Taiwan Day 3 - Hualien

16 April 2008

We had our breakfast at Shangrila Leisure Resort. As usual, we had buffet breakfast.


After breakfast, we had a walk in fruit farm. The view from farm is definitely marvelous.

I was playing with real pig!!! ^_^


Far view. Will you feel excited?


Me, my mum, OSK's autie, and OSK.

Next we headed to Nanfangao Nantien Temple. It is best known for its Gold Matzu Statue. It is made of 200kg pure gold. The temple contains 3 floors. There is a wooden Matzu on the first floor, and jade Matzu on the second floor. Fomous Gold Matzu is on the third floor.



Famous Gold Matzu.


Fishing Village


Taiwan Tomatoes. Do you see the difference?

Our Lunch:




On the way to Taroko National Park (太魯閣國家公園), we stopped at 东西横贯公路 to take picture.


We continued our way to Taroko National Park Tourist Center. Taroko National Park is one of the 6 national park in Taiwan and it spans to the countries of Hualien, TaiChung and Nantou.



Toilet Sign


I was in the toilet. Taken by OSK.

External Spring Shrine(长春祠) is one of the scenery in Taroko National Park.



Mineral Water. It's true.

We visited Linzi and Tea Center. They showed Linzi and 鹿胎 to us. According to them, 鹿胎 also known as 紫河车, can be used to cure asthma.

Doctor was giving us a talk.


鹿胎. Anyone dare to eat? Dont worry,
usually they make it in powder form.
Anyway it's still cruel.

House of Jade. I bought a pair of Jade earrings for my mum as mother's Day present. Of course, I bought a necklace for myself. =)



I like the display.

Ami Aboriginal Cultural Village. I really enjoyed the moment which dance with them although I not really familiar with their step. It was fun. I even have chance to take a picture with them. The picture is framed by using the jade and it costs NT400. Expensive but unique in looking.









Unique? It's framed by Jade.

Tonight we had our dinner at Gold Coast Union Hotel(黄金海岸国统大饭店) . And no doubt, tonight we stayed at this hotel.





Room at Gold Coast Union Hotel.

Night is always young to us. Therefore we strolled at ZhiQiang night market which situated at Hualien. Elephant recommended that coffin bread(棺材板) in ZhiQiang night market is very delicious. Yes! It's really delicious! Hualien coffin bread is different from other state in Taiwan. The bread is fried with egg and you can choose any side food and put into it. we have chosen the one with shrimp.



Delicious coffin bread.

Taiwan Day 2 - Yilan

15 April 2008

After breakfast, we started our journey to National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall and Liberty Square. Previously it is named as Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Last year May 15, it has been renamed to National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall by Chen Shui-bian.

Liberty Square( 自由广场)


National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall (台灣民主紀念館)

Matyr's Shrine, 宗烈祠.



Ceremony of changing guards


Salute to them who guard the entrance of the shrine
under the hot sun and let people take a photo with them. =P

We headed to National Palace Museum, 国立故宫博物院. We are not allowed to take any photos here.

Next, we had our lunch in a restaurant named 'Queen'. Definitely we ate like a Queen here. ^_^



Abalone + lobster dishes



We headed to Yehliu Geopark (野柳地质公园) after lunch. It is situated at the north coast of Taiwan and famous of curious shapes carved by sea erosion.


Chiufen(九份), 昔日金矿产区. Why this place named as Chiufen? According to what Elephant storied to us, the village here housed nine families last time. Thus the village would request 9 portions of shipments from town everytime. Later Chiufen would become its name.

芋仔冰 and 草仔粿 which are very famous in Chiufen.

Tonight we would stay a night at Shangrila Leisure Farm Resort(香格里拉休闲农场). The room is great. I felt easy and relax stayed here.


Our dinner.


At night, there was a lot of activities prepared by Shangrila Leisure Farming.

放天燈、打陀螺、搓湯圓，民俗活動. My mum wons the first prize in 打陀螺.=)

More info about Shangrila Leisure Farming: http://www.shangrilas.com.tw/