Day II-- The North-East Coast

     After one good night of rest, we were ready for our 13-day trip around Taiwan. But, according to the weather broadcast, there was a torrential rain warning in the north part of Taiwan. Also, the unusual rain pattern had caused some damaged on the roads and some scenic spots which we were to visit. 

     Our driver called me two days prior to the trip started and gave me a suggestion which was to change our itinerary. He asked me if we could start from the west coast instead of the east coast due to the weather situation. It sounded to be a good idea but it also meant that we had to compromise our hotel reservation, a none refundable cancellation. If the government closed down any transportation methods, it would be another story. Hence, I was not comfortable with the weather situation and also worried about our driver situation. At that point, the only thing I could do was to keep my fingers cross for our trip.  

This was the bus, a 9 passenger mini bus including the driver, that we hired. 

One Day Trip in Taipei with B.M.W

     It was the first day that we started our travel journey in Taiwan. The day before was just a warm-up day for the entire 13 days trip. It was unusual that it rained during this time. Normal, it was a dry season in Oct or Nov. It was not good for our plan because we were going to experience the true Taipei life with B.M.W. ................Wait, don't even think about that we really had a BMW car waiting for us.  

      B.M.W is a transportation system in Taipei for ordinary people, students, or commuters between home and working places.  B represents the bus system or bike,  M is MRT (Municipal Rapid Transit), and W is for walking. It is also a very convenient system for a traveler who is on his or her budget.  You can take a bus or walk to a MRT station. After getting off MRT, you can walk or take a bus to your destination. It offers many bus schedules in many places, especially at tourist spots. MRT starts at 6 AM and closes at 12 PM. The bus system is cooperated with MRT schedule, starting at 6 AM to 12 PM, depending on which bus line you are taking.  After the completion of the MRT system, the traffic congestion situation was improved tremendously.   

MRT Official Website: http://english.trtc.com.tw/MP_122032.html

     

In order to having energy for dealing with our schedule, we would need a good breakfast. 

It offered various selections. It was good enough to me 

     Since we were not a typical tour group, we had changed our schedule due to the weather condition. Originally, our first stop was Taipei 101. Its visibility would be bad because of rain. So, we decided to visit National Palace Museum first.  We spent 3 hours in the museum. It seemed too long for us because we were exhausted by just working in the museum. 

The picture was taken by our friend Ted & Anne 
Learning how to take MRT

This photo is distributed by Anne & Ted
Waiting for MRT

Maokong Gondola Ride in Wunshan District, Taipei

     After one day rest for my sister-in-law and her friend, it was time for us to depart to Taipei. We would meet and join other Americans for a 14-day-trip around Taiwan. We decided to take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to Taipei. It would save us about 1 and half hour from Taichung to Taipei due to its highest speed up to 300km per hour. Normally, it would take us 2 and half hours from Taichung to Taipei by bus. 

     

      This was in Wurih station which is in the suburb of Taichung. When the government started this project, its idea was to improve the development of the economic situation and life standards in the urban areas. Thus, it would balance the differences among cities and remote areas. 

Warm Welcome to Taiwan

     
My husband has been inviting his family to Taiwan for 


decades. This day was a very exciting and very important 


day to him and he  couldn't believe that he was going to see


 his sister in Taiwan. It was his dream to host her and other


family members in Taiwan.  Now he had the chance to 


introduce this beautiful island, Taiwan, to her. 


   It took us about 90 mins to drive from Taichung to 


Taoyuan Airport to pick them up. 

It was the first time that my American sister-in-law and her girlfriend visited Taiwan or Asia. 

Danger Hidden Behind the Beauty in Taroko National Park

     Most people are attracted by the beautiful scenery; however, the beauty sometimes is deadly. Some foreigners came to Taiwan to visit the Taroko National Park. They drove alone on this highway or hiked alone in the park. Because of unfamiliar with the road condition or the suddenly changing of the weather, they ended up missing or fell off the cliffs.  

     Below pictures were taken by my husband. He went to Hualien by Highway 14 (Nantou County) through Highway 8 (Taroko National Park) when Typhoon Parma was close to Taiwan in 2009. You can see how dangerous it was during the  typhoon season in the mountain areas in Taiwan.

The developed Clouds by Typhoon Parma on Highway 14. The torrential rain would fall soon.  

It was a small waterfall on sunny days. But when it rained , it became a  vast waterfall.

It was no longer as a lovely, calm, and smooth river. 

It looks beautiful but it is also dangerous.  

Water-Small-Rock Fall Only During Heavy Rain 

Waterfalls Appear During Torrential Rain 

When the weather cleared up, it was definitely  gorgeous.  

It looked like a Chinese Landscape Painting. 

These Pictures were taken after the typhoon left. He was on his way back to Taichung. 

A landslide started with small rocks and soils. 

My husband was lucky to be alive. 

After being trapped there for hours, my husband decided to take Suhua Highway (Suao to Hualien--another dangerous road) through Taipei back to Taichung on Friday Night. 

Can you image if the huge rock hit this bus?

After a few months, we drove on this highway, the massive landslide covered the entire highway. 

The highway was forced to be reconstructed on the other side of the road.

Below video clip is taken by unknown tourist who was trapped in the park in Oct of 2011.  

   Suggestion:

Before you visit Taroko National Park, you should visit the park website for the road or hiking trail conditions. 

http://www.taroko.gov.tw/English/

The magnificent scenic views in Taroko National Park on Highway 8

     Arriving in this area is almost to the end of the highway 8 from the west coast to the east coast. We are entering the most delicate and magnificent section of Highway 8. It is the most well-known scenic spot worldwide in Taiwan. It is not only famous in its marble gorges and cliffs but also its history and its ecology.
     Why is it called Taroko? In fact, Taroko is one of Taiwan indigenous tribes whose ancestor immigrated to this area in the 17th century.  During Japan colonization of Taiwan (1895 to 1945), the Taroko Tribe constant fought with the Japanese government over its splendid natural resources like lumbers and gold for 18 years. In 1914, the Japanese government decided to conquer Taroko tribe for stabilizing this region. The Japanese government started constructing the road from Taroko to Hohuan (partial of Highway 14) in order to transport war supplies and economic goods.  The final and famous war is called the War of Taroko between Japanese and Taroko Tribe after 18 years of fighting.
   

Taiwan's Introduction by BBC News

BBC News conducted a series reports on Taiwan's life, customs, and cultures. It is useful for people who want to visit Taiwan.

The introduction of Taiwan by BBC