20111214 Taichung台中 to Lukang 鹿港(Zhanghua彰化)

Headed for Sun Moon Lake 日月潭. The early occupants in that area was the 孝族（山地原著名）. It's also the place that the Japanese initiated the idea of tapping on the lake water to generate electricity水力发电厂. How it got its name? It's the elevated view in the past (before the earthquake). Within the lake, there was an island in the middle. On one side, it looked like a moon and the other, a sun. Before the earthquake in the 90s, the island was a highlight where tourist could visit.

Since the earthquake, the island sunk and left with a tip. Hm... Left two trees that were seemingly unique, one which one of them had two branches that stuck out from the top that looked like the horns of the deer.

Along the river side were some historical buildings, for instance, a pagoda that was built was the first president Chiang Kai-Shek in memory of his mother. The pagoda tipped at the 1000th metre height above sea level.

The next visit to the 毛皇爷shop, we 'attended' a lesson on lingzhi灵芝 and 鹿胎 (deer fetus) where the shop owner spoke about how the tribal formula had done miracle to the sick, for example, how 鹿胎had cured the asthma problem faced by the then-first lady 宋美龄. Actually, I visited another branch in Taipei in my first visit many many years ago, but it's the first time that I learnt how this 毛皇爷got the 皇爷title... which was given by President Chiang because of the close consultation relationship he had with the president, according to the guide.

We visited the Wenwu temple文武庙 where 关公and孔子were worshipped, before heading to Lukang鹿港. This was a port which was known to export deer skins to Japan during the Japanese occupation period. It seemed to be a pretty quiet town as we drove passed the street.
 
The day actually concluded with a visit to the Lukang Tianhou temple鹿港天后（妈祖）庙 which was more than 300 years old. Of course, another 'expected' sight and activity was the night market. Hm... Not quite, but it was an old street, kind of like the one at Neiwan内弯. One item that stood out from the other old streets or night market was the traditional biscuits or pastries that it had here! The biscuits were all so freshly made and came with a nice smell. There, I bought the 'cow tongue biscuits', both crispy and soft types :)

It happened that the evening we arrived coincided with the President's visit to the place, and what a surprise, the 'target' location was the Tianhou Temple! Guess that's the local culture, where places of worship was the most crowded, and probably also where he hoped to pray for the goddess to hear his wish of success in the upcoming presidential election? Hm... What made it more colourful was the 'organiser' actually made announcement to the supporters lined up outside the temple, to urge them to be in an orderly manner and also to applause to welcome the president when he arrived. What made it colourful was she reminded them that they need to show the goddess that they were good and orderly and well-behaved!!! Hm... The goddess was overlooking at what's happening... so, don't play play!!!

This night, we put up in Leader House, which was a big contrast to the Two we had two nights ago. The first impression? It was like those ryokan hot spring hotels in Japan! The hall er... The main lobby was round and spacious, with stalls of the open concept where goods were displayed. However, these stalls were closed. The biggest 'surprise' was we seemed to be the only people checked in. Well, all in all, apart from being old and didn't seemed to be well maintained, the room was adequately equipped and comfortable for the night.

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Location:Dayuan Township,Taiwan