Exploring Hsinchu part 2

Sunset as seen from the backstreet of the Boai campus

I like Hsinchu. It doesn't have the hectic buzz of a capital but it's still large enough to amaze you with surprising discoveries and intriguing quirks. For instance, part of our (me & my lovely neighbour) Thursday night ritual nowadays is going to the same night market near the train station, basically to walk around the same stalls & booths, buy dinner and take the dessert with us to the nearby park. Although this might seem very plain and uneventful it's actually fairly entertaining, because in the park there are these flickering lights and a random variety of classical music playing. It's fantastic. And after a while we move on across the park to courtyard type of place to observe a group of people have their tai chi practice. Also fantastic.

Poker at the night market

The "stocking guy", sells stockings at the night market. Part of his sales technique is to wear the stockings. A definite must-buy before leaving this wondrous land!

Glass art and flickering lights. Frankly it looks like a landing space ship, but who cares! They play classical music in the park so all is well in the world.

Tai chi practice. It's mesmerizing to watch. Hopefully they don't consider us too creepy for just sitting and staring at them...

One Sunday we we're having dinner in the city center and on our way back we noticed a breakdance event going on in literally the centre of the city. And I mean literally. Upon closer investigation we realised it was a competition of sorts and they were dancing in the roundabout that's build around the East gate. There was an actual stage and a stand for the audience, but most importantly on the underground tunnels there were mirrors and everything for the dance rehearsals! Again, fantastic. So, we stayed for the end to witness some amazing breakdance and yes the first prize went to the right person & group! ;)

DJ, spin that record!

A musician playing nearby the city centre on a random Tuesday. 

Now, Hsinchu is located in the west coast, which means that the ocean is pretty close. So one day we decided to go explore the harbour. There's a bike trail that goes along the coast for 17km (one way). Frankly we were a bit late because it was already 3pm, however, we rented crappy crappy bikes and off we went. It was fun. A "little' night time cycling for 35km, because why not! :) I've yet to find a beach though. I've heard rumours about it, silent remarks whispered in the wee hours of the day...

Part of the biking trail. The more beautiful part... ;)

The endpoint of the biking trail.

That's all for now. Let's see if I can get the other three thousand ideas on paper one day, someday soon...