Hualien and Taroko Gorge

Early on Saturday morning a van full of children and adults set out on a journey to the east. Four hours later and frequent bathroom stops later they arrived at:


They looked around the visitor centre, and read up on the Gorge and surrounding area.


Taroko Gorge and its massive towering cliffs were created when the Philippine Oceanic Plate and Eurasian Continental Plate collided. They continue to do so today at a rate of 0.5 cm a year. In the process, high pressure and temperature caused some of the rock to change into marble.


They set out on their first trail. Shakadang Trail, to be exact. "This could be good," said one.





While playing in the water, they spotted a Formosan Macaque on a line. You'll have to look very closely to see it.


The trail was long and the travelers grew weary. Stomachs growled. Once more they piled into the van and drove to the visitor centre. They ate lunch and then headed out.

Each gazed in awe upon the tunnels, twists, turns, and rocks of the Su Hua highway.


Like rodents, they passed through the Tunnel of Nine Turns.




The hikers set out on the next trail: Baiyang Trail. Waterfalls and dark tunnels with no artificial lighting.




At the end of the trail they reached the Water Curtain Cave. It is "forbidden" to enter the cave, which has spring water gushing from the roof and a stream running through it. The trail at the end of the cave-tunnel was closed off.


The participants got very wet. One fell into the stream. Another even cut her toe and bled into the stream.


On the walk back to the van, it began to rain. Time was passing too quickly, and the hikers didn't have enough of it for more than a handful of glances at Tiansiang. Maybe it wasn't their destiny to go there.


A brief viewing of the Eternal Spring Shrine led one hopeful to the gloomy realization that the trail to access it was closed for repair. Passed deadline! No wrists were slit.

The shrine commemorates the 212 military personnel who died during construction of the highway. There are waterfalls, a cave, two towers, and a suspension bridge - all, mostly, unseen.


Then there was the unavoidable drive to Hualien - where else would they find a hotel to sleep in? Five-star isn't an option.

The travelers checked into their Japanese style hotel, ate dinner, then went to Hulien's slowly buzzing night market.


Games, food, gambling - each at their fingertips.


Separately, they came back to the hotel and slept their minds and bodies to rest.

Day two. No casualties. Two known injuries (minor).

Seeing that the weekend marked the celebration of Dragon Boat Festival, the group went to a lake to watch a race.


In the blistering heat they watched drummers drumming,

lions dance,



and even a toad with a grasshopper on its head.

Glad to leave the unforgiving heat, they went on the road again. They stopped by Chihsingtan scenic area. To the left, misty stormy skies.


To the right, clear conscious blue skies.



The island you imagined when you read that novel.


Drive, they drove on. More bathroom stops and a coffee stop.


They arrived in Keelung for the sole intention of enjoying themselves at the night market.


Wrapped runners, as common as ever.



Late on Sunday night, the groups of people were dropped off at their homes. They went on to lead their lives.