Chihpen Hot Springs Day 3

We couldn't believe how long the cab ride was to the hotel - and by the time we arrived we didn't feel like we had been ripped off by the cabie quite so bad (but still a little). We went up some of the steepest roads passing many other beautiful hotels, sites, and markets. We were a little scared with what lay ahead because we were so far from the other hotels and attractions and so high up that we knew we'd never make it walking back with our luggage.
Boy....were we happy to see the hotel. When we pulled up about 5 staff came quickly to open the doors, greet us, take our luggage and welcome us into the hotel. They had our luggage on a cart and stored it safely within seconds. We just knew...things were gonna be great!!
We found the concierege and thank goodness - he spoke very good English!!! We asked if they had room available and he chuckled....no, it's Chinese New Year. This actually suited us quite well as one nite stay at this hotel during Chinese New Year could have paid our rent for 2 months. We feigned disappointment and asked if we could still make use of their hot springs. He said of course. Yay!
They had outdoor springs and indoor springs on the second floor. He told us to take our time and look around. Wow! This hotel was so beautiful...it's a five star....and well worth every star. We really wanted to enjoy the springs in the hotel - but they were separated men's and women's - and we of course wanted to go together. The outdoor Hot Springs were more like a pool with many different tubs.
We walked around and enjoyed the hotel grounds. They had a beautiful area with ducks, pheasants, swans, fish, geese, waterfall and other caged animals. We got a few pics...but our batteries on our camera ran out. So for the most part you've just gotta use your imagination. It was Taiwanese paradise.
We finally made it back to the desk and the consierge asked is we had decided what we'd like to do. He then told us that they also offer private spas. HELLO! Our interest was peaked. He took us out to the pool and said they still had one available - it was $1,000NT ($40CDN) for an hour and we could the use their outdoor facilities when we were finished. The private spa was fantastic - we soaked and relaxed and the hour quickly slipped by. It was like a dream. They had even added chammomile oil to the fresh water they brought into our room. It was heavenly.
Once our hour was up we headed out to make use of the other pools. You wouldn't have believed how great it was! Turns out each of their many pools was a different aromatherapy experience. They had a purple lavender pool, a green tea pool, chamomile, herbs, and others. They also had a Taki Pool - where you turn on a waterfall behind you (you're sitting on a rock) and the water pours down over you massaging your back. Unbelievable. I think we ended up in the pools for about another 90 minutes.
They also had a big pool where you could do laps. We floated in their for a while looking up at the stars, watching the fireworks, enjoying the beautifully lit up dense greenery that surrounded the resort. It was breathtaking. Once we have the cash....that is going to be our number one get away!
Once we finally decided to get out of the pool it was off for more pampering....by this I simply mean using their changeroom. They had essential oil body wash and shampoo. The most beautiful showers. (the best shower I've had in Taiwan). Marble everywhere of course. They even had a place where you could throw your bathing suit into a washing machine. There was a little place to get ready with a blow dryer, q-tips, sterilized combs, etc. It was really fantastic.
We realized, after getting ready that we hadn't really eaten a meal yet that day. Some peanuts and fruit was all.
So we headed down to their barbeque to enjoy the mongolian grill and hot pots. The food was fantastic and all you could eat. Thank goodness for a few of the guests that spoke English adn explained how it all worked. You choose your food and they grilled it for you on the bbq. We finished off with ice-cream, desserts and the strongest cup of coffee I've ever had. It was fantastic.
We had an hour wait after supper before we were going to catch the shuttle to the train station for the last train to Taitung. We had booked accomodations at the hostel there. Yep....that's right.. a hostel......five star hotel to a hostel....we are truly diverse.
When the shuttle took us to the train station this is where our relaxing day took a twist of fate. The station was closed - we could not buy tickets, we did not pre-purchase them, and the station was miles from the many 'fully booked' hotels. Luckily there was a few women on the shuttle who spoke English and knew we were in trouble. They made some calls for us, got us back on the shuttle and convinced the driver to take us right to our hostel in Taitung. They kept saying..."don't worry, you okay".
The shuttle dropped us off right at the door to our hostel and asked for no payment. We were so lucky, for their to have been such kind people there to help us. Also lucky that we didn't have to take a cab - that would have set us back another $900NT. (which is what we were paying for our space in the hostel that night).
We were exhausted but needed a drink. So we went to a local pub for beer - where the manager of the hostel worked (she said she was a dancer there). It was really quite funny - it was a dance club (that promoted their pole dancing - thank God we didn't have to see any of it). Funniest thing ever - they have a dance mix version of Fur Elise.......it was hillarious. We didn't stay long as it was very smoky and wasn't our scene. We headed back to the hostel and quickly passed out. Even if we were sleeping on a piece of foam on top of plywood. We slept well.