Typhoon Dujuan Will Impact Taiwan on Mid Autumn Festival

Transportation News: 
Suhua Highway, North Cross-Island Highway(7), Yilan to Lishan highway are closed at noon. Dayulin to Toroko will be closed any time base on the typhoon strength. 
Highs Speed Train: the last schedule is at 3 pm for north and south bound.

Taiwan Railroad: 
West Coast railroad system: Northbound will be closed at 4 pm and Southbound will be closed at 5pm.

South Cross Island Railroad System is scheduled to close at 6 pm.  

East Coast Railroad System is closed.  

 

Update: You  might want to stock some water and food if you are in Taiwan especial in the north. It is super typhoon. Don't underestimate its strength. 

    These two pictures were taken in Penghu which is between Taiwan and China around 12 noon. The sea level is already rising. The high tide and the typhoon effects have already caused flood in a small village of  Penghu as the outskirt of the typhoon touched the east coast of Taiwan.

The source of Pictures: By Peter Wang who is an excellent local tour guide in Penghu.
If you need a tour guide in Penghu, he would  be a good choice for you.
https://www.facebook.com/ph.lohas?fref=ufi

 It is 3 days Mid Autumn Festival holiday starting on Sept 26-28. Every one expects to have fun BBQ parties with friends and families. But things do not always go with plans especial the changes are effected by natural phenomenons. Unfortunately Typhoon Dujuan, the 7th typhoon that impacts Taiwan on this holiday since 2008, will be expected to effect Taiwan around the coming Monday of 28 and Tuesday of 29.      Also the high tide effects will be more enhanced because of the supermoon. The estimation of the high tide will reach 50-60 cm high. So if you are on the low ground areas or nearby rivers, you should be cautious for your safety and avoid visiting beaches. 
     Tawain Weather Bureau is expected to announce the land warning at 5:30 pm and issue heavy rain warning in Yilan County, Keelung City, Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City and Hsinchu County.

Info Source: http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/prevent/warning/B20.htm?

If you are in Taiwan, enjoy the festival spirits and stay safe. 

If you are going to travel to Taiwan like me in the next few days, I wish you a safe fly. 

Happy Mid Autumn Festival! 


       

Typhoon Goni Warning

8/20 Long Wave Warning is issued: Effect on 8/20--21 on  Northeast, East, and South Coasts. The wave is 1.5 meter to 3 meter high. Be cautious when playing or walking on the beaches.

Source Info
http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7/prevent/warning/w37.htm?

Source Info
https://www.windyty.com/?33.688,139.790,5

Source Info:
http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/prevent/typhoon/ty.htm?

Typhoon Soudelor's Strength and Destruction

Today's Wulai Village: 

Tornado in Tainan: 

The highway to Wulai area is closed because of landslides and collapsed bridges. The residents depend on helicopters to deliver supplies and transportation. If you plan to visit Wulai, it may not be a good time. 

  

The stregh of the wind: Video Clip of #Flying Motor scooter, #Dancing Cargo Aircraft, 
https://www.facebook.com/appledaily.tw/videos/10153604490277069/?pnref=story

Taipei 101: The swing of 660 tons Damper Baby: The sway range is 100 cm(1 meter.)

Source Info: Taipei 101 Official website

Typhoon Soudelor Warning

 Update:

8/7 Sea and Land warning were issued. 

CNN's report about this monster: 

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/05/weather/typhoon-soudelor/index.html

Storm Chaser: iCyclone Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/iCyclone?fref=photo 

===

    If you are planing to visit Taiwan or travel around Taiwan this week (8/6,) you should watch out Typhoon Soudelor. The possibility of making landfall in Taiwan is very high and also will effect the entire island. More information, please visit Central Weather Bureau website:

http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/prevent/typhoon/ty.htm?

Source Information:
https://www.windyty.com/?2015-08-05-09,21.821,130.781,5

Source Information:
http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/prevent/typhoon/ty.htm?

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

Happy Holiday Season To You All

Wish all our friends a wonderful holiday season, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah!

Recently we adapted this kitten which is now more than 2 months old. I share most of my time with it and ignore my blog. 

Ershuei-- The Town Of The Beginning Of Jiji Railroad Line

     Staying one night in the Songboling area which has only two B&B nearby, I drove to the town of Ershuei on a local farm road which is also a hiking and a bicycle trail with an extremely challenge grade for bicyclists. 

This is the farm road to Ershuei from Songboling with sharp turns. The difference in elevation is about 282 m (924 feet) within around 3.5 km long. 

Visiting A Historical Tunnel and Water Bridge on Nantou Hwy 131

     After a couple hours staying in Checheng, I decided to visit some forgotten historical sites which were built by the Japanese along the highway 131. 

Looking back at the Mingtan Reservoir from hwy 131 

Checheng Village at the End of the Jiji Railroad Line

     This night I escaped from my husband and home and arrived at this small remote village that I had visited more than 30 years ago. This was the first time I traveled alone in my entire life. It was a challenge for being independant and a mind testing for being a brave female traveler. Also I experienced the disadvantages of being a single female traveler in Taiwan.  

