It has been a while that I was in Taiwan and I pondered over places to visit during the long weekend owing to the Dragon Boat Festival. NTHU had a team that would participate in the traditional Chinese festival and we first thought to get a glimpse of the tradition of Chinese people. But again I was in a country and I didn't know when will I come back again, so it felt necessary to visit a different place somewhere far away from Hsinchu and Taipei. My labmates suggested me to visit Taroko gorge in Hualien city situated far east of Taiwan. The pictures and the reviews over the various websites prompted me to put my feet on that beautiful piece of land. But my friends were eager to visit Kenting, situated to the south of Taiwan. Kenting had beach and water sports, but Hualien had everything, from the pebble beach of the Pacific Ocean, to the magnificent rocky mountains, to caves, tunnels, waterfalls etc. I was determined to visit Hualien, no matter what. The trip would be a bit expensive so initially everyone was reluctant to go. We searched for tickets to Kenting, but like us, there were several others who had planned their vacation to Kenting, and so we didn't get any tickets. We had to change our itinerary that would result in extending our trip to one day during the weekdays, which also meant that I had to miss lab for one day. We finally got the tickets to Hualien and booked it on the cheapest train. People in my lab were skeptical about the train making delays and the train had a bad impression. But we Indians are very much used to delays and so it didn't hinder our plans. We then booked a hostel close to the rail station. So myself and Amrita were the ones who would be visiting Hualien alone. We even got the information about a discount offer going on for travelling to Taroko Gorge. As we were planning our itinerary, I got a call from Shalini di saying that both Shalini di and Satyajit bhaiyya would also be joining us. We were exalted to get the company of two great persons on our trip. We booked their tickets as well and finally went for shopping for the trip.
The day arrived and we were excited beyond limits. Planning on your own, travelling on your own earned money gives a sublime feeling. It would take us 5 hours to reach Hualien by the slowest train. We took a taxi to rail station in downtown Hsinchu. We finally boarded the train which was way better than the best train in India and we were far more satisfied. The spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean to our left and moving at the foothills of the majestic mountains amazed us. We reached before time amid speculations about the speed of the train by other people.
We were welcomed by the cool breeze blowing from the mist shrouded mountains, which was much awaited during the hot humid summers in Taiwan. The beautiful city adorned with the magnificent mountains and the blissful weather delighted us. With the help of GPS we reached our hostel, Big Bear Hostel, which was really much beautiful than we had expected. After showing our passports, we checked in to the hostel. The authorities at the hostel were really hospitable.We booked a 6 bed female room and we even met another intern from NIT, Rourkela who was also on a visit to Hualien.
After refreshing ourselves, we booked a taxi to Qixingtan(pronounced as Chishingtan) beach. We reached Qixingtan beach and the crystal clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean mesmerized us. After taking innumerable selfies, we spent some great moments at the pebble beach and I learnt how to bounce pebbles over the water. I was thrilled when I was able to make the pebble bounce three times.The dark clouds hovering over us indicated about the shower that greeted us very soon, and we were wet from top to bottom. We returned back to our hostel by taxi.
In the evening, we again ventured out by taxi to the biggest night market of Hualien City. Although it wasn't that big as we had expected, but it was really very crowded. We clicked some photos, bought some chicken, bread and boiled eggs from 7/11 store and returned to our hostel. On our return, we realized that the hostel had all facilities in the kitchen, and we cooked a sumptuous meal for that. I cooked the paranthas(pancakes), and the chicken for that night.
The next day we woke up and made our delicious breakfast which was indeed the only and the best breakfast that I had in the two months of my stay in Taiwan. Then after refreshing ourselves, we ventured out and took a tour bus to Taroko Gorge. We even packed our lunch as we won't find anything to eat in the rocky terrain. As we were cooking, all other guests in the hostel were commenting like 'Ah! It smells so good!' The bus would take us to every other place worth visiting in the Taroko Gorge. And by 10:30 AM we started our journey. We took a map and quickly planned our trip. After an hour or so, the bus dropped us at the Shakadang trail.
As we were wondering when the bus will return and within what interval we should come back so that we can catch the next bus to visit other sites, we met two Japanese women who were also with us in the bus. They were unaware of the places and someone had suggested that they visit Taroko, so they came over. They even didn't have any itinerary planned so they requested that they will join us.
So then we proceeded to our destination. We were not sure what lied in wait for us and we just walked and walked. The hike took us nearly 1.5 hours because we were busy clicking photos. The rocky mountains on one side and the blue crystal clear and pure mountain waters flowing beneath it were just mesmerizing. We were very fortunate as the weather was cloudy and a 1.5 hour hike would make us sweltering in the very humid weather of Taiwan.
