I admit that I was already really, really tired that afternoon after riding the Ropeway.  I haven't slept the night before as I went straight from the airport to the hostel, then from the hostel to the train station going to Taichung and eventually, to Sun Moon Lake.  I returned to Shueishe Visitor's Center a few minutes before 3 p.m.; the Kuo Kuang bus to Taipei would leave at 4:20 p.m.  So, I still had at least 1.5 hours left before I finally depart.  I could have gone to see the Wenwu Temple, which the bus passed by going to the visitor's center, but I was really tired.  I had very little energy left.  I decided to just stroll along the Shueishe Pier and found treats along the way.

Shueishe Visitor's Center.

     I revisited Shueishe Pier and there were more people now than a few hours before.  I strolled along the boardwalk and went up the stone stairs where I saw people climbing down.  It was a good decision because the view up was amazing, plus the lattice woodwork looked romantic and charming; perfect for a cup of coffee.  But I didn't sit; neither did I buy coffee.  I continued to walk until I reached a huge parking lot where most tourist buses park.  Along the way, I saw several cafes.  I was so tempted to just sit down, sip coffee and enjoy the view.  But I didn't.

     A walked around the area twice because I had that plenty of time to burn.  I returned to a small shop where the enticing aroma of tea and waffles waft the air.  Apparently, it's a tea egg roll shop.  I tasted a sample and I fell in love with the taste.  I bought a pack to bring back to the Philippines.  Just beside the tea roll shop was an iced tea shop.  I bought an iced green tea, without sugar.  It was slightly bitter but very delicious.   Yum yum.

Sun Moon Lake Assam Black Tea Egg Rolls.

 The tea stall beside the egg roll stall.

     Before I forget, let me tell you that the bus ticket will have a seat number.  So, before you take a seat, check whether its your seat, okay?   

     And another tip.  There's a new visitor's center called, Xiangshan Visitor's Center.  It's very ultra chic, very modern.  The building itself is a marvel.  Very artistic.  A masterpiece.  I wanted to go there.  The Shueishe Visitor's Center staff told me that I need to board a bus which passes there.  You can ride the bus for free but it only passes by on certain hours of the day.  To see how the building looks, click HERE.  For bus service hours, click HERE.  I was supposed to go there but I forgot all about it because you need to ride a different bus.

     Do check out this official website of Nantou County Government - Tour Taiwan HERE.  It has links to everything you might ever need from Sun Moon Lake B&B information to transportation planning.

 This is the around-the-lake shuttle bus.

     After much debate with myself (I was alone, remember?), I pushed through with my plan to ride the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, although I very much wanted to just stay at the Full House Resort and chill.  

     Finding the Ropeway is quite easy, but getting there takes a lot of steps.  650 meters seem near but quite far with the hiking/walking trail.  At least, the view is great.  Along the way, I passed by another lodging similar to the log cabin look of the Full House Resort.  It's called the Rich Forest, mere seconds from the Full House Resort.  Then, there are some food stalls and a couple of very quaint, very charming coffee shops.  Not long thereafter, I reached the start of a trail leading to the Ropeway.  The trail is well-maintained; it would be the perfect place for a great jog or walk.  It is near the water's edge but not too much.  There were not a lot of people around.  Just a couple of passersby, like me.  

 

     Of course, I just took a leisurely walk.  Since I made a detour at the Full House Resort, going to the Ci En Pagoda didn't seem feasible given the time.  I mean, I still have to hike to reach the pagoda.  So, I was just content to take pictures of the surroundings.

     There were some markers along the way explaining the Ita Thao way of life, and also, there's a sort of fishing place at the back of the Ropeway building.  Also, I noticed that you could camp out near the trails.  There was a worker sleeping under the shade and I saw a camping tent set up not far from the sleeping man.

     Finally, I reached the Ropeway!  I queued and then I climbed to the topmost floor to board the cable car.  I was jittery with excitement and fear!

     To my surprise, the cable ride was calm and not-so-scary; but the ascent and descent were steep.  Also, I got a car all to myself.  I think the whole ride lasted for less than 7 minutes.  From the cable car, I could clearly almost the entirety of the lake, and it was so breathtaking.  It was pretty hazy, though, but the haze could not hide the beauty of the lake and of the surrounding mountains.  It was worth the ride, and of course, the hike.

     Since I didn't have a ticket to the FACV, I immediately took a cable car ride back to the Ropeway building (Ita Thao station).  This time around, I was forced to take a cable car with a family of 4 (parents and 2 small kids).  The kids are so cute, and the couple knows how to speak English.  They even took my picture.  

    

      Here's a short video I took during my Ropeway ride:

     After the ride, I went down to the lobby to browse the items on sale.  I think the stuff there are cheap.  I bought Sun Moon Lake playing cards for NTD 30.00 and pencils with animal decor on one end for just about the same price.  I went to Ximending the following day and similar items cost way more than at the Ropeway, almost double the price I paid for each item.

     It was finally time to head back to the Shueishe Visitor's Center.  I still didn't have a ticket going back to Taipei because I was still undecided what time I should leave.  But I made up my mind that I want to just take the bus going back to Taipei instead of the Taiwan High Speed Railway because I want to be able to rest.  If I take the THSR, I'd probably stay awake for fear of missing my destination.

