Of All Wonderful Things: Japan/Taiwan

We have actually bought the tickets to Taichung earlier when we went to Kaohsiung train station because we were afraid that it will be full and might affect our itinerary. Couldn't quite remember the timing that we bought but I think it was 9ish morning. So we actually check out of Each Family and went to Kaohsiung train station to have mac breakfast before boarding the train from 台鐵高雄車站至台中站. You probably can check out the highspeed railway train if you want a speedy travelling time because we took the normal train that cost us lesser but at a longer travelling time of around 3 - 4 hours. We were not in a hurry anyway. Bought my mac tea up the train and off we go to Taichung! Its pretty comfy to rest on Taiwan train because they have ample space and the seats are wider. When we reached Taichung, it's already 12ish. I couldnt really eat much because I have motion sickness from cars and buses sometimes. My sister wasn't quite sure how long more would it take us to reach Cingjing too so I didn't really dare eat. We went to find the bus that would bring us to Cingjing and we actually met those taxi drivers that would approach you to bring you up. What they say were not wrong anyway because it definitely shorten the time travelled because buses would have to circle around the neighbourhood because going up the mountain. Plus we probably need to change another transport to reach our resort since it is up the mountain. But being skeptical about the price they quote, we actually ignore them and continue our queue for the bus. It was NT1600 I think. The taxi driver even say he would find another 2 travellers so that we all could share the cost. We still choose to stick to our plan. There was this uncle who was so called the bus time controller or something who stood at the bus stand to Cingjing and we chat for awhile. Very friendly uncle who shared with us where should we visit in Taichung/Kaohsiung. Then the taxi uncle came back to us with two other girls that supposingly ignore the taxi driver and were going to Cingjing as well. The taxi driver would actually helped you with your way to the bus stand from the station and of course try to get your business. Upon knowing we were girls too, the two girls actually were quite keen to take the cab and actually turned to us to ask if we were willing anot. The friendly uncle advised us that it is actually worth it to share cost up to Cingjing by cab if it was NT1600 because each would only be NT400 which is slightly more than the bus fare only but the travelling time would be shorten to 1.5hrs to 2hrs compare to the bus which might be 3 - 4 hours. So yup, we took the taxi together with the other two girls. I was still quite cool when it is travelling on the road but when it gets up the mountain, man that was shit. I started to get my motion sickness and was feeling super uncomfortable. Worst still, the two other girls stayed in a very inaccessible place where the resort is right down hiding in the mountain where the road into the resort was super bumpy and narrow. I almost feel like vomitting already. We stayed at one of the highest resort up the mountain so by the time we reached, my face was as pale. I was like, I need to get out of the car right now after the cab stopped outside our resort, like IMMEDIATELY. So here we are, 清境農場! We stayed at this resort called 清境農場楓葉山莊. Details are here:

清境農場楓葉山莊

地址：南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路226-9號

Website : http://maple-leaves.com.tw/

We paid about SGD105 per person for 3 nights, so it's about SGD70 per night.

清境農場楓葉山莊

The view from the check-in counter window. The nature.... relaxing

Our room for the 3 nights. We were actually upgraded to a 4 person family room! Yippee to bigger room.

Rather simple but good enough for us.

Wide angle view.

After settling down, we went out to have a walk and explore the places. Seriously in love with nature and the cooling weather. Super shiok I tell you. You see the greens and the day is bright but it is not hot at all, rather cooling temperature. Just look at the view! You just feel relaxed and your mood unconsciously will be lifted up.

Spot the sheeps?

Had my first postcard mailed from overseas to myself back to sg since it is always my sister's habit of doing so to have memory sake. I did it too cause the postcard was in wood and pretty nice as well! ( yup I have received my own postcard already)

You can take a feeder bus to go down the mountain I think but there is timing for that. We choose to walk down instead since it is quite cooling and we were told that it is a 15 mins - 20 mins walk. Why not in this weather? LOL.

Reached the first stop and tour around the place. There is some shops and a cafe as well.

There, the cafe.

Settled down with this cafe for food since we were hungry.

My sis pepper steak!

and my mushroom steak!

After our late lunch/dinner, we passed by this shop that sells goat milk love letter which is freshly made on the spot!

got some to try and I must say it really taste good!

We walked further down again to this small attraction place that apparently is a sure visit when at Cingjing.

Very pretty place I would say.

Everything made of carton cardboard!

This is so cool right?!

And then we got attracted to these beautiful yummy chocolates!

Look at that! and the fruit chocolate in the glasses.

How could we not have bought them? hahah! The staff was super friendly and gave us alot of chocolate sample to try so that we can pick our favourites! Many of the chocolates actually ran out of stock and she told us that the chocolates were coming later so we actually told her to help us reserve first! Kudos to her for helping us!

We then headed to the swiss garden which is said to be very pretty and popular.

That's me!

Look at these!

Pretty pretty flowers~

selfie of course!

It gets abit misty and cold suddenly

I didnt edit the photos!

choo choo train~~

The prettiest area of the garden.

rows and rows of pinwheels! damn pretty la

Can be decoration for wedding right?

Still pretty even the night falls

my sis... trying to be funny........

as a ghost. -.- because we saw this tree that changes light and spotted the green light that can make a good background for ghost

As it was pretty late, about 6 plus when we left the garden. We quickly went to get our chocolates but the staff say there is a slight delay and will only reach about 7. We could wait for our favourites anyway so we went to 7-11 to shop for our snacks and drinks for the 3 nights because we definitely don't want to come down everyday to get food. Bought alot of food and drinks enough for the 3 nights and the staff actually came personally to deliver our chocolates to us! So sweet right? Then, we left Swiss town to head back. We walked up the mountain back to the first stop that we had our dinner to realise that the shops are all closed because we wanted to ask for the way back to our resort. So, we headed down abit because there were still some food stalls that were open. Only to realise that there were no more feeder bus because it stopped at 7pm after asking the food stall staff for help and direction, we were shocked. Now we have to walk back?! Up the mountain?! It was pitch black and cold at that time. The staff knew we were tourists (Of course he does, it was too obvious) and asked for our resort. He then helped us call the resort and have someone to pick us up since we were really stranded. Lucky us! What's more and recommended to book the resort we stayed in was because the owner actually came and drive us back! I mean where in such places can you find resort owners picking you up back to resort because you are stranded! Most probably they would ask you to take a cab back or something. (Maybe because it is up in the mountain and there isnt any taxi around so the owner has no choice but to pick us up) BUT, still very grateful and thankful for the resort owner ok! Up in the mountain, usually shops close at 7pm and the night end early for them because there is basically nothing much to do and it get pretty cold at night too. So, a tip for you guys, remember to stock up food and drinks because to walk or travel down to 7-11 everytime is really a hassle and remember their night ends early! Ending the post with our favourite buy, chocolates!!!!!