2023年12月22日 星期五

How Do We Get There from the Station?


1. Excuse me, sir.  How do I get to Sunshine Department Store?

What a second, 日光百貨... that's not a real place, right?  I think you might be confused.  It sounds like you might be looking for 新光三越, which most people refer to (in English) by its Japanese name, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi.  It could be that there actually is a 日光百貨, but I doubt it's in Taiwan.

If you're asking me how to get to a Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Taiwan, I'll need to know a) where you are, and b) where the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi is.  If you're outside Taiwan I suggest visiting the local airport; if you're already in Taiwan I'll need to know whether the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi is in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Hsinchu or some other place.  Some of these cities also have more than one Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, and I doubt that I've been to every Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Taiwan.

But let's say, for example, that we're both in Hengchun Municipality, Pingtung County at the time of writing, and you want to visit the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Kaohsiung's Sanduo Shopping District.  I think this is the closest Shin Kong Mitsukoshi to Hengchun -- I'm not sure.

From the office where I'm typing this we'll need to leave the campus, exiting through the main gate.  From there we'll take a left down the hill and arrive at the bus station, where we'll either buy a ticket or take a number for the Kenting Express.  The Kenting Express will take us to the Zuoying HSR station in Kaohsiung, and from there we'll take the MRT south to Sanduo Shopping District.  In the Sanduo MRT station we'll follow the signs under (and across) Jungshan Road to the exit closest to the Sogo, and after emerging from the station we'll walk east a short distance to the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi.

2. Nick, is there anything wrong?

I'm not Nick, and no, there's nothing wrong.

3. Why don't you call Aunt Susan?

I don't have an aunt Susan that I'm aware of.

4. Nick, where are you?

I'm not Nick.  At the time of writing I happen to be in Hengchun Junior High School in Hengchun Municipality, Pingtung County, Taiwan.

A more interesting question is where I'll be next year.  As of right now I have no idea.  Last week I came to the realization that I'm done teaching English in this particular junior high school, and that next school year I'd rather do something else.

Compounding my uncertainty is the fact that we might be buying an apartment in Gushan District, Kaohsiung City soon.  Does this mean that I'll be living in Kaohsiung next year?  Again, I have no idea.  If Hengchun Elementary School offered me a full-time job next school year I'd think about staying, but their present plan involves sharing me with the junior high.  Would they write another plan to keep me there next year?  I kind of doubt it.

I'll probably talk to some of the elementary school people about this tomorrow.  I have an observation next week and I feel a warning about my future plans is in order.

5. Should we go there by bus or on foot?

Where?  To Shin Kong Mitsukoshi?  There's no train station in this area, so a bus or a car are the fastest ways to get there.

Just for fun I checked Google Maps.  It would take you 21 hours to walk from this location to the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Sanduo Shopping District.

6. OK.  But how do we get there from the station?

From the bus station in Zuoying?  I discussed that above.

Alternatively, you could get off the Kenting Express in Fangliao Township, which is about halfway between here and Kaohsiung.  

After getting off the bus you'll see a 7-11.  Take a right there and follow the road down to the Fangliao Train Station.  I highly recommend the Fast Local 區間快 train.

You can transfer to the MRT at Kaohsiung Main Station.  Just follow the signs.

7. What should we do now?

If I wasn't at work today I'd be on my way to Kaohsiung.  My wife has to take the afternoon off to go talk to real estate people there, and I dislike the fact that I can't go with her.  Unfortunately I have an afternoon full of classes today, and I want to save all my days off for summer vacation.  Hopefully everything goes OK up there.

8. Why did Bella tell Nick to take a taxi?

Maybe the two of them were having an affair and Nick couldn't drive his own car.  Maybe Nick was too drunk to drive.  Maybe Nick was in a hurry and other forms of transportation were too slow and/or less convenient.  Maybe the two of them were playing Mario Kart 8 and the taxi was the best option.

I always play Yoshi, by the way.  You don't want to challenge me when I'm Yoshi... I will rain turtle shells down upon you.

