Taiwan -- Day 10 Sun Moon Lake and Ita Thao

The next morning I was up so early I managed to catch a magical sunrise over the lake. We had a very big day planned and I was a little nervous. Since the Taiwan Cup had been cancelled the Taiwan Tourism Board had instead arranged a media opportunity ride around Sun Moon Lake with all the professional cyclists. To my greatest fear our group had been invited to participate as well. Everyone was super excited but this newbie cyclist was hesitant, maybe even horrified to take on a 32 KM ride around Sun Moon Lake with Team Rabobank and Oscar Freira. 

Sign outside the GIANT Store Sun Moon Lake
Don't you love the Nourishing Room?


We were meeting at 9:00am at the GIANT Store to pick out our bikes for the day and then joining all the professional cyclists for the media interviews and the 9:30am ride start. The plan was for the pro-cyclists to ride the round-the-lake route twice at a leisurely pace so that some photos and tourism promotions could be done. The rest of the cyclists would start off in the same pack and try to keep up. It was my first experience at this kind of shotgun start and pack riding. It was wonderfully exciting to line up and ride with these professionals when I had only been riding for six days or so.  As soon as the shotgun went off everyone blasted out of there. I can’t imagine how fast the pros actually race at if this was their “leisurely” pace.    After freshening up we would meet as a group and go  for lunch in town before boarding our yacht for a cruise across Sun Moon Lake.  

Professional Racers waiting for the start of the ride around Sun Moon Lake.

  

Dario of GIANT Team Asia and myself
The ride around Sun Moon Lake

I was pretty proud and giving myself a little pat on the back when I approached the first hill. It looked quite deceiving at first but it was hard work and soon enough my legs were killing me and my “biker bum” had kicked in. I was also having trouble understanding the gears on my bike, as they didn’t have numbers on them only black and white lines. That meant I wasn’t prepared properly in the right gear to take on the hills. I was only five minutes into the ride, and already at the back of the pack. As I slowly made my way up the hill I ran across Wireless Mark.  Unfortunately his chain had broken and the GIANT support car was unable to fix it.  He had to head back to the start and pick up a new bike. I continued to ride, mostly by myself along the undulating road. The road follows the shores of the lake quite closely. It has some high climbs, many curves, and steep drop offs. The sun was shining bright, there was a nice cooling breeze and scenery was majestic.



Photo I took of myself when I thought I might "stroke" out on the ride around Sun Moon Lake


On my bike was an odometer that I was following.  I knew the ride was 32 km long but by the time the odometer showed 14KM I thought I was going to have a stroke.  I was beet red, had labored breathing and was sweating profusely. I actually stopped and took a photo of myself in one of the traffic mirrors just so people would know how far I made it in case I couldn’t finish for some reason.  I couldn’t fathom how I was going to ride another 18 KM back to the Finish/Start line.  The GIANT Support car had already asked me if I needed help earlier and I had waved them on.  For those that live in the Vancouver, BC, area the road would be most closely described to the Sea-to-Sky or Grouse Mountain roads.  I had several drinks of water and a few minutes rest before taking off again.  Soon after, Wireless Make caught up with me on his new bike.  It was then that I figured out I had been reading the odometer wrong.  Mark explained it was telling me my actual speed and then my AVERAGE SPEED, not my distance. It turned out that I was almost two-thirds through the ride.  Wireless Mark continued on and I resumed my cycling with much more enthusiasm and a lighter heart.  Near the end of the ride all the pros actually lapped me as they came flying by laughing and joking. The GIANT support car also made one more invitation to help me in but I declined.  I had ridden that far and I was not going to give up for anything less than death.  In the end it took me over 90 minutes but I finished the ride.  I was so incredibly proud of myself, I felt like I could take on the world.  I met up with Kate and we rambled back to the hotel and went up to the Observatory floor to get a view of the lake. Incredible! Thank You Taiwan and Taiwan Tourism Board for making me feel like a million dollars and giving me memories of a lifetime.






Sun Moon Lake



Wireless Mark in Sun Moon Lake



Lunch in Sun Moon Lake



Lunch with John and Wireless Mark



The cruise was beautiful but unfortunately the commentary was in Chinese so I didn’t learn a lot about what we were looking at. I know that we toured around Lalu Island before docking at the entrance to the Syuenguang Temple.  What a gong show. It is the only way to describe the thousands of people that descend on the temple. Dozens of yachts bring people to the wharf and drop them off for some sightseeing and pick them up again. The paths and walkways were so packed that it was actually unpleasant to walk around so we decided to skip walking to the temple and went back to our boat.  This was the first time since arriving in Taiwan, that crowds disturbed our sightseeing.  Once on the yacht again the next stop and point of departure was Ita Thao. 

Temple Area of Sun Moon Lake.
Crazy touristy. Way too busy!!



Sun Moon Lake





Look closely at the hotel.  Isn't it private?
Ita Thao, Sun Moon Lake



Sun Moon Lake
Again the most gorgeous water.




Bev and our provisions for the afternoon bus ride.




Amazing food on the local stalls.



More local seafood.



Deep Fried Fish

 

View of the Sun Moon Lake Hotels from the boat.

  

Gorgeous water of Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake

 

View looking down from The Obstervatory Floor at The Wen Wan Resort

 

View out onto the lake from The Wen Wan Resort



Sun Moon Lake



Taiwan -- Day 9 Cont'd Sun Moon Lake and The Wen Wan Resort Hotel

Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan.  One side of the lake resembles a Sun and the other a Moon, hence the name.  There are 2 major townships Yuchih and Shueili, situated around the lake as well as a 32 KM road that follows the shore of the lake.



Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan



We arrived in the late afternoon and were brought to The Wen Wan Hotel. Oh goodness gracious me, Spectacular! This is the newest hotel in the Yuchih township and beautiful 5 star hotel located next to the Lalu (another premium hotel). While we were being checked in we were brought to the Lounge Bar.  Gorgeous! It has stunning views of the lake through the floor to ceiling windows.  On each table was a perfect yellow fragrant Lily.  We were each given a bottle of sparkling peach vinegar to drink and a small bowl of water and cloth to refresh ourselves. I know that sparkling vinegar may not sound great, but it tasted delightful.



Our welcome drink at The Wen Wan Resort




The view from the 6th floor of The Wen Wan Resort.



I was given room #601 and it was amazing. When you walked in you were faced with a sliding pocket door in front of you, a Tea Station, drawers and mini-fridge to your left and another sliding pocket door to your right.  I opened the right door and it led into a huge bright airy bedroom and living room combo.  The colors were white, beige and beech and bamboo. It had a large king bed, love seat and coffee table and LCD wall mounted TV. 



My room at The Wen Wan Resort



At the far end of the room were large double patio doors which led out onto the deck.  The deck was beautiful with a chaise lounger, table and chair and it overlooked Sun Moon Lake.  It also had access to the super luxurious bathroom by way of another set of patio doors leading into the marble soaker tub. The bathroom was above and beyond all bathrooms.  The soaker tub filled in minutes even though it was approx 4 feet X 4 feet X 2.5 feet. You could sit, soak and relax in a super hot tub with floor to ceiling views of the lake. Next to the tub was a rain shower and then you walked into the vanity area.  There were double sinks, a beauty station and stool and complimentary bath salts as well as great creams and lotions.  Once you walked passed the vanity station you walked into the toilet room. Again it was a fantastic TOTO toilet.  This time though it played music.  There is no experience like using the toilet with a heated seat and having “Ave Maria” played to you.  The toilet room then led back to the front door.



My bathroom at The Wen Wan Resort




My bathtub at The Wen Wan Resort, overlooking Sun Moon Lake.

After I was done exploring my room I ran to Bev’s on the 7^th floor to see what her room was like.  We had the same layout except that her color scheme was burgundy, gold and cherry wood with floral accents.  Also, instead of a loveseat she had two individual chairs and her deck had a round lounger roomy enough for two.  When we were done oohing and awing over our rooms we went to explore the public areas of the hotel.



Bev's room at The Wen Wan Resort.



Bev's patio and circular chais lounge.

 The hotel is 12 stories tall and located on a hill overlooking Sun Moon Lake.  It was built to resemble a ship and has a large gold mast on one side.  The mast is covered in 479 ounces of gold leaf, making it the most expensive mast in the world. The lobby features a several beautiful art objects including a 5 foot dragon ball and a wall of marble that is lit at night from the inside, as well as a water wall.  The ceiling has several beaded crystal chandeliers and unique stained glass lights. On the outside of the hotel is a 60 foot outdoor observation deck. This is free for guests but there is a charge for non-guests. 




The large marble wall lit from within. 
Cola Mark practicing some dance moves.




The Dragon Ball
The Wen Wan Resort




Viewing platform at The Wen Wan Resort




Column on the viewing platform decorated with aboriginal art.
The Wen Wan Resort, Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan



After exploring the hotel we headed off to dinner at Sun Moon Lake Full House Resort. The Full House Resort is closer to the North American idea of a large bed and breakfast or an Inn. Its restaurant and gardens on the other hand are definitely something I’ve only seen in Taiwan.  The gardens are beautiful at night and throughout them are strategically placed glass and wrought-iron tables of different sizes as well as garden ornaments.  Lights and candles twinkle from the trees and pathways, and large fruit centerpieces dotted the tables.  Some tables seat four under intricate white metal gazebos and some as large as sixteen under patio umbrellas.  We were seated in our own area at a table for eight with a supremely large watermelon centerpiece.  There were only six of us but we had to leave an empty chair or two for the stray cat that wouldn’t leave and therefore joined us for dinner. Aside from our uninvited feline companion we did settle in to enjoy a unique meal experience. 



Sun Moon Lake Full House Resort




Sun Moon Lake Full House Resort



This inn is renowned for its distinctive fruit and meat combinations.  The meal was served family style with the main course being an inside-out tagine-looking fondue. You cooked a selection of fruit, meat, seafood and vegetables in the boiling broth and voila, dinner was done. There were also side dishes of cellophane noodles, rice, fish, and mushrooms and assorted vegetables. It really was an interesting and delicious meal. After dinner I toured the Full House with John and Kate as well as the Dorm-style room. It is certainly a unique building with lots of art and wood works and a strong fruit smell. 



Cola Mark, Bev, Kate and Wireless Mark
Sun Moon Lake Full House Resort




Wireless Mark and Cola Mark
Dinner at the Sun Moon Lake Full House Resort




Kate and our uninvited dinner guest.
Sun Moon Lake Full House Resort




Dinner at Sun Moon Lake Full House Resort

After dinner I retired back to The Wen Wan Hotel and a super amazing lavender salt mineral bath before bed.

Bathtime at The Wen Wan Resort.