Lunar New Year Trip to Taiwan - January 7 ~ February 6, 2020
As Lunar New Year soon approaching, we basically just stayed home to be with families, occasionally expanding our activities to nearby towns and visited some local sites. There are many interesting places in southern Taiwan that may not be listed in guide books but may worth a visit. We still have so much to discover and appreciate on this island! Here are just some places we went to while we were home.
Wide open-space up on the dam near the 'village', relaxing and refreshing being away from the hustle and bustle of towns and cities. Can hardly see another soul for miles.
If craving for local delicacies, one can find various food stalls at the Yenshui Snack City.
It's just traditional food court serving the locals and visitors in town.
MOR and FIL wanted this on that particular day.
Yongcheng Theater right next to the Snack City. A historical structure that used to be a rice milling factory. Then it turned into a theater where prominent residents and political leaders gathered. Now, it is more like a museum of preserved tools and equipment for the movie industry.
Japanese style old building that has been refurbished.
Restored snack bar inside the old theater.
They were even showing some movies on the day we were there for free.
As we went back for a second visit to the restaurant Yin Yuen in Hsinying, we were seated in the back of the restaurant where paintings done by a friend of the owner and his wife were hung on the wall.
Enjoyed another hot pot meal.
This time with more family members.
Attending Sunday worship at the local Presbyterian Church.
BIL's sister and brother-in-law went on a few cruises with us in past years and we got along quite well while on these trips. We went on the transatlantic cruise on NCL Getaway and Norway/Scotland cruise on HAL Zuiderdam in 2017. Then the Mediterranean cruise on MSC Seaview and transatlantic cruise from Rome to Miami on MSC Divina in 2019. While we were back in Taiwan, they wanted to take us out for some exploration. Bless their hearts, we had fun visiting these places as we rekindled our friendship.
I believe this was the West Coast Expressway 61 near Budai.
A good highway with very few traffic.
Sicao Green Tunnel, Sicao, Tainan
We have never been in this area of Tainan before and it sounded very interesting. We were told that we will be taking a boat ride and my only concern was the safety of these boat rides. Not running into problems or accidents is my top priority while traveling.
We parked the car at the huge parking lot next to the Sicao Dazhong Temple, a very impressive building.
Some cute sculptures near the temple.
Getting tickets for the boat ride of the Sicao Green Tunnel. $200 NTD per person.
There were quite a few visitors there that day which was not even a holiday so I assume it's going to be really crowded on weekends or holidays.
Getting on the boat. We picked the seats way back on the boat.
Going through the mangrove. I think either sitting in the front or the back of the boat would be best.
Safety jackets and hats provided.
Under the canopy of trees. It felt a little like being on the Amazon River.
Quite pretty!
Sometimes we had to duck so that the branches would not scratch or hit by accident.
The end of the Green Tunnel where we had to turn back around.
Passing by another tour boat while exiting the channel.
Our 30-minute ride was over.
It was quite a fun experience!
Behind the temple is a memorial commemorating the battle that took place here where Zheng Cheng-Gong fought the Dutch soldiers during the Ming Dynasty.
Burial place for the 300 Dutch soldiers who lost their lives in the battles here.
Then we crossed the street to see the old Sicao fort and cannons.
The wall of the old fort is now the wall of an elementary school.
Cannons
That's where we will be going later.
An old tree by the walkway of the fort.
Two trees linking together forming one.
Lunch at Salt Country House, Beimen
This small restaurant out of nowhere turned out to be an excellent choice for a typical Taiwanese meal. Simple and delicious using the freshest ingredients. The location is obscured, hidden away from the busy highway which makes it an enjoyable lunch out in the countryside.
Shady path that leads from the parking lot in the back to the front of the restaurant.
Decorated with old furniture.
This is also a B&B.
Thin rice noodle (mien shien) with baby oysters.
Fried Eggs
Pan-fried whole milk fish.
Baby oysters with scallions.
Taiwanese sausages
Clams with squash
Exiting the front of the restaurant. Can't tell that its' a restaurant that serves good food.
Front of the building. I assume that the B&B is upstairs.
Turtles in the pool near the parking lot in the back.
Jingzijiao Wapan Salt Fields, Beimen
Being right by the water of Taiwan strait with good natural sea water, there are several salt fields along this coastal area of Tainan on the west. Apparently this is a historic salt field that is still producing salt in its special way after 200 years. This is now a tourist attraction not only to learn about salt production, but also for the beautiful sunset. We came here right after lunch, so no sunset for us.
Just like many towns and villages, a temple serves as an important place for residents.
Vendors outside the salt fields entrance selling dried milk fish and other local products.
Salt fields
Once we entered the salt fields, there is a sign post showing the direction to the Madame Pig Shrine near the lagoon. There is a story behind this Madame Pig but I don't remember any bits of it.
One can follow the path to the shrine which we decided not to take.
For those who are energetic, they can climb up to the observation tower shown on the left of this picture.
There is a tourist information center with souvenir and snack shop on location. They did a good job setting up this place with description posted around the fields. Both educational and fun.
A good place to spend an hour or so for the whole family.
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