Major's family camping #8 MingChuan Elementary School, Sisters small eatery, Namasia Kaohsiung 18 July 2015

梅之家族第八露 民權國小, 姊妹小吃 那瑪夏 2015年7月18日

MingChuan Elementary School, Namasia Kaohsiung 那瑪夏鄉 民權國小

During this visit to Namasia, the guest house owners strongly recommended us to visit MingChuan Elementary School. I could not quite figure out why initially. Then I understood when we were there. The original Namasia MingChuan Elementary School was buried by the landslide after the Typhoon Morakot in 2009. It took 2.5 years with donations from Taiwan people and corporations to complete the rebuild of the school. Delta Electronics Foundation donated NT$500 million to rebuild the Namasia region with NT$150 million went to the school's reconstruction. 

The original Namasia MingChuan Elementary School 那瑪夏鄉 民權國小原址

The new Namasia MingChuan Elementary School Library building
那瑪夏鄉 民權國小新址 圖書館

The school 's new site was selected on the higher ground of the mountain area. During construction, some ancient culture relic was discovered. In order to preserve the area as a heritage site, the building was constructed lifting off the ground.

The front gate of the school building 那瑪夏 民權國小大門

What makes the school so special is that the entire school complex has received the highest level "Diamond Award" of Green Building Certificate issued by the Taiwan government. The school's design using many cleaver energy and water saving and lighting ideas, water recycling, LED lighting, solar panel and wind mill etc. The entire school has no air condition, except for the computer room and the library. It was amazing. and worthy a visit. However, in order to avoid the disruption to the children at school, the school is now closed to public.

On the way back home from Ningni Guest House, we visited Sisters small eatery. It is more like a local eating place, rather than a fancy restaurant.

Sisters small eatery 姊妹小吃

Sisters small eatery on google map

This is our 2nd time visited the place. We liked the food there. They serve some aboriginal food, some local dishes and mountain games. It is a nice little place where we can have some nice lunch before we head back to the city.

Sisters small eatery 姊妹小吃

Aboriginal dish named Hulu Hulu 原住民食物 "呼魯呼魯"

Sisters small eatery
Phone: 0983316370; 0912765817
Business hours: 9am - 9pm
Note: it is better to call to make sure it is open before visiting.

Major's family camping #8 Ningni Guest House, Namasia Kaohsiung 18 July 2015

梅之家族第八露 寧妮谷民宿 那瑪夏 2015年7月18日

Ningni Guest House, Namasia 寧妮谷民宿 那瑪夏

This is the 2nd time we visited Namasia this year. Having our last driving experience to Labiniya, I am very careful now in selecting the campsite as how remote it is. Ningni Guest House was picked because it is right next to the main road and it is easy to get to.

The scarred land after typhoon 颱風過後受創的土地

Ningni Guest House on google map

It is quite easy to get to Ningni Guest House from Kaohsiung. Follow highway No.10 to the end, take provincial highway no.29 until Jiaxian. Continuing provincial highway no.29 after passing xiaolin and Namasia senior high school. The big Ningni Guest House sign is on the right hand side of the provincial highway no.29. The Ningni Guest House front gate is on the left after the right turn from No.29 and follow the road. It takes 2 hours from Kaohsiung plus break time. 

Turn right on to the Ningni Guest House from highway no.29
台29線看到標誌右轉

The Ningni Guest House front gate is on the left
右轉後100公尺處, 位在左邊的大門

The entire campsite has 3 camping areas (Area A, B and C) and guest houses. Because the weather was not very good, we worried it is going to rain. Hence we set the tent on a concrete slate just under the big tree in Area C. At the end, this decision proofed to be right and wrong at the same time.

