il Giardino Romantico

這是一個屬於好朋友的夜晚。

This was a night that belonged to two good friends.

我聽人家說，好朋友就是會一起做很多很瘋狂的事。其實也不一定要多瘋狂，很多我們做過的事情，可能不太能夠得到別人的理解。你是否有這種朋友？為何這篇會從這裡開始講起？因為這裡正是好朋友約我來台南的目的：來去老房子住上一晚。住就住，是哪裡瘋狂了？如果是你，你會特地跑去你家附近的民宿住上一晚嗎？沒錯！我朋友正是住在這間老房子附近的居民。正衝著這特色老房子，約了我這天龍國人來府城住上一晚。這一個晚上的小體驗，真的是很難忘的體驗。

 I heard that a good friend is someone with whom you would do lots of crazy things. Well, I don't know about 'crazy', but together, we sure have done many things that others would never come to understand. Do you have any friends like this? Why did I start this article with this? Well, because this old house lodge was the exact reason why I got invited to visit Tainan in the first place. Then what's so special, or so crazy, about this? Answer me this, then: would you spend money to sleep at a lodge that is right in your neighbourhood? I didn't think so. But once you've scrolled to the bottom and seen the entire place, you'll see why I think it was worth the trip from Taipei, just to spend a night here.

到底要來早訪幾次，才會把台南逛透透呢？每一次來，台南都還是會有驚喜。每一次來的感覺都很不一樣。除了有好友相伴成了前往台南最大的動力，當然還有另一個原因就是每一次都有新鮮體驗。

I don't know how many trips I must take to Tainan, in order to see the entire picture of Tainan. There are surprises waiting every time I visit. Every time, the city gives you a different feeling. Other than the fact that good friends are here, another reason for the city's attraction, is that you get a whole new experience of the city every time you visit.

小時候對『台南』的印象就只有：1. 是舅舅住的地方 2. 去外婆家可以換車的地方。漸漸地開始有當地的朋友後，才開始一點一滴的慢慢的認識這個可愛的城市。大家都說台南是個好地方。我想這句話應該沒有人會否認。我們常聽人說台北哪裡不好、高雄哪裡不好，卻是很少聽人嫌棄台南。這個可愛的城市，真的很值得你一來再來，而且每一次，都要慢慢地，才會真正體會到台南的精隨。

It used to be that my only impressions on Tainan was that it was where one of my uncles lived, and that it was where I could transfer coach to granny's. Later on, as I gained my own Tainan friends, I had the chance to get to know the city, little by little. Everyone would say that Tainan is such a wonderful place. In fact, I don't think anyone would deny that. We've all heard complaints about Taipei and Kaohsiung, but we rarely hear people complain about Tainan. This lovely city surely deserves multiple visits, and each time, make sure that you slow your pace down, in order to really experience the essence of the city. 

連續貼了那麼多篇食記，又有那麼多篇都有啤酒，不知道的人還以為天仙真的是酒鬼（不是嗎？）是說其實還有好多食記在排隊，不過先來看看風景吧！不然就枉費我用雙語來寫文，讓有緣的外國人認識台灣了（真的有這回事嗎？）

After consecutive postings of food articles, I think it's time to take a stroll. Or else first time visitors will definitely think I'm an alcoholic (am I not?). Although I still have many food articles on the waiting list, I think I'll take a break from the grease, and use this opportunity to introduce to you another beautiful place in Taiwan (there is a reason why this blog is bilingual!)

去年的生日來了一趟花蓮．墾丁流浪記。因為兩個地方都是天仙第一次造訪，很喜歡這種冒險的感覺，所以事前一點功課都沒做。很期待到了當地能夠發現新東西。花蓮沒讓我失望，墾丁當然也沒有。只是生日當天，很想要來點比較特別的。結果晃一晃，還真的讓我找到這個讓我獨自度過難忘的生日的地點。

Last year, I planned a trip to Hualien and Kenting to celebrate my birthday. As it was my fist time visiting these two places, I wanted to fully experience the feeling of exploring new places. I looked forward to making new discoveries during the trip. Of course, Hualien did not disappoint me. Kenting didn't either. But on the day of my birthday, I wanted to do something really special. After wandering around for a while, I really discovered a place that made this birthday an unforgettable one!

這是一個女孩與海的故事。

This is a story about a girl and the sea.

時間回到去年的三月。沒想到讓我一個lag，連短短五天的行程也可以讓我拖稿拖到將近一年了！倫敦熊與我去年的生日旅遊，第二站就是（說出來你可能不相信）我從來沒去過的墾丁。人生充滿了冒險。連遙遠的英國的走遍遍了，台灣卻還有好多地方我沒去。一直很期待來墾丁。無論是本地人或是外國人，從來沒聽過有人對墾丁失望的。這一系列的墾丁遊記就讓我從住宿開始介紹吧！

Let's go back in time - to March 2011. I can hardly believe it myself, that it's been almost a year now since this trip took place. This was the second stop of our birthday trip last year - Kenting. Many of you may not believe this, but prior to this, I had not been to Kenting, ever.  I had looked forward to this trip a lot. All I've heard about it, whether from Taiwan friends or friends from other countries, were good things. So let me start this series with the logding.

其實安平有很多好逛的。除了樹屋跟德記洋行，當然還有古堡跟老街。不過因為我們這天時間不是太充裕，如果逛了古堡可能就沒時間逛老街了。所以我們決定就別逛古堡了。其實天仙的ＯＳ是：反正我逛過了～

There is a lot to see in the Anping area. There's the Treehouse and the ????. There is also the Fort and 'Old Street'. We didn't exactly have a lot of time at our hands, so we decided to forfeit the chance to visit the Fort, and just stroll along the Old Street. My thought at the time was: I've seen the Fort already, anyway! 

看玩倫敦熊的版本，緊接著來看正常版的吧！第一次來到這裡的時候因為是非假日，所以可以說是整個樹屋都屬於我們自己的。這次跟家人出遊，我化身成了小導遊。一面介紹著哪裡有什麼可以看，一面自己也回味著當時與好友相伴的清閒時光。

After reading London Paddy's version of the trip, it's time for my version. The first time round, there were very few people, as we came on a non-holiday. This time, with my family, I became the guide, telling them where we could go and what there was to see, etc. At the same time, I fondly remembered the pleasant time I had when I was here for the first time. 

 01

好啦！吃完午餐以後呢，就是要來運動了。因為我們沒租機車，所以就是靠11路了！其實看地圖就知道這裡很多步道可以走。不過因為我們要趕著最後一班渡輪回東港，所以也不能夠走太遠。算好時間選了條應該可以走的完的步道就走了！但我們不知道，這趟走完其實辛苦的還在後面等著... 

After lunch, it was time to exercise. Because we did not rent a scooter, so our only way around the island was to walk. The map would tell you that there are lots of trails to choose from. But seeing we wanted to catch the last ferry back, we couldn't pick one that was too far away. What we didn't anticipate, was an even more tiresome challange awaiting us at the end of the journey...

 01

嗚呼！出海囉！天仙好久沒有坐船惹！想想最後一次坐船是在利物浦耶！「讀舊文」不過那次是在河上，這次可是出海耶！其實小琉球是讀者在粉絲專頁上建議的。我沒有想到當我把這個提議說出來的時候，同行友人絲毫沒有疑惑的就說好！咱們就去那！而且前一天晚上在高雄的時候還跟我說：我們隔天就坐最早的一班渡輪去吧！喂喂喂！最早的一班是八點！而且是從東港出發耶！*汗*

Whoopee! Off to sea! It's been such a long time since I've been on a ferry! The last time was in Liverpool! [See old article] However, that was a river ferry. This time I'm off to sea! This trip was actually recommended by a reader on my Facebook Page. I didn't think that my companion would look so much forward to it when I suggested it to him. The night before the trip, he even suggested that we take the first ferry. What he didn't realise was that the first ferry was at 8am, but it wasn't departing from Kaohsiung! It meant we had to be at Donggang before 8am!  

平常沒事也不會跑道高雄去（高鐵票貴，其他方式又太耗時），可是偏偏得去高雄的這兩個週末卻是連著。第一次投宿的旅館相當滿意。這第二次則是來到了鼎鼎大明的八五大樓。這真是個很奇妙的經驗。

Normally, I wouldn't go to Kaohsiung unless there was a special purpose. The High Speed Rail is too expensive, and any other way of getting there is too time consuming. However, it just so happened that the two weekends I had to go to Kaohsiung were back to back... I was quite pleased with the first place we stayed at. This time, we came to the popular Building 85. It had been a rather interesting experience. 

