Cherry Season in Nantou: Sun-Link-Sea Forest and Nature Resort

Travel Date: 2021/03/08

Sun-Link-Sea Forest and Nature Resort (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區)

Cherry season ~~

We've been traveling a lot lately, and I think it's time to take a break and rest for a while. However, we didn't want to miss the cherry season, so we still went to Nantou to see the Shanlinxi Cherry Season. I believe there are at least four different kinds of cherry trees planted here (that's as much as I could recognize). Unfortunately, even though we arrived early, it seemed that we were a little late to enjoy the cherry blossoms under a sunny blue sky. By noon, the weather had become foggy. Perhaps we'll come back next year, now that we know the best spots to see.

Despite it being a weekday, there were still many people visiting the area, mostly older individuals on tour buses.

As I mentioned in my previous post, the entrance fee is 250 NT for adults, and children under 6 years old can enter for free. There is also an additional parking fee of 100 NT. The bus fare for the round trip to Songlong Waterfall costs 80 NT, and the route is about 4 km long. Cherry trees line the riverbank from the visitor center to the hotel area, spanning approximately 1 km.

By noon, the fog had already set in, which made driving back a little scary since we could barely see the road in front of us. Before noon, the weather was quite comfortable at around 17 degrees Celsius, and I didn't feel the need to wear a jacket. However, as the fog rolled in, the afternoon felt colder, and most people were wearing winter jackets.

See also: ShanLinXi Maple Season

See also: Songlong Rock Waterfall

See also: ShanLinXi Magnolia Garden

 

The view at 10AM: 

Address:

557南投縣竹山鎮溪山路6號杉林溪森林生態渡假園區

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Magnolia Garden in Nantou - Visiting Sun-Link-Sea Forest and Nature Resort

Travel Date: 2021/03/08

Sun-Link-Sea Forest and Nature Resort (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區)

We woke up early at 7 AM to make the drive from Shanhua, Tainan to ShanLinXi Forest Recreation Area in Nantou. It took us about 2.5 hours, and we arrived at 10 AM.

The entrance fee for adults is 250 NT, and children under 6 years old can enter for free. Additionally, there is a parking fee of 100 NT. The bus fare for the round trip to Songlong Waterfall is 80 NT. The trail is approximately 4 km long. During our visit last October, the waterfall was the main attraction. However, since it's cherry season now (although we weren't sure where exactly the cherry trees are located), we still took the bus to the waterfall. There was no water at this time, so visiting the Flower Center would be sufficient. Cherry trees grow along the river from the visitor center to the hotel area, spanning about 1 km.

Many people were wearing jackets even though it was 17 degrees Celsius. However, during sunny moments, it felt very comfortable without heavy clothing. On our way back, we decided to walk from the waterfall to the flower center, which was about 1 km away. We arrived around 11 AM, and the weather was still beautiful with a clear blue sky. We saw tulips in bloom, as well as magnolia trees and a few white and pink cherry trees. We took the bus back and made a stop near the hotel where the cherry trail begins. Unfortunately, it had become very foggy by that time, and there was no more sun at noon.

See also: ShanLinXi Maple Season

See also: ShanLinXi Cherry Blossom

See also: Songlong Rock Waterfall

Songlong Waterfall (松瀧岩瀑布)

The natural cave next to the waterfall is known as "Songlong Rock." It is primarily made of sandstone and has been shaped by thermal expansion and weathering. The flat top of the cave features inverted columnar stalactites. The combined effects of erosion, cutting, and water infiltration over the years have resulted in the formation of waterfalls, caves, river ditches, and rugged boulders. This creates a magnificent and picturesque landscape, earning Songlong Falls the title of "The First Scenery of Cedar Creek." Some parts of the uneven ceiling are home to swallows, and it is a spectacular sight to see the swallows flying in and around the cave.

Songlong Rock Waterfall is widely acclaimed as the "Best Scenery of Shan Lin Xi" due to its majestic and beautiful landscape. During the rainy season, the waterfall cascades, splashes, and thunders, creating countless breathtaking scenes and atmospheres.

Address:

1. Sun-Link-Sea Forest and Nature Resort: 557南投縣竹山鎮溪山路6號杉林溪森林生態渡假園區
2. Songlong Rock Waterfall: 557南投縣竹山鎮松瀧岩瀑布

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AMWF Couple: Our story in the newspaper!

