Restaurant’s Crops (伏見稻荷生機園地)

Izel Parada

Another interesting aspect of the restaurant is that within the same area, small tomatoes are cultivated and also passion fruits, which in my country we turned them into juice, but here in Taiwan is eaten as a dessert and turns into drinks too, during the harvest time are served for consumption of customers.

张 美 莺 owner, manager and Phoebe’s mother, is responsible for making it possible to enjoy these delicious vegetables and fruits. She arrives early every morning to take care, water and monitor their crops; it is also the only one in charge of collecting them at harvest time.

Unfortunately during the period we were there, the fruits could not be harvested yet, so we did not have the chance to try them, but to tell from the pictures they have on their Facebook page, the look they have makes me feel “mouth-watered”, it really looks very juicy and nutritious.

A very important thing to note about the restaurant is that it is surrounded by rice fields, which gives a very special feeling, as the restaurant is located in an area near downtown, not too far from the bustle of the city. But being surrounded by rice fields, the feeling of leaving far away the busyness of the main streets makes you feel that you are in a very peaceful place, once you enter it is like being in a field with nothing to disturb you. The feeling is quite unique!

Menu at Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏見稻荷生機園地)

Izel Parada

In this article I want to address the most important about the restaurant, what it gives life to it and its main objective as well, the restaurant menu!

Having spent 26 days in the restaurant, where I ate twice a day, I had a fabulous experience at that time to be fully feed with fresh fruits and vegetables, and without any additives.

As it was commented in interviews that we had in repeatedly occasions with Phoebe, the main goal of the restaurant is to offer organic foods, without adding any processing or additives, also to try to offer to the public the true taste of them, not adding salts, oils or other type of powder that can modify the original taste.

The main ingredients are bought regularly throughout the week, so they are fresh ingredients, the suppliers of certain products are local farmers who come to leave them products to the restaurant directly, others are purchased directly in local markets around the restaurant, and even the desserts, cookies and breads are made in the restaurant on daily basis in the morning, so it can be served recently made to the public.

Similarly, retail organic products such as rice, prunes, fruits and vegetables are offered to the public, so the customer can be able to buy and take after having a delicious, nutritious and healthy food!

As for me, now that I'm home, I noticed the difference on being feed with processed and unhealthy food, so I'm currently in the fierce battle to continue this good habit; I am doing my own food at home and I am avoiding to go eating out, which is a little more expensive, but I know that doing this I can benefit my health!

Concepts and Objectives (概念 與目標)

Written by Izel Parada

Reading the restaurant’s Facebook page, which incidentally was the only internet source which they had for their business promotion, my partner and I realized that it lacked important information to attract customers.

Having said that we took on the task of making a couple of questions to Phoebe, (Owner’s daughter) trying to understand the concept about the Short, Medium and Long Term of their business, with this information they can incorporate into their online pages and the client can be familiar with and also have a broader concept of the line of business.

Here are the questions:

1.)    When this restaurant does started operations?

Since February of 2013 the restaurant started operations, before the area was used to grow rice, fruits and vegetables, then with the purpose of building a restaurant with an ecological theme was carried out by the transformation process and turn it into an organic garden.

2.)    What was the purpose to open this restaurant?

We have a natural ecological environment, where customers can relax and recreation activities in a spacious environment. The distance from the city of Taizhong to the restaurant is short, you can drive a car or take a taxi, which would not delay too long in coming and of course also has a parking area.

3.) What are your short, medium and long term goals?

1.-Short -term operation is to operate in a rural landscape, with a special appreciation for the landscape, where you can feel the embrace of nature.

2.-Medium term: Allow clients to experience the process of growing fruits and vegetables and know the secret on how to produce plants, vegetables and fruits in nature.

3.-Long-term: Continuing to provide the customer with the knowledge of the Ecological Farm.

4.) What makes your menu special?

In the preparation of our dishes we like to keep the original flavor of each, so you use less oil and spices in the preparation of each meal, also all foods are completely natural, without any additives that may be harmful to health.

5.) What is the contribution you are making to your city and your customers?

1.-We offer a restaurant with a rural environment where they can carry out activities comforting, allowing both adults and children relax, going to a restaurant with a large natural area with plenty rich ecology.

2.-We like to leave the customer in the dining room by themselves , to allow them to absorb the original process of all food, so they can experience the processes carried out on farms.

Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏見稻荷生機園地)

Written by Izel Parada

Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏見稻荷生機園地), presented on its Facebook page a brief introduction about the services offered, could be translated literally as follows: "Welcome to Vitality Garden, where you can enjoy a delicious, nutritious and filling lunch accompanied by fresh fruits, also can experience recreational activities in a natural and ecological environment.

