We woke up spontaneously, feeling all refreshed and ready to conquer the world (or at least Taiwan). The hotel was comfortable and the TV was addictive but we got out and left for sightseeing on time.
The fields were in transition between crops so the local government created a 'hua hai' (which essentially means 'sea of flowers') to boost tourism. When the drivers mentioned this place, in their most polished (much better than ours at least) mandarin, I visualised great meadowy plots of land... covered in one of God's most glorious creations - flowers. I smiled at the thought of the kids running freely in the fields and taking in deep breaths of flowery scents.
The kids were hopelessly bored by the time we have seen the second or third plot of flowers. They attempted to go into the fields but they soon scampered out to avoid the insects and bees. CK, the most courageous of us all, braved the insects and went into the flowers for some good shots. He ended up getting many 'shots' from tiny black mozzies. It was a bad move and the effects stuck with him all the way back to Singapore. Both his arms were covered with red, itchy bites that developed into some sort of allergic reactions.
It didn't help at all that we got separated and had to comb the place to reunite again. We were stuck there for at least an hour, hoping to find a landmark to meet. Ah Mah had to hold her bladders because she couldn't squat in those mobile toilets and Ah Gong didn't know there were some for handicaps that she could use. She nearly fell in one squat toilet so she dared not try again. When I got to know it, I offered to hold her while she squatted... fortunately, I soon found the handicap toilets and she could use it without my help.
When we finally got together, the kids were tired, hungry and cranky. We contacted the drivers and waited at the stalls near the entrance. We bought some food for them reluctantly. Honestly, there were flies everywhere and the hawkers didn't look particularly hygienic in their food preparation. BUT, they were hungry... In fact, I believe I must have got some mild food poisoning from here. I had diarrhoea at the hotel when we returned and my stomach almost exploded. I took 4 charcoal pills before I could function again the next day.
Anyway, my brother apparently got the drivers' numbers wrong so they didn't get our calls. We waited and waited... My brother wasn't very concerned (as usual) but I was really getting upset. I was playing horror images of getting lost in a foreign land in my sugar deprived mind. After what seemed like eternity, the drivers called my brother and quickly came over to fetch us. By then, I was starting to dislike this trip immensely.
Ah Gong was in the wholesale business before he retired. He dealt with spices, seasonings and dried mushrooms etc. So when we were told that we were heading for some mushroom village next, our excitement was renewed... by a bit.
We were again misguided and brought a 'factory' that farm mushrooms. It has a shop and some educational room attached to it. And to my disappointment, we were to have mushroom lunch at the little eatery besides the place. When I say 'mushroom lunch', I wasn't exaggerating. Everything was cooked in mushrooms or with mushrooms. Even the ice-cream was mushroom flavoured. Naturally, the kids skipped lunch that day. Frankly, I wasn't too impressed by the spread myself. The only thing that surprised me was how the business continues to strive with such a menu.
I was starting to miss home badly but CK kept telling me to relax and stay positive. With two tired, hungry and cranky kids, it was really an emotional and physical challenge to stay optimistic. Fortunately, we were brought to a nice garden built in a fortress sort of theme. It was beautiful but rather artificial. Yet, I appreciate it because the kids could at least run around a bit.
I'm always envious when I read those blogs about western seasons and maple leaves. Today, we saw some maple trees with red and orange leaves strewn all over the ground. Our spirits were lifted instantly and my stress melted away as we watch the kids run into piles of leaves, picked up and throw them on each other. Alfee was finally able to move about safely and it was a joy to watch the siblings at play.
At one point, the kids were just climbing up and down a tower. I was concerned about Alfee so I had to follow him. He must have done it a dozen times because I was feeling faint by the time he decided to sit on the steps and let the fathers take pictures of him and the girls. The kids were amazingly close to my niece. And she was so accommodating and patient towards them.
By evening, we had to leave. I was reluctant but there was really nothing much we do there anymore. Without any guides or explanations, we could only enjoy the scenic view and take in the serenity that came with it.
The drivers suggested that we could go to a fruit farm before dinner. We thought it would be great for the kids to see how fruit grow on trees and do some age appropriate activities like fruit picking. Perhaps we could even get the farmers to explain how they grow fruit trees as well. Then maybe we could really walk among fruit trees and enjoy the aromatic scent of ripe fruit ready for picking.
Oh well, I blamed it on my untamed imagination... It was a small family fruit orchard and even though they sell their fruit commercially, I doubt that's their primary business. The orange trees were scattered over uneven fields and slopes. At one point, we were so scared we would fall off the slope while picking the oranges. Apparently, we could pick and eat as much oranges as we liked there but if we would like to bring them back, we had to pay for them.
Ah Gong waas very enthusiastic and he kept picking until he had one full basket of oranges. We were less hardworking and just kept eating them. Sophie loved the oranges so she was very cheerful and happy at the little orchard.
It wasn't as pleasant as we had hoped but it was quite enjoyable watching everyone pick the oranges with such zest. After this, we went back to the hotel to rest while the rest went to their infamous night market. I didn't think the kids would survive the crowd and stress so we bowed out... and called it a night for us.
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