As we trudged forward, me in my new fashionable sandals, which was starting to wear off, we gained a lot of knowledge. Knowledge in the sense about the life history of the two Japanese women.
One woman came from Germany to Japan to renew her visa. She met her boyfriend on a trip and then she went to Germany to live with him. They have a big farm in Germany. She came to Taiwan just to visit her friend and would be leaving the next day or so. The other woman was too boisterous and was blabbering all the way. We got irritated sometimes by her over reaction in all our actions. She had been staying in Taiwan since the last six months and she ventured out from Taipei for the first time to Taroko to show her friend some places in Taiwan. She had visited India twice and loved the Haldiram snacks. She knew how to say Namaste and taught us how to say 'thank you' in Japanese. It is Aarigoto!
Anyways, we were walking and walking till we reached a dead end after a 1.5km walk. I was very eager to dabble in the blue waters but others were reluctant to do so. So myself and the second Japanese woman went to the water and we went high up to a point. We could clearly see the beautiful fishes swimming by our side. We clicked photos. And the Japanese woman stored some water from the stream in her bottle as it was clear mountain water. I too drank some from it and indeed it was very pure. We were enjoying the view and I tried to click photos of the fishes visible in the transparent waters. Then after some time we returned back and then we bade farewell to the two Japanese women as they had a flight to catch the next day and they need to return early to Taipei.
By the time we returned, it was noon and we were quite hungry after the 3km hike. We were confused which way to go as everything was in Chinese. Everyone suggested we visit the Water Curtain Cave. So finally after google search we matched the writings and we knew what was our destination. We boarded a bus after much wait. We four were alone in the bus and we decided to have our lunch there. As we were having our lunch, which was so delicious, we couldn't resist ourselves, the smell of the food reached the driver and the conductor. It was an AC bus and so maybe the smell bothered them. So they asked us in Chinese not to eat in the bus. We were sad as the food was so very tempting. We resisted ourselves and stopped. And the way to the Water Curtain cave had so many blind turns we couldn't sit still in one place. We felt dizzy and we were even able to take pictures. The vista all the way was just splendid and we could do nothing but just view, as were pushed from one side to another. When the bus stopped during a traffic jam we clicked photos. The view was so beautiful that words are just not enough. All I could do was to thank God for giving such a beautiful moment to enjoy which was not comparable to any other moment. I am just grateful to God that we made this trip which was the best trip of my life.
The bus dropped us at a point and quickly without giving a second thought we started eating. After we finished eating, we asked some people from Europe who just came back from the Water Curtain Cave how to go. They gave us directions and we followed. But we got lost and climbed a very steep hill. We were devastated as were on the wrong way and we were very tired after the uphill climb which tired us, specially on my flat fashionable sandals. Then as per their directions we proceeded. The blind curves and the high hill slopes along with the dangerous cliff roads on which we were walking made our hike interesting as well as tiresome. But there was no sight of the cave or the way to the cave and it was already evening. Then we saw a tunnel in the road and when we reached the middle of the tunnel, we saw some people coming out from an opening to the left side. We enquired where was the water curtain cave and they said this was it. We got excited, we changed our sandals, wore our raincoats, turned on the flashlight but we had no headgears to protect us from the falling rocks.
But as were walking we realized that the cave had no water falling from above and the floor below was concrete. After walk of about 200-300 metres we came out of the cave and saw that the water curtain cave was about 1.8kms away. We were quite depressed and we asked people how much time it will take. People said it would take about 2 hours. It was evening and by the time we return back it would be dark and we won't get any bus to return back. But then Satyajit Bhaiyya said that after trekking for so long and after learning about the beauty of that cave, if we don't visit then our entire trip would be unsuccessful. He said we can call taxi or ask help from any authorities but affirmed that we should visit the water curtain cave. So, again with our sore feet we started our trek.
