Mistro Homestay Hualien

... and enjoy some down time. We were able to secure a volleyball and started an amateur but intense game (Dana's team won, of course...*). By around 4:30 we had left the beach to head to Yilan, where we were dropped off to catch our train to Hualien.

The train to Hualien was quick and comfortable, and we arrived with ample time to find an internet cafe (since Jake left ...

... was very flat with only a slight gradient at times. We passed through some dark tunnels and walked along narrow paths. The edges of which were covered in slippery slate that has sheered off the cliff side. It wasn't for the faint hearted as the lack of safety rails meant a vertical drop was waiting on the other side. We stuck together very closely. As we approached one tunnel, the sound of raging water intensified. The opening ...

... I was sorely disappointed. Our next destination was a mountain crevice that used to be inhabited by aboriginal people. When a man wanted to court a woman, he would try to jump the crevice with a shoot of bamboo. If he succeeded, which proved that he was strong and powerful, than the woman would want to marry him. Otherwise, he would fall in the crevice and injure himself. Because of those who had fallen there is now a bamboo forest on the ...

... have been 25 people waiting for this place so Stacy and I knew it would be good and wanted to eat here. The employee that was writing down names on the waiting list was too busy and so I walked inside and asked how long the wait was for 2 people. She said to hold on a minute and then within 30 seconds brought us to one of the best tables by the window. Soon after Stacy and I discussed our ...

... said the geologic map of Taiwan was not completely accurate as there are areas where only "a monkey can go". I think the mountain slopes here are even more steep than those found in the Rocky Mountains. It also explains the dry riverbeds we kept crossing at lower altitudes that looked 2000 feet wide and strewn with boulders the size of Volkswagon beetles. During the rainy season, runoff must come off the mountains very quickly. We arrived at Yuchih and the ...

... answer. We were flabbergasted. We realized we were up the creek without a paddle. It was nearing 2 PM and we had to be back in Taichung to get the train to Taoyuan at 10 PM (factoring in all the travel time between the park and Taichung). We asked the man if he was heading towards Aowanda and he said he was not. He suggested we try to see the park on another day. We said we had come a long way to see it and had been traveling all day. I asked him if he could at least give us a ride ...

I ve booked for a rafting day: you wake up at 7h30 AM to go the Siouguluan River (largest stream in Eastern Taiwan) It s about 25 km with around 20 sets of rapids which runs through spectacular gorges. You have 2 sections of the river during the day with an interruption for the lunch. You spent the whole day in Chinese: security explanation in Chinese, and ...

... first-rate rail network. But most of the buildings, especially outside of Taipei, are rather shabby. Another thing worthy of comment is the extraordinary friendliness and helpfulness of the people once contact is made with them or help is solicited. For example, I got lost today on my walk and asked a man for directions to the train station as he was about to get into his car with his wife and two sons. Without hesitation, the entire family became involved in putting me on the ...

... place, but nothing to stay. So I decide to walk back to km 100, the previous village Yiwan, take a bus to Chiangbin ( only larger town to buy food for three meals) and walk again to the camping place - but it all comes differently. When I walk by a church in Yiwan a man comes down on his bike from the church, which is about 15 meters above sea level. I ask him if he has a place a stay for the night and he answers "yes" - he is the ...

... 15 years in active retirement and mainly devotes himself to his hobbies. Besides, he and his wife, who now lives in Shanghai, run a trading business for Italien leather imported to PRC for further processing. Since 20 years they are collectors oil paintings ( more known and young talents ), wood and stone carvings ( some of aboriginal origin ) and Chinese antiques. His son runs a gallery in Taipei ( Minsheng E. Rd., Sec.2, No. 30 ). They may also want to open galleries ...