found on the Giant web site was a link to "applying for a job." I … [Read more...] about Countdown: 38 Days to Go
The Plan: So Where to, I Wonder?
It has been a long time dream to cycle to Lhasa, Tibet. It all began when I was hiking in Nepal in the 70's and stayed with Tibetan families. The lure of cycling to the Potala has always remained imprinted in my mind. "Get a grip, girl" I said to myself. "Even during my most fit years, that would have been quite a challenge" I thought. Who knows, maybe someday? I was quite interested in a bicycle trip Red Spokes tour group was offering to rural China. I have been to the Great Wall twice with my bike, seen the Terricota Warriors at Xian and was the guest of honor at every evening banquet that each village official provided us with. We were probably on the same path that hundreds of other … [Read more...] about The Plan: So Where to, I Wonder?