Tour de Taiwan Day 13 - Danshui (淡水) to Xinzhuang (新莊)

A mixed feeling in this day, happy because I will be back to see those I left at home for this weeks long tour and sad because it's the end of my tour in Taiwan. The stop here in Danshui was not plan and due to extra day "earned" from cheating in the tour thus taking the advantage to see the night market here. The reason for not to stop in Danshui () for a night is because the remaining distance was short and for the same reason decided to get up late from bed.

Due to some reason the homestay owner hesitate to let us keep our bike in room, thought of lock it at stairways but ends up inside the store room in basement. As usual, setup bike then bid farewell to this place and heading to Fisherman Wharf (漁人碼頭). Pass by Valentine's Bridge (情人橋) but not with the right person, lol. Ride along the bike path that will bring me to the bridge, Guandu bridge (關渡大橋), that crossed Danshui river (淡水河) which was border between Taipei city (台北市) and New Taipei city (新北市). 

Some confusion before we cross the bridge, not sure which way will bring us to cross the bridge correctly and going the right direct after the bridge. In the end we got on to the bridge on the wrong lane and wrong way. Instead of riding on bike path I have to go along side with other bigger size vehicle on their lane. Without much choice I sprint fast to quickly stay far from the heavy traffic. After the bridge should be going south towards Wugu () but the road I am riding on leads to north going to Bali (八里). Found out second mistake after riding almost 10 kilometers.

Without wasting more time turning back and heading to Xinzhuang (新莊) as fast as possible because my friend will be waiting at his house with the lunch he bought for us. The shorter way to Xinzhuang was not that easy, especially the climb after Guandu bridge intersection (獅子頭). 

Arrived destination slightly earlier than my friend thus decided to go to 7-11 store picking up the one side of my pannier sent when visiting Taroko Gorge (太魯閣). Unfortunately this store do not provide the service of storing parcel. Later the delivery guy from Yamato transport a.k.a. Black Cat (黑貓) called me to rearrange delivery time and location. After lunch clean up ourselves in the cozy house of my friend stayed in the house waiting for delivery. Parcel came on time and the kind delivery guy advise me to check if the destination 7-11 store accept storing or not before sending out because only specific store provide such service which is so convenient for tourer like me.

Take out my stuff then re-packing in proper way, clothing need to send for wash will be pack-ready for tomorrow. Resting at home watching cable TV and review past two weeks tour. 

The end.

Ready to roll into big city, Taipei.

Valentine's bridge but just pass by because I don't want to go up with a dude. Lol

A big "LOVE" sign in front of Valentine's bridge.

Smooth ride along bike path near to night market.

This section of bike path was awesome, words can't explain my feeling.

It would look much better if I were here on the right time when cherry blossom will be fully bloomed. And with the metro train in the back ground and myself riding my bicycle, a message of going green!

Awesome Guandu bridge (關渡大橋) from far.

This one dangerous way to cross the bridge, should be riding on the right side but the rail was too high and too dangerous to carry my heavy bike over it.

Felt hungry thus stop here for food, it was Bento (便當) shop so we are consider having our brunch

Nice bike path, Bali Left Bank Cycle Path.

If we were to take ferry from Danshui (淡水) then will alight at this pier.

Fishing boat park at river bank, you will see many of this boat because here is nearest point on Danshui river (淡水河) to the sea

Left was bike path while right was walking path, a proper way to avoid accident.

Enjoying his ride along bike path.

Found this interesting toilet along bike path, to provide safer place for mother or female cyclist a dedicated toilet with bigger space allocated.

Many rest area for those whom needed for a rest.

Solar powered safety light, an environmental friendly idea.

Panoramic view of Danshui (淡水) from Bali (八里).

This mark the end of my tour.

My the other half of equipment/gadget/clothing/tool arrived safely.

Everything looks intact and perfect.

Resting on sofa while enjoying movies on cable TV.

Actual ride route on day 13 with elevation profile and speed graph against distance.

Ride detail from my Garmin Edge 800.

Tour de Taiwan Day 12 - Jiufen (九份) to Danshui (淡水)

Today is suppose to be the last day of the tour but since we have one extra thus decided to go easy and stop in Danshui (淡水). The ride down from Jiufen (九份) was fun though and as planned breakfast will be at the foothill town Rueifang (瑞芳). After breakfast setting next stop to be Keelung (基隆), another famous port north of Taiwan.

Once reach Keelung you can see the different with the traffic on the road and the ship/boat park at the dock. Saw a coffee shop and I had to get another "dose" of caffeine treatment. Short break at a coffee shop while enjoying latte, my ride partner prepare himself to ride under hot sun. Riding in Keelung is not easy, most of the road in Keelung was hilly and I climb countless slope to cross the town.
Some of you may not know how Taiwan generate power for the demand of those factories across the country. This island is not big and do not have much of alternative to generate enough power for the need from the industries and the people daily need. Therefore they are relying nuclear power plant which they have 3 and building forth plant to fulfill the need.


