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Sunday, September 12, 2010

Taiwan Holiday - Day 4

Day 4 - Taroko National Park
We took the 6.45am train from Taipei to Hualien. Wanted to take the 8am train but it was fully booked even though I purchased the tickets one week+ in advance.

I expected it to be dark when we left the hotel around 6am but it was totally bright already. Didn't realise that sunrise is earlier compared to M'sia! The train ride itself was about 2 hours 45 minutes. Pleasant journey with comfortable seats and nice scenery outside.

When we arrived at the Hualien train station, our tour guide, Mr Kang (I wanted to engage Mr Lu based on advice from travel forums. Called him about a week before flying off to Taipei. He was busy on the day we wanted but he arranged for his friend to take us instead) was already waiting for us. He took us to pack some lunch then we were on our way to the Taroko National Park.

My goodness.......... the Taroko National Park was absolutely AMAZING !!!! We just loved, loved, loved the place !!! Will just let the photos do the talking but seriously, nothing beats being physically there.


Cingshuei Cliff

Photo of us. Note the 2-tone water on the background


According to the guide, the part where the 2 tones meet represents the best fishing spot



Archway to the Park


We stopped at the Visitor Centre to eat the lunch we packed from Hualien. Yummy!

Nice picnic table to enjoy our lunch


Me enjoying lunch :)


Shakadang Trail

The water was just soooooo clear!

Just beautiful !!


Eternal Spring Shrine



It was so lovely to dip my legs in the coldddd water. So refreshing! If only I could go in for a proper dip.


Our tour guide sewing up our umbrella cos he said the strap was falling out. What a sweet gesture!


Swallow Grotto. Another lovely spot.


Mr Lu with Elyssa

We met up with him at most of the spots cos he was basically bringing his group to the same places as us. It was quite helpful cos he could explain things in basic English. Our own guide doesn't speak a work of English.


Another nice spot. (At this point, I lost track of the names)


See the giant frog like rock? The little pavilion is it's crown!


Hanging bridge


Tunnel of 9 turns.

Supposed to be one of the main attraction but there was a landslide earlier so most of the trail was closed. Only a short portion was accessible and visitors needed to wear hard hats.


We finished sightseeing around 5.30pm. What a fantastic day it was! I have soo many more photos. Had a hard time selecting photos for this post.

After the sightseeing, we checked into the Leader Village resort at Buluowan Recreation Area (within the National Park) and that experience itself will have its own post coming up next :)

- End of Day 4 (part 1) -

17 comments:

~LiLHypPo's mUMmy~ said...

This National Park is great!! They really go all the way to protect this place!!

Mommy to Chumsy said...

Wow, the views are breath-taking. Elyssa looks like a little engineer wearing the helmet :D

Stacy said...

Opened your blog this morning and found FOUR entries on Taiwan! Someone is too free, hmmm?

Mummy Gwen said...

Wow..you all covered so many interesting places! Elyssa is a good girl..she doesn't mind tour with lots of walking hor. Love all your pics.

Health Freak Mommy said...

The view at the park is magnificent. Makes me want to visit Taiwan now!! And oh my, the super tall ice cream looked so tempting. Was Elyssa good throughout the trip?

Unknown said...

So early wake up? Dunno how you guys manage with Elyssa... she must be very flexible then? So much walking and etc... I don't think I can survive in Taiwan now, can't even handle all the cina names... hehe (I got lost already in your blog)

Chinneeq said...

Elyssa is so lucky to travel to so many places at such young age. Din know Taiwan can be so fun!

allthingspurple said...

wow!! What wonderful places you visited!! And the sceneries are breathtaking!! Didn't know that that's the tip for the best fishing spot.*grin* wonder how they can tell the two tones from the sea itself, though. YOur lunch looked wonderful for a packed lunch. I doubt our ta-pau lunch from eateries in Malaysia will ever look anything like that!

Caterina said...

wow... the view is breathtaking... and ur guide is so nice, somehow he have thread and needle ready..

Unknown said...

Elyssa not scared at all in htat cave? Nice adventure for her!

LittleLamb said...

wow wow wow.. I was earlier commenting on Jazmmint' blog that I need to visit her blog again if I go to Taiwan.. now I guess I will refer to your blog if I want to go Taiwan. You planed well ahead and good. Looks like a very relaxing trip. Gosh, the first 2 pics on ur Taiwan Day4 post is really breathtaking :) Awwww I can just sit there the whole day..watching sun rise and sun set ....

Oh...didn know a cabbage can be so special too...ehehheeheh Do post up your shopping loot too ya..

MayChing said...

i've heard lots of great things about Taiwan. from your trip looks like it really is a must visit place! elyssa must be such a flexible toddler!

ChloeRuoyi said...

Love all your pics. Absolutely beautiful!!

Unknown said...

Adrine, it is really wonderful and I will make down my dairy to visit Taiwan and follow your trip route. Thanks. Very touching.

Patrick

Unknown said...

Adrine, It's really nice. I need to mark down my dairy for following your route in Taiwan. Very touching...

Patrick Liu

Anonymous said...

hi (: am going tw in mar and i came across ur blog.. can i have MR Lu or the other tour guide contact? how do i book his tour? thru email or call him?

Adrine said...

Hi Jia Hui. Enjoy taiwan! Here's Mr Lu's number : (0)928-569-081. I gave him a quick call to confirm my tour.