A Day Hike to Mt. Dongpu in Nantou County

     Thanks for the vigorous social media development. I have met some friends with common interests through Facebook. Also I have learned Taiwan history, geology, and ecology in different regions from these FB friends. This time my husband and I were invited by my FB friend Morris who has done many ecologic field trips with NTU scholars in Nantou county to hike Mt. Dongpu.   

Snipped from Google Map

     Mt. Dongpu is located on 143.8 KM of Highway 21 with 2,248 meter height. It belongs to Jade Mountain Range  territory in the Jade Mountain National Park. 

     That day I had to wake up early in order to meet our friends at the Jade Mountain National Park headquarter in Shuili at 8:30 am. It would probably take 90 minutes drive from Taichung to the headquarter. (We stopped at McDonald in Mingjian for our breakfast after getting off Freeway (toll road) 3 at the Mingjian interchange.)  

     We arrived early. The street was really quiet. There were only a few cars or people passing by. Highway 21 is also the alternate road to Alishan. As usual, people are always late in Taiwan.   

Typhoon Fungwong

Update: 9/21

   Typhoon Fungwong changed its way to the north along the east coast. The most impact area will be the east coast and the northern area. 

Rumor: A 4.8 earthquake happened at 5:14 am near Hualien country has triggered Fungwong to change its direction. Anyway, the smart choice is to avoid the mountain areas or stay away from the water. 

Typhoon Fungwong expects to make its landfall at 8 am on 9/21. It already effects in the central and south of Taiwan. Local governments from Taoyuan to the south, Hualien and Taitung have announced public offices and schools are closed tomorrow.  

If you have any question about Taiwan High Speed Railway schedule for 9/21, please dial: 4066-3000 (landline) or 02-4066-3000 (mobile)

THSR: Before 14:00. Southbound and Northbound will be scheduled on every 00, 20, 40. After 1400 all schedules will be on its normal schedule. Info from THSR website http://www.thsrc.com.tw/tw/News/Detail/8cec8b00-ce43-44a7-b59a-99ee8c82c505/1

info source: http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7/prevent/warning/B20.htm?

Be careful of its Preticipation  

Typhoon Trami Warning by American Institute in Taiwan

Typhoon Trami - August 20, 2013

This emergency message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Taiwan that the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau are tracking Typhoon Trami across the Western Pacific.  JTWC forecasts TyphoonTrami will track northwest over the next 48 hours, traversing northern Taiwan, but the possibility of a last minute change in direction exists.  Heavy rain and strong winds can be expected across the island. Local government in Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung announced closure on August 21. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)/Taipei will also be closed on August 21. AIT Kaohsiung will be open, however.

We will continue to monitor Typhoon Trami‘s track and will issue updated messages as needed.   Please monitor the storm’s track by listening to the radio, watching television, or monitoring Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau website (http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm) in English.  International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) provides regular weather bulletins in English on 100.7 FM in the Taipei and Kaohsiung areas and on 100.1 FM in Taichung.  Locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions.  Carry your travel documents at all times (e.g. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location.  You should also contact friends and family in the United States with updates on your whereabouts.

For more information , please visit AIT website
http://acs.ait.org.tw/en/musc-20130820.html

Free Wifi for Visitors in Taiwan -- iTaiwan

Update: Because of a lot of visitors waiting in line for applying for the free wifi service at the airport, the government starting on 12/20 will allow visitors to apply for the service on line before arriving in Taiwan. http://itaiwan.taiwan.net.tw Once visitors arrive, they can go to any tourist service centers in Taiwan to activate this service with their passports. It can be extended from 30 days up to 60-90 days. 

 Taiwan Tourist Bureau starts offering free wifi service for all inbound travelers. When tourists arrive at Taoyuan International Airport, they can go to the tourist service center to apply for iTaiwan service by presenting their passports. If travelers don't apply at the airport, they can visit any tourist service center around the island for iTaiwan. The service cooperated with TPE-Free, New Taipei, iTaichung city, and Tainan-Wifi to let travelers easy access to the service. Travelers can access the free wifi at government buildings and major public transportation areas.  It is good for up to 90 days.

If you see this sign on the walls or doors in any buildings, it means it offers free wifi service.
picture source: http://www.nownews.com/2013/05/21/91-2941382.htm

Below information is from iTaiwan Website:

http://itaiwan.gov.tw/en/faq.php

Can I use an account registered on iTaiwan to roam among TPE-Free,  New Taipei or Tainan-Wifi wireless internet service?

The Executive Yuan has cooperated with the Taipei city government, New Taipei city government and Tainan city government to establish a two-way user account roaming mechanism between Tainan Free Public WiFi Access (Tainan-Wifi), Taipei Free Public WiFi Access (TPE-Free), New Taipei WiFi Access (NewTaipei), and iTaiwan. The public only needs to complete registration on iTaiwan network to access all iTaiwan, TPE-Free, New Taipei, and Tainan-Wifi hotspots for accessing the internet over WiFi.