On our way we saw people walking with 3-4 year old children and their speed was very slow and now we knew why people said it would take 2 hours. We walked so fast, myself and Shalini di leading, Amrita and Satyajit Bhaiyya behind us. As were walked we crossed by numerous caves and every time we see people and cave in front of us, we would assume that we have reached. But it was quite far then we have thought it to be. And finally in 20 minutes, with our very fast speed we reached the Water Curtain Cave. There were many people there, we quickly wore our raincoats. It was pitch dark inside and pure transparent water was flowing from the cave down the mountain. We had to cross the stream which became a waterfall and the cave formed the dead end of the high range of rocky mountains. The water inside the cave was ice cold and we asked one foreigner to lend us their flashlight as we didn't borrow any waterproof flashlight and taking phones inside won't be a good option. The woman was reluctant to give us so we went inside without any flashlight. Our brave and bold Shalini di led us without any help on the path created by the side of the cave. As we went ahead, I bumped into the cave walls and got hurt in my head. We took the support of the cave walls by one hand and I didn't even see a thing before me. The tourists were returning by the same narrow path and instead of touching the cave walls, I touched the face of a returning tourist accidentally. Then I realized some people were returning but I made another mistake of not informing Amrita who was behind me and holding my hand. When she too bumped on the returning tourists, she screamed so loud as if she saw a ghost. She screamed which it was unexpected that someone might be coming and having been blinded by the darkness, it got more scary. So after this incident myself, Satyajit Bhaiyya and Amrita were holding hands and moved forward. The length of the cave was not too much and then we reached the end, where there was a strong flash of water falling from above. The experience of the water curtain was so unique and we went under the water. The speed of the water was so strong that it hurt us when we went under it. We were glad that we made the decision to come to this cave and we were sublimated by the beauty of the rocks, the caves and obviously the water curtain cave. It was indeed the best decision and it made our trip memorable.
And after clicking photos outside the cave we trekked back. It was a memorable trek and altogether we have trekked about 10kms back and forth to the Water Curtain cave from the bus stop. Now another tension plagued us that is how to return back. As we approached the bus stop, we were relieving ourselves. And we were waiting when we saw the same bus which brought us to Taroko Gorge coming to the stop. Me and Shalini di ran with animals' speed to stop the bus, and luckily the bus was waiting. We bought something to eat and then we returned back to our hostel.
The trip was really wonderful and that night too, we cooked ourselves a mouth watering dinner. We met some the interns who came from India like from IIT, Patna, NIT, Rourkela etc and I even found a mutual friend. The world now seemed so small as I got someone who was my mutual friend and that too in a place far from India. We ventured out and had ice cream, walked the night and then returned to our beds. I again bumped into a door of the steel closet and broke it, and everyone laughed as I bump every time. We sent photos to our family and then had a deep sleep.
The next morning, although we wanted some sleep, but we had our train in the morning and again we had to run. Had we been a few minutes late, we would have missed our train. And sadly, we bade farewell to a beautiful city and moved to our final destination, Hsinchu City.
I am grateful to God that I got such a wonderful opportunity that would make my life memorable. Money and wealth does matter but what matters the most are the things that people love to do, the things that make them feel that they have made their life memorable. I love exploring, trekking and hiking and I have made my life memorable. I feel I have achieved a milestone in my life. Obviously, we need to earn enough money so that we get the chance to make such trips, but the company with whom we go also matters the most. All the four were fun loving and easily adapted to any situations that comes before us and if it is the best thing we need to do at that moment, we don't give a second thought and leave the other things behind. A trip can be made memorable with good people around us, and I was fortunate enough that I got many people like me as my new friends in a totally different country with different language and traditions.
I look forward to many more trips like this. Hope God helps me in my dreams to make my life worth while.
Here are some of the photos
The day arrived and we were excited beyond limits. Planning on your own, travelling on your own earned money gives a sublime feeling. It would take us 5 hours to reach Hualien by the slowest train. We took a taxi to rail station in downtown Hsinchu. We finally boarded the train which was way better than the best train in India and we were far more satisfied. The spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean to our left and moving at the foothills of the majestic mountains amazed us. We reached before time amid speculations about the speed of the train by other people.
We were welcomed by the cool breeze blowing from the mist shrouded mountains, which was much awaited during the hot humid summers in Taiwan. The beautiful city adorned with the magnificent mountains and the blissful weather delighted us. With the help of GPS we reached our hostel, Big Bear Hostel, which was really much beautiful than we had expected. After showing our passports, we checked in to the hostel. The authorities at the hostel were really hospitable.We booked a 6 bed female room and we even met another intern from NIT, Rourkela who was also on a visit to Hualien.
After refreshing ourselves, we booked a taxi to Qixingtan(pronounced as Chishingtan) beach. We reached Qixingtan beach and the crystal clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean mesmerized us. After taking innumerable selfies, we spent some great moments at the pebble beach and I learnt how to bounce pebbles over the water. I was thrilled when I was able to make the pebble bounce three times.The dark clouds hovering over us indicated about the shower that greeted us very soon, and we were wet from top to bottom. We returned back to our hostel by taxi.
