I awoke to a loud knock at my door; 8:00am had come too quickly. We had breakfast, packed our bags, and checked out of the hotel. Once the car was packed, I drove to the Snake Kiln, continuing the trip’s theme of ceramics and teapots. Cathy thoroughly enjoyed the kiln, while I had a chance to chat and see some new sights. We browsed the gift shop, made a few purchases, and continued along the highway to Tainan.

Several hours later, I reached Tainan and encountered an altogether different driving experience. Taipei is fast and hectic. Tainan is slow and really hectic. I parked the car and wandered towards the main tourist area.

Next to the temple was a small food stall that I had previously described as “blissful.” Its speciality was small meat patties coated in a slippery bread or dumpling-like layer. Dripping in sauce, they were delicious.

I finally entered the temple and walked around. Having seen its main areas and found some forgotten incense, I walked around the corner and bought freshly squeezed juice. I’m not certain which vegetable it came from, but it was delicious. Drinks in hand, I entered the Matsu Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea. Once I had reached my temple quota, I walked across the street and dropped Cathy and my dad at an old fort built centuries ago by Dutch explorers. Tainan was once the capital of Taiwan.

Meanwhile, I ordered some bubble tea and drank it beside the fort. Once they had finished, I wandered back towards the temple and ordered dumplings. Just before crossing the street, I was delighted to witness a small celebration for one of the gods; perhaps 60 people in ceremonial dress were chanting as they moved down the street. The god they were honouring had travelled all the way from China.

After dumplings and a drink, I returned to the car and drove to a nearby hotel. I inspected the rooms, but Cathy exercised her veto, so I kept looking. The information centre offered several good leads, and one hotel, the Mona Lisa, seemed ideally located near the night market. I drove there, inspected the rooms, and agreed it would do.

Cathy wanted to see what a “Taiwan-style grocery store” was like ( hint: much like any other grocery store). We wandered down the road, and she was unsurprisingly unsurprised. I bought some bread filled with mochi, and we walked back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, I took a quick rest and then wandered to the night market. The experience was pleasant overall, although Cathy and my dad were not quite accustomed to the food. I found this highly ironic, considering how limited my tastes had been as a child. Now, however, I eat a wider and more adventurous variety than either of them. I wonder what happened. ( Hint: someone says, “Me, me, me.”)

After the night market, I slowly wandered home, ice cream in hand, and played some cards. For the first time on the trip, I shared a large room, which was more economical. Realising this might happen, I had packed earplugs. Thankfully so, because somebody snored all night long, and it wasn’t me.