The restaurant is operating six days a week excluding Tuesdays, which is the day off, is open from 11:30 hrs. to 14:00 hrs. and after 17:30 hrs. to 21:00 hrs. As the restaurant is recently opened and the line of business is relatively new, it usually closes doors at 18:00 as long as there are no customers, just as they make reservations for tea time, between 14:00 hrs. and 15:00 hrs.

In Taiwan, there are more than enough restaurants to go and eat, eating out is common for most foreigners but this custom is however, peculiar to the Taiwanese. Is literally practiced on daily basis, representing convenience for it and not to mention that eating out is amazing for the inhabitants of this island, consuming three meals in this way at a low price, because even is cheaper than cooking at home.

So, why Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏 见 稻荷 生机 园地) is a restaurant that differs from others?

• The difference of this restaurant among others lies in several elements, mainly the location of the restaurant is the most important, as it is located on the outskirts of the city, but in a few minutes available to the public then, once you cross a small stretch of road that separates it from the city which enters into a natural and relaxed place unique in its kind in Taiwan, as most of the restaurants are located in the busy areas of cities.
• It offers a "Buffet" (all you can eat) service for two hours of vegetarian food, including soups, fruits and desserts, also if the client wishes it is offered “A la carte Menu”.
• The spacious comfortable place and the atmosphere is conducive for all kinds of events, from business meetings, weddings, birthdays, and to sporting events.

These are some of the elements that make this beautiful place an exceptional place in the heart of Taiwan!

Internship in Taiwan

My name is Izel Parada, I'm Honduran and I have lived here for four years in the city of Taipei where I am currently studying International Business and Trade Program at Ming Chuan University.

After four years of first landed on this island 台湾 (Taiwan - Taiwan Republic of China) I decided to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to explore. The adventure in this time is dedicated to Taizhong, the third largest city in this small island.

Through the Volunteer Internship Program of Agro-tourism for International Students organized by Taiwan Leisure Agriculture Association and supervised by The Council of Agriculture Executive Yuan, was achieved a contact with a family owner of this restaurant in Taizhong, who agreed to receive me and my partner in their new project, to exchange experiences and help them to promote this new Agro-tourism proposal that the Taiwanese government is encouraging.

On August 5, I started this new adventure; I arrived at the High Speed Train Station at Taizhong City at 17:00 hrs. local time , after waiting a couple of minutes  Phoebe , the daughter of the owner arrived to pick me up to take me to the restaurant whose name is 伏 见 稻荷 生机 园地, (Fujian dao he sheng ji  yuan di). 

The February 14th of 2013, the  “Rice and Lotus- Vitality Garden”  opened its doors to customers with a new proposed service area , here is served “All You Can Eat” vegetarian food especially , however they also serve red and white meats and seafood a la carte.

Sanyi: five super Sanyi-lifting reason to visit it

by Nannakorn Santita

I took the train around 3 hours from Taipei to Sanyi, the small town located in Northern Taiwan at Miaoli County. I can see the scenery of mountain, canal, agriculture and simply lifestyle of people there.

The Railway

The Taiwan Railway’s Old Mountain Line which was constructed since 1908 with Japanese style. Nowadays, it was not in operation but the Miaoli County Government designated it to offer visitors as a county-level historic site and developed this track as a local industry. There is magnificent scenery of mountains and forests, enriched cultural tribes with long history.

Wood Sculpture

When I arrived, what I can notice about Sanyi is there are many shops selling wood stuff. Actually, Sanyi is well known internationally. This place is annually held International Woodcarving Art Festival which is one of Taiwan's most important cultural events and highlighting works of masters from around the world.

Cycling Highway

If you love cycling, this town is really suitable for you. It’s a good idea to use a cycling way for sightseeing around the town which follows the energy conservation. Moreover, visitors can see the wonderful scenery of the flowering fields, leisure farms, fishing ports or special experiences through the high way.

Farming Village

During the way within Sanyi, I noticed about Sanyi’s agricultural along with the road, in the people house area even just small, but I love that. There are many agricultural farms which offered visitors to visit and experience countryside life style.

Delicacies

Sanyi has a very famous traditional Hakka cuisine, oily, savory, and salty which you can easily find it in the town with reasonable price. Furthermore, you can find variety kinds of the local food which are very attractive as well. I highly recommend trying local food in Sanyi and you will love.