In the evening, we again ventured out by taxi to the biggest night market of Hualien City. Although it wasn't that big as we had expected, but it was really very crowded. We clicked some photos, bought some chicken, bread and boiled eggs from 7/11 store and returned to our hostel. On our return, we realized that the hostel had all facilities in the kitchen, and we cooked a sumptuous meal for that. I cooked the paranthas(pancakes), and the chicken for that night.
The next day we woke up and made our delicious breakfast which was indeed the only and the best breakfast that I had in the two months of my stay in Taiwan. Then after refreshing ourselves, we ventured out and took a tour bus to Taroko Gorge. We even packed our lunch as we won't find anything to eat in the rocky terrain. As we were cooking, all other guests in the hostel were commenting like 'Ah! It smells so good!' The bus would take us to every other place worth visiting in the Taroko Gorge. And by 10:30 AM we started our journey. We took a map and quickly planned our trip. After an hour or so, the bus dropped us at the Shakadang trail.
As we were wondering when the bus will return and within what interval we should come back so that we can catch the next bus to visit other sites, we met two Japanese women who were also with us in the bus. They were unaware of the places and someone had suggested that they visit Taroko, so they came over. They even didn't have any itinerary planned so they requested that they will join us.
So then we proceeded to our destination. We were not sure what lied in wait for us and we just walked and walked. The hike took us nearly 1.5 hours because we were busy clicking photos. The rocky mountains on one side and the blue crystal clear and pure mountain waters flowing beneath it were just mesmerizing. We were very fortunate as the weather was cloudy and a 1.5 hour hike would make us sweltering in the very humid weather of Taiwan.
As we trudged forward, me in my new fashionable sandals, which was starting to wear off, we gained a lot of knowledge. Knowledge in the sense about the life history of the two Japanese women.
One woman came from Germany to Japan to renew her visa. She met her boyfriend on a trip and then she went to Germany to live with him. They have a big farm in Germany. She came to Taiwan just to visit her friend and would be leaving the next day or so. The other woman was too boisterous and was blabbering all the way. We got irritated sometimes by her over reaction in all our actions. She had been staying in Taiwan since the last six months and she ventured out from Taipei for the first time to Taroko to show her friend some places in Taiwan. She had visited India twice and loved the Haldiram snacks. She knew how to say Namaste and taught us how to say 'thank you' in Japanese. It is Aarigoto!
Anyways, we were walking and walking till we reached a dead end after a 1.5km walk. I was very eager to dabble in the blue waters but others were reluctant to do so. So myself and the second Japanese woman went to the water and we went high up to a point. We could clearly see the beautiful fishes swimming by our side. We clicked photos. And the Japanese woman stored some water from the stream in her bottle as it was clear mountain water. I too drank some from it and indeed it was very pure. We were enjoying the view and I tried to click photos of the fishes visible in the transparent waters. Then after some time we returned back and then we bade farewell to the two Japanese women as they had a flight to catch the next day and they need to return early to Taipei.
By the time we returned, it was noon and we were quite hungry after the 3km hike. We were confused which way to go as everything was in Chinese. Everyone suggested we visit the Water Curtain Cave. So finally after google search we matched the writings and we knew what was our destination. We boarded a bus after much wait. We four were alone in the bus and we decided to have our lunch there. As we were having our lunch, which was so delicious, we couldn't resist ourselves, the smell of the food reached the driver and the conductor. It was an AC bus and so maybe the smell bothered them. So they asked us in Chinese not to eat in the bus. We were sad as the food was so very tempting. We resisted ourselves and stopped. And the way to the Water Curtain cave had so many blind turns we couldn't sit still in one place. We felt dizzy and we were even able to take pictures. The vista all the way was just splendid and we could do nothing but just view, as were pushed from one side to another. When the bus stopped during a traffic jam we clicked photos. The view was so beautiful that words are just not enough. All I could do was to thank God for giving such a beautiful moment to enjoy which was not comparable to any other moment. I am just grateful to God that we made this trip which was the best trip of my life.
The bus dropped us at a point and quickly without giving a second thought we started eating. After we finished eating, we asked some people from Europe who just came back from the Water Curtain Cave how to go. They gave us directions and we followed. But we got lost and climbed a very steep hill. We were devastated as were on the wrong way and we were very tired after the uphill climb which tired us, specially on my flat fashionable sandals. Then as per their directions we proceeded. The blind curves and the high hill slopes along with the dangerous cliff roads on which we were walking made our hike interesting as well as tiresome. But there was no sight of the cave or the way to the cave and it was already evening. Then we saw a tunnel in the road and when we reached the middle of the tunnel, we saw some people coming out from an opening to the left side. We enquired where was the water curtain cave and they said this was it. We got excited, we changed our sandals, wore our raincoats, turned on the flashlight but we had no headgears to protect us from the falling rocks.
