Hualien, Taiwan (Jan, 2017)

Whilst majority of our time in Taiwan consisted of meandering around night markets eating to our heart's content, we did travel south along the coast to visit Hualien for a few days.

Over a two-day period, we visited Qingshui Cliffs, Shakadong Trail, Taroko Gorge, Zhuilu Old Trail, and Qixing Lake. We finished our Hualien leg at Dongdaemun Night Market.

Everywhere you drive, you'll see gargantuan mountains in the distance with clouds rolling over the peaks. There were an infinite number of outdoor activities we could have chosen from, but as we were pressed for time, we could only fit in so much.

Qingshui Cliffs

View of the Pacific Ocean

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this area, and the uninterrupted views of the ocean from this spot was a m a z i n g.

Our tour guide just dngaf.

The ocean hues were amazing, I could not capture even a fraction of its beauty.

This was the path we walked. Mountain on the right, ocean on the left.

Quick, take a photo of me and Tony where it doesn't look like I'm 12 and he's got bad hair and please make it look like we're not posing.

If you meet good people in your tour group, you're lucky. We got lucky.

Shakadang Trail

Our strenuous hiking didn't actually start until the following day, so bear with me through these pics of just wonderful landscapes that we pretty much skipped to and through.

Shakadang Trail, aka 'Mysterious Valley Trail' apparently, is known for its stunning trail through marbled rocks and boulders along a crystal clear turquoise river. It was actually no joke just how crystal clear the water was. It was the most stunning blue, and it was freezing in the middle of winter.

Typical scenery along the Shakadang Trail...I know right.

Just waddling through sub-arctic waters in the middle of winter for fun. We had so much fun.

One of my favourite captures. HOW GORGEOUS IS IT?

William gave us some authentic Taiwanese mochi balls that he had secretly purchased at a store earlier at a stopover. I chose taro (one of my favourite Asian dessert flavours), and damn...it was good. Excuse the grubby fingers.

This bridge wasn't at the Shakadang Trail. It was actually from the Eternal Spring Shrine, but I'm just gonna pop it here. A gorgeous bridge, but nothing more.

After Shakadang trail, we were taken to a restaurant which served authentic Aboriginal Taiwanese cuisine. The restaurant had been in their family for generations, and dishes served included snail, wild boar, and seafood. I'm a picky eater, but everything was delicious! Especially the wild boar.

Swallow Grotto

It has only just occurred to me whilst writing this section right here that 'Taroko Gorge' is not exactly an area per se, but is just describing the gorges within Taroko National Park, with most of them being viewable from Swallow Grotto.

Interesting.

Taroko Gorge. Incredible in real life. I've come to really appreciate Mother Nature's hand in shaping the mountains and the valleys, and this was one of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen.

Zhuilu Old Trail

This was the beginning of day 2. We unwittingly, absolutely did not mentally prepare ourselves for how strenuous this hike would be. Whilst I'm always up for a good, long, challenging hike (Mt. Batur in Bali, Ruined Castle in Blue Mountains, anyone?), I think mental preparation is part and parcel of the process.

Zhuilu Old Trail was an absolute killer!

Crossing the bridge to start the trail. Little did we know what was in store for us.

10 minutes into climbing the stairs and we were all about to keel over and give up. We took breaks pretty much every 10 minutes after that. 40 minutes in and we came across a massive tour group of older women who were taking a water break, laughing and cheering, barely breaking a sweat. I think that may have restored some energy in us.

We took this pic maybe halfway up the hike? I was already impressed with this view. Look at that vegetation! Peace yo.

I can't remember exactly but the hike took us maybe 2 - 3 hours in total to reach the top.

Started from the bottom now we're here

The beginning of the end of the trail. This path looped around the side of the mountain with no safety rope or gate to prevent any falling. Scary and exhilarating.

View from the top! Simply divine.

Zhuilu Old Trail = 110% worth it. The climb was one of the most difficult I've done, but I would do it again.

Dongdamen Night Market

One of my favourite markets in Taiwan. There was this cleanliness about this market that I just didn't experience at the others.

Great vibes, and so clean.

Mini crabs, deep-fried, then stir fried with basil, chilli and salt. A M A Z I N G.

And just look at this little guy. As if we could say no when he was handing out free samples to us, and then not buy some.

Oysters with some chilli jam, wasabi, and lime.

I can never resist tornado potato. Sorry Tony :D

Pick what you want and they'll cook it on the spot.

Candied strawberries!!!!!!! Sooo delicious.

Until next time!

Notable Mentions

I'm just going to write about two dishes that we had during our tour with William. The restaurants were not disclosed ('secret' hidden gems of theirs), so I can't do anything other than gloat about the fact that we actually had the opportunity to taste them because holy shit my taste buds are nostalgic right now.

The 'best' wonton in Hualien. I don't disagree. Damnnnnn it was soft, juicy, tasty - everything you could hope for in a wonton.

I was saving the best for last because THIS. THIS THING RIGHT HERE. I WILL REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!!!!! Aptly nicknamed an 'eggsplosion' by William (we couldn't get the real name), it was a deep-fried concoction of chewy pasty, folded over with chilli sauce inside. Once you bite into the middle section, an egg yolk would literally explode in your mouth. I kid you not I still dream about this. It was that good. If you EVER come across anything that looks remotely like this, please order a dozen and smash it in honour of me.

This picture will give you a clue as to what to look for when you're looking for the eggplosion. A couple of women smashing it out in a small street cart in the middle of Hualien with some unsanitary looking utensils but who cares - someone find it and let me know :D

I love you, eggplosion.