Day 09 Follow me

2/7 Luodong to Taipei (Ximen)

Hooray!

One of the last two days before returning home. Here's the plan, I will be leaving for Keelung the first thing in the morning, going beyond Yilan and ride around the coast. Dad said that the trip won't even be a challenge, with only a few ups and downs. I have decided to go into Taipei for accommodation, in this case, my journey back home the next day could also be shortened.

The first two hours were pretty sweet, just like most of the days, covering over 40 kms in the mean time. I was riding by the ocean-side and the wind grew strong, plus some fog and the infamous North East Wind, I was gradually pushed into a difficult situation. Rain was splattering on me and I was all wet within minutes, however, I kept riding.

It was already past noon and I missed the last 7-11. Convenience stores were nowhere to be seen after that, which I regretted very much.

The way to Keelung was full of twisting coastlines and they were all very long and twisted with big trucks and many upward slopes ( I guessed my dad's information was false then). I was getting weak and a headache from the cold, the rain, and the humidity on my clothes, but I had no choice but to keep moving.

It was about two hours later before reaching one 7-11 and I ducked inside immediately, purchasing some Tempura and a Hand Bendong with chicken.

The meal got me back some strength but I got back on to the bike straightly after dining, bad habit. (While riding through one of the coastlines, a dog with no collar on the neck appeared all of a sudden and started chasing me. I panicked and stopped the bike, I tried to scare it away but the dog just won't budge. I moved, it moved; I stopped, it stopped.

I tried ignoring its existence and rode on my own, but the dog just ran by my side, all the time! I was concerned that it would follow me to Taipei... to see it from a different angle, it seemed to be a very loyal pet, always by my side and accompanying me, but there's no knowing of its age and diseases, so there's no way I'm going to keep it. At last I gained up speed and sped into a tunnel, I was too fast for the dog and totally left him behind, running in the rain.

It seemed to be a cruel thing to do, but what choice do I have.

The Gps wanted me to go by the seaside until reaching Keelung, but I decided to climb over a small mountain instead, to avoid the strong wind. It was really a bold thing to do, for it was raining hard and I hadn't had much strength left. Luckily I made my way out, reached Keelung, took pictures of the famous Yellow Duck and started out for Taipei City, and Ximen District.

The distance was only 30 kms but it took me long and hard.

There were many traffic lights (with long red lights) and lots of long, high bridges to climb.

The traffic was also very bad, so it was already 6 by the time I found my way to Ximen. The hunt for hotels didn't go smoothly, most of the lodges were fully booked and some of the prices even went up to 3000 and more. At last I surrendered to a 2000 nt room and took a hot bath.

Great! I got out to get a hair cut, had a full meal and was now starting to enjoy the crowd and neon.