 01

據說六合夜市，已經成為一個只有觀光客會去的夜市。上一次我來已經是大學的時候了。這次因為住的地方離這裡很近，就趁機來逛逛。因為這次是為公務而來，所以其實到了晚上已經有點無力。所以也沒時間去拚更遠的地方。還好這裡步行幾分鐘就到了。雖說夜市其實都大同小異，但是高雄的夜市跟台北的比起來，海鮮類的食物實在是多到不行耶！望眼一看，近乎八成都是賣海鮮。

I've heard that Liu-he night market has now become exclusively for tourists. The last time I visited this night market, was when I was still in uni! This time, it was because the hotel I stayed at was very close by, allowing me an excuse to revisit it. However, because this was a business trip, so by the time I got back to the hotel, I was too exhausted to go outside the neighbourhood of where I was staying. The night market was within a walking distance. Although people say that night markets are all similar, however, I find that Kaohsiung night markets varies quite significantly from those in Taipei. For one thing - there are a lot more seafood stalls here! 

I stayed here for a business trip down to Kaohsiung. I was really lucky to have found this place. It was within my budget, new and clean, and best of all, the service was excellent! 

因為洽公南下而找到這間旅館。其實相當的幸運，因為不只是符合我的預算，裝潢新乾淨，而且最棒的是服務真的是一級棒！

Initially, I had asked for a single room. However, there weren't any more single rooms left. They asked me if I wanted a double room instead, but I said the double rooms exceed my budget. When they heard this, they told me that they had a smaller double room within my budget, and asked if that was acceptable. I gladly accepted, because of their thoughtfulness.

My first visit to the Taiwan Literature Museum was during the day. It was also before I departed for my MA pilgrimage to the UK. The feeling I have towards this place is indescribable. I will just say that it is this place, that enables me to understand how people feel when I speak of English poets and writers that people wouldn't generally know about. Because know less than a handful of Taiwanese writers.

第一次造訪文學館是在白天。也是在我赴英國留學前發生的事情。台灣文學館對我的意義很難言語表達。我只能說，這裡讓我了解大家在我高談英國詩人以及作家的反應。因為臺灣文學人，我能叫的出名字的也不多。

The Liu Family House is a private heritage site that is free to public all year round, admission free. I would have never known about this place if it hadn't been for my very 'professional' local guide. Shameless to say, I don't know much about Taiwan history, but that does not, in anyway, disparage the beauty of this historical building. 

劉家古厝是個私人古蹟。全年開放，不收門票。要不是我的＂專業＂地陪，我可能永遠都不會知道有這麼一座古蹟的存在。雖然對台灣歷史一概不知，但一點也不影響到欣賞這棟古建築的趣味。

Remember that place I went for a meeting in Changhua? [Read more] Well, I didn't know what to say about that place... and I'm not quite sure I like this place more or less than the other. You'll see what I mean if you read on...

還記得上次我去開會的地點嗎？［閱讀舊文］那個很令我無言的地方。其實這裡我也不知道該說是比較好還是比較不好。我想繼續閱讀下去你應該就會了解。。。

I'm not sure about the exact name for this type of train, perhaps someone could enlighten me, but since it's supposed to be half the size of a full sized train, I will call this 'mini-train' for now. You can catch a ride on one of these at the Sugar Factory in Hsin-Ying. It's NT$100 per ride, return. Do watch out if you happen to be on one on a bright and sunny day, which is more than common in Tainan, cuz you might get roasted. Blazing sun protection is highly recommended.

『五分車』會叫五分車，是因為他車身的寬度只有國際標準約一半。因為不知道他的英文正統名字應該怎麼稱呼，所以只好先取名為＂mini-train＂。可至新營台糖廠搭乘。每一小時一班。每次搭乘一百元。不過南部的太陽很恐怖。如果是炎熱夏天搭乘的話，建議做好萬全的防曬措施，免得烤焦。

Located on Cihou Mountain in Cijing District of Kaohsiung City, the battery is now rated as a Second Class Historical Site. The weather on this day was not particularly pleasant. There were a few rain drops. I suppose my presence in Kaohsiung in its abnormal weather could make this a special experience, somehow.

位於高雄旗津區旗後山上，旗後砲台目前列為二級古蹟。這天天氣不算好。偶爾感覺到有飄雨。來到高雄竟然遇到這種陰天，大概也可以算是很難得吧！！