But as were walking we realized that the cave had no water falling from above and the floor below was concrete. After walk of about 200-300 metres we came out of the cave and saw that the water curtain cave was about 1.8kms away. We were quite depressed and we asked people how much time it will take. People said it would take about 2 hours. It was evening and by the time we return back it would be dark and we won't get any bus to return back. But then Satyajit Bhaiyya said that after trekking for so long and after learning about the beauty of that cave, if we don't visit then our entire trip would be unsuccessful. He said we can call taxi or ask help from any authorities but affirmed that we should visit the water curtain cave. So, again with our sore feet we started our trek.
On our way we saw people walking with 3-4 year old children and their speed was very slow and now we knew why people said it would take 2 hours. We walked so fast, myself and Shalini di leading, Amrita and Satyajit Bhaiyya behind us. As were walked we crossed by numerous caves and every time we see people and cave in front of us, we would assume that we have reached. But it was quite far then we have thought it to be. And finally in 20 minutes, with our very fast speed we reached the Water Curtain Cave. There were many people there, we quickly wore our raincoats. It was pitch dark inside and pure transparent water was flowing from the cave down the mountain. We had to cross the stream which became a waterfall and the cave formed the dead end of the high range of rocky mountains. The water inside the cave was ice cold and we asked one foreigner to lend us their flashlight as we didn't borrow any waterproof flashlight and taking phones inside won't be a good option. The woman was reluctant to give us so we went inside without any flashlight. Our brave and bold Shalini di led us without any help on the path created by the side of the cave. As we went ahead, I bumped into the cave walls and got hurt in my head. We took the support of the cave walls by one hand and I didn't even see a thing before me. The tourists were returning by the same narrow path and instead of touching the cave walls, I touched the face of a returning tourist accidentally. Then I realized some people were returning but I made another mistake of not informing Amrita who was behind me and holding my hand. When she too bumped on the returning tourists, she screamed so loud as if she saw a ghost. She screamed which it was unexpected that someone might be coming and having been blinded by the darkness, it got more scary. So after this incident myself, Satyajit Bhaiyya and Amrita were holding hands and moved forward. The length of the cave was not too much and then we reached the end, where there was a strong flash of water falling from above. The experience of the water curtain was so unique and we went under the water. The speed of the water was so strong that it hurt us when we went under it. We were glad that we made the decision to come to this cave and we were sublimated by the beauty of the rocks, the caves and obviously the water curtain cave. It was indeed the best decision and it made our trip memorable.
And after clicking photos outside the cave we trekked back. It was a memorable trek and altogether we have trekked about 10kms back and forth to the Water Curtain cave from the bus stop. Now another tension plagued us that is how to return back. As we approached the bus stop, we were relieving ourselves. And we were waiting when we saw the same bus which brought us to Taroko Gorge coming to the stop. Me and Shalini di ran with animals' speed to stop the bus, and luckily the bus was waiting. We bought something to eat and then we returned back to our hostel.
The trip was really wonderful and that night too, we cooked ourselves a mouth watering dinner. We met some the interns who came from India like from IIT, Patna, NIT, Rourkela etc and I even found a mutual friend. The world now seemed so small as I got someone who was my mutual friend and that too in a place far from India. We ventured out and had ice cream, walked the night and then returned to our beds. I again bumped into a door of the steel closet and broke it, and everyone laughed as I bump every time. We sent photos to our family and then had a deep sleep.
The next morning, although we wanted some sleep, but we had our train in the morning and again we had to run. Had we been a few minutes late, we would have missed our train. And sadly, we bade farewell to a beautiful city and moved to our final destination, Hsinchu City.
I am grateful to God that I got such a wonderful opportunity that would make my life memorable. Money and wealth does matter but what matters the most are the things that people love to do, the things that make them feel that they have made their life memorable. I love exploring, trekking and hiking and I have made my life memorable. I feel I have achieved a milestone in my life. Obviously, we need to earn enough money so that we get the chance to make such trips, but the company with whom we go also matters the most. All the four were fun loving and easily adapted to any situations that comes before us and if it is the best thing we need to do at that moment, we don't give a second thought and leave the other things behind. A trip can be made memorable with good people around us, and I was fortunate enough that I got many people like me as my new friends in a totally different country with different language and traditions.
I look forward to many more trