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Many travels later…

Hello all.
So, I have been away for a few days exploring some of the further reaches of Taiwan, hence the lack of new stuff on the site. To keep things simple I will write about our adventures in order… also I have uploaded 40 images to the gallery and increased the amount displayed to 40 too, just so you don’t miss any new ones.

2nd October 2008:
Tzu-Yun and I leave for Hualien by fast train. These trains are sold out very often due to the policy that everyone must have a seat. It was the plushest train I have ever been on with chairs that you could rotate if you were in a group of four.
Upon our speedy arrival in Hualien Tzu-Yun proceeded to rent a scooter for our transport. Her licence could only allow her a 50cc scooter, for the two of us that was pretty small (once again my lack of ability to drive is very annoying!). We did think to rent a car for the trip but I am so glad we went for the scooter as it allowed much better viewing of Taroko Gorge (our destination that day).
I found it amazing how one moment we were whizzing down a busy motorway and the next you see this gate to the Gorge as if from nowhere. The scenery changes drastically at this point as you enter the Gorge via the cliffside roadways and tunnels. Due to the recent typhoon it was advised to be extra careful, indeed you could see where some landslides and rockfalls had recently ocurred but this didn’t stop us, it was the best way to see everything.
Turning each corner was simply amazing, I hadn’t felt so awestruck since visiting Yosemite Park in California USA. I will admit that I was in my element exploring caves, climbing mountain trails to find a shrine cut into the cliff and trying to get to the highest point so I could snap some photos for a few panoramic images.
Later that day we headed to the Hotel that Tzu-Yun had arranged. We didn’t really know what to expect, but seeing as we were surrounded by cloud shrouded mountains it was bound to be good. All I can say is that the hotel was stunning. Not only did we have an amazing vie from our porch but the whole place was just so nice and peaceful. The whole facility is run by the Aboriginal people of Taroko as the government likes to support them, and seeing how it was their land in the first place you can’t fault their logic there.
Later that evening the Taroko Aboriginals had a performance. All the people in the performance worked at the Hotel and all were Aboriginal. They showed us some of their traditional dance and some of their music. We filmed most of this so at some point I will make a video where you will be able to see some of their performance.

3rd October 2008:
After waking up a bit later than we wanted we headed out and said goodbye to our lovely surroundings and checked out. The morning was crisp and the clouds had lifted revealing even more of the splendour of our surroundings. Heading off on the scooter we proceeded to explore more of the Gorges winding roads and cliffs. Heading further in we came across an amzing hill top shrine with one of the biggest golden statues I have ever seen. It was a shame I couldn’t get close for a photo as some people were worshipping at the time, but I did get a snap on the shy.
By this time we really needed to head back due to the time our train was departing, however, on the way back we spotted a ‘rope’ bridge that was hidden from view when we were driving the in the other direction. Stopping here was a big priority and so Tzu-Yun and I ventured out over the river on the shaky bridge. I went out to the middle where the handrail was literally below my waist… it’s a times like these that you realise that maybe you do respect hights a bit more than you previously thought, Tzu-Yun didn’t come too far out though. We were also pretty lucky as we seemed to miss the bus loads of Japanese tourists that seemed to be forever appearing out of nowhere… it’s nice to be able to take some photos whithout tonnes of people in the background.
After the bridge it truly was time to head back. I was sad to finally emerge back onto the motorway amid the chaotic traffic that is Taiwan’s roads, some day though I will go back to Taroko Gorge, it’s such a magnificent place and worthy of the price tag of getting to Taiwan alone.

4th October 2008:
Today we visited some more of Tzu-Yun’s family, this time we went to see her Uncle (a pilot I might add) and his family. The 11 year old son was a pretty good Piano player, way better than I ever was.
After having some yummy food at her Uncle’s House we travelled a little way to another night market. Here I had my fortune read but a lady with a funny stick and circular board! I was scheptical to say the least… and to be honest I still am but apparently a lot of people beleive in them a lot, still, it was worth the experience.

5th October 2008:
I think I will take this opprtunity to apologise for the fact that I have no idea of what some of the places I have been to are called. I have been lucky enough to be staying with a family that obviously know their country very well and thus these trips have been organised without much involvement from me, hence I don’t often know what the place was called that we visited! Anyway, we visited an old Railway station that has been closed for some time. The small village surrounding it has been preserved as sort of an historic town reflecting the era when the station was in use (well, the buildings at least heven’t ben changed but that hasn’t stopped people putting up florescent lights signposts!).
It was very popular here with many families exploring the train tracks and the tunnel nearby. The whole area was filled with music from a couple of chaps on the tracks playing some traditional Chinese music.
After the Railway station we headed to the Memorial Park of the first President of Taiwan. People obviously have a lot of respect for him as it is a very big park and his tomb has an armed guard. Also the park was filled with this statues and busts, it looked very odd to see so many staues of one person, you can see what I mean in a couple of photos I have uploaded. Also we went to many shops where there was sculpture after sculpture of Gods. I can’t imagine how you can have about 15 of the same type shops next to each other and stay open… in Taiwan shops seem to do this everywhere, for example in Taipei there is a street where every shop sells PC components! I just don’t understand it myself!!

Anyway, I think I have rambled on enough. Just so you know Tzu-Yun and I leave pretty early in the morning this time heading to the West coast. We will be gone for 5 days so expect another hefty update when I am back. Oh and this time we are going on the Extra Fast Train!! Will gets some piccys of this one.

Until then,
See you soon.

Tom & Tzu-Yun.