Ningni Guest House site map 寧妮谷營區圖
(Source: Nnigni Guest House Facebook page 資料來源: 寧妮谷粉絲頁)

Ningni campsite Area A 寧妮谷營區 A 區

Ningni campsite Area B (where the white cars parked) and pavilion
寧妮谷營區 B區 (白車停處) 和涼亭

Ningni campsite Area C 寧妮谷營區 C 區

A camp site view from inside out 從裡往外看營區圖

I do not normally take photos of toilet and shower facility. But I had to take some photos of the thoughtful facilities that the owner set up and provide.

a dressing area outside of the shower room 浴室外分開的梳妝室

big and clean shower room with shampoo and shower gel available
乾溼分離, 又大又乾淨的浴室. 還有提供沐浴洗髮精

The campsite also has a small pool for the kids in summer. Unfortunately, the kids were not interested this time when we were there. So they did not actually go in.

a small water pool for the kids in summer 給小朋友玩水的池子

We had a heavy thunder storm in the afternoon while we were out wondering around. By the time we came back, our tent on the concrete slate was fine. Because the camping Area C is on the lower ground and the rain was heavy, the water was not drained fast enough. Our gazebo was flooded with about 5cm of water inside. So at the end, we had to move most of things out and used the campsite's facility for cooking and eating.

So my advise is that if the bad weather is expected, do not camp on Area C. The better camp area will be Area A or B because they are actually on the higher ground. And if arrive earlier enough, you can use the pavilion for eating and cooking. Then there is no need to set up the gazebo.

Camping info sheet

Name: Ningni Guest House, Namasia Kaohsiung 寧妮谷民宿 高雄那瑪夏鄉

Altitude: 600m

Temperature in July with rain and at night: cool

Toilet and shower facility: available, clean. Hair dryer, toilet paper, shower gel and shampoo provided.

Electricity: available (need extension cable)
Need insect repellent: mosquito

Charge: NT$250/adult; NT$200/child; plus $150 per tent

Address: 高雄市那瑪夏區達卡努瓦里秀嶺巷183號
Phone: 0972-977-971 | 07-670-1087 林太太

Email: biung1984@gmail.com

Facebook: Ningni Guest House

Major's family Yilan trip part one, Longtan lake Jiaoxi Yilan 1-2 May 2015

梅之家族  宜蘭礁溪/三星小旅行  上集  龍潭湖, 宜蘭礁溪 2015年5月1-2日

Longtan Lake, Jiaoxi Township Yilan County  龍潭湖, 宜蘭礁溪

Yilan is a long way away from Kaohsiung. Last time we travel to Yilan, it took more than 7 hours driving. So we have not visited the place for years. This Yilan trip was organised by a group of friends and it was an over-night stay at Jiaoxi, Yilan. We took High Speed Rail to Taipei and then group bus to Jiaoxi via Hsuehshan Tunnel (snow mountain tunnel). Hsuehshan Tunnel is the longest tunnel in Taiwan, located on the Taipei-Yilan Freeway no 5. The opening of the number 5 freeway and the tunnel in 2006 has shorten the travelling time between Taipei and Yilan from 2.5 hours to one hour. However, it is also because of the convenience of travelling via the highway and tunnel, this road is always jammed up on the weekend and holidays. So the easy one hour drive often becomes three hours drive due to traffic jam. By the time we arrived at Jiaoxi, it was right on time for lunch at 福哥石窯雞 Full Go roast chicken of stone kiln.

Full Go roast chicken of stone kiln, Jiaoxi Yilan  福哥石窯雞, 宜蘭礁溪

The only reason I put this place in the blog is because their stone kiln chicken is highly recommended! After walked into the front gate of the restaurant, there is the delicious smell of roasting chicken came out from those stone kilns.

stone kilns used to cook chicken 煮雞的石窯

Each one of the stone kiln cooks 12 chicken. The chicken is slow cooked using the heat inside the kiln. After 40 mins of slow cooking, every chicken is crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside. It was delicious! I have been thinking about it and I will definitely go back there to taste it again.

stone kiln chicken, highly recommended!! 太好吃的石窯雞!! 

After lunch, we did some business visits which I will not mentioned here. Then we headed to Longton Lake. Longton lake is the largest lake in the Yilan area. It is a beautiful lake and I think it will be a good walk around the lake if it was not raining. Shops next to the entrance provide bicycle rental serves which will also be a good way to take in the beauty scenery.

