Amusement Park
One thing you don’t really expect, and for some reason not surprised, was the fact that there is an amusement park in Sun Moon Lake. Actually, not next to the lake, but you get to it form a gondola ride starting next to the lake. The amusement park is part of the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. A place you go to in order to learn more about the native people that make up the majority of the locals in Nantou. Why they decided to add roller coasters, games, and arcades to the mix can be left to your own speculation. The amusement park itself looks as though it was renovated to include an anime theme for the ever popular One Piece. It sorta fits in because… why not. The rides include an outdoor amusement park through Mayan ruins, a Jurassic boat adventure through outdated dinosaur robotics, and even a remake of Disney’s Space Mountain. So why not anime and throw in a 3D movie. Perfection. Oh and if you want something educational, you can go learn about the aboriginals. Yeah, the whole thing was kinda messed up. Anyways, we still made the best of it. A great place for kids.
The town there at the Ita Thao Pier was a different story. This must be where everyone was at. At 3pm there were tons of people filling the streets. Everyone going form shop to shop, food stand to food stand, taking all they could in the warm winter day. The area was at least double that of Shuishe and had plenty more variety in terms of what to eat. Many though you can skip. Overall, the area would be where I want to spend most of the day. Come on, there’s a rice wine factory there.
Tea ice cream on iced tea. What an idea… for someone who really really loves tea or someone who doesn’t want their floats overly sweet. Doesn’t compare to the root beer float. This was a different invention, one that screams out for tourists. $50NTD
Interesting texture when you grill mochi on a bamboo stick. As you imagine, it’s crisp and chewy. They coat on some honey for sweetness, but it’s very light. Seems like it was an attraction given the amount of people waiting in line. If you want something different, give it a try. I did, but not going to have it again. $50NTD
It’s a light chicken base broth with cubes of blood that’s cooked a bit chewy. It’s mainly the outside that’s chewy. Once you bite in, the rest is your ever familiar gelatinous chalky blood you love. It was pretty good for a warm day. $30NTD
Similar to the sticky rice wrapped in grape leaves, zhongzi, but without the unwrapping process. It’s topped with the staple braised pork. There’s no egg in here though. Still doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s yum. $40NTD
Not sure what to say except run of the mill meal. Nothing good, nothing bad. It looked great on the menu. But after this came out and I started eating. I really wanted the other dishes. Rookie mistake. $70NTD
One of many life size figurines standing inside the amusement park. Amazing that most of this park references this anime. Wonder if it ever goes out of style that some other anime would take it’s place. This is outside the Space Mountain ride, why not Neon Genesis Evangelion??
View from the gondolas above Sun Moon Lake. The haze was moving in on this fine winter’s day. This was the best shot before the views went to crap.
Taiwanese sandwich from a street vendor was larger than the usual bao’s. That drew my eye, especially the braised pork belly they had simmering. It was a soft and tasty first bite. The peanut powder with the cucumbers and pickled veggies offsets the salty pork. However, as you eat it you’re wondering when you’re going to stop eating fat and get some real texture. Larger doesn’t equal better. I prefer the traditional firm and soft bun. $50NTD