This morning we woke up to a bright morning which is good for our day trip since it's gonna be outdoor today. It is the morning after the senseless killing and family back home are worried about safety.
Took an umbrella as precaution out today as we are worried about the rain and also to arm against any copy cat of yesterday's killing.
Board the train towards Nanshijiao (Yellow) and transfer to Xindian line (Green) at Guting. Police presence in stations are still quite high hence makes us feel a bit safer but I still keep a look out for any possible danger. Mr Love on the other hand seems more relax and not that worrying.
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| Transfer station-Guting |
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| Transfer lines at Guting station |
We arrived at Xindian station at 11am and went in search of the place to transfer to bus to Wu Lai.
Wulai is a small town famous for its hot springs and aboriginal culture. A bus ride from Xindian station would take 40min and since it is the terminal station, we slept our way through on the bus. Haha.
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| Xindian surroundings |
A check with the visitor centre at Xindian station tells us that bus to Wulai should be taken from the bus stop to the right of the station. This is not to be confuse with the little bus interchange to the left of Xindian station.
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| Bus stop outside Xindian station |
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| Enroute stops fro bus 849 |
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| Along the way-Xindian river |
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| 1st glimpse of Wulai town |
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| Lover's bridge |
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| Greying skies |
We got to Xindian a bit before 12 and was greeted by a gush of cold wind, was praying that it wouldn't rain till we finish our tour here.
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| 1st selfie in Wulai |
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| Walking to Wulai Old street |
Walked across a bridge and we reach Wulai Old street. It was very quiet today not sure is due to weather or because it would only get crowded on weekends. But the good thing is, most of the shops are open.
First stall that greeted us is selling egg pancake where you can choose to add various ingredients to it. Mr Love ordered an original one at NT40 and it was prepared only after we ordered.
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| Egg pancake |
The vendor rolled out a dough and added an egg to it before deep frying them both together. It is then placed on a rack to cool down before adding in the ingredients.
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| Waiting for it to cool |
The original version have onion and cucumber strips added to it along with their in house sauce. When it was served to us, it is still piping hot and the egg pancake is super crispy from the deep frying. Took a bite into it and all we can hear is the crunchiness of the pancake.
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| Fresh from the deep fryer |
Opposite the pancake stall is a museum for aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. Admission was initially payable but starting from dunno when, it became free for all to enter. We finished our pancake before going in for a tour.
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| Different tribes of Taiwan |
The first level display model houses of all the tribes in Taiwan and also touches on a bit of history and developments of the tribes. Actually these are not new to us as we had visited Formosa Aboriginal culture village in Sun Moon Lake last year.
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| Schematic drawings of watch tower |
Moving on the 2nd level, weapons and tools used for farming and hunting are displayed. There are also household items like bamboo baskets, chairs and tons of others.
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| Hunting tools |
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| Tattoo tools |
Turns out that Atayals will tatto on their face when they reached 15 or 16. And they will have to earn their tattos while gaining experience for hunting or weaving skills. It is believed that if they do not have facial tattos, they will be rejected by their ancesteral spirits after death.
The tools used seems to be sharp and I cannot imagine the pain of getting the tattoos.
We moved on to the main street after touring this museum. As there were quite alot of dogs roaming around in groups, Mr Love keep having to duck into any random shops with me to avoid them. Nearly wanted to back out of the tour here because of the many dogs present here.
We came to a stall near the end of the street and was drawn to it by the food they sold here. Big pieces of wild boar meat which the vendor will heat up upon ordering. It costs NT250 for any piece and he choose 1 for us to heat up.
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| Wild boar meat |
There are quite a selection of food sold here. But since the wild boar meat is pretty big, we decided not to order anything else. Instead, we stood there to chat with the vendor about yesterday's killing where he said he had a friend who is injuried in the incident.
