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 companies that look like they run a nice bike tour in Taiwan. I think Grasshopper tours and Bamboo something might be two. It would be fun to share the trip with others but the cost would have been much higher. The companionship, especially on hills, would have made it easier. I was, however, so very happy to go at my own speed and stay longer at certain places. There are both advantages and disadvantages to both. My first night in Taiwan I would not go out once it got dark. I now feel very comfortable wandering around the villages once I feel comfortable with my surroundings. People were kind and always so helpful. They did often stare a bit, but that is understandable with blonde hair and blue eyes.
DOGS I was quite afraid of wild dogs and potential for them chasing after me as I am so often used to at home. I brought along an aerosol can that makes a piercing sound when pressed. I kept it within reach and never used it. The dogs just seemed tired and disinterested. I was, a few times, a little concerned about monkeys as they were everywhere on some of the smaller roads. I didnt like the feeling of them being right overhead, and I guess there was really no reason to be concerned.
POLICE I always felt they would help me in any way needed. I was happy to know that they are so willing to help cyclists.
711 Thank you to all the kind folks at 711 that gave directions, suggestions on places to stay and all that good stuff.
LODGING I never really kept track of the exact mileage. I looked at the map and did a ballpark figure of how far I would go each day and hoped to find lodging in that area. I was a little obsessed at first worrying about whether or not I would make to to a hotel, BnB or hostel. l couldnt read most of the signs in more remote areas, so it was hard to tell what was a hotel and what was a who knows what. I came to feel more comfortable and always had options. I became pretty good at asking hotel- where is one….. then asking price and so forth. As you know from my log, I usually spent between $10 us – $30 US. I recall two nights I spent $50 at a spa hotel. I was always safe and comfortable at where ever I stayed.
FOOD I rarely had a lunch. I ate well at breakfast and drank plenty of fluids during the day. I always had fruit with me , most of which was given by folks I met along the way. I carried nuts and dried fruit that I got at 711. I wasnt thrilled about the typical breakfast but I gladly ate it. Some of my photos can show a spread of what I got at hotels that included breakfast. At the beginning of the trip I relied more on 711. Later in the trip I stuck mostly with hole in the wall noodle shops and evening markets spending just a dollar or two (US) to fill me up.
WATER I was concerned having gotten very sick from water in Nepal and also problems in CentralAmerica. Police stations always had good water available for me. Every hotel I stayed at had a special water cooler for drinks. In the evening I almost always had a beer, or two just to keep the fluids going. I never ordered anything with ice (so I dont know if that is a problem or not) I did often use tap water to brush my teeth.
LANGUAGE I carried a small Mandarin dictionary, Lonely Planet phrase book and had some friends write down some phrases for me. Even if I thought someone spoke English I first asked in Mandarin if they spoke English. I tried to be respectful and make as much of a language effort as possible. I listened over and over again to clips from Utube and other learn Chinese stuff on the internet prior to the trip. I think Chinese with Mike is fun and informative if you can get it on Utube. The phrases I used all the time included – One person, how much, please thank you, I love Taiwan, and I became pretty good at knowing numbers to 100. I always asked first how much something was, though I never got the feeling that I was being ripped off.
THINGS TO BRING Having some photos of my home and my sons was helpful, ,especially if someone wants to have a conversation with you and there is the language barrior. I brought a bit too much warm clothes thinking it might be colder around Taroko. I would bring less and certainly Taiwan has just about anything you need. People were always asking for my email address or facebook address, so you may want to bring buisness type cards if you are willing to share your info. I think the best thing I brought was my willingness to be flexible and to open my self up to this great new experience.
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