We reached top of the mountain safely after wat seems to be a life time for me. Thank god that the sky is clearing up and winds are not that strong after all. I think I will hyperventilate shd the ride becomes rough becuz of the weather.
As we alight from the cable car, staff reminded us the last operation timing for the cars.
|
1st sight of the village |
We arrived at the entrance of F.A.C.V where there are some souvenir shops, to prove that my hubs is wrong about my shopping spirit acting up, I walked straight past them (I regretted it afterwards) and went to exchange for tixs from our coupons.
Truth to be told, I am not sure is there any other attractions besides entrance to F.A.C.V and the shops. We didnt have time to look ard when we arrived and left.
|
Shops infront of the entrance |
Farmosan Aboriginal Culture Village was established in 1986. Here, it features the different taiwanese aboriginal cultures, giving visitors an insight of the fast losing cultures. There is also amusement park built here.
|
观景台 |
|
Big roots protruding out of the ground |
|
Not sure whether the water is drinkable or not.Didnt dare to try |
We took a map as we entered the village and is amazed by the size. No way we can cover the entire village within the 2hrs we have before the cable cars closed for the day. Decided not to focus on any thing but just walk around as far as possible. But but but, I am dying to see the lavenders which are said to be in bloom now...And it is located at the most far end of the village. Faints.
With me as the time keeper, we begin our journey down the village. Not far from the entrance, we came across a stage where a performance had just started. Was attracted by the singing & dancing of the various tribes.
|
Show time |
They were showcasing the different tribes and some of their traditional dances and cultures. It was interesting and we will love to continue watching if not for the time constraint.
There are 9 villages here in total if I am not wrong. I lost count on whether did we visit each village as we rush thru them.
|
Typical house of Paiwan tribe |
I am actually not sure whether the things they are showcasing realli does exist in modern world Taiwan but it is pretty interesting to see the different lives of the tribes.
|
Spears |
|
Re-enactment of a traditional event |
|
Another traditional house of a tribe |
|
Little black pig |
|
Storage area, I presumed |
|
Multi purpose hall where people gather to hold meetings |
|
High above the ground |
At the entrance of each village, there will be a huge stone engrave with the tribe's name and a short introduction board giving information on the tribe's history, population etc.
|
Blessing by Shaman |
|
"Nothing interesting inside", says Mr Love |
|
Making of garland |
|
Random Lavender we saw ard the village |
|
House of Bunun tribe |
I have come to a conclusion there the tribal people are of smaller built after seeing a few traditional houses. Reason being, I literally had to slouch while inside the houses. I mean people will not built houses that will need them to slouch while inside rite?
|
This is a tale on a a wild boar saving some villagers during a flood or smting like tat |
|
Interesting muscial instrument outside the gift shop |
|
Another stage, but no show scheduled |
We came across a pond in Zhao tribe village and Mr Love got excited when he saw a vending machine selling food for the fishes..Faints..This is by far his favourite spot in the whole village.
|
So happie to see the vending machine |
|
鱼儿,鱼儿,水中游 |
|
Fish food in a tube |
|
All swimming towards us |
We were pretty lucky that it was drizzling only while walking thru the villages, rain is not heavy enuff to use an umbrella and therefore we try walk in the shades under the tress (not a good idea during rainy days I know)..
|
Weaving shop |
|
Shopping time!! |
There was a school trip going on I think and it got pretty rowdy at 1 point with the kids running ard. We gave the outdoor theme park a miss due to the weather and proceed to the indoor 1.
But the rides seems to be too kiddy and I just stick ard to take some photos before moving on. Think the rides are all inclusive in the entrance tickets if I am not wrong. It would have been a good place if you brought kids here. The school trip kids were all screaming and running towards the rides.
|
Starting to get cold |
I spotted my lavender garden outside the indoor theme park and got excited over it. Turns out, they are not in full bloom yet and the staff are still busy preparing the garden. Nevertheless, we manage to take a few photos of this beautiful garden. I can imagine how nice it would have been during the cherry blossom season or lavenders in full bloom.
|
Train that will take you around the garden |
|
Still in preparation |
|
Close up. |
I tried smelling the lavenders, but it does not give out the usual smell we knew from buying lavender products. Not sure why leh, but Mr Love was luffing hard at me for trying to smell them. Luckily, the garden was pretty empty. Hehe
I didnt managed to convince him to take a bus down to the mountain and instead was pressured by him to take the F.AC.V internal cable car up to the entrance to take the S.M.L cable car down as he didnt want to waste our tickets or to incur more fees on the bus fare. Agggrrr
Since there was abit of time, we stopped by a fast food restaurant located near the outdoor theme park for a quick bite. Was very disappointed by the food, its cold and not to mention tasteless. I cannot rememeber another occasion where I was this disappointed with food in Taiwan.
|
Cold and tasteless nuggets n fries |
The F.A.C.V cable car will take you back to the entrance which saves you the trouble of walking up hill. Not as scary as the SML version but I was still nervous.
|
F.A.C.V cable car |
|
View from inside the car |
We reached the entrance just in time to catch 1 of the last cable car down to the mountain and to catch the last ferry back to our starting point.
I thank god for the good weather albeit a bit on the gloomy side, but hey, its better than to be raining cats & dogs rite.
After tots of visiting F.A.C.V too much tings, too little time. It is just not possible to finish this place with the short time we had. Ferry and cable car services end early too it seems at 5 & 4pm respectively. Given the long travel time from Tai Chung to here, it is also not possible to reach earlier though we can catch a later bus back. Thus, I reckon the next time when we are visiting, would need arrange to stay a night here at 1 of the many Minsu we saw.
I look forward to the next time I get to visit here and also to explore other areas of SML that we missed out due to the little time we have.
|
We will be back |