Got up and out early for today’s adventure.
Had to check out of my hotel, store a bag, re pack and be ready to go…
10:30, ass on curb (AOC…a phrase coined by my first husband).
Cab ride to the train station. My travel partners Wei Chun and Daphne can navigate it all with ease. I follow along, and watch as people stare. I find it quite comical. I’m sure they’re wondering, what is this American woman doing here? I smile and nod. I attempt to be the Ambassador of Aloha. Some smile back, usually the kids. Most look quickly away avoiding eye contact.
The train left promptly. Trains in Taiwan are spacious, cool, and spotlessly clean. And this one was pretty much new. On board, holiday tourists hoping to escape some of the city’s oppressive heat. Note that because of Hulian’s popularity, even booking train passage is arduous. I am very lucky to be here for so many reasons.
Our journey would be two hours. We wound our way Eastward, through many tunnels. I managed a few zzz’s still feeling the effect of last night’s festivities. There were glimpses of the Pacific here and there. Things are quite undeveloped.
There was a group of “older” ladies (probably my age), and they seemed a part of a reunion. They giggled and laughed and gossiped like schoolgirls. Some things truly are universal. I found it interesting that they all had the exact same hairdo…
Once at our destination, we found the van Wei Chun had booked for us to make the hour plus journey to Taroko National Park, and our hotel, The Silk Palace. The trip was a bit harrowing once inside the park. The road traversed the gorge for miles. Winding along twisting curves we made our way. Many times the road was one lane, and we’d have to yield to traffic. Much of it passed through tunnels deep in the mountains. Above us, clouds hung on verdant green covered peaks. Below us, the craggy marble boulders all along what looked like a dried river bed.
There were places along the route where the gorge was completely dry. A mile down the road, it would be deep enough to easily kayak, though no one was. But everywhere, there were huge marble rocks that looked like some ancient God had strewn them from above.
Once at the hotel, we were whisked to a private lounge, offered refreshments, and shown some of the hotel’s amenities. My room is a suite. Wei Chun spoils me to the fullest.
Dinner was a buffet. Anything you’d ever desire. Lots of kids/families. Lovely Italian wine, white, cool refreshing. After, a second bottle. A Bordeaux I’d brought Wei Chun. Cab franc/Malbec . Delish. We sat outside by an open fire, and watched the stars come out, one by one. The canyon colors fell softly as the sun set. The light was calm and peaceful. But then, it got too hot. Went inside. AC.
Drank Taiwan beer. Generic lager. Cold. Clean.
So many laughs. Daphne took her sausage coupon and waited in line while they grilled boar sausages on sticks with garlic. She said they were heavenly; I’ll have to take her word on it.
Saw the finale of the aboriginal dancers. Solved world problems…sort of.
Blanket show…zzz
marybethruth 