An afternoon on Ubike

START WHENEVER YOUR READY
Ubike gives one the opportunity to roam around and discover the city.  Left is a baseball field and below right is a very nice sunken  Park called Maple Lake.
Temperature:  around 25 degrees, cloudy with glimpses of sunshine, light breeze, humid. The air sort of embraces you with a warm Taiwanese acceptance.

There are bike stations like this one on the left all around the central city area.  If you park the bike within half an hour it costs nothing. Then you just pick another one a few minutes later and start again. My ride of 4 hours or more cost me less than C$1.
In the background you can see the BRT station which is a glorified  bus stop. The BRT glides through the city centre in a dedicated lane.  That one is completely free as long as you swipe your card. Unsurprisingly, its very popular. (not sure why its free)  The card works in Taipei and Kaohsiung as well.

THESE BIKES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE
This station beside the city hall has many bikes.  The van transports them to other stations if they get out of balance.

The man who operates the van on the right also maintains the bikes.  I thanked him for his efforts.  He did not seem surprised to be thanked so I guess he gets that a lot. I think he's putting air in a tire.




SHOPPING ADVENTURE

On the right is a kind of Walmart type operation.  Plenty of friendly staff on hand to help you.  (No English) It seems to have lots of stuff so I bought an electrical cord, pens and a notebook.

I also visited a huge Japanese/Western style department store with 13 floors.  I didn't like it.  There was too much evidence of expensive frivolous brand name items for sale and annoying tinkling music all the time.

Found a good place to eat for further notice.  The staff seemed delighted that I intend to return.  As you can see they lack customers.
Couldn't resist the passing parade of dinosaurs.

Speaking of dinosaurs, here is a big screen that includes 'yours truly' in the picture.  You stroll on the background while the virtually animated dinosaurs appear on the screen with you.




LOTS TO SEE!

There is a Science Museum on the left and a lively temple on the right.  In case your wondering; the seats are adjustable but cannot be removed.  The bikes have three speeds which is quite enough considering lots of traffic and no hills.

The sign for motorcycles would be more accurate with the addition of a couple more arrows.  They come and go from all sides.
Bicycles are at the bottom of the food chain.  You proceed like a rabbit, with 360 degree awareness.

This card (on the left)  is called the 'Yoyo ka'
I use it every day for buses and bines.  If my funds run dry I can just top it up at the nearest 7/11 of which there are many, many, many.

The photos I took may give the impression that there are not many people about.  Not true.  I simply try to avoid making them feel uncomfortable.

Finally, this tea shop is extremely important in an other story which may be published at some point in the future. Stay tuned.