Taiwandering Again

My friend from Fabs gay community, Ferdie Villanueva, proposed a trip to Taiwan 6 months ago and bought a ticket for 2 via EVA Air. We are scheduled to visit Taiwan on April 6-10, 2018 when visa-free entry to the country was still enforced.

This was my second time to this Republic of China. The last time was with my college friend, Ruth and her family. That time we obtained an entry visa as tourists. Since we have kids with us, we visited child-friendly destinations. We stayed at her sister's residence at Taoyuan City.

This time around, Ferdie and I agreed to visit Taroko National Park on our first 2 days, then availed of city tours by Klook for another 2 days. Taroko Gorge was a must-visit for me but the train trip going there is long.

Within these 5 days, we have compiled the following bloopers:

1. I took airport commuter train twice upon arrival because I forgot to claim our Fun Pass ticket at the airport desk. 
• Lesson: double-check the confirmed venue for claiming the tickets before leaving the airport
2. All trains heading to the provinces are called "Express Train" although they still stop at every station. We boarded one and arrived at Xincheng Taroko Station almost late in the afternoon.
• Lesson: state clearly the "direct TRA line"... Furthermore, that direct and express line is only available at Hualien Station.
3. No towel, body soap, nor hair shampoo.
• Lesson: bring your own provision when booking with hostels
4. During the morning stroll up the Taroko National Park and along the first tunnel, I misstepped the trail's sidewalk and hurt my left foot so hard. It cost me time to recover.
• Lesson: watch out and be surefooted
5. Decided to visit only 4 spots, we hop on and hop off the Bus 302, only to realize that the bus fare is not the same for every tourist spots. So we ended up paying more than the all-day pass worth NT$150.
• Lesson: buy the all-day pass via Bus 302 and visit all wonderful destinations
6. At the Jiufen Old Street, we ordered a stinky and yucky delicacy, looking like cake of veggies immersed in unrecognized gravy, that tasted like waste. We each tried a bite but cannot afford to swallow.
• Lesson: don't be allured by the looks of it
7. Ferdie is afraid of Ferris Wheel ride or any moving cable car. He shouted at me when I made few moves while the Miramar Wheel was turning.
• Lesson: why ride in the first place?
8. Ferdie is shopaholic. And I am encouraged to do shopping as well. Then in the end I realized that half of my travel expenses were shopping-related: clothing and luggage.
• Lesson: travel light, please!

Taroko National Park Archway

Taroko National Park Tourism Office

The tunnel where I hurt my foot

The trail towards Shakadang 

Shakadang Trailhead

Tianxiang attractions

Eternal Spring Shrine

Yehliu Geological Park

Gold Mine Ruins

Jiufen Old Village

The stinky and yucky delicacy and I want to call it that way forever...

Sky lanterns in Shifen Old Streets

Our personalized lantern

Every day here is a sky lantern festival

And we are ready to fly!