Classic Northwest Taiwan 台湾西北经典游: 20111211 Arriving at Taipei, heading 宜兰Yilan

Arrived at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport 桃园国际机场at around 3.30 pm. The group got into a double-decker bus. It's a 20-people group, made up largely by "families" :) Oh yes, a wheelchair-bounded granny in the 8-member family. It's the first time traveling with a senior in a group.

It was about a 2-hour drive from the airport to Yilan 宜兰. We drove through the 12.9km 雪山隧道 before arriving Yilan 宜兰for a night of stay in the resort. As our local guide 徐大同highlighted, 竹风兰雨that says 新竹is known for its wind, it's also where the famous 新竹米粉is made. Well, back in 宜兰it's known for its rain, and duck!!!

Before arriving at the resort, we stopped by the 7-eleven. Guess what interesting finds I have?

The dinner was really a simple one... With no surprises as a simple home-cooked family meal. The climax was more of the 2 other activities after dinner. The making of the麻薯, which we usually buy as a end-product. The original is make of 小米. However, we use 糯米instead. It's first steamed, then poured into a boulder made from a tree trunk, then pounded over and over again to become a thick sticky paste. Then it's rolled over a mix of sugar and black sesame. Tasty :) the next highlight was lightening of the traditional lantern. Wow... Exciting! The lantern simply took off so quickly and sent our hopes and wishes far far up there!