     So, I waited for the round-the-lake bus and I returned to the Shueishe Visitor's Center to buy my Kuo Kuang bus ticket going back to Taipei.

     From Ita Thao Pier, the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is around 650 meters away.  There's a sign, that is how I knew how far is it.  I followed the street signs from Ita Thao Pier and no more than five minutes, I came upon this quaint lodging, very rustic and charming.  This is that something I was looking forward to discovering in Sun Moon Lake.  It's a treat waiting for me to find. It's a log cabin, and there were tables outside its garden.  I took a step closer, and I saw a fantasy land.  I almost squealed in delight!  I love gardens and everything cute, and all of these are in this place called, Full House Resort. 

     I immediately forgot about the Ropeway, and I snapped pictures left and right.  There were silver trees made out of iron, I suppose, with fresh lemons and lime as decorations; the tables were adorned with fresh fruits such as apples, oranges and some veggies, too, like pumpkins.  Too good to be true!  There were a lot of animal figurines, like cats, rabbits, frogs, etc., around.  Wah!  Full House looks magical!

     I entered the Full House, and the inside was awesome as well.  There were a lot of art pieces and the decorations were so pretty!  I asked the man who seemed to be the owner or the manager if they serve lunch.  The man stared at me for a long time.  I motioned my hand as if to bring food to my mouth and he understood me.  He could speak a little English, too.  He bought me a menu and asked me if I'll be dining alone.  I said yes and he told me that I can only order this so and so because their food are mainly for sharing.  I chose the pork dish, and the man told me that it includes hot tea, too.  He asked me where I'd want to be seated, and I chose the garden, of course!

     I got a huge table under the canopy.  I would have wanted the small table but the sun was shining so crazy that I had to go to the shade.  While waiting for my meal, I took pictures everywhere.  I have a feeling that this is a lodging, too, so I was so tempted to book a room and stay for the night.

     My tea arrived and it's a pot!  Whoa!  The manager says it's their best tea and it was so delish!  

      Some time later, my food was brought to me.  The plate was huge!  The pork dish had a generous helping, and so was the rice.  There was half an orange, half a salted egg, loads of veggies, pork floss and plum on the side, plus a tofu and tomato soup!  So yummy; so filling!  And I paid  only around NTD 320.00 or so!  

     Around 12 noon, diners started to come.  When I came in, I was the sole diner.  I went inside the Full House to use the toilet and saw a middle aged lady getting out of her gown.  She told me they're celebrating the second wedding of her parents on their 60th anniversary.  So impressive!  And so sweet.  I congratulated them on their joyous occasion.  I saw the groom in a bow tie.  Aww...  I have a soft spot for grandmas and grandpops.

     I stayed for about an hour and a half at the Full House.  I never wanted to leave, but I must.  If only I had known about this place earlier, I would have made plans to stay there overnight.  I mean, who would not want to do so?  The Full House is like a secret garden where magic thrives.  It's really so, so dreamy...I swear I'll be back!    

     So, I bought my Sun Moon Lake Pass for NTD 299.00 and I asked where I could board the ferry going to Ita Thao.  I was given directions going to the Shueishe Pier and was told to look for the Sun Moon Lake Pass booth and for the staff wearing a vest.  Apparently, the next ferry will be departing in a few minutes.  So, I rushed to the Shueishe Pier and I immediately found the booth.  It was located just below the steps, to the right, in front of a coffee shop.  I gave my pass, the staff tore my shuttle voucher and I was led to the boat which was about to depart.  I was among the last to get in.

     The shuttle boat was squeaky clean, and it was packed!  I was outside, standing.  Though I was wearing a skirt, it was fitted so it didn't go haywire when the boat started moving.  The emerald-colored water seemed so serene and it beckoned me to jump in.  Hahaha!  I wanted to lean in and reach the waters but I was afraid I might be castigated later by the boat operators and staff.  Heehee.  Far away, I could see the Ci En Pagoda.  I tried to zoom in the camera, but the boat was moving and so did my hands.  I got a couple of videos of my boat ride, and I posted one of them here:

     The boat ride was short.  It was no longer than 15 minutes; around 10 or so minutes.  But it was worth every second of it.  The shuttle boat slowed down coming in to the Ita Thao Pier.  The boat finally stopped, and docked, and I boarded down eagerly.  I walked on the boardwalk; I think it was beautiful, and the view was really fantastic.

The Ropeway can be seen from here, the circular building near the middle.

     I wanted to ride the Ropeway so I asked the boat staff how do I get there.  The staff pointed out to a far away place, to a circular building that I could see from where I was standing.  But it was too far!

      Oh well, I didn't want to take the bus anyway since the timing was off.  I might as well take a hike.  Who knows what I might find?  In the meantime, I took pictures of the lake, up close.  There was a stairway to the edge of the lake, and I got down there.  I was so tempted to touch the water, but I told myself not to.  If I did, I might not be able to hold back myself from falling into the lake.  I wanted to take a dip so badly!