I certainly don't feel any different and for the most part and I'm not treated any differently other than my language skills get a perplexing look, but there is no doubt I am a Caucasian minority roaming about an Asian country. Our guide tells us that 80% of last year's 8.5 million visitors to Taiwan came
from mainland China and the balance, mostly from Japan and South
Korea. We make up the remaining fish out of water statistics.
The day started extremely early and it was all aboard by 06:30 for the three hour trip south along the Pacific coast. Joining our group is a couple from Hong Kong, 2 couples from Australia and a couple from New York. We have been met by our guide Michael for the train trip and our driver David met up with us after disembarking the train at Hualien. Our drive south has the Pacific coast to our left and the mountains to the right. As we crossed the Tropic of Cancer, it's an overcast day in this tropical climate (watch out for snakes) but the periodic stops for photos do unveil a stunning coastline. Winding roads and steep cliffs keep us all on alert but our driver adheres to the 70 kph maximum speed limit. Lunch was at a local noodle shop and the vegetable dumpling soup I had was delicious and Jennifer had the beef noodle soup. It was washed down with a big Taiwan Gold beer and lunch for two including beer was the equivalent of $8US. We had a couple of other stops in the afternoon and one enjoyable experience was at an aboriginal center where a group of youth performed original music and dance. See my video below.
.
Aboriginals are the only ones allowed to hunt and carry knives. Taiwan is second only to Iceland when it comes to being the safest country in the world. Politicians take note.
Our final destination for the day was Taitung and I couldn't get to my room fast enough to try and get a nap. Wouldn't you know it though but they are having the Taiwan Ironman 70.3 championships here today. If only I had known! I had pictures taken with the 1st woman finisher in the 30-35 group and the man I got a picture of had competed in Lake Placid a few years ago.
The time change is really having an effect on me this time and I really need to get back on track.
Sayonara
The day started extremely early and it was all aboard by 06:30 for the three hour trip south along the Pacific coast. Joining our group is a couple from Hong Kong, 2 couples from Australia and a couple from New York. We have been met by our guide Michael for the train trip and our driver David met up with us after disembarking the train at Hualien. Our drive south has the Pacific coast to our left and the mountains to the right. As we crossed the Tropic of Cancer, it's an overcast day in this tropical climate (watch out for snakes) but the periodic stops for photos do unveil a stunning coastline. Winding roads and steep cliffs keep us all on alert but our driver adheres to the 70 kph maximum speed limit. Lunch was at a local noodle shop and the vegetable dumpling soup I had was delicious and Jennifer had the beef noodle soup. It was washed down with a big Taiwan Gold beer and lunch for two including beer was the equivalent of $8US. We had a couple of other stops in the afternoon and one enjoyable experience was at an aboriginal center where a group of youth performed original music and dance. See my video below.
.
Aboriginals are the only ones allowed to hunt and carry knives. Taiwan is second only to Iceland when it comes to being the safest country in the world. Politicians take note.
Our final destination for the day was Taitung and I couldn't get to my room fast enough to try and get a nap. Wouldn't you know it though but they are having the Taiwan Ironman 70.3 championships here today. If only I had known! I had pictures taken with the 1st woman finisher in the 30-35 group and the man I got a picture of had competed in Lake Placid a few years ago.
The time change is really having an effect on me this time and I really need to get back on track.
Sayonara
Incredible! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete$8 lunch for 2?! That would be enough $$ for a couple of noodles in Norway.
Maybe $8 for a beer eh Lori?
DeleteI though you would fit in with all your 70.3 gear ;)
ReplyDeleteCouldn't find a bike that would fit me.
ReplyDelete