Oct 23 - Alishan (Pt 1)

This is a long-delayed follow-up on the remaining days of my Taiwan trip. First write up here.

For the 2nd day, as early as we can (gosh....forgot the time already, early-stage Parkinson's kicking in), checked out off from the Taipei Hostel and walked several blocks (hehe....quite a few blocks actually with the backpack on the back) to the Taipei Main Station.

The plan is to get to Chia-yi soonest possible so that we can catch early bus to Alishan....well to maximise the time there and enjoy the scenery as we will be back to Taipei in the weekend and there'll be plenty time to explore.

Bought the HSR (high speed railway) ticket which cost a BOMB!!! It's about RM130!!!!! Well, now come to think of it, it's OK lah... since it contributed to the "10-transportation-mode" list for this Taiwan trip. To console myself, just assume it's like the Japanese shinkansen bullet train lor...

The interior of the HSR is in tip-top condition. Well, with the price of the ticket, it better be hahaha!!!! Anyway, the HSR did remind me of our very own YTL-owned ERL from KLIA to KL Sentral.

It's very obvious that the HSR is very much under utilised as the commuters are not that big in number. I mean there're only a handful of us who stopped and got down in the Chia-yi station. Another bummer is that the HSR station is not the same station as the railway and bus station!!! Now I understand the feeling of the foreigner who landed in KLIA and have to catch a flight via Air Asia in LCCT. I had to wait for a shuttle-bus from the HSR station to the railway station. Spent the time waiting by having breakfast at the station and yes....the food not bad. Forgot the name of the restaurant but it's some chain-franchise I guess.

The journey from the station to the Chia-yi city centre took about 30-40 mins if I remember well. The bus of course is in nice condition and I will go on to comment that the public transport here is good and comfortable. Arrived at the train station and we had to walked over a bridge to reach the departure area of the train station and the bus station and found the following graffiti on the bridge wall when my friend signalled it to me.

The word is written in Chinese and pronounced as "lan jiau" in Mandarin. Go figure as the literal meaning is "blue call". The wonder of graffiti!!!

Another grouse of the day besides the HSR ticket cost is the unavailability of the train from Chia-yi to Alishan. Recommended by LP (Lonely Planet) and others who had the ride before, it is a must-try experience which is unique and special. However, due to the typhoon which stormed Chia-yi few weeks before my arrival, the railway was severely damaged and the service will be expected to resume in a month later!!!! I just didn't expect the 缺陷美 "the beauty of imperfection" of the trip will start sooo early!!!

Anyway, life goes on, trip goes on too!!! So, bus we go!!!!! There were a lot of local people trying to sell us the accomodation in the Chia-yi bus station. As it's the low-season, we were the few passengers available for the persistent pestering. Resisted committing to any cox since it's low season, it should not be any problem getting rooms.

The entrance of the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.

Walking around the main area of the bus station in the Alishan is quite a nice one. Not many shops and it's a blessing cox the area was not crowded with tourists. Enjoyed the cool weather and serenity. Checked into a moderately priced hotel and walk around the trails around Alishan. Some nice trails with nice old tress or 神木 god-tree as they called it.

神木 god-tree coming soon.....................................