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.