Day 5: Taichung to Puli, Nantou
We spent an interesting morning at Taiwan Times Village, an indoor theme park of old Taiwan in the 50s. Interesting actors to keep the whole place alive and interact with visitors. We arrived at 9.30 am, half an hour before the place opened because our guide actually did not know and did not check the opening time of the place. Sigh….just one of his many “don’t know” this trip. We were the only people there when they opened and so witnessed a cheerful welcome. Part of the entrance fee can be used to redeem for purchases and DIY activities. Children enter for free before 10.30am on a weekday when they open at 10am. There was discount for senior citizens too.
The staff played their roles well as police man, Doctor, pawnshop owner, fortune teller etc. You will enjoy it much better if you can speak mandarin and interact with the actors. Otherwise, half the fun is gone. There were a few DIY activities around. The dragon beard candy DIY is a must try. Fun and the creations were delicious too. Even my teens enjoyed making their own DIY dragon beard candy. Besides the dragon beard candy,my 9yo also did the DIY flour figurine.
We had lunch there before we left. They served typical Taiwanese food in line with the theme. We had a great time here. It was enjoyed by all from 9 to 75 years old.
Taiwan Time Village
After lunch we went to Jiji station and took a train to Checheng station. Jiji station was an old style train station and it connected to Checheng where the loggings were taking place then and the stations facilitated the movements of these logs. Checheng still has a Museum on the logging history of the place. The logging pond is now a pleasant pond with fishes and ducks that we fed when we were there. 
Checheng & Jiji Train Station
We had wanted to visit Guangxing paper mill for the kids to try making their own paper. But our guide did not keep proper time and by which time he realised it was too late and we may not make it there on time to do the activity before they closed. It was a real disappointment.
So instead, we visited the paper dome which was not on my itinerary or plan. It was a whole church build with paper for Kobe after the Kobe earthquake when a church there was totally destroyed except for one statue. After the Jiji earthquake in Taiwan, the Taiwanese visited Kobe to learn about their recovery and rebuilding efforts and this church was given to Taiwan. They now build a metal structure over it to protect it from the elements. Frankly I understand the necessity of the metal structure to protect the dome, but it really spoiled the effect. Come here if you have nothing else to do. Otherwise, don’t bother. We hung around as the guide had suggested we catch dinner at the cafeteria. Real mistake. Please don’t eat here if you have a choice. The food was bland and they had limited choices. Only had choice of curry rice or a pork rib soup. My mum is a advocate of less salt and she had to ask for soy sauce for her pork rib soup. Our worst meal the entire trip.
Paper Dome
That night we stayed at Puli Water Villa in Puli, Nantou. We had 3 villas for the 7 of us. 2 double Vila and a triple bed villa. The villas were huge and beautiful, all with pine wood wall and floor. Absolutely cosy and beautiful. Simple touch like a bunny toy for my girl left on her bed was appreciated by her.
Our Villa @ Puli Water Villa
The bathroom of the villa was huge and spacious too. It came with a large stone bath tub. They piped spring water from the mountains, heat it up before piping them to the villas. It was wonderful to be able to soak in a hot tub after a day of touring.
One can choose to have Taiwanese porridge and accompanying dishes and/or waffles, toasts, fries and eggs. You can order as much as you can eat. You order your breakfast the night before and it will be made to order the next morning. We liked the accompanying bamboo shoot that they serve with the porridge so much that I asked the B&B owner for a picture of the bottle so that I can try to get some to bring home at a supermarket. The owner was so kind as to sell 2 packets of them to me. Much appreciated.
It was a lovely stay. Would have been better if we had stayed 2 nights.