The first thing when we arrived at Miaoli was to visit Xiang Tian Lake (向天湖). We were planning to visit Flying Cow Ranch (飞牛牧场) initially but found out from the bus driver that it was quite far away from our accommodation and hiring a cab driver will be too expensive.
We took a bus from Zhu Nan train station all the way to Nan Zhuang Visitor Centre (南庄) and took a shuttle bus from there up to Xiang Tian Lake. But before that we deposited our luggage at the Visitor Centre, you can only put there up to a certain timing though. The bus driver told us that we could actually deposit it at the police station nearby so that we don't have to rush back early to collect our luggage, but the policeman declined to do so as they didn't want to take responsibility for any possible missing items later on. :(
I grabbed a bun and onigiri from 7-eleven for lunch before boarding the bus. LTT tried the black sugar cake (黑糖糕) which is a famous snack in Nan Zhuang.
Source: http://blog.xuite.net/bobowin/me
It looks like this, very alike a pancake and doesn't cost much either!
Large empty space the moment we alighted from the bus.
We saw many dogs around, used mainly to guard the roosters I guess.
Roosters running around.
This stall was selling honey and the white box at the side was filled with bees. We walked the longer way to cross to the other side because we were very humji when we saw the bees flying around. :x
姜来成功 lol. Couldn't stop laughing at this. Selling all kinds of ginger products.
Description of Xiang Tian Lake!
Pretty and quiet lake.
They even have a Minsu (民宿) cum café smacked right in the middle.
Purple flower~
Lotus leaves in the lake.
Modern café overlooking the lake.
Saisiyat Folklore Museum.
The next few hours were spent in the museum and sitting around while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Nan Zhuang Old Post Office.
Grand looking temple.
TYC's temple lolol.
Explored Nan Zhuang Old Street which was quite deserted that day. And this cute kid caught me taking a photo of him! :D
Dapao-ed our dinner from 媳妇的老店 since we read on the Internet that they sell pretty decent Hakka food. And Hakka food is something that you should try if you are planning on a visit to Nan Zhuang!! We got the braised meat rice (卤肉饭) and beef noodles (红烧牛肉面). Price wise it's pretty expensive by Taiwan standards, afterall it's expected that they jack up prices if you are a tourist. But taste was good and portion was quite huge!
Arrived at the warm and homely Olive Tree Minsu (橄榄树民宿) after a long bus journey and walk!
The entire room was so pretty and clean!
Washroom.
Window sealed with mosquito nets.
Nearing night time we headed out to explore the Minsu and take photos. Every edge and corner of the Minsu was so elaborately and meticulously decorated I can't even. The entire place had soft music playing in the background, making the whole mood so very relaxing and romantic! Everything about this place was just so pleasing to the eyes, ears and soul. I shall let the photos do the speaking of my thousand words. :D
Even cutleries can be made pretty.
Cup of hot chocolate and a book to make the perfect night.
Outdoor sitting.
Front of the Minsu.
Just looking at these photos made my night. I hope they have a therapeutic effect to ease your Monday blues as well! :)
Very pretty pics!
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