Day 2: Pingxi, Jinguashih, Miaokou

We woke up slightly later than planned, hahaha, and only managed to leave our hotel closer to 11am or so after our yummy breakfast...

Complimentary breakfast - porridge with salted eggs, nuts, etc

First stop of the day is Pingsi -- the place where we were to release heavenly lanterns, after covering them with scribbled wishes and then lighting them.

At Taipei Railway station, waiting for the train towards Rueifang. Fare from Taipei Main station to Rueifang station: NT52

On board the crowded train. Lotsa ppl going to Pingsi for the weekend.

Information board to inform tourists on where to go and what to do along the Pingsi Branch Railway line.

Got off at Rueifang station. Need to purchase another ticket to take the railway train for the Pingsi Branch Line (NT54 for unlimited stops along the line). The downside is that the train comes like once every hour, and we cannot afford to go somewhere else except Pingsi.

Along the way, we were treated to scenic views of the countryside... Mountains, rivers, villages, small towns... Nice and peaceful.

Finally, after an hour's journey, we arrived at Pingsi. This is a small town with few eateries and most shops selling lantern souvenirs of different sizes, including miniatures.

The old slow-paced railway train which brought us here.

Standing on the 12.9-kilometer Pingsi Branch Railway Line which was completed in 1921 to support the mining industry in the area during the years of Japanese occupation. The train (above) passes through six tunnels and over 15 bridges along its way.

River flowing through the town. Try and spot the auntie fishing there.

Colorful lanterns in a tea house.

After a quick lunch (note: food is average and hence not worth mentioning or posting of photo), we got to this lantern workshop where we can release heavenly lanterns for NT100.

Lantern workshop with friendly boss who helped us to release lanterns at the mini-car park opposite the shop.

Chart showing the colors available and the associated wishes for that color.

SY busy writing down all her wishes.

Lighting the heavenly lantern (that's Emi's)... and up it goes!

Can you spot our heavenly lanterns (3 in total) in the sky? May all our wishes come true!!

We caught the return train back to Rueifang...

Train master driving the train... So old school, hahaha.

You need to sound the hone whenever the train approaches a bend. Check out the signboard.

Train leaving the tunnel.

A speed train overtook our railway train at one of the stations.

... and took a bus (opposite Rueifang station) to our second stop of the day -- Gold Ecological Park which consists of the museum of gold, environmental education center and crown prince chalet. Interesting place to explore.

Environmental education center on the natural ecological environment and how the Jinguashi community of Japanese-style wood buildings was constructed to meet the local conditions.

Crown prince chalet - representative example in Taiwan of a Japanese-style villa, and the unique cement miniature golf course

Workers in the cooper mine digging the ore in the lowest depths of the mine.

Copper was discovered and extracted here.

We have touched a 220kg gold brick! Argh, how i wish it's mine... hahaha

Gold Ecological Park museum

We are transported out of the mine...

Jinguashi and Jioufen community town on the mountain

Keelung harbour at sunset

Tired and hungry and after an hour bus journey down the mountain, our third stop of the day is Keelung's Miaokou Night Market...

Candied fruits, NT50

Grilled oysters, small and yummy, NT150

Steamed crab in butter sauce, NT250. It's tiny... hahaha

Beancurd with pearls, nice, NT30

Miaokou temple

Keelung railway station

Note: You must walk till you find an area with orange neon sign as this area is the proper nightmarket with well-defined stall space and signs to help international travelers know which kinds of food are available. We only managed to find the correct place after feasting all the above, hahaha...