Longton Lake, Jiaoxi Yilan 龍潭湖, 礁溪宜蘭

We did not stay long at the lake due to the rain. So we headed back to the hotel. Jiaoxi is a famous township in Yilan county for it's hot spring. Chuang-tang Spring Spa Hotel is where we stayed that night. From the outside of the hotel front, it is actually hard to see that the hotel has more than 28000 square foot outdoor hot spring facilities on the ground level. It has 11 different scented hot spring baths completed with kids pool, adult spa pool, fish foot-eating pool, steam rooms, stone slates resting ground and a pool side bar. The kids and I had a great time there in the bath, going from one bath to the next. It is a place where people can just relax and enjoy.

The hotel outdoor hot spring area is open to both the hotel guests and outside visitors with a small fee. Wearing swim suit and cap is required when using the outdoor spa area. The hotel also provides private hot spring suite for guests who prefer more intimate experience. The hotel room is spacious with our own hot spring bathtub. Here we had a good night rest and ready for our next day adventure in Yilan Sanxing township.


Hotel information
Chuang-tang Spring Spa Hotel 川湯春天溫泉飯店
Address: No.43 Deyand Rd, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County 262 Taiwan
Phone: +886-3-9889-889
Email: chuang.tanghtl@msa.hinet.net
website: http://www.chuang-tang.com.tw/e_spring/hot_spa.htm

Chuang-tang Spring Spa Hotel location map 川湯春天溫泉飯店位置圖

Major's family camping #1 Shuangliou National Forest Recreation Area, PingTung 28 Feb 2015

梅之家族第一露 下集  雙流森林遊樂區 2015年2月28日

Shuangliou National Forest Recreation Area, PingTung 雙流森林遊樂區, 屏東

On the return of our first camping trip in Syuhai, we stopped by Shuangliou National Forest Recreation Area. It was quite easy to get to from our campsite at Syuhai, just follow the main road no 199 and drive for 30 mins.

Shuangliou National Forest Recreation Area, PingTung 雙流森林遊樂區, 屏東

"This area ranges from 150 to 700 meters above sea level, spans 1596 hectares, and has a mean annual temperature of 21 ºC. Although the area is situated in a tropical climate zone, there is usually a cool breeze due to the dense forest and numerous rivers. This is one of the best low-elevation forest bathing areas in southern Taiwan." -- source: Taiwan Forest Recreation website by Taiwan Forestry Bureau.

map 地圖

The weather was very hot on that day when we visited. Oliver did not want to do the walk. He is never a big fan of hiking.

The kids did well making the 7 km walk! 2個小朋友很棒的走完 7 km.

So I told him that he can play in the waterfall at the end of our walk. He was really excited and kept him going. When we arrived at the waterfall, it was fenced off and we could not get close to it, not to mentioned playing in it.

Final resting area at the waterfall. Isabel was happy to make it there!
終點瀑布區休息! Isabel 很開心她終於可以休息了!

Oliver was so disappointed and he did not want to walk back. So I told him again that he can play in one of the river bed on the way back to the car. At the end, I think playing in the water with lots of fishes swimming and nipping at their feet was the highlight of their walk!

Kids finally in the water! 終於玩到水了!

The walk is 3.5 km one way and it took us 3 hours to complete it. It was a long walk and difficult for me and the kids. But we made it! Victor enjoyed the walk a lot and he kept saying he will come back to the area on his bike! But I don't think the bike is allowed in the protected national forest!


Shuangliou National Forest Recreation Area
Entrance fee: NT$100/adult; NT$50/child + $100/car
Opening time: 08:00 - 17:00 daily

Other related post
Major's family camping #1 Juda campsite, Syuhai PingTung 28 Feb 2015

Major's family camping #1 Juda campsite, Syuhai PingTung 28 Feb 2015

梅之家族第一露 九大露營區 屏東旭海 2015年2月28日

Juda campsite, Syuhai PingTung  九大露營區 旭海屏東

I have been refusing to go camping after we moved back to Taiwan simply because my impression of camping was back at my high school days (and that was many many years ago!) - dirty toilet and shower (or no shower facility at all), hard to sleep on the ground, noisy, bugs and scary! It took me a long time to find the courage and go camping again after knowing that the camping nowadays are much more civilized and the campsite facilities are much better. Victor was scared that without a good night sleep, he will end up with a cranky wife. So on our first camping trip, I actually stayed in the room on the campsite, not in the tent with the kids and Victor.

