 Christmas in Taiwan: Taroko National Park |
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Videos in the Playlist:
1: Taroko Gorge part 1 74 secs
2: Taroko Gorge Part 2 80 secs
3: Taroko Gorge Part 3 89 secs
1: Taroko Gorge part 1 74 secs
2: Taroko Gorge Part 2 80 secs
3: Taroko Gorge Part 3 89 secs
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We awoke early on the second day and caught a train down the East coast of Taiwan to Hualien. Once there we found a scooter to rent, filled up with gas and headed to Toroko Gorge National Park about 20 kms away. Taroko gorge was once home to the Atayal people who were known for weaving, facial tattoos, and headhunting. The majority of the Atayal people have moved out of the gorge, but some still remain working at hotels, resorts, and selling woven and leather products. The gorge itself is filled with marble-walled canyons and gigantic cliffs. The road through the gorge connects with the cross-central highway, but we went only as far as Tienhsiang. The road winds through canyons and at times is so narrow only one car can fit through. There were many tour buses and impatient taxis on the way up so the drive was a bit nerve wrecking but I still managed to get some great photos and videos as Jeff managed not to get us killed.
We spent the night at The Catholic Hostel in Tienhsiang which looked to be an old monestary turned hostel. There were many levels, winding staircases, and cute animals. As this was Christmas day we decided to go out for dinner and our only option was a western buffet at the only fancy hotel in the village.
On our way back through Taroko the next day we stopped in at Bulowan, a former Atayal village turned resort area. Here among the log cabins we found a a trail to a bamboo forest hike where we happened upon a group of Formosan macaques. From Bulowan we jumped back on our scooter for one last ride and headed back through the park and on caught a train to Fulong to hike the Caoling Historical Trail.
Taroko gorge was definitely the highlight of our trip to Taiwan and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves beautiful scenery and isn't afraid of heights.
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January 4th 2009 - Terra:
Love the pictures guys, looks like you had lots of fun! I was very excited to see the picture of the giant fu-dog, i was actually going to ask you to take a picture of one for me if you saw one but forgot. The fu-dog is modeled after the shih-tzu! They statue guards and protects if placed properly on the left. Just a little trivia for ya lol. Anyway, miss you both hope all is well!! xo T
January 4th 2009 - Sam: Beautiful pictures
Hi Mad and Jeff, these pictures are beautiful. I can't believe you walked across that rope bridge Jeff! Whoa.
Thanks for positing your trip. I love to see your pictures.
be well, have fun,
Sam
p.s. I was looking through the pictures you sent me on DVD of our 2 years in Montreal and I was thinking of some good times. Thanks for sending those again. :)
February 4th 2009 - Norma York: Taroko Park
Loved that twisty tunnel you could only walk through. Your mother helped me discover where I got lost last time and I'm making another attempt to visit your blog.
Love,
Grandma
April 28th 2009 - sherma: Catholic Hostel
Hi! I'd be going to Taiwan this coming October, can you pls tell me how much you paid for the Catholic Hostel and did you just walked-in on that place without calling for room reservation? Thank you!
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MS253831
We nearly got run off the road by our friends who cruised by in a cab taking pictures like the paparazzi.
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Honestly, I felt much more confident in Jeff's driving abilities at this point.
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Signs everywhere warn of falling rocks. It appears after a rock fall they put up a fence and close off that part of the trail.
4 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
January 4th 2009 - Terra:
Love the pictures guys, looks like you had lots of fun! I was very excited to see the picture of the giant fu-dog, i was actually going to ask you to take a picture of one for me if you saw one but forgot. The fu-dog is modeled after the shih-tzu! They statue guards and protects if placed properly on the left. Just a little trivia for ya lol. Anyway, miss you both hope all is well!! xo T
January 4th 2009 - Sam: Beautiful pictures
Hi Mad and Jeff, these pictures are beautiful. I can't believe you walked across that rope bridge Jeff! Whoa.
Thanks for positing your trip. I love to see your pictures.
be well, have fun,
Sam
p.s. I was looking through the pictures you sent me on DVD of our 2 years in Montreal and I was thinking of some good times. Thanks for sending those again. :)
February 4th 2009 - Norma York: Taroko Park
Loved that twisty tunnel you could only walk through. Your mother helped me discover where I got lost last time and I'm making another attempt to visit your blog.
Love,
Grandma
April 28th 2009 - sherma: Catholic Hostel
Hi! I'd be going to Taiwan this coming October, can you pls tell me how much you paid for the Catholic Hostel and did you just walked-in on that place without calling for room reservation? Thank you!
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