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| Other food sold here |
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| Sausages |
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| Guide map to Wulai district |
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| Pretty empty Wulai old street |
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| Menu of the stall |
It took quite a while for the meat to be heat up and when it was served to us, we can smell the seasoning on the meat.
The first bite was heavenly, although it was grilled a second time, the the meat was still tender. While the seasoning, it gives a fragrant taste and the fats were not too oily too.
Simply love this meat.
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| The meat,a bit blur was we were anxious to start eating |
Proceed to find Wulai tram which is suppose to take us uphill where a waterfall is located. There is also a cable car station uphill leading to some place. I made Mr Love promised that we need not take the cable car since an earthquake just struck yesterday. I am totally freak out and cannot imagine if it strike again while we are in the cable car.
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| Stair way leading to Wulai tram |
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| Super long stairway |
It was a super long climb to the tram station. Nearly died halfway. There were no 1 else taking the tram and so we need to wait till the operator thinks he wannt move off. So we sat there eating the wild boar meat brought earlier.
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| Wulai tram |
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| Tracks |
We moved off 10mins later and the ride uphill seems a bit tedious for the old looking tram, many a times I though it would die half way through the ride. It also gives out a foul smell while moving, burning of petroleum I think.
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| Wulai tram tunnel |
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| Lovers' bridge |
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| Rapid water |
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| Empty street on a weekday |
When we reached uphill, the street was empty. Only half the shops were open and there was literally no one else here except for the locals. Was disappointed as it seems boring here.
Went in search of the water fall and took some photos here before deciding to make our way down as there was nothing else worth exploring.
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| Wulai waterfall |
Mr Love somehow managed to talk me into walking down hill instead of taking the tram again. I was not in favour of it, but he kept saying we ate too much these few days and is in need of exercise. Furthermore, the weather was good today. Not raining but a bit gloomly, making it cool enough to walk outdoors.
I comply but kept nagging along the way as it was really a long way down. We took 20mins to walk down simply because I was walking at snail's speed. To top it off, I was sweating bullets even though the weather was cooling.
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| Power station |
We came across a gift shop to the right of the stairway leading to the tram station and went to check it out. Mainly because I wanted to find something to buy home to remember our trip to Wulai.
The thing about Wulai is, there are plenty of shops selling Millet wine. Its the speciality here. And the best thing is, you get free tasting here! Muhaha.
We went into 1 shop earlier at Wulai Old street while hiding from doggies and tasted some but the owner was a bit grouchy, so I went away without buying. I was actually thinking to buy 1 small bottle and drink in our hotel room later. Dun really dare to buy back to Singapore due to our law.
However the shop owner here was super friendly, inviting us to try out the 6 kind of wine sold here. I decline her offer telling her upfront that I only wanted to buy 1 bottel and got her to recommend the best selling one for us to try.
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| Types of Millet wine sold here |
The owner was so friendly that she keep insisting we try all the wine here and then decide which 1 to buy home. And there is a sequence to drinking the wines. From mild to strong. Whaha I happily accept her offer and went on to try the wines that she poured for us while chatting with her about her country and ours. Haha.
The owner was teasing Mr Love for giving up half way though the tasting as he was getting drunk. Muhauha.
We brought 1 bottle from her at NT150 which is really cheap for wine and it is really nice! Wanted to drink it but my dad took from me when he learnt I brought wine back.
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| Selfie before we leaveWulai |
We left Wulai after the wine tasting session. Both are a bit drunk from all the drinking and we knocked out after boarding bus.
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| Fell asleep after taking this photo |
Alight opposite Xindian station and managed to find KFC to settle our hungry stomachs. Weather had been good to us since it only started raining after we board the bus to leave Wulai.
Wulai is a hidden jem in Taipei though it is a bit far to travel to. But we had enjoy ourselves here today. If you are craving for good and cheap Millet wine, consider taking a trip here and you could score good deals. I don't rememebr seeing Millet wine in Taipei city but then again it might be because I am not looking for it.
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