Into the mountains

Taiwan is not a very big country. You can drive the entire length of the island, north to south, in about 5 hours. As a result, it seems like one doesn't need to go very far from home to find something fun to do. In my previous visits to Taiwan, all of which were three weeks or less, I only stayed in the cities of Taipei and Hsinchu, never venturing out to the country side. This time we have more opportunities to explore, so for a few trips we've gone into the mountains. This picture was taken at Lavender Cottage, near Neiwan, in Hsinchu County. Here, an hour's drive away from Hsinchu City, is a beautifully landscaped garden and teahouse. Contrast this with a roadhouse or biker bar found along a mountain road. And Lavender Cottage isn't the only thing along this mountain road -- there are lots of places to stop at along the way, and also further along the road. I haven't even mentioned the various hot springs in Neiwan...