Taiwan - how we tried to order a taxi and got an adventure ride

After exploring Kenting National Park at the southern tip of Taiwan for a day, we wanted to start our bike tour along the east coast.

As we were saying goodbye, the hotel staff asked if we had rain gear. But the light drizzle and wind didn't bother us, so we set off happily. We cycled through beautiful coastal scenery, but the wind kept getting stronger, always blowing against us or suddenly gusting from the side. We had to be careful not to be pushed into the passing traffic. The rain also increased. Unfortunately, we missed the right moment to put on our rain gear and after a while, we were completely soaked, with water sloshing in our shoes with every pedal stroke. Plus, there were constant ups and downs, so it was quite exhausting. After 4 hours of riding, we were chilled and completely demotivated. Luckily, we found a small restaurant where we wanted to warm up with a hot tea. Despite placing an order, we didn't get tea, but we did get fried rice, which was delicious. We were freezing and had absolutely no desire to continue cycling in the rain and the storm. So, we asked the restaurant owner via Google Translate for a taxi. Since she didn't understand, we also showed her a picture of a Taiwanese taxi. Now she understood, but there was apparently no taxi available. At least she started a longer and emphatic monologue in Chinese, saying "no taxi!". Since we didn't understand her and looked more and more confused, she simply repeated her Chinese responses several times and louder each time. Finally, she brought her husband or a friend and pointed at him, and he nodded urgently. Finally, we thought we understood: There was no taxi, but the man could drive us. Both of them reacted enthusiastically to our cautious nod, and he disappeared to bring his car around.

A few minutes later, he turned the corner with a jeep, and we got in. However, he indicated that we shouldn't sit down. Instead, we should stand on the back seat and hold onto the roof of the jeep. The whole situation was becoming a bit strange, but now we couldn't turn back either. He turned directly towards the beach, and I cleverly explained to Robert, "Ah, with the jeep, we can take a shortcut along the beach!" The beach consisted of a few higher dunes, which are a local attraction. We had seen them on our bikes, but hadn't paid much attention. But now, the older gentleman stepped on the gas, driving up one dune, then rushing down on the other side, or making a tight turn at the highest point, causing the car to skid. At some point, it became clear to us: We were not getting any closer to our hotel! And the older gentleman was intentionally driving so recklessly!

We didn't book a taxi ride to the hotel, but a dune adventure ride!

When we realized the mistake, we tried to get the driver to turn back by loudly shouting "No! Stop!" However, he completely ignored us, so there was nothing left for us to do but hold on tightly to the jeep's roof and wait until the adventure tour was over. But he kept gleefully going round and round...

Eventually, the jeep stopped at the highest point of a dune. The driver exclaimed, "Photo! Photo!", insisting that Robert give him his phone.

We got off with wobbly legs, and the driver enthusiastically took numerous photos of us in various poses. We also had to take pictures of him in different poses in front of the jeep until he was satisfied.

After that, we went back to the restaurant after a few extra rounds, where the owner greeted us with a thumbs-up and insisted on giving us water, tea, and apples.

Afterward, we cycled back to the hotel, completely exhausted and on edge, for another two hours.