Day #8 Donghe to Kaohsiung

Well this is roughly the half-way point. We crossed over the southern tier mountain pass. The climb wasn't too difficult. We had great weather plus no traffic. I wouldn't want to do the route in the other direction because the climb was longer and the west side has a lot more traffic because the roads merged. 

The western side of Taiwan's geography change drastically, it's drier and more rocky. Felt like Arizona (see pics below). The cities also changed their tune with a more Indian/Jordanian feel and smell to it. Now that we're heading north we face the dreaded headwinds. So far it hasn't been as bad as Iceland's headwinds that Holly and I endured a few summers ago where we had to walk our bikes, 

Today we biked 107.16 km (66.39 miles). I thought about going to the very southern tip to satisfy my OCD but sometimes I need to have it lose so I can gain control of my life.

I love how bean pie wakes up in the morning. Struggling. So confused. 

We camped at this abandoned campground that had these neat cabin pods but were locked. 

HQCH in her element and in her Tricorn like Poldark.

Bikes aren't allowed on that highway so we rode on the steeper, less trafficked road.

There was this neat temple in the middle of nowhere and Rose Gold decided to let loose with her bowels. There was poop everywhere.

I love hearing her cooo and say "wow!" while I ride. I turn around and she's all cute doing something like this.

Felt like Arizona riding down this pass. Look at the stream bed all dried up.

Sunblock time!

We never have fun stuff like this in the States.

See how dry it is here. These are graves.

We rode past loads of fish farms and I guess these pipelins supplied the water for them. That'd be a mess to repair or replace any of these. Look how intertwined they are.

Can't get enough of these Buddhist temples.

And Meatsticks has the first flat tire!

Industrial.

😍😍😍

Taking a break at a park so Lily Rose can stretch her legs and crawl a bit. 

So many scooters in the city. Thankfully we have our own bike/scooter lanes. Many would pass by and look at the bean in the trailer.

They're having fun.

Kaohsiung's night market! Lots of good food to try.

Tired little stinkbug.

Day #7 - Donghe to Daren

Despite the spoke issues we've been having since nearly the beginning of our trip, it hasn't slowed us down too much. I don't know how many spokes need to break before a wheel is rendered utterly usless but Meatsticks had four broken ones today and was able to ride fine. I still had my ever loose ones making my wheel quite wobbly. We did manage to find a decent bike shop to do our repairs. While we waited, we got Domino's pizza and mailed some unecesarry gear back to Taipei (it's not as cold as we thought it would be and we didn't need our stove at all).

Also, this road we were on was recently paved so it was litrilly smooth sailing. The sun finally peaked out behind the clouds today. I've been loving our cloudy weather we've been having.

Today we biked 100.05 km (62.06 miles). I thought of this while riding - add the day's route at the start of each post so you guys will have some reference while reading. I'm going to have to go back and retroactively do this to my previous posts to satisfy my OCD. Don't be alarmed if you notice a few changes.

We camped near the beach and had a fun sunrise and watched eager surfers catching some waves.

This type of black dog is a common breed that we find here in Taiwan. And many of them also have three legs or are missing a paw.

Sometimes the landscapes are too good so I take out my camera while I ride to get a pic. Then I keep riding and see an even better shot that I should have taken. The moral of the story is that I'll never stop having regrets in life. 

I like trying each country's Domino's to see how differently they do them. This one was decent.

Custard apple is a common crop grown on this part of the island right now. They are really good, too. 

Reminds me a bit of rural Japan.

As does this. Love the cultures here.

The mountains are so steep and looming like they're stacked on top of each other fighting for the best view.

Throughout the day we take brief stops to feed the bean and feed our stomachs with carbohydrates at convenience stores such as this Family Mart.

Whenever we find a decent surface for the bean to crawl on without getting absolutely filthy we let her.

As we pull into town for the evening we go to a small restaurant to sample their finest dishes.

I found this collapsible tub at Daiso and thought it'd be perfect for bathing the bean during the trip.

We got hot water from the 7-Eleven and bathed her here on the steps with no shame.

Look she loves it!

Day #6 Fenglin to Donghe

Now we're at the point of the journey where it's going by too darn fast and I can't remember exactly what happened the day before yesterday. Especially with all the little towns and their weird names. Can't keep track of it. But that's why I keep multiple journals, including this blog, for that sort of thing. 

We decided to head back towards the coast for some better views. We crossed over a small mountain pass and enjoyed the rewarding downhill. Loved it. 

Some highlights for today:

- passed the Tropic of Cancer (23.4 degrees N of the Equator)

- spokes got loose (again!)

- found a place to shower!

- my right knee was hurting.

Today we biked 116.06 km (70.35 miles). Our longest day so far!

Love this one. Look at my girls.

Our beakfast from the hotel! These scallion pancakes were all good.

I liked how these trees overlooked the road.

Lily Rose was playing with one of her favorite toys - Pikachu.

It's fun to ride through the quiet towns.

Taiwan (and Japan) have these blind spot mirrors all over the country roads. That's how we look while riding by.

Meatstsicks has been very good for the bean and giving her attention or taking her off our hands when we need a breather. He's not even an uncle and he's a natural.

Look at these great chip flavors! And this is barely a sample. There's dozens more.

Haha top one.

If I was an engineer I'd like to think I'd be the one that built bridges.

Tropic of Cancer!

Bean pie had fun riding this boar.

He's single ladies. His only requirement is that you are THICC like Trump's border. Send in your dating applications below! 

Would you just look at it?

Camping at a rest stop.

I think I used to close my eyes like this when I was a baby.