Thursday October 1st was a holiday in Taiwan called Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month in observance of the bountiful autumn harvest.
Because most of the activities held on this holiday are related to the moon, it has come to be known as "Moon Day." Important activities at this time include eating moon cakes, which symbolize unity and togetherness; strolling under the full moon; and eating pomelos, since the Chinese term for pomelo sounds like "care and protection." The barbecuing that is so popular in Taiwan on this holiday is a recent custom. On Thursday evening you will start seeing everyone preparing their barbecue just outside of their front door on the sidewalks!
To learn more about the legends being told during the Moon Festival go to this website
https://www.chineasy.com/mid-autumn-festival-stories-moon/ However since I don't drink meat and my second family here in Taiwan wanted to show me around more of the country, they managed to find two rooms in a gorgeous hotel with one of the best view of the lake. Since Covid-19, Taiwanese people have not been able to travel outside of their island and vice versa, Chinese or Japanese tourists have not been able to come enjoy Taiwan during this holiday. So in consequence, all the tourist places in the island are completely booked by locals wanting a little break from their routine and normal environments just like all of us around the world.
We left on Friday morning to head to the middle of Taiwan in the mountains.
Travel Journey
Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located in Taiwan’s Yuchi Township, Nantou County. Lalu Island in the middle of the lake separates the lake into a part shaped like a crescent moon and another part shaped like a round sun; thus, the name Sun Moon Lake. However Lalu, and is reserved for aboriginal religious practices, therefore the public is not allowed to visit the island. The aboriginal Thao tribe lives around the lake, and are the proprietors of many local businesses. The town Ita Thao (伊達邵) is located across the lake from the pier area
Surface elevation: 748 m
Area: 7.93 km²
Length: 15.12 km
We arrived at the hotel after 2pm and while the adults were taking a nap, us kids (yes I will include myself!!) decided to go explore the area before dinner. And to make sure we could enjoy it within the 3 hours we had, we decided to rent electrical bicycles. There is a path all around the island for bicycles and walkers but we only did half since the path was under construction midway.
This place is truly one of the most amazing places I have never been, and I like to think that I have been to a lot of places in the world and a lot of beautiful ones. Unfortunately it was a little too busy at this time of the year to really appreciate and enjoy the peacefulness of the lake and surroundings. Well actually until my next morning...
Wen Wan Resort
We stayed at the Wen Wan Resort which had a spa, gym, outdoor infinity pool and a sky deck! There is no pictures from the sky deck from me since I am afraid of heights and they decided to put transparent floors on the 11th floor so you can not only appreciate the 180 degrees view of the lake but the trees all the way at the bottom...
So here are the pictures from the pool on the 8th floor!!
Sunrise on the lake
On Friday evening I decided that we needed to wake up early the next day to watch the sunrise, which was going to be at 5.17am. I set my alarm clock for 5am and sneaked out of the room with my camera. My friend S. was still sleeping but her brother to my surprise joined me downstairs. Waking up that early did not disappoint... As my pictures below will show you!
I was really surprise to see so many people waiting for the sunrise as well with cameras set up on tripods, people that had slept in their vans and cars starting their breakfasts while the sun was rising and some adventurous few swimming in the lake.
Coming down the mountains
We left Sun Moon Lake around lunch time and we drove around the mountains. The mother of my friend had heard about a great restaurants in the middle of nowhere in the mountains and I don't know how but they managed to find it. I unfortunately do not remember the name of it. In front of the restaurant was the cutest hotel or guest house offering 7 rooms only and spa services. We did venture and asked if they had any room left for the night but no luck. The restaurant's specialty was chicken and river fish. I wasn't very hungry and as you may know now I do not eat meat. I do love fish and did try the river fish which was considered a long time ago the fish of the king. Well let just say that I would not have been a good king or queen because I thought the fish was a little too tough compared to sea fish from Tainan that is super white and melts in your mouth. They also had some fried mushrooms and fried pumpkin which was amazing!
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