9. Where is the bus stop?

The location of the bus station is described above.  I'm not aware of any bus stops that aren't on the main road through town, so that's probably the closest bus stop.

10. Where is the post office?

If you're standing in front of the bus station you'll see a 7-11 across the intersection to your right.  To the left of the 7-11 there's a big plaza.  To the left of that is the post office.

11. Where is the bookstore?

There is no bookstore in Hengchun that I'm aware of.  The closest bookstore I can think of is in Chaozhou Municipality, about an hour north of here.  That bookstore doesn't have many English books, however.  If you're looking for English books you'll have to go to the FE21 in Kaohsiung.  There's an Eslite Bookstore on the top floor.

12. Where is the hotel?

The closest hotel I can think of is on Highway 26, a little north of the McDonald's.  There are, however, many homestays much closer to Hengchun Junior High School.  Several of them are within walking distance.

13. Where is the park?

The national park or a smaller, local park?  The national park is all around us.  If you move away from Highway 26 in any direction you'll arrive at some part of Kenting National Park eventually.  

If you're visiting Kenting National Park for the first time I recommend starting at the aquarium in Checheng and working your way south down the coastal road through Wanlitong, Baisha, Houbihu, Nanwan, Kenting and other places.  When you get to Jialeshui you can decide if you want to continue north into Manzhou or just spend the rest of the day at a local beach.

The biggest local park is the Stone Tablet Park within the old city fortifications.  It's very close to the West Gate.  It can be a nice place to walk around at night, though I sometimes avoid it because that's where a lot of my students hang out.

14. How do I get to the park?

For a really comprehensive visit to Kenting National Park you'll need a car or a scooter.  There's a scooter rental place next to the plaza mentioned above.

It's a short walk between the bus station and the Stone Tablet Park.  Just walk to the other side of the plaza and you'll be at the Hengchun Old Street.  Take a right there and walk down to the West Gate.  The park is behind the Lords of the Three Mountains Temple.

15. How do I get to the church?

The only church I know of is next to the old city wall, not far from where they hold the Hengchun Night Market on Sundays.  From the plaza cross the Hengchun Old Street and follow one of those alleys down to the city wall.  It's a big building that'll be on your right or left, I can't remember which.

16. How do I get to the school?

Hengchun Junior High School is near the bus station.  There's a little road between the bus station and a teppanyaki restaurant.  Follow that road up a little way and you'll be here.

17. How do I get to the bookstore?

Again, there's no bookstore.  To get to Chaozhou you'll need to take the Kenting Express to Fangliao, and from there take the train to Chaozhou.  The bookstore is within walking distance of Chaozhou Train Station.  Walk down the road perpendicular to the main station entrance, and when you come to a little triangular park follow a diagonal road to your left.  The bookstore will be on your left.

18. How do you go to school?

I usually ride a bike.  From the house we're renting in Ssegou Village it's a three kilometer ride to my school.  On days when I have to carry something heavy I ride a scooter, and very occasionally I'll drive a car.

19. How does Mr. White go to work?

Is this some kind of racial question?  Or are you asking me about the character from Breaking Bad?  If it's a racial question I think it's best ignored; if it's about Breaking Bad I have to apologize and say my memory of that show is spotty.  Did Walter have a job at some point?  I can't remember!

20. How long does it take to go from Great Hotel to Tainan Station on foot?

There may well be a Great Hotel in Tainan.  There are a lot of strange hotels in that city.  If you're walking in that area be careful.  It's not the most pedestrian friendly environment.

And what about you?  How do you get to Sunshine Department Store?  Why don't you call Aunt Susan?  Where are you?  How do you go to work?

Related Entries:

Every Township and Municipality in Pingtung County 屏東縣各鄉鎮的文章

After winter vacation some of the links below will stop working, but as of December 2023 these are all the entries having to do with Pingtung County. 這個寒假之後,下面有的連結會停止使用 ,至  2023年十二月的這個時候,以下這些都是跟屏東縣有關的文章。.



