Yang Ming Shan's 竹子湖 is a place where I yearn to go as it's where the calla lilies（海芋） grow.We didn't go during our last 2 visits to Taipei as it is not the season of calla lilies. This time round, however, we are just in time to see them bloom..
So, I did some digging and realised during the cherry blossom seasons, there are special buses that plys between Taipei town and YMS. But I specifically wanted to go 竹子湖， it's till much later I realised Da Nan bus (大南汽车 ) have direct services to 竹子湖 from either Shi Pai station ( 石牌站) or Bei Tou station (北投站).
I decided on taking bus no. 小八 (small eight) from Shi Pai station as it is nearer to travel to. Bei Tou is a few more stops down. The timetable are fixed for these routes and thus, I am able to plan my time better.
 |
| Alight at this station to transfer to bus up to YMS |
Mr Love was so happy to see KFC when we exit the station to search for lunch and we took lunch here. The bus stop is just right in front of KFC and this is the 1st stop for the bus. Grabbed a quick lunch and we went to queue up. The queue was pretty long even for a weekday, a lot of senior citizens go for trekking it seems.
大南汽车 website:
http://www.dnbus.com.tw/travel.htm
 |
| View from KFC |
We didn't manage to get a seat as the bus is the mini bus type. Man, the journey uphill is torturing. Turns everywhere and on top of it, it was jerking all the way uphill. My lunch was threatening to come out any time soon le. Mr Love said I looked so sick that my face turns pale.
After what seems like an eternity, we finally reached our destination -竹子湖... It was raining when we alight and the bus stop was packed to the brim. Wind was also strong here as we are at 1of the highest point of YMS. Umbrella proves to be useless as the winds are so strong that our umbrellas were turned upside down.
Took cover outside a restaurant as we discussed on our next step. I was actually pretty scared that Mr Love would want give up.. We were so closed to see the calla lilies already!!!
 |
| Huge plantations of calla lilies |
Luckily for me, Mr Love decided to continue with the walk despite the rain and wind. Hehe Maybe he knows how much I yearn to see the calla lilies. Hehe...Walked along the path way in the rain and we decided to forgo the umbrella at some point when it proves to be useless.
 |
| Map of the walking area around 竹子湖 |
 |
| 龟兔 |
We came face to face with plots of lands growing calla lilies（海芋） every where and I was so amazed by the view. Its filled with serenity and when you take a deep breath, you can actually smell the freshness of the air here.
 |
| 海芋 |
Along the path, there are different shops selling calla lilies for 10bucks each. You can choose to pluck them yourself. As the calla lilies are all grown in muddy field, you must be prepared to get dirty. But most of the shops provide boots for you to change into. There are some who will tell you to pluck the calla lilies nearer to the pathway and you need not change out of your shoes or risk dirtying your shoes.
 |
| Closer look of the calla lilies |
We continued walking till we came up to a tent up slope. Took refuge inside and found an Ah Ma tending to the calla lilies field with her grandson. She was kind enough to let us hide from the sudden strong wind and offered us a great deal for the lilies. While others charge 1 for NTD 10, she told us she will sell us NTD100 for a dozen. How nice of her :)
We decided to get the lilies from her as 1). Its a good deal, 2). She didn't seems to be having good business because shes located more uphill.
 |
| Brave the wind to take a photo with the lilies |
She gave us the option of going into the field ourselves to pluck the lilies or she can do us the favour. We choose the later as we did not know how to pick the nicer 1. She promised that she would picked the nicer 1 for me:)
We then stayed in tent while the Ah ma went into the field to pluck the flowers. I entertained her grandson who all the time was smiling at us but not toking to us. whahah..
 |
| Check out Mr Love's hair blown all out of place by the wind |
 |
| Ah Ma helping us to pluck the lilies |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Ah Ma's plantation of 海芋 |
 |
| Freshly plucked Calla Lilies |
|
 |
| So happy of my newly brought flowers |
We chatted a bit with the Ah Ma and then decided to walk back the path we came from. Had wanted to explore more but then weather is really chilly.Am afraid Mr Love would catch a cold as he is just wearing a thin jacket. I am contented with seeing the plantations and buying the bouquet already. Perhaps the next round when we come again during Spring, I will prepare more appropriate clothes for this cold weather, then we can explore more.
 |
| 1 more shot before we descend |
 |
| Shot of My love and the flowers |
We decided to grab some coffee as to heat ourselves up and ducked into a cafe. Ordered a mocha and then Mr Love decided to have an ice cream though he is already freezing. Faints..I was the 1 who taught him to enjoy this way during our honeymoon in Winter Korea.
 |
| Milky sweets |
 |
| 镇店之宝 |
The ice cream is frm 1 of the famous cow farm in Taiwan and it tastes oooiishhhiiii...
Didn't get to taste such delicious ice cream after having it here..
 |
| The oiishhiii ice cream |
As we walked towards the bus stop, 1 nursery caught our attention and we stopped by to admire the flowers they grow. The daisy are so pretty that I wished I can bring them home. The owner is pretty cool by letting walk around her nursery though knowing that we would buy anything from her..
 |
| Colourful windmills turning |
 |
| Attractive daisy |
Spent quite some time before moving off, as it was still early, I told Mr Love that I would want to check out the other attraction of YMS. The flower clock （花钟）. But I am not sure of what bus to take, however, I did overhear the announce of the stop while on our way up.
We decided to go ahead and check out the bus that will stop near there. Since the weather is cooling, Mr Love is pretty fine with doing a bit of walking.
 |
| Mr Love, studying the flowers |
 |
| Long road down to the bus stop |
 |
| Another nursery along the way |
Couldn't get on the 1st bus and had to wait for the 2nd 1. Turns out it's the special service that was provided for the cherry blossom viewing.
No comments:
Post a Comment