As you may have heard, I’m still in Taiwan. This is my third time here, but I have only ventured outside of Taipei once. That was for a set of factory tours. Since I’m here for an extra week this time around, I wanted to make it a point to visit places outside of the main city. One such destination is Chuifen Village.
Also spelled as Juifen, Chuifen literally translates as nine families or nine sets. This is because the old mining town was established as such. These days, there’s no more mining going on. Instead, it serves more as a preserved glimpse into the past for the small mountain town. It serves as a movie set (and a tourist trap).
So, how does this play into the title of today’s blog post? Well, in addition to some of the good eats I enjoyed there (check my Flickr photostream), I also picked up an ocarina. Video game fans will likely best know the ocarina from the Legend of Zelda series.
I’m not really into RPGs, nor am I particularly musically inclined, but I couldn’t help but buy one. Back in my elementary school days, I learned how to play the recorder (poorly), so hopefully that will help with teaching myself to play the ocarina. Then, perhaps one day, I can do this:
We all need a hobby and a channel for creative expression, right? Since I already play Rock Band, this ocarina should be a piece of cake. (Ha!)
Here are a few more photos from Chuifen Village:
Good Luck on playing that Michael. The food looks great and the village looks like one of those in many movies.
Are you thinking of going to any other larger cities while you are there?
Not really a large city, but we went to Hualien too on our way to visit Takoro Gorge. I’ll have some pics up on my Flickr in the next few days.
I’m glad you stepped out of urban Taipei and visited smaller towns like Chuifen and Hualian. It is at these places that one can experience the local cultures and way of life.
You visited Takoro Gorge? Cool. It’s the one place I wanted but have not visited in Taiwan.
Yup, Takoro Gorge is quite breathtaking, especially the Swallow Grotto (I think that’s what it’s called). If you have a chance, I recommend it.
I plan to bring my family to Taiwan for vacation within the next 2 years, and Takoro Gorge will definitely be one of my must-visit destination.
so in the beginning, when it’s your first time going to Lanayru province to save llia. I can’t get there. right now I’m at this place that looks like it once was part of hyrule kingdom, there are these little round red target things in some places, and there is a ledge i can just barely reach that leads to another that is too far away.
i like the mountain roads . made me puke a lot during travelling when i was a kid