Pingtung in the News (South) 10


As per my "rule of 10" this will be the last entry for this area until I work my way through another city/county.


1. In Linbian Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... a lot of rain, an inspection of readiness to assist in disaster relief, a man struck by a car while driving farming equipment, a fight during a temple procession, a new bike trail, cognitive tests for senior citizens at the local DMV, low water pressure, a power outage, the issuance of banana insurance, a funeral for the former head of a village association, a rescue drill, the opening of a park, an inspection of water pumping stations and recognition of a village mayor.


2. In Jiadong Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... residents turning on their water pumps ahead of a typhoon, a unique way of making "ban tiao," a fire at a KTV, the recognition of a "living museum," the closure of two elementary schools, the illegal disposal of construction waste, the completion of renovation work on a junior high school, a visit by the County Magistrate and the eating of "soup rice," the restoration of a historic building, military drills which obstructed traffic, a truck driver who lost control of his truck, a job fair, unhappiness with inadequate road lighting, the death of a township office director, an elderly woman assisted home by police, a discussion of a proposed social welfare center and a methamphetamine-related explosion.


3. In Fangliao Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... an upgrade to the local train station, the discovery of old fortifications, plans for the rejuvenation of a local arts village, a protest against the installation of solar panels, two breathtaking traffic jams, worry over the export of wax apples to China, privately funded activities to encourage the renting of land to solar panel companies, the posting of politically embarrassing couplets, a visit by a person with COVID, the illegal dumping of non-toxic waste, eggs thrown at a cellphone shop, a car accident, a loss of crops due to changing weather conditions, talk of an "outer ring road," a former candidate accused of bribery, a truck that flipped over, grouper farmers transitioning into local tourism, a flame tree that crushed a car, a fish and fruit festival, the invalidation of some local elections and worry over property crime.


4. In Chun Rh Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... attempts to preserve the fortification mentioned above, a coffee bean picking activity, the celebration of several diamond anniversaries, environmental destruction, visits by tourists ignorant of COVID protocols, the cordoning off of a local road, a visit by a Japanese artist, a pitbull that killed a child and an early mango season.


5. In Fangshan Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... a beach clean-up activity, the closing of schools for the day, a person found in a state of mental distress, the identification of a dead woman, several COVID-positive people who stopped for coffee, military assistance after a train accident, COVID-related tensions between villagers, a fatal motorcycle accident, the accidental removal of orchids, a township director caught cheating, support for a local candidate, a case of embezzlement, a celebration of the harvest, an award for the sweetest mangoes, election improprieties, mangoes sold online and classes canceled ahead of a typhoon.


6. In Shrdze Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... an unexpected death, an encroachment upon protected land, the installation of surveillance cameras, trouble finding teachers, a man lost in the mountains, a township mayor banking on biodiversity, a mango festival, mobility scooters given by a charity foundation, a push to pay taxes online, the donation of daily necessities and a plunge down a hillside.


7. In Checheng Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... the robbery of a temple, the opening of a new dormitory, a power outage, the designation of a "recreational agriculture area," an exhibition of lanterns and other local art, several cases of COVID-19, the designation of a "youth base," a field trip centered around local history, a dispute which led to a beating, dismay at the revision of property boundaries, the renovation of public baths, police insuring that motorists park in designated areas, a magistrate volunteering at a local temple, a public art exhibition marred by the presence of ATVs, construction of a new road, construction of a new public hygiene office, a man arrested for theft, worry over solar panel companies, the dismissal of two village chiefs, the development of a tourist site, typhoon-related damage and construction of a new parking lot.


8. In Mudan Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... an argument over indecent wooden genitals, a meal cooked for residents over 75 years old, the publication of a local periodical, the appointment to chief detective of a local man, the operation of a new tour bus to a local viewpoint, complaints of a local resort's acceptance of guests in the presence of COVID, a student who won a Presidential Education Award, the opening of a "digital opportunity center," an award for seasoning, the death of a local candidate, the opening of a food bank, a misuse of public funds, a landslide and a driver who needed a jump start.


