Објављено: 16.12.2018
I started the day at 8:30 am. Of course, I could feel the previous day in my legs. Since I had already eaten my bananas and cookies for dinner, I left without breakfast around 9 am. The only bakery on my way didn't open until 10 am, so I had to keep going. My plan for the day was quite easy, 20km to the Su'ao train station and then take the train to Hualien. I wanted to see when I arrive and decide later if I would continue.
The first 20km were very impressive. The night before, in the dark, I couldn't see the mountains in the background of the city and I interpreted the rice fields around the houses as mosquito farms. With the sunshine, I could enjoy the panoramic ride along the river through the rice fields. My breakfast was rice with curry and it tasted like the best curry I have ever eaten :)
At 11 am, I arrived at the ticket counter in Su'ao, but the earliest train with bike carriage was at 2:56 pm. That meant spending time at the nearby 7/11. Since there was nothing to consume at this station with 15 tracks. I decided to take the train for the 80km to Hualien because the route is considered very hilly and dangerous. It also doesn't have any hotels along the way and no supply options. It was too much of a risk for me. The ride showed impressive scenes of Taiwan's coast.
We arrived on time at 4:20 pm and I decided to continue riding for 2 more hours to Xikou. I stayed overnight for 30 in a bed and breakfast. The family lived on the upper floor and rented out a room with a bathroom on the ground floor. I even got a hot instant noodle soup because there was nothing to eat nearby. But this time, I had prepared and bought papaya and bananas for breakfast. I don't feel as exhausted as yesterday, it was a relaxing day. Today was also the last day for my medication, hooray. Starting tomorrow, I will have local food again. I'm looking forward to it.
The route map
https://www.bikemap.net/en/r/4718200/?created=1