Qingshui Cliff
On my journey to Hualien, I came across a place on one of the windy roads where many tour busses and other vehicles were stopping. I was still outside of the nearest towns so I figured there must have been something interesting there. When I got out and walked around, I was stunned by the scenery or cliffs and mountains looking down at the beaches meeting the bright blue water below. I later found out when researching thigs to do in/near Hualien that this place was Qingshui Cliff. I was able to get some great drown shots of the surrounds at this place. And, I even had my first wild monkey sighting in Taiwan in the forest surrounding the walkway to the lookout.
Arriving in Hualien County
When I arrived in Hualien, I went to a local market to purchase some Xiao Long Bao for lunch. While I was eating them, I heard a loud sound above me and looked up to see a fighter jet flying quite low above the city. It gave me quite a fright, but I discovered there was an air base close by.
Taroko National park/Gorge
After lunch I drove to the Taroko National Park. This was one of the places I was most excited about visiting. The way that the roads were cut into the rocks along the sides of the Taroko Gorge was what interested me the most. Driving around the gorge seeing it all for myself was such a surreal experience. With the glass roof of the Tesla I was able to look all around at the rocks I was driving under and the scenery of the gorge going by. I stopped at various points to walk around on foot and take photos, and to walk across the Mountain-Moon Suspension bridge. I really enjoyed this place and wish I could have spent more time hiking in this area.
Qixingtan Beach
Later that day I went to Qixingtan Beach to relax. The beach had pebbles instead of sand, interesting coastal views of cliffs, and their appeared to be some commercial fishing operation going on in the water not far off the beach. While I was at the beach, I ate a green ice cream (can’t remember the name of the fruit that it was made from) that was quite refreshing considering how hot it was.
Ginsman bar
At night I went to get a drink at a local bar called Ginsman bar. The bar did not have a menu, I just talk to the bar tender and tell him how I was feeling and he make me something that fits my mood and tastes. I enjoyed it a lot and was surprised to discover they had some Gin from the 4 Pillars distilliary in Healesville. While I was sitting at the bar I saw two Caucasian looking middle aged men walk into the bar. I nodded at them as they walked in as they were the first Caucasian people I had seen since I was in Taipei. They came and sat next to me and started with “G’day mate, how are you?”. I was quite shocked as it turned out they were two Australians from Brisbane on a push bike trip around Taiwan. I enjoyed their company for a while, it was nice to chat to some fellow Australians after not seeing anyone from my home country in a few days. I also enjoyed showing off my ability to order a beer in Chinese. They asked me if they would be able to ride through the Taroko gorge on their bikes saying rather comically “look we aren’t serious cyclists”. I am curious to know how they went as the roads around the gorge were quite steep.