Experienced art work in Shan Ban Ciao

Written by Nannakorn Santita,
Edited by TLAA

My volunteering at Shan Ban Ciao had been passed so fast within 2 weeks. I have a good memories and new friends. I had imagined about farming before I will be at Shan Ban Ciao, but when I arrived everything seems so different from what I thought.

San Ban Ciao is the traditional painting Mask Museum. It’s so simply and classic place. Visitors can go there and pay for a visit 50 NTD per person. They can choose some favorite god mask style which made from wood, paint it and take it back home as a souvenir. There are over thousand mask painting work is shown. Visitors can take a looks the big masks’ decoration on the wall, enjoy the natural scenery around Shan Ban Ciao.

At San Ban Ciao, they taught me how to paint the mask like start with painting from light to dark color, how to put coating to make mask more beautiful and durable, how to flaming and others. Not only that, but also had a chance to meet and taking care of the tourists. 

Before going back, I had a chance to paint my own bundle, mask and then take it back as souvenirs. Moreover, very big chance to paint BIG face to be memory for our visiting. My friend and I took around 4 days for painting the Ravana’s face. Also, we made some video clip to introduce our art work.

Take a chance to visit Shan Ban Ciao and see our art work!

Shan Ban Ciao’s cuisine

I love trying new foods and I discovered new and exciting flavor during my internship at Shan Ban Ciao.

Cooking can be an expensive business, and the more valuable when it comes with a legend. Like a fabulous cuisine of Hakka, a traditional food, oily, savory, and salty in Sanyi, Miaoli Area.

ritten by Nannakorn Santita,
Edited by TLAA

Besides, Sanyi also has a variety kind of the local food which is very attractive as well. Sanyi’s local foods are dressing up with basic ingredients that can easily find in the local area. There is the market in Sanyi with many local vegetables, meats, and products.

Shan Ban Ciao’s cuisine was very impressed me with simply foods which I had never heard before. I found that some vegetables can easily find in their farm and they cook it.

Here is one of my favorite, 龍鬚菜, a kind of fern I thought when I saw at it the first time. They roughly boil it and sprinkle with dried fish (Japanese style) and mayonnaise. The taste is a little sweet and delicious!

Also, they have many kinds of fried vegetables, stews, curry soups which are very simple, but decidedly delicious. It may be so simply dish for somebody, but for me it’s very exotic. May be it is special and unique because it comes from the resources in their local and cannot be easily found from other places.

If you are looking for trying new dishes or some local foods, I highly recommend you to try the local food sin Sanyi and you may love it as same as me.

The countryside lifestyle in Shan Ban Ciao

Written by Nannakorn Santita, Edited by TLAA

I had 2 weeks to stay in Shan Ban Ciao, Sanyi for my internship program during this summer. What is Shan Ban Ciao?

Shan Ban Ciao is a kind of Face Painting Cultural Museum which offers the tourists to experience about culture and art. The tourists can paint the wood mask provided by San Ban Ciao and after finish the tourists can take their work home. The work time is everyday starting from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and the tourists pay only 50 NTD for their visiting. Besides, Shan Ban Ciao also provides the accommodation for the tourists who have more times and want some place to relax and stay there.

What I did in Shan Ban Ciao was everyday wake up early and prepared materials of painting in the morning, taking care of tourist when they asking for something. In one day, there are many tourists visit Shan Ban Ciao. Most of them are family with their children. I really enjoy learning Chinese and spending time over there. It is not really convenient that much, but what I have learned from this place is about the simply life.

One of many things that I love the most about staying in Shan Ban Ciao is the simply life there. The farmers, their family, or even co-workers are so kind. Every day, we gathered for eating and helped each other to do the works done. The warm welcome from them really impressed me.

This is a good chance to experience real local people in Taiwan. It would be the easy option to choose these destinations with a kid-friendly food and encourage your children to try different things. So, how do you choose your vacation destination?

Lemongrass, special plant in Shan Ban Ciao

Written by Nannakorn Santita,
 Edited by TLAA

Do you know Lemon grass?

Lemon grass has long been used in natural insect repellents and sometimes called mosquito grass. It is a clumping grass that grows quickly. It contains citronella and gives off a strong citrus odor that is offensive to mosquitoes. There are two kind of Lemon grass as I learn from there, the first can use in cooking as an herb recipe and second is for insect repellents especially mosquitoes.

During my volunteering, I found that kind of plant grows around Shan Ban Ciao. Actually, I know Lemon glass, but different kind of what I saw at Shan Ban Ciao. Lemon grass in my home country, Thailand uses this plant as a recipe’s ingredient or herb and also different smell.