     Arriving at this small village after 8pm, there was no one walking on the streets. I was totally not oriented with this village. The image of this village was out of my memory. I tried to drive around this village to get my memory back, but it was difficult for searching the out of date database in my brain.  

     It was not easy to find a safe and reasonable hotel or bed & breakfast place to stay here. I was rejected because I was a single female who asked for a single room. I found there were only 3-4 bed & breakfast in this village. They charged for a standard 2 people room. Even if I was only one person, I still had to pay for a 2 people fee. So what choice would I have?

After visiting the police office and getting some information, I decided to take a walk on the trail along the lake. Sometimes there were some wood cutting and woodworking sounds from somewhere in this village. Other than that, it was a quiet night. 

Ten Drum Cultural Village-Tainan Metropolitan Park

     Our schedule for the day would be light and easy especally for my mom who is 70+ years old and still picking tea leaves or doing farm works. Traveling to her was of time and consumed money. She likes working on a farm all day and without complaining but traveling for some distances was unbearable. She complained that she could not walk too long because her knees were not good. Some of my sisters had a tendency to spoil her instead of encouraging her to take a walk as an exercise. The definition of enjoying life is totally different between me and my mother. 

     However, I understand her past and appreciate her working hard to raise 6  children. She grew up in a generation which women were less educated or received no education at all. They were also asked to work hard and sacrifice themselves for glory and to respect their husbands and their husbands' families without any questions. There was not gender equality in her time. Also when they get old, they have to embrace the change of the social norm and the society. The younger generations are not taught to work hard or have to sacrifice themselves to respect their husbands and husband's family. The young generations receive more education. There is more gender equality in the younger generations. So for my mom's generation, they have to learn and adjust their thinking to accept the ways of their daughters in laws' thinking at home. Also they lose their absolute authority as a mother-in-laws for governing their sons and sons' families.

The view of Tainan city in the early morning from our hotel room.

The Portion of the Southwest Coast in Tainan City

     While I was vacationing in the States this summer, one of my sisters asked me to plan a two or three-day-trip for her and other sisters in Oct in Taiwan. It was a precious girls' trip for my sisters without their husbands and kids. I had to accept the invitation to take them traveling around Taiwan. In fact my husband and I had become my family's tour planner and driver since we retired and resided in Taiwan. 

     Of course this trip was also included my husband's mother-in-law. My poor husband had to endure 6 women yelki yelki for more than a 2 hours drive. Planning this trip was a little bit of a headache to me because my mother didn't want to visit mountain areas and also I had to avoid places that some of my sisters had been before. So I came up with the idea of visiting Tainan for its famous traditional food which no one would reject it. 

Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields:

This was the first sight when we arrived at our first stop at the Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields in Tainan. This was a small seafood restaurant which emphasized freshness. It is probably opened during Weekend not on weekdays.  

American Southwest Trip: Day 9 Scenic Byway 12 , Utah

      This was the last day of our 9 days trip. Being honest, I missed our sweet home a little bit and also enjoyed this trip a lot. Would it be a way to have a comfortable homey living environment during our trips? Sigh, I understood that I couldn't have both things in my life. I should be happy to have the great trip while others are suffering from unemployment and trying to find a way to survive in Americas bad economic situation.  

We had changed our plan for the day after we found more information from the Torrey Visitor Center the day before. We decided  to drive on the Scenic Byway 12 back to Las Vegas. 

American Southwest Trip: Day 8 Side Trip to Fishlake National Forest, Utah

     Since the scenic drive was closed in Capital Reef National Park, we decided to drive to our hotel in Torrey which was outside of the park. The hotel location was not too far from the park. We asked if we could check-in early. The answer was no because our room was not yet cleaned. So, now the question was what could we do for the entire afternoon? We found there was a tourist information center next to our hotel parking lot. It was time to get information for killing our time in the afternoon. We were introduced to Fish Lake which was not too far from the park, was a popular place for visitors and a beautiful scenic drive.      

This was another RV from Europe. I personally liked the color contrasts . The black color made the vivid yellow stand out more. 

American Southwest Trip: Day 8 Capital Reef National Park

     Our 9 days trip had entered the last two days. I felt a little bite tired but was still enthusiastic in visiting new places. These new places would be pined on my maps once I had finished. It was a sort of travel and life achievement. Our journey for this day was to visit Capital Reef National Park. You might have guessed this. It was not as attractive to me as Arches National Park. I had no idea about this park before we headed on the road. My husband told me it was formed by water erosion geologically. I was totally depended on my husband when we traveled in the States. It was a carefree travel experience and I enjoyed it. 

West of I-70 near Green River
There was still a lot of moisture in the sky. We didn't have any complaint about the weather because we had good weather for the past 6 days. We were lucky even when  it rained on the prior day.