The whole camping thing starts with my college classmate organizing a gathering. We did not want to stay indoor with the kids and husbands feeling bored and playing phones while we girls chatting away happily. Someone suggested camping and I felt it may be a good start for my family. We could give it a try. So we did.

Juda campsite on google map

Juda campsite is located in Syuhai, Mudan township PingTung county. It was quite easy to get there. Follow google map on the road to Kenting, then turn left towards TaiTung on Nanhui road. 

Turn right here at the border of TaiTung and PingTung county

Make a right turn at the border of TaiTung and PingTung county onto county road no 199 like the photo above. Make a left turn at Mudan township onto 199Ja road. The campsite is on the right after passing Syuhai public hot spring bath. It took at least 3.5 hours from Kaohsiung including lunch and toilet break for us.

First time putting up our tent 第一次搭帳篷

By the time we get there, it was nearly 2pm. First thing the kids and Victor set out to do is to get the tent up. He did not want me to be around. So I left him with the kids helping him. They took 2 hours to get it done! wola!

yes! the tent is up!! after 2 hours of hard work! 2 個小時之後, 帳篷終於搭起來了! 哈!

I was relaxing and chatting while the kids and Victor were working hard! hahaha

After some resting and before it gets too dark, we drove up to Syuhai Grassland Recreation Area which is about 10 mins drive. It was on the east shire of Taiwan looking out to Pacific ocean. This grassland is one of the top spot to watch sun rise in Taiwan. It takes 40 mins to stroll through the grassland trail. Fresh air, great view, easy walk and good time.

Syuhai Grassland Recreation Area, Mudan township PingTung 旭海大草原, 屏東牡丹鄉

me and my friends~~ 我和以前專科的同學

Juda campsite is a comfortable campsite with a lot of grass area and tree, easy to get to, well equip facility although we did not actually use it because we went to the nearby Syuhai hot spring after dinner. The campsite is good when the weather is not too hot. The onsite rooms are not recommended though. It was over-priced for what it is. As for the Syuhai public hot spring, it is ok - not very clean, a bit crowed, but ok. In the future, we may go back to Syuhai area again but try different campsite and visit the famous beach around there. One thing for sure, we have had many camping trips organised after this one because everyone of us really had a great time there!


Campsite info sheet
Name: Juda campsite, Syuhai, Mudan township PingTung county.
Altitude: sea level
Temperature in Feb: cool at night. light jacket and blanket for evening.
Toilet and shower facility: available
Electricity: available (need long extension cable)
Charge: NT$300/tent; NT$500/tent+gazebo

Address: 屏東縣牡丹鄉旭海路1-16號
Phone: 08-8830196; 0910950196


Syuhai Grassland Recreation Area
Entrance fee: NT$10/motorcycle; NT$40/car; NT$100/bus
Opening time: 08:00 - 17:00

Syuhai Grassland Recreation Area 旭海大草原

Syuhai hot spring
Entrance fee: public bath area NT$100/person; NT$50/concession
Opening time: 12:30 - 21:30 Mon-Sat; 8:00 - 17:00 Sun

Syuhai hotspring 旭海溫泉

Other related post
Major's family camping #1 Shuangliou National Forest Recreation Area, PingTung 28 Feb 2015

Major's family camping equipment - tent

梅之家族之裝備篇 - 帳棚

Scooda 4 people dome tent 速可搭挪威森林4人帳

After careful consideration and friends recommendation, I have decided to buy Scooda 4 people dome tent. Only Victor and the kids slept in the tent on our first camping trip. After that, we have came to realize that in order to sleep comfortably and also have enough space to move around inside, this tent can only sleep up to 3, not 4. 

Scooda 5 people dome tent YK-001 速可搭挪威森林 5人帳
source 圖片來源: Scooda official website 速可搭官網

According to the Scooda's official website and the photo above, the tent's internal size is actually 270x270m and it can sleep up to 5 people. I think what happened in our case is that we use much longer air mattress than the one shown in the photo. Therefore there is no way we can fit the 5th person on top of our head. Because Victor is 190cm tall, we use single air mattress that is 70x200x10.5cm. In theory, having 4 of this size mattresses side by side can fit inside the tent. In reality, 3 single air mattresses is a comfortable setting allowing plenty of rooms for footing (not stepping on the mattresses which I found happened a lot with the kids) and storage inside.

Inside Scooda 4 people dome tent - fit with 3 single air mattresses
放了3張單人空氣床墊的帳篷內部

Apart from the internal space not ideal for us and Victor end up bought another single fast tent for himself (which I suspect he wants to do it anyway), the tent is made really solid. We had it tested under the gustily wind at our 2nd camping trip and under the rain at our 3rd camping trip. The inner tent stay dry and intact whole night. And everyone slept like a baby!

Scooda 5 people dome tent info sheet
Tent dimension: 270x270cm
Center hight: 180cm
Package dimension: 75x25cm
Weight: 12.5Kg
Price: NT$8000 delivered, including outside ground water proof PE mat and carry bag

Major's family camping #2 Lilenci, BasianShan, Goya hotspring resort 3-5 April 2015

梅之家族第二露 下集 裡冷溪, 八仙山, 古野溫泉會館 2015年4月3-5日

Lilenci exploration center 裡冷溪探索樂園

One of the best part of camping means to Victor and me is that we can do nothing. No checking emails, no work, no computer. Just spend time with kids, read a good book, have afternoon nap, have a drink and have a good chat with friends at night. Simply slow down and do nothing. And that was exactly what we did when we spend 3 days at Lilenci campsite.

We visited Goya hot spring resort 古野溫泉會館 both nights after dinner around 7:30-8pm. It is only 10 mins walk down the road. Walking is definitely a good thing to do after dinner and that was when we saw lots of firefly, stars and the lunar eclipse. It is less crowded at the time we visited. The resort has clean and well equipped toilet and shower facilities, including shampoo, shower gel and laundry spin cycle machine . For outdoor hot spring guests, the resort provides personal locker, clean towel and drinking water. Staying at Lilenci exploration center, the camping guests can get the 50% discount coupon from the campsite front desk, which is only NT$250/adult and NT$150/child to use the public hot spring bath at Goya resort.

The only trip we made after we arrived at the campsite was visiting Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area on the 2nd day. We departed after breakfast and it is about 30 mins drive from the campsite.

Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area map 八仙山國家森林遊樂區 地圖

" Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area is situated above Guguan on Provincial Highway 8 and is accessible from Guguan through forest roads. This vast 2492-hectare area ranges from 750 to 2424 meters above sea level. The highest point in this area is the central Basian Mountain. Since the numerous alpines and valleys block the gusty wind, the mean annual temperature is around 18ºC. With its beautiful forests and rivers, this breezy area was nominated as one of Taiwan’s top eight scenic destinations."  --- source: Taiwan Forest Recreation Website by Taiwan Forestry Bureau

Basianshan main trail 八仙山主峰步道

Basianshan main trail entrance point 八仙山主峰步道登山口

竹林 八仙山國家森林遊樂園

Camping at Lilenci can not leave this place without visiting Lilen creek. That was what we did on the last day after everything was packed. There was no exactly a way down the creek but though the broken bank and piping. Once down there, the water was cold and fresh and full of life.

the way down the creek bed

Lilenci 裡冷溪

Lilen creek is an ecological restoration area. Therefore, any sort of fishing or catching wild life is prohibited. Quite often when we were outdoor, we saw parents catching the wild life for their kids and take them home. We were horrified and feel sorry for the bugs. All the parents should teach their children and even themselves that wild life should stay in the wild. Never take anything away and leave anything behind.


Other related post
Major's famil camping #2 Lilenci exploration center, Heping Taichung 3-5 April 5015 part 1