We recently had an interview that was published on 22 different websites. I will provide links to two of them (*Poland is in Central Europe).

Original article: UDN ; CNA

Translation: 

Zaneta, a Polish resident living in Eastern Europe, is skilled in baking. After getting married and moving to Shanhua in Tainan, Taiwan, she became a cake master with her exceptional home baking skills. Her cakes are diverse, colorful, and of high quality. The traditional Polish flavors have gained popularity on the internet, particularly her blueberry cheesecake, which is loved by many Taiwanese.

Zaneta got married and had a son in 2017. She had a passion for cooking since childhood, especially when it came to baking cakes. Her husband recognized her talent and encouraged her to start a business. Due to limited funds, they decided to sell their cakes online. After acquiring equipment and continuously improving their packaging, the "Polish wife's desserts 波蘭老婆甜點屋'' was launched on Facebook, attracting nearly 3,000 followers who admire and appreciate her creations. People from around the country have placed cake orders. Comments from netizens on Facebook include: "The ingredients are authentic, and the cakes taste natural. Highly recommended," and "Super delicious, I will definitely order again"

Zaneta studied food and nutrition in Poland, and the recipes she developed for her cakes are her own creations. Her Polish-style cheesecake, known for its high proportion of cheese and absence of chemical additives, is carefully measured for calorie content. "I hope to bring joy and deliciousness to everyone who loves my cakes. The satisfaction and well-being of our customers are reflected in every bite."

Zaneta shared that Poland is a country with vast plains, while Taiwan, although not large, offers mountains, seas, and distinctive cuisine, making life convenient. Taiwan's effective epidemic prevention measures have been recognized by international countries. Zaneta enjoys writing diaries and, since 2017, has been sharing travel anecdotes and life knowledge on the internet. She created a blog called "Polish Girl in Taiwan" and a Facebook fan page to introduce Taiwan's scenery, food, and culture in English. For example, she introduces local historical sites like the Qing'an Temple in Shanhua, carefully researching and collecting historical materials to translate them into English. She hopes to acquaint more foreign friends with Taiwan. Her shared travel experiences and life stories have attracted many international readers, successfully promoting a positive image of Taiwan. Zaneta expresses her happiness in being able to let more people discover Taiwan.

"After moving to Tainan two years ago, I fell in love with this place," she said. Tainan is home to numerous historical sites and traditional temples. It enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year and offers a wide array of local delicacies, such as Shanhua stinky tofu and beef noodles. Zaneta also has a great passion for gardening and grows cocoa and avocado on her balcony. Her ultimate dream is to one day open a garden restaurant and serve the most delicious cuisine made with ingredients she has grown herself.

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Yunlin Travel: Trumpet trees season and food in Douliou

Travel Date: 2021/03/07

We initially didn't have plans to go out, but we ended up visiting my parents-in-law in Yunlin. Along the road from Huwei to Douliou (Hedi Road), we came across a long row of blooming trumpet trees. We took the opportunity to make a video and take some pictures, although the grey sky wasn't ideal for photography. There are two rows of trees, with the ones close to the road being yellow and the ones above being pink. However, the pink trees had very few flowers.

On the same road, there is also a small park with bald cypress trees, even though it's not their blooming season. (More information about the park can be found in my latest posts.)

In Douliou, we tried two popular food places that have been open for many years. One is located near Douliou train station within the morning market. They sell Taiwanese meatballs covered with glutinous rice (RouYuan). A set of two meatballs costs 60NT, and there is always a line of people waiting to try them.

The other place we visited was a dessert shop known for its boiled mochi and shaved ice. This shop has been featured on several TV channels (the list of channels is indicated in the latest picture on the left side). Since moving to the south, it has been difficult to find boiled mochi. The ones we tried were delicious, although they were different from the ones we had in Hsinchu, which had fillings inside. Nonetheless, the mochi here only costs 30NT! I hope to come back here again when I crave it in the future.

Mochi: 

Address:

1.Trumpet Trees: 632雲林縣虎尾鎮虎尾溪黃金風鈴木道
2. Meatballs: 640雲林縣斗六市愛國街21巷10號吳記肉圓
3. Mochi Shop: 640雲林縣斗六市中華路136號長興圓仔冰

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