2017 I-Land&Hualien

Luckily, it is a sunny day. On our way to Hualien, we stop over Nan-Fan-Ao of I-Land for lunch.

Nan-Fan-Ao has its own natural harbor, located near meeting places of ocean currentts, thus it offers fresh and various seafood.  We order water lotus(which is a type of local vegatable) and deep fried clams. This restaurant is 海底園  He-Di-Yuan or ocean garden. They do docorate their interior space with tanks of exotic fish such as the one I show below.

Near the harbor, there is a Guayin status overseeing the Pacific ocean. Guayin is said to be able to hear sounds of suffering people. However, the sound of speaking Guayin resembles the tide of ocean. No wonder this Guayin statue on the one hand guards the searshore and one the other hand enjoys the sounds of wave as delicate as the sound of Guayin. 

 I have on our way to Hualien could be a torture if not for the exllent scnery. 

I take random photos along the Su-Hua road. Normally it might take 3 to 4 hrs one way.  

We stop by Qingshui Cliff, where mountains dive directly into the pacific ocean creative a vertically contrasting view accompanied by immense sky. 

Taroko gorge is not too far away about 1.5 to 2 hrs drive. Along the way, branches of Li-Wu river appears. Slowly rising mountains constantly interact with cutting water downward formulates the multi-dimentional rocky profiles. 

Near Tianxi, the upper side of Taroko, a serene temple overseas the valley. Even if you are not a religious follower, you can still feel a peace of mind and encounter the serendipity there.

 This photo is taken to showcase the Li-Wu river's U turn along the mountains. 

We come out from the other side of the entrance. It marks the starting point of Taroko Gorge national park.

 On our way back to Taipei, I am so tired so I literally flash through whatever presents to me outside. It appears that I might be in a state of dizziness.

We stop by I-Land again, but this time at Jia-Xi, a small town famous for hot spring. This restaurant is called Lin-Bei BBQ house. 

The environment is cozy but has some mosquitoes. 

You can walk to this reaturant from Jia-Xi train station for about 10 minutes.

 It offers reasonable prices for Japanese style of fish barbecue, baked photato, and deep fried tampura, which in total costs less than NT800 dollars. 

I think travelling to Hualien by van is flexible but not necessarily time-saving. However, trains tickets can be difficult to obtained. If you have two days to spend, that would be better and more relaxing.

  

Mien-Mien-Chu-Doa Oyster noddle in Tianmu

Tianmu is located in northern part of Taipei, where a wide variety of foreigners stay. This restaurant called Mien-Mien-Chu-Doa was refurbished  and I recommend it for its stylish decoration, sanitary environment and delicate taste.

Nomally, Taiwanese shiu-chi or small restaurant will not spend too much money in decoration. But you can even see art works inside. 

A closer look at the painting.

The tool of cooking is made of iron now serves for decoration on top of wood table.

You can choose braised tofu, mushoom, vegetables and etc.

Their soups have beef flavor, pork flavor and tomato flavor. Onions add extra sweet flavor to the original seafood taste. 

At the entrance, you can meet a smiling cute budda and a tree trunk full of lively plants. 

Each person might spend around NT200~400 or around USD7~USD14, which is reasonable. Another alternative Yaminshan trail is nearby the area,you can take a leisure hiking after the feast. 

Jiayi-Two days going astray

Jiayin was called Tsu-lô-Kuān in 17th century, which is located in southern Taiwan about 3.5 hrs drive from Taipei or 1 hr by High Speed Railway. This trip start from Jiayi HSR station. It takes about 30 minutes to arrive at out first stop Kano park and Jiayi park.


 Jiayi park was established in 1910 occupying 268,000 meter square. It ranges immensively that I come back again tomorrow to discover more of it.

You will be surprised wherever you looks, different species of tree speak their unique language in forming extraordinary views. You can bring a book and enjoy a secluded corner for your self.  Nearby this park, there is an experiemental botanic garden in which oil palms, Hope Pine greet you amicably. 

Kano park was open this year 2017 for the purpose of memorizing Kano baseball team in early 20th century. It was a legend back in Japanese period durng 1895 to 1945. The legendary high school baseball team entered prestigious Jiazi yuan baseball contest and won the second place. 

 

It was almost full moon on August 5th. Doesn't this baseball look like an alien egg><"

At night, you won't wanna miss Jiayi Wenhua night market very close to the hotel we stay.  

This fruit stand is highly recommended offering tomato, preserved pear, olive. 

This little girl was totally enticed by sugarcoated haws.

This stand offers oyster pancake and fish porridge. A long que line promises fame and delicious taste. 

Another angle from the same stand

This stand features noodle soup and sliced chicken rice. 

If you like Japanese sushi, you can try mixed suishi at NTD75 or USD 2 dollars. 

This stand serves chicken and vegatables served in salty sauce. 

Taiwane like to fry everything including tofu, corn, vegetables, meat and etc, 

This white church is right behind the fried stand making it a contrast between serenity and boisterous atomsphere.  

The hotel we stay is called Lan Kwai Fong Garden Hotel. You can literally walk into night market from front door. Their decorative style is Eastern one. As the owner likes to collect antiques, some art works are displayed in the lobby.

The room is cozy and enough to accomodate 1 to 2 people in a double room. If you prefer queen size, you can upgrade to a more spacious room. 

I have to say their restroom is about 1/2 size of the bedroom, which is much larger than I expect.



As for breakfast, it offers western and Taiwanese style. If you like vegetables, they have a section for that. Being a almost vegetarian, this delights me.



You can enjoy a relaxed breakfast and start a whole new promising day here.

You might run into a dinasour on the street in early morning. At the same time a marathon with almost 8,000 runners was happenning.

Runners and basketball players proceed into the Kano park for refreshment.


To be honest, I have difficulties in understanding baseball games. However, I have other distraction in the stadium.

Kids are angels on earth for sure.


You can even spot Spider man.


This is the alien baseball in day time.




I don't need to remind you how hot it is in Jiayi; you find no rescue but mango ice cream.

Maybe another rescue is well-blown plant.




Along the way, We were constantly alluded by plants and were led to a temple.


You would be amazed at how many worries people can have so there is a calling system that calls people's number for asking questions they need to solve.



In addition to plants, I am more into buildings. On the same street, you will encounter Japanese style two-floor restaurant and a three-floor building.



Turn another corner, you will encounter a whole block of Japanese style hinoki house.



You can even see Japanese girl in a garden. These houses were used to be Japanese officials' dormitory. Now they are turned into dessert shop, accessory shop, ramei restauatant, antique shops and etc.


In one of the anique shop, I spotted a nice space.



Beimen train station is the second station on the way to Alishan mountain, where most Hinoki lumber were found.



This Yu-Shan hotel is not a hotel anymore but a coffee shop that still retain part of the original decoration and tatami mat.



I guess the owner might love reading. Reading is the best activity and I cultivate a secret habit of peeping into other people's book collection.



In the nearby area, there is a peculiar park full of eyeball-shape baseballs.

Across the street, a park accomodating retired trains are on display.



If you happen to be a train fan, then here is your paradise.


You can literally observe a moving train in front of you. I encounter three parks on my way to take train.
 

Another park has nothing but one gigantic bamboo installation that resembles train. I don't really get the train part; however inside the dome, sky looks spectacular through square panes.



This boutique shop features hand-made souvenirs. And what's more, unicorn instead of doggie is guarding the door.



Before heading to train station, previosu win factory is nearby. It is turned into a cultural park accomodating different types of makers.



One of the stand sells dried flower for DIY.



The setting sun at Jiayi train station annouces the end of this trip.