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.