We set off in the morning for Sun Moon Lake, the largest lake in Taiwan. There was nothing really scenic or pretty about it, and it's a pity the views are marred by construction sites on the periphery. But the weather was great and we enjoyed the leisure cruise, after days of coach rides.
Our next stop was the Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, established to preserve and showcase the cultural heritage of the nine aboriginal tribes of Taiwan. Situated on the mountains alongside expansive lush forests, the cool, fresh air and the serene atmosphere immediately perked us up.
View of the expansive compound from the cable car
Entertaining song and dance performance
Aboriginal house complete with wax figures
A native demonstrating her craft
There was also a theme park with thrill rides in the village, and the best thing is that there was no queue! A strange thing to have in a cultural village, but it does add to the fun quotient.
My heart literally dropped at >g with the UFO Gyro Drop (you can see it in the backdrop of the first picture), which also offered breathtaking views of the landscape from 85m high.
The Looping Coaster. It's my first time being suspended on a coaster with legs hanging free and kicking around as the coaster loops. Way cool!
Surprise sighting! The Victorian-styled building in the background is the filming site for many idol dramas, as the residence of the uber rich. It was in Meteor Garden, and also 公主小妹! It comes complete with fountains, pavillions, a huge garden, and a long, red-carpeted driveway leading to the front of the castle-like house.
We then made our way to Taichung, where we dined at the famous Five Cent Driftwood. Everything about that place was exquisite - the architecture, the decor, the tableware, the food, and of course, the price.
After dinner, we headed for the Feng Jia night market, which is pretty large scale (just after Shihlin amongst all those we visited) and combines retail outlets with streetside stalls. I (finally) did some proper shopping and managed to snag a few bargains. If only such trendy and reasonably priced clothes were more readily available in Singapore.
