Day 5 (Nantou)

 

We travelled to Taichung County and visited the Shing-Long Towel factory where we did a hands-on activity making adorable dogs from towels. There was also a myriad of lovely towel made products e.g. cake, lolly, ice-cream on sale.

 

The success of the factory makes a good story too - the traditional business was languishing when the son of the owner came up with the idea of packaging the ordinary towels into adorable ornaments and conducting workshops to tourists.

 

 

Next stop was to the Paddy Rice museum at Changhua County where we had another hands-on activity making Onigiri rice balls.

 

 

We were also brought through the process of making pop rice crackers (爆米香): the kernels were first added to a pressure cooker and the lid closed. The cooker was then roasted over a flame and rotated periodically for even heating. After ~30 minutes, the rice crackers were ready. Opening the lid produced a loud bang and a burst of white smoke. The release of pressure stored inside the kernels puffs them into the golden brown treat.

 

 

We popped by the Peacock garden and despite our fervent coaxing, the peacocks refused to unveil its vibrant fan of feathers.

 

 

We reach Wen-Wu temple and Sun Moon Lake in the late afternoon. As we left the temple after paying respects to Confucius and KuanKung, we managed to catch the beautiful views of the sun setting against the mountain ranges and serene lake.

 

 

After checking into In One City Inn (文華道會館), we walked to Feng Chia night market (逢甲夜市). It was in one shop where I finally found the dumpling noodle (紅油炒手面) that I have been craving for. With a green onion pancake in hand, we then shopped around the market before returning to the hotel.