Few kilometers before reaching this nice tourist spot, I can start noticing the beauty along the road. The sea side with those microorganism spreading all over the sand and rock make the area look so green and lively. Then slowly getting near to the place I am visiting for the second time, Yeliu Geopark "野柳". If I have the time (or more precisely, mood) then will make another page only for Yeliu Geopark because too much to share on what I experience in the park. Spent few hours in Yeliu Geopark till noon and go for seafood lunch nearby. Had a chance to park the bike in private "garage" which gave a much peace in mind to slowly enjoy the meal. 

Hitting the road following the "crab way" and passing by few more nuclear power plant and windmill. The section where several windmill was really tough which I can't estimate how strong is the headwind. That section was indeed a good place to have windmill generating power from the wind. 

Pushing hard to against the headwind to find the north point of Taiwan Island which has a special gate. This gate was called Shimen "石門" means stone gate. You will see a cave which look like a castle gate at the beach in this place. Can see strong wave on the beach and took some photo for the record then move on. A brief stop at a garden which was built for couple whom would like to take wedding photo album. The place was awesome unfortunately I am riding here with a dude, LOL.

Reached Danshui first thing to do was to look for a place to stay. This stop was not in the plan thus no idea where we will find a decent homestay. Asking several shop and they have no idea where we could get a place to stay for a night. Since many cyclists tour around Taiwan will pass here therefore I ask the guy in Giant bike store for help. The mechanic recommend to a homestay not far from night market that will also be the dinner place.

All set to go from Jiufen homestay "輕便露".

Get my gadget setup properly before head out to another great ride, most importantly set the tracking point for the map.

Starting point of the downhill towards Rueifang "瑞芳".

Simple yet delicious breakfast.

Got myself a hot clear soup noodle "米苔目" and tofu.

Another busy sea port which is very near to Taipei.

The hill behind those building has the name of this place, the way it was erected on the hill looks like those in Holiwood but this was Keelung "基隆".

Another latte in the tour.

A place good for coffee and get prepare to be bake under the sun.

Nearer view on Keelung sign on the hill.

A route from Keelung to a small beach.

This beach looks clean and the water was so clear, should be nice to hang around.

Panoramic view of the beach from the hill.

This is better place if want to enjoy the beach and sea on this side of the Taiwan island.

A look back and found the angle was good for photo.

Seldom had chance to snap photo of ourselves when riding thus we have to help each other to snap photo.

This was from my ride partner camera.

When we getting near to Yeliu Geopark the algae on the rock in the sea was so attractive.

Clear sea water with the green from algae make this place look so beautiful.

Behind me was the park where you will see many weird rock formation caused by the nature.

When we took this photo didn't bother to read the notice board then later found out it was replica of the Queens crown.

Having fun with some funny pose.

Since decided to stay a little longer thus self shot a few version of me and the rock.

Panoramic view of the major attraction in Yeliu Geopark.

Not sure how this rock called but one of the attraction in the park.

Love the sea and wanted to jump in but looks like the wave quite strong.

Another pose with my favorite sun shade...720armour SpeederRx.

Special garage for customer of a restaurant, we do enjoy similar privilege though with only a 2 wheeler leg powered vehicle.

This is by far best seafood meal, the soup of clam taste so good and you can distinguish the freshness of the shellfish.

This is the "crab way" I mentioned above, not sure what is meant but definitely not asking me to walking/riding side way.

Second nuclear power plant.

Look at the wall guarding the power plant generate with nuclear energy, it was a fortress.

Check out how hard working is Taiwanese convenient store staff, never close from 70:00 till 23:00. Many convenient stores in Taiwan thus they have to strive by being the best store for the customer.

If I were a policeman in Taiwan, I will apply to station here. The building was on the side of the road with the great view of Pacific Ocean.

Not sure what is this signage for but worth stopping by for a photo, after all the head was too strong and I need an excuse to stop for rest.

Camwhoring....otherwise no photo showing myself along the tour.

Taiwan first nuclear power plant, it was near to sea because it need the sea water to cool off in the process of generating power.

Very tight security at the gate.

The front gate of Taiwna first nuclear power plant, the blue colored sign read.....

Welcome to visit First Nuclear Power Plant, any of you would like to visit here? Lol

Hot sun....with strong head wind, how to show the wind was strong?

Notice the windmill? It was built with purpose, strong wind.

Pushing hard to climb the bridge with the wind trying to push me back.

Stone gate "石門" where you are at the north point of Taiwan island.

From this stair you can climb up to the top of the gate made of stone.

I am here.....(camwhoring)

We are almost done with the mission to tour around Taiwan, a photo together for memory.

This place has several unique building, till now I could not tell what are those building was. And I called it an alien town with weird alien house.

This place was built for anyone who would like to take wedding photo album shooting.

A very nice arch design for the photo shooting.

The site was clean and properly maintain to give the best for photo shooting.

Another view angle of the site.

Arrived Danshui and start looking for place to stay for the night.

Try not to take beer along the tour but since this day mark second last day of the tour I would like to celebrate with this special mango (my favorite) flavor beer from Taiwan.

Actual ride route on day 12 with elevation profile and speed graph against distance.

Ride detail from my Garmin Edge 800.