25 March 2014
By the seaside
Another great day in Taiwan, apart from the smog.
I headed North in the clear blue sky by train then bus to a place called Jiufen. A former gold mining place abandoned in the 60's which then became a top tourist location.
As the hours went by, it got visibly more and more smoggy, quite amazing, out my hotel window now I cannot even see the mountains, the sun is a dark red color.
Anyway, that didnt ruin the fun, you get a local train to a place called Ruifeng, pay attention as theres no English announcements, signs, and most people shut the curtains on the train so you cant see station sign posts!
This train continues on all the way around Taiwan, and next time I come here I want to go down the eastern coast.
On board this train were a lot of people busy attempting to eject a lung from themselves, so I suspect I will now develop some kind of horrendous flu just in time for the flight home.
Tomorrow may be the last mountain opportunity! Today was a mountain, but nothing too strenuous. Thats it for todays issue of mountain news, enjoy the mountain photos.
The local train, some people have been on here all night I think, its an echo chamber of cacophonous snoring.
Once you get to Ruifeng, you see lots of shops for people going onto other tourist areas such as me. Ruifeng is kind of the centre point for 3 such areas, today I am only visiting 1. Again I have to say it, next time!
Theres a steam train or similar that goes between Shifen and Pinxi which sounds good, but not today.
The ride on the bus was short, slightly worrying due to scooters passing on the inside around corners, and the bus would occasionally slam on the brakes when another bus was coming in the opposite direction.
Excellent view though.
Once you get to Jiufen its already quite high up, and the smog is starting to appear. Great view of numerous cities and ports and cool looking roads and hiking trails everywhere.
My goal, once I have explored the old streets of the town.
This is the old street, goes for about a mile in all kinds of directions. I got lost and confused, because I thought we were heading into the hill behind the town for most of the way.
These were very good quality shops selling lots of locally produced food and leather goods and jewellery and whatever else I cant be bothered carrying home.
So now to climb the hill, and post a heap of photos that look more or less the same. The far side of the hill shows more interesting towns. I believe the next town over is just as impressive as this one.
This is Jiufen as seen from half way up the mountain thing. The tiny houses in the centre are the old style miners houses, I think a sign told me that.
Poorly sized panorama.
Higher, more view.
Even higher, better view, including cool road.
Now at the top, looking out to sea, next stop is Okinawa Japan. Im keeping a close eye on Shinzo Abe and his newly refound imperialistic expansion plans.
View back towards Keelung
Me, trying to get in the view, ok no more view.
There are at least 20 temples within walking distance of this town. Each one more ridiculously colored than the last.
Building a town on a steep hill makes for interesting streets.
This is the original theater, built in the 1930's. It appears to still be in use but its free to go in and look around.
And to reward myself for my efforts, my new favourite, barley milk tea.
Didnt get a coffee this morning, I havent gone into a semi paralytic or psychopathic state as a result of caffeine withdrawls, yet.