Prancing in the Castle

This weekend, well this Sunday, was spent with good friends. We first rendezvoused in Taichung and headed out to a beautiful place in the mountains. It's English is known as Summit Resort. Chinese 新社莊園, meaning, Sinshe Manor, romanization: xīn shè zhuāng yuán. It is in Sinshe Township.

It is a place with a 'lake' and Medaevalesk European buildings. It was wonderful. They had areas: where there were big rocks...so I played exploring hobbit for a short while :D, wonderful flower beds, curious architecture, and a fountain.

It was wonderful. In areas you felt you were in Spain, in others in Mexico, and in others Holland or Germany.

http://www.summit-resort.com/



































These rocks were so cool. I had the urge to do Buddha poses, so others joined in on the fun :D we did have to do a bit of climbing. eek.






Lisa, Me, Renee


Perry and Zach


After that we had a quick go on go-karts. We had passed it on the way to Summit Resort, and could not resist. I did attempt to do so to start with, but it looked so exciting I had to have a try. It was exhilarating!

Getting strapped in.


An action shot, thanks to Renee who opted out.


After that we headed back to Taichung. Lisa returned to ChangHua, the rest of us went to a wee place called Ouzo. It was a lovely little Greek place near the 'Early Bird Cafe', literally around the corner, down a little side street.

Then I followed Zach and Perry to Chien and Ray's place to watch a movie. We watched two :D and chatted, then I headed home. I managed to climb into bed not long after 3am. Needless to say I slept well!
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How to get to Summit resort (新社莊園), in Sinshe Township (新社鄉), Taichung County.

To get there from Taichung city centre. The long way around: You won't get lost going this way.
Driving away from the Railway station on JianGuo Road (建國路)
Drive up Taichung Port/harbor Road (台中港路), so driving towards Sogo (I remember things by obvious stuff nearby).
Drive to the intersection for WenXin Rd (文心路). At the intersection turn right.
Then drive along, it is literally a straight path until you get into Sinshe Township. Then there will be signs for the resort. But generally you get into town, there will be a really cool part with lots of whirligigs (americans call them 'pin wheels'), then you go left. Follow the road. When you drive up the really big hill, lots of turns to get up it, winding up the hill. There will be a gigantic sign with lots of information in Chinese on it. You can go left or right, take the right road (means you carry on straight) follow that road. That takes you straight to the resort.

For those not scared of maps:
From the railway station. Looking onto the road. Go right. You will drive past the Bus station area. Keep going. That will be the tail end of ZiYou Rd. Drive onto Shuang Shi Rd, keep going until onto BeiTun Rd. When you get to the intersection for WenXin Rd sec 4, turn right onto the smaller DongShan Rd. That takes you straight to Sinshe Township. Same direction advice as above for the rest.

It costs NT$250 to get in, but that serves as a NT$100 voucher for any food or drink you buy. You have to use it in one transaction.

Hmmm. After all that info. I think i'll take more pictures on my future mini-adventures. Much easier to follow those than waffly words.