Is iTaiwan service available to foreign visitors?

If you are a foreign visitor and would like to use iTaiwan service, you can present your passport or entry permit (for Mainland China residents) at a Travel Service Center located at any major airports, train stations or mass rapid transit (MRT) stations in Taiwan and  give the service personnel your e-mail address. After the service personnel applies for an account number for you, you can use the account number to access the Internet at any major indoor public area in Taiwan free of charge. Information on Travel Service Centers is as follows: 1. Travel Service Center, Tourism Bureau Located at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport and Travel Service Center, Tourism Bureau. For detailed information, please visit: detailed information 2. County and City Visitor Centers Located at Taipei Songshan International Airport, major mass rapid transit stations in Taipei, Taipei Main Station, major airports and train stations in counties and cities, and High Speed Rail stations. For detailed information, please visit: detailed information You can also use a native mobile phone number or a native prepaid card number to register a account for the use of iTaiwan service or register for a TPE-Free account to log onto iTaiwan service. For TPE-Free registration information, please visit:detailed information

English News: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/05/22/2003562893

Chinese News:
http://news.cnyes.com/Content/20130521/KH7XBIXJJF9NI.shtml?c=headline_sitehead

Attention for Visiting Taroko National Park or Hualien

Highway 8 from Dayulin to Hualien ( Via Hohuan Mt. to Taroko National Park) is closed due to the massive rock falls. It has been accumulated over 100,000 cubic meters and covered up the highway more than 300 meter long since May 6. The landslides are still going and getting more serious.

Picture Source:
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2013/new/may/7/today-life17.htm?Slots=TPhoto

Suhua Highway from Suao to Hualien is also closed due to the heavy rain which caused the massive rock falls and landslides.

Picture Source:
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2013/new/may/7/today-life17.htm?Slots=TPhoto

If you plan to visit Hualien, you may take the train system, airplanes, or drive through the south to Hualien or Taitung.

Plum Blossom Season in Chungyuan Indeginouse Tribe

     The unusual weather pattern makes this winter more wet, cold and less sunshine in Taiwan; however, the cold weather is good for some plants to grow well like plum trees. In recently years, people are more appreciated what the natural world has given us like wonderful, gorgeous scenery like plum blossom season during mid December to mid January. The most famous place for appreciating the blossom is in Sinyin Township, Nantou County.  Because it was so popular and caused traffic jam in that area, we decided  to visit another less famous and less visitors new place on a precious sunny day with our motorcycle on the beginning of the four day new year holiday. 

This was the first time my husband took me for a ride after he had someone attach 3 boxes to his bike. Our main concerned was if this motorcycle could bear our weight plus the boxes? Another thing was that I should give my husband a compliment for finding places to remodel his bike without my help. He is really a true adventure to explore Taiwan on his own.

Update: Suhua Highway Condition!

Update on 12/28

***Suhua Highway will be opened for cars which weight is under 3.5 tons at 1 pm of Dec 28 to Jan 2 for the new year. It will be closed after Jan 3 till lunar new year. 
*** Wulin Farm is limited to 5000 visitors per day. Visitors who are planing to stay overnight at campsites or hotels need to grant permits from the hotels or the campsites. The overnight visitors are limited to 1800 people per day.
Individual visitors for one day visit are required to take public transportation. The number is 3200 people per day. Visitors can take Kuokuang Bus at Taipei station and Ilan station, Capital Bus at Taipei City Hall Station, and Fengyuan Bus at Lishan Station.  

Update on 12/24
***Suhua Highway is set to open on Dec 31 for the 4 day new year holiday with one lane traffic control .  Although it will be opened, the land and ground are  still saturated with water from the recent intermittent rains and occasionally with falling rocks. Your safety is your responsibility for driving on this highway. 
*** There were landslides or massive falling rocks on Highway 8 close Toroko National Park on 12/24 afternoon. There was no news posted in Taiwan newspapers or TV news. A photo which was posted on FB friend's page and the author didn't authorize me to share it here is scary. As the note in the Toroko National Park website states: Travelers should check the road condition before they travel to the national park because the constant rains cause the landslides and falling rocks.    
*** Snow chain is required when drives to Mt. Hohuan due to the icy road condition. 

     Recent rain (33 days rain) has caused massive landslides on Suhua Highway which is from Suao to Hualien in Taiwan. It is closed for repairing. It is expected to reopen on Jan 13 2013. If you plan to drive or ride through this section, you probably have to change your plan. 

Photo was taken from one of my FB friend'd page.
https://www.facebook.com/et112606