Chinatrust Hotel Hualien Taroko National Park

... previous day and unfortunately I didn't prepare anything so I decided to leave on my own to find something first (I didn't know he wasn't going to get food, and he didn't tell me what his plans were, perhaps it's because he doesn't travel with others much? I dunno, but doesn't matter anyway). The cafe downstairs was not open and so luckily when we checked in, the hotel had given us these bags of biscuits and daifuku type sweets and so I had a few ...

... plus journey. Since we had already bought the ticket, we thought we might as well. That turned out not to be the best decision, as our driver was a little haphazard and thrashed the bus from corner to corner up the gorge. With perilous drops on either side, our hearts were definitely in our mouths. I think I shut my eyes some of the way. To the left of the gangway was a retired couple from Vancouver who were also travelling ...

... in the park - Tiansiang and walk the 20kms back to the park HQ, but we wanted to start at the HQ so we could pick up trail route maps. We didn't realise it was uphill 20kms to Tiansiang!! We started on a little trail around the HQ car-park and saw a massive spider, which Paul took care to photograph and I took care to stand well back whilst he played with the camera settings. There were also some amazing butterflies, as big as birds and bright blues and ...

... the hang loose sign and I still have no idea what number it represents. 5. There are attractive girls in glass boxes on the side of the roads that sell betel nut. 6. Every block in most towns must have at least 3-5 bubble tea shops. 7. The year in Taiwan is not 2008 but 97. Some of these reasons as well as many others has really made Taiwan one of my favorite places to visit in Asia.

Hi everyone. A few of us decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather last weekend and take a day trip to the township of Puli. It's about a two-hour drive from Taichung, located in the geographical center of the island. The ride up was gorgeous. Clear blue skies and warm. Once we were a few miles out of Taichung, all signs of city life disappeared. Winding mountain roads, wind in our face, the smell of incense drifting from small temples, and beautiful ...

... back in Wushe by 7 PM latest, because that is when the last bus for Puli left at. He said not to worry...he would drive us to Puli. Meghan and I began to worry a bit...wondering if he was expecting something for all his 'help'...but decided to play it by ear. Once we were back in civilization, instead of getting on the highway...he veered off into this residential area. We were like...what's going on? Apparently it was his good friend's grandmother's 85th birthday (did you get all ...

... definitely hygienic and healthy, but once in the squatter position for a while I have difficulties to get up again. I suppose that's also the reason why they have an emergency button beside the toilet - in case you need help to get up again. Another disadvantage for some - try to read your newspaper in peace in such position. I walk by the Bat cave, which is still closed, but I know it really has bats! On my way a group of kids ...

... tense. Then he suddenly shouts " YES!". He excuses his outburst and says that he just learned that he had passed the teachers' examination for vocational high schools, in his case for hostelling. I tell him that his happiness has a very good reason and congratulate him. I buy some Ferrero Roche and share with them for celebration. At 12:50 I leave first - I need at least a small head start to have a chance to keep up with them - just kidding. After ...

This was a great side trip. Its their version of yellowstone. And it is amazing they had waterfalls and streams, they had caves and one tht would always drip water from the ceiling. I went with my roommates aunt, an older lady who goes once a month to get away from the unclean air in the city. It's funny the ...

(Nicole) Taroko Gorge is a nature lover's paradise. It is huge, with many hiking trails, waterfalls, and marble canyons. Luckily, Peter has a relative that owns a souvenir shop right at the entrance of Taroko, so we stayed there with her. In the morning, we hiked for 2 hrs around Taroko. Again, not knowing how to read Chinese, we happend to chose the most difficult hiking trails of them all! We kept climing uphill and uphill, like ...