17th March:
Twisted and turned our way through the mountainous roads to Kenting. Kenting is made famous for being a filming site for the film, Cape no. 7.
Boy, was it frightening! The roads are quite narrow and it's all thanks to the skillful navigation by the young driver. If you looked down, it's a straight drop to the treacherous waters of Taiwan Strait.
The daunting and long journey was enough to turn to upset my delicate stomach. There was nothing much to do on the bus, except sleep and watch the tapes the tour guide played. I did both, though I spent more time sleeping. The 21 of us were loosely distributed in the 40 seater bus. I got to have 2 seats for myself.
Finally, we reached Maobitou. It literally means "Cat's nose" in Chinese. If you look at the pictures I had taken, I don't think it looks like a cat at all. It is this huge rock facing the Taiwan Strait.
The place was once again full of tourists, mostly those mainlanders from China. It was quite windy up there as we watched the waves licked the rocks.
Made our way to Eluanbi Lighthouse, the only armed lighthouse in Taiwan.
In the evening, we had dinner in a restaurant located near the merciless and magnificent Pacific Ocean. It's too bad that the camera hasn't managed to capture exactly what I saw that day. The photos just don't do the view justice. The sun had set and the waters met the skies in a distinct line. The beach is not filled with pristine white sand but coarse blackish sand. Imagine, the next side of the Pacific Ocean would be America.
A litter of puppies played nearby. They were so cute! Squeal! I could have cuddle them, if I cuddle animals. They loved to play with shoelaces. I love their antics as they tried to climb up the stairs and dug a hole.
Tonight, we stayed at Luminous Hot Spring Resort and Spa located in a secluded spot of a mountain. The hotel is grand with even grander rooms. Or maybe it's due to the fact that I stayed in the honeymoon suite with my mother.
Wow! You can put on a show with its full transparent glass bathroom. The bathroom has a shower area, the basin area and a private stone tub which hot spring water flows as you turned the tap.
The bed, complete with white canopies, in right in front of the transparent bathroom. Of course, heavy curtains can be drawn. All in all, the best hotel we have stayed at.
18th March:
It's just too wasteful to leave the hotel so early in the morning. After all those hours to get there, we just have to say bid goodbye. Alas, we had a train to catch at 8 am plus.
The buffet breakfast was the finest among all the hotels.
Took a 3 hours train ride to Hualien. Originally, the train ride should be shorter and able to offer us a look at the Pacific Ocean. But, the that train got booked up.
Met the coach driver at the station and went to Taroko Gorge. More mountainous roads. However, the natural view that greeted us was worth it. Nature in its finest is there. Those marble slabs, washed and smoothed by the rushing water are in its galore.
We had to wear safety helmets as we walked under cliffs due to unstable rocks caused by earthquakes. There are places warded off and rocks debris litter those areas. We were told to stay near the sides.
Took many pictures of the wondrous features that nature has to offer. The place is off limits for marble harvesting. It's a nature reserve of sorts and belongs to the government.
Taiwan is going through a dry period, thus, the streams are almost dried. You can say that that they have a love-hate relationship with hurricanes. They can't live without it yet it is damaging.
Stayed the night at Charming City Hotel.
19th March:
First, we went to Ilan National Centre for Traditional Arts. It's a huge place where the shops are built like the shophouses of the past. These shops promote and sell traditional and not so traditional crafts, toys and food. We didn't spent much time there.
We went to Chiufen next. It's once again located up on the mountains. It's an alley with lots of small shops selling Taiwanese cuisines and crafts. Since it's an alley, with steep staircases and narrow paths, it doesn't help that the place was crowded with tourists and locals alike. I even spotted Caucasians which was quite the rare sight in Taiwan. Or perhaps they just hand around the Taipei region.
Taiwan's first cinema can be found there and a teahouse is made famous by a film.
At night, we check in our last hotel for this trip, Hotel New Continental Taipei. Our room was quite small, with no bathtub, but the room itself is beautiful in the modern way. My hopes of getting a nice soak before leaving was dashed.
We went to Shilin Night Market and bid farewell to the coach driver as he won't be ferrying us to the airport the next day. It's quite sad actually.
The family didn't linger on at the night market. We ate there and then took a cab to Taipei 101. It was a good plan, no? I have been wanting to go there to shop from the day it was decided that we were going for this trip. I even went online to check out the brands.
It's a good thing we had some time this night, because I'm seriously angry that we will only have 45 minutes to visit Taipei 101 the following morning due to time constraints. The shops will only be open around 11am and we had to leave Taipei for Taoyuan International Airport around 1pm.
Anyway, the taxi fare was cheap, approximately $200 plus, equivalent to S$8 plus. Besides, the driver allowed the five of us to squeeze into his cab.
Wow, Taipei 101 is more awesome than I thought. I went directly to Esprit, and bought a blouse. Actually, the designs are mostly the same as those sold in Singapore. The prices are not exactly cheaper as well.
Went to Tommy Hilfiger next. We saw this other family in our tour group who apparently had the same idea as us. My mother and I bought their polo shirts. I coveted some designs but they are all too expensive.
We just walk around level 1 and basement 1 because level 2 to 5 are reserved for branded goods. Level 6 is a exclusive area for members who can shop and dine all they want. From level 5, you can take the fastest elevator in the world and shoot your way up to the 99 storey of the building. Obviously, you have to pay for the view.
Had supper in the huge food court in the basement. They sell everything, well, not everything. For one, I want to try out Mister Donuts, but they don't have it there. I ordered McDonalds and it isn't as nice compared to what we have in Singapore.
I went to the Jasons supermarket after seeing it on the Travel and Living channel on the first day. It's akin to what we have in those shopping centres in Orchard area. Gourmet ingredients for foodies. Huge, red apples, Taiwan strawberries, different types of cheeses, etc.
Too bad the strawberries are expensive, or I would have bought them after hearing about it from the tour guide.
Took another cab back to our hotel.
20th March:
No morning call today! We have our time free until 10.45am where we have to check out. As it is, we woke at 6am and had breakfast before going back to our rooms to laze about and do last minute packing.
Went to Taipei 101 as a group and we had 45 minutes. I remembered that there is this shop, Roots, that caught my attention last night. Went there and bought a shirt. I wanted one of those jackets so badly. It's really gorgeous. My mother love their bags but they cost a whooping s$400 plus.
I console myself with the thought that Singapore will have this brand and I can buy what I want when I get back. Who would have know it that the brand doesn't exist in Singapore?! I thought I saw this brand before. Argh! I really like their line of clothes. Just too bad...
Had our lunch at this super quirky restaurant called Five Cent Driftwood Restaurant. Have a look at the photos and you'll know what I meant. The tour guide told us that people who went there will surely whipped out their cameras and start flashing away.
Everything is quirky and unique, from the toilets to the tables to the ceilings to the chairs. The ceilings are done in wavy patterns. We had to climb 4 storeys before having our lunch.
Finally, it's the end of our tour. Reached the airport and said goodbye to the tour guide who have been great.
The flight back got delayed again! What's wrong with China Airlines, seriously? Reached Changi Airport Terminal 1 around 9 plus.
Home sweet home.
