Saturday, 17 December 2022

Day 13 - Hualien

Last night I finally found a Taiwanese TV channel that I could understand.

IMG_20221216_145654

There are two adjacent Homestay's in the building below.  Of course I went to the wrong one on my arrival yesterday.

IMG_20221217_101028

All the buildings in the street have a covered front forecourt with a roller door to the street for security.  However few dwelling owners appear to lower their roller doors.  My bike was left in the forecourt of the homestay overnight and was untouched.

The bike and trailer are looking very dirty.  They will require some serious cleaning before I can dismantle and pack them for the return flight to Perth.

IMG_20221217_101005

It was rather hot in the room last night and the bed has a heavy weight duvet.  Eventually I worked out how to use the air-con remote and set the temperature to a cold 18C.  A good night's sleep resulted.

Looking out the window this morning I could see it had rained during the night.  The forecast was for showers today.  Tomorrow is forecast to be dry but very cold and windy.  The wind will be from the NE (off the sea).  As I plan to cycle along the coast I need to be prepared.

The first task was to go to Hualien Railway Station and purchase tickets for tomorrow.  My research indicated taking a local train from Hualien to Su'aoxin further up the coast would provide more service options.

IMG_20221217_101930

At the ticket counter I used Google Translate to ask for tickets.  The man at the counter spoke English but having my enquiry in writing gave me slightly more confidence.

IMG_20221217_143548

My ticket cost TWD$116 and the bike TWD$58.  About A$8.50

IMG_20221217_101935

IMG_20221217_102555

Hualein Station

I walked around the civic square opposite the station and headed to the Giant Bike Shop where I bought a replacement mobile phone holder for the bike. Crossing Wuling Pass in the cloud and drizzle reminded me that the phone is my lifeline and I need to keep it dry.

IMG_20221217_102614

The rain returned and I headed back to the shelter of the railway station.  There was an interesting looking food stall on the concourse.

IMG_20221217_124906

My stomach reminded me I hadn't eaten breakfast and it was midday.  The stall was selling small ice hockey puck sized cakes that had been .baked on a hot girdle.  One half would be baked and a central filling added before it was turned over and the second side baked.

IMG_20221217_113831

There was a range of fillings.  I opted for one containing Taro and the second had a type of thick cream.

Then I decided to find somewhere to eat a substantial breakfast/lunch.  Dinner would be light.

I came upon a dim sum restaurant and for TWD$524 A$26 ordered the following dishes.

IMG_20221217_132103

rice balls

IMG_20221217_132341

noodles with mixed seafood

IMG_20221217_132622

beef and vegetables.

 

 

No comments :