Because of the locations, mountains, canals, and forests everyone knows it is such a good resources of mosquitoes.

During volunteering, everyday my friends and I will cut the Lemon grass leafs to put into our bed room to protect the mosquitoes, just have to crush it until smelling and you know it is really work!

Besides, Shan Ban Ciao also has the products from Lemon grass for selling. What I can notice from Taiwan is very support the locally made and marketed products of their local products. Taiwan can improve the local products' quality and marketing which seems provides both a local and national. Like I can see form Sanyi for example wood crafts, souvenirs from wood, and others.

This is one of what I learn from this volunteering, totally impressed and I absolutely glad to be there.

Sanyi, the provincial of highway

Written by Nannakorn Santita,
Edited by TLAA

If you want to travel, and one of the things you consider is whether your destination will have the scenery of nature, simply of local people’s life. I am talking about the “Tales of a Small Town”, a movie made in 1979 which taking a place in Sanyi related to the story about loving between a young wood sculptor and a mute girl the place that I had a volunteering.

During volunteering, I had a chance to go out to paint and ride a motorbike along the way to somewhere. I found that I do love the amazing scenery of mountain and nature there. My friends and I together paint fences on the sideway to make them more beautiful.

 What I impressed on that day is when people saw us they came; greeting us and more over they gave us waters and helped us. People are very kind to each other that are what I experienced from countryside lifestyle; not only nice atmosphere, but also people are so nice.

Cycling is very suitable for traveling around Sanyi due to the highway lay down the mountain line which very interesting. Not only for cycling for traveling, but also a good opportunity to exercise and follow the concept of energy conservation. Also, there many places that the tourists can drop in or enter during on the travelling way. For example Tung Flower Bike trail, Fruit farms, fishing port even Leisure Agricultural farm and others attractive places.

Do you get ready to take your whole family to cycling?

The Classic Wood Sculpture Town

                                                                                                       Written by Nannakorn Santita, Edited by TLAA

What is the first impression when I visited Sanyi? My first impression when I arrived at Sanyi was there are many shop selling wood stuff. 8 of 10 sculpture shop shows the wood craft thought the clear glass windows and doors along the streets. Actually Sanyi is well known as internationally that the place annually will be held International Woodcarving Art Festival which is one of Taiwan's most important cultural events and highlighting works of masters from around the world.

Sanyi’s wood sculpture originated from 1989, as using dead wood decorated and the unique technique and skill have been taught generation by generation and rapid development as a wood sculpture of Sanyi. Furthermore, thay also have Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum provided for people who are interested.

The main materials of Shan Ban Ciao’s souvenirs, the place that I had volunteering also made from wood for example the key rings, wood mask for painting, comb, flame of picture, hairpins and some others souvenirs. Moreover, the tables, desks, chairs, and other furniture and decorations were made by wood. I think products which made from wood are really kind with natural much more than plastic or something made by chemical. Especially, this is simply becomes very unique nowadays.

Sanyi is the town of tourists’ attraction which shows the set in a modern building, the museum features an exhibition on the history of woodcarving as well as a vast collection of sculptures. Besides, visitors can enjoy the nature scenery of Sanyi and you will know why wood became important in this area.

A Day at The Railway’s Old Mountain Line

Written by Nannakorn Santita,
Edited by TLAA

I had a chance to visit Shengsing Old Train Station on a holiday during my internship. The farmer was so kind and he took us there. This Old Train Station is located at the highest point of the western railway trunk line above the sea level in Miaoli city. It was entirely built from wood in the Japanese style from the Japanese occupational period, but nowadays it can still be seen.

 This Railway’s Old Mountain Line was completed in 1908 which considered as a grand construction in a very long time. There is the magnificent scenery of mountains and forests, enriched of cultural tribes with long history.

On April 16, 1999, the Miaoli County Government designated Chengxing (Shengxing) Station to offer visitors as a county-level historic site and developed this track as a local industry.

At this unoccupied train station, I found a small town; tiny wooden building where tickets used to be sold, old-style shops and restaurants perched on the mountainside, and tunnel that you can walk through. I took around 2-3 hours to take a walk around there.

Besides, I really impress with a little postcard and souvenir shops over there. They sell souvenirs, local fruits like strawberry farm, foods, and some herbs that I had never known before.

To visit Shengxing station is not really taking a long time, but should have a private car. You can make a pin as the drop in places during your journey and you will see this place is worthwhile for a visit.