Several months ago, I debated what to do during the Lunar New Year break. Should I fly somewhere or travel around Taiwan? Because everybody was trying to fly, ticket prices were triple their usual level. I was also likely to visit Tibet soon, so I needed to save money.

One of my friends lived in southern Taiwan. I decided to make an adventure of it and join her, along with several other people, for a trip into the mountains.

Today, at 5:30, I caught a train from Taipei to Tainan. The journey takes about six hours and is quite beautiful. For much of the way, both sides of the track were dotted with rice paddies and mountains, yet there seemed to be development around every corner. After arriving in Tainan, I left the station, bought some bubble tea, much cheaper than in Taipei, and ate lunch.

A convenient free shuttle circles Tainan, which is fairly compact. I first took it to a local temple and walked around for quite some time. I then wandered down an alley, bought a few speciality drinks, and returned to the bus stop.

Tainan is warmer than Taipei and remains warm throughout the year, though it does not become as hot in summer. I left the bus near a small school beside another temple and explored the area. Tired after waking at 4:45 that morning, I took a nap in the temple pavilion, where many other people were doing the same. I played some rummy and eventually walked back to the station. I boarded a train for Kaohsiung, where my friend lived, and arrived 30 minutes later.

Kaohsiung seemed like a small city, at least compared with Taipei. Peggy picked me up, and we returned to her parents’ four-storey apartment. We talked for a while as I read Time and Newsweek. Another couple eventually joined us, and we all went to dinner. I met Peggy’s boyfriend, Chong Ming, at a small lamb restaurant. Afterwards, I had some shaved ice, which I particularly enjoy but always feel guilty eating.

With dinner and dessert over, I returned to Peggy’s home and curled up on the floor, camping-style. Tomorrow would be a big day.