9. In Manzhou Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... a missing fisherman, a visit by a parent-child education expert, the giving of a storybook on local folk songs, a driver who drove into a house, a visit to a coast guard station, a close election, a local musician keeping old songs alive, a business making sun-dried noodles, the knocking over of power lines, a bungled evacuation and complaints over the stalled relocation of a local village.


10. In Hengchun Municipality, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... stalled plans for a scenic railway, the renovation of a local park, a man who fell into the sea, the scrawling of graffiti on historic walls, the shutting off of water by the local water utility, a beating with a stick, an alert to the effect that dining in was not acceptable, guests in homestays not wearing masks, a visit to encourage night market patrons to wear masks, plans to turn an old brick kiln into a tourist site, efforts by a tribe to gain official recognition, the transportation of public art, the construction of a cultural center, the sampling of organic products, COVID-positive visitors, rotting onions, the death of a local businessman, noise from a nearby military base, a visit from a candidate for county magistrate, a distraught man with a baseball bat, plans to rebuild an old temple, the giving of locally grown mangoes and two McDonald's restaurants damaged by high winds.


11. In Liuqiu Township, in the past 3+ years, there was/were...

... a switch to electric scooters, a tourist who fell and hit his head, the closure of a campground, a snake which scared a woman off her scooter, dates set for religious festivals, the opening of a buffet which serves smokeless barbecue, the closure of homestays, the closure of tourist sites, days off for a religious festival, a local woman who competed in a table tennis competition, over six thousand visitors in a single weekend, a new ferry, the discovery of an empty fishing boat, the inappropriate use of school bathrooms, a homestay owner penalized for age discrimination, a delivery of ballots, the promotion of a homestay, unwelcome shirtless men, an inspection of traffic conditions, an effort to reduce plastic pollution, complaints over plans to hold a music festival, screening for heart conditions, a power outage and consternation over bad driving.

Related Entries:

2023年12月10日 星期日

Sandimen Township, Pingtung County 屏東縣三地門鄉


Sandimen is my last stop in Pingtung.  After this entry I'll be focusing on Kaohsiung and Tainan.  It's been a long journey (over three years now), but I've learned a lot and I look forward to new adventures in other places. 三地門是我屏東介紹的最後一站 ,  這文章以後 , 我介紹的地區將會是高雄台南 。  這三年多漫長的旅程裡,我學到了很多 ,我很期待未來在別的縣市的冒險。

Sandimen is east of Gaoshu and north of Majia.  Most of the people there are members of the Paiwan Tribe.  I don't know how popular Sandimen is now, but I can remember hearing about it when I first arrived in Taiwan over two decades ago. 三地門位於高樹的東部 、 瑪家的北部 。  大部分的居民是排灣族人 。  我不太清楚三地門現在還是不是熱鬧景點 , 但是我20年前來到台灣時就聽說過它的名字。

According to the last census, 7793 people live in Sandimen. 上次的人口統計表示 , 三地門的人口是7793人 。


This is the Shanchuan Glass Suspension Bridge between Sandimen and Majia.  It's the most popular tourist attraction in the area.  It crosses the Ailiao River between the two townships.  That's Sandimen on the other side. 這是瑪家三地門中間的山川玻璃吊橋 , 是這附近最熱鬧的景點 。  這座橋跨過兩鄉中間的隘寮溪 ,  橋另外一邊是三地門


The Dimoer Arts Park is on Highway 24.  It's near the suspension bridge. 地磨兒藝術公園24省道上 , 也靠近吊橋 。


There's a trail between the Dimoer Arts Park and the nearby Dimoer Forest Park deeper in the mountains.  Both parks are worth a visit. 地磨兒藝術公園地磨兒森林公園中間有一條步道 , 這兩座公園值得你去探訪。


You'll find many restaurants on Highway 24 around Sandimen Village.  Many of these restaurants only open later in the day.  The cuisine varies between barrel chicken,  stir fry and aboriginal barbecue. 24省道三地門村的一段路上有多家餐廳 , 大部分比較晚開始營業 ,  桶子雞 , 熱炒跟原住民烤肉最多 。


The Dragonfly Beads Arts Studio is near the bottom of the hill, and it's also within walking distance of the suspension bridge.  The dragonfly beads are produced locally, and each type of bead has a special meaning. 蜻蜓雅築珠藝工作室在山坡下 , 也離吊橋很近 。  蜻蜓珠是當地名產 , 每種珠都有特別的意義。


"Guys" won't find much to buy here, but if you're looking to buy jewelry this is the place to go. "男性"在這裡找不到什麼可以買的, 可是如果要買給親戚珠寶的讀者會喜歡 。


The view from the second floor coffee shop is good.  The coffee shop was my favorite part.  I'd like to try their food next time. 二樓咖啡廳的風景很好 ,  咖啡廳是我最喜歡的部分 ,  我下次來要吃他們的料理 。


I've noticed a lot of antler-related art in the area.  Sometimes this art looks pretty; sometimes it looks a little sinister. 這個地區有很多鹿角的藝術品 ,  有時候這藝術品看起來很美 ; 有時候看起來很恐怖 。


You'll find Saijia Village north of Sandimen Village.  It's a bit off the tourist trail. 賽嘉部落位於三地門村的北邊 ,  部落離景點有一段路 。


There's a lot of great art near Saijia Elementary.  The faces on the carvings and statues are a little different from what I've seen elsewhere. 賽嘉國小有很多好看的藝術品 ,  雕像和木雕上的臉很特別 。


Still further north is the Saijia "Amusement Park," which is really just a campground.  You can rent one of these tents if you're feeling the urge to camp. 在往北邊有賽嘉樂園 。  這個 "樂園" 是一露營區 ,  想露營的讀者可以來這裡租帳篷 。

This place was recently renovated, and I think it'd be a nice place to barbecue.  There's a hangliding spot nearby. 這場露營區最近整修過, 在這裡烤肉應該很不錯 , 附近也有飛行傘場 。


About 15 minutes from Saijia is Haishen or "Ocean Spirit" Temple, which isn't a temple at all but rather a place to view a waterfall and play in the river.  I'd avoid this place on summer weekends, but in the middle of December it turned out to be very nice.  There's an entrance fee, but it's only 50 NT per person. 離賽嘉15分鐘是海神宮 ,  這個景點沒有廟宇 , 是個戲水和看瀑布的景點 。  我夏天不會想來這裡,人太多,  可是12月的時候不錯 ,  來這裡玩要付50元的入場費 。


Further up the Mountainside Highway is Dajin Waterfall.  If I'd known how exhausting the trek up to the waterfall was going to be I probably wouldn't have bothered, but as it was the views were worth it.  This trail also connects to the Weiliao Trailhead further north. 繼續走沿山公路會到大津瀑布 。  如果我先知道走瀑布的步道那麼累,我大概不會上去 。 還好沒注意到 , 因為上面的風景很不錯 ,  這邊的步道也連接北邊的尾寮步道 。


The view from the top.  That's Meinong and Liugui districts in Kaohsiung across the river, with Gaoshu Township in the foreground. 步道上遠眺的風景 。  河川後面是高雄市美濃區六龜區 , 河川前面是屏東縣高樹鄉 。


Dajin Waterfall.  I'm not a big fan of waterfalls, but yeah, this one is cool. 大津瀑布 。  我沒有那麼喜歡瀑布 , 可是我還是覺得這個瀑布不錯 。


At the northern end of Sandimen, not far from Maolin, is the Weiliao Mountain Trailhead.  I was already tired from the waterfall so I didn't walk in very far.  There were a lot of monkeys nearby and I f**king hate monkeys. 在三地門北部 , 靠近茂林的地區有尾寮山登山口 。 我已經在瀑布走的很累 , 所以沒有再走到很裡面的地方 。  附近的猴子也超多 , 我非常討厭猴子 !

Related Entries 相關的文章:


Pingtung's Mountain / Aboriginal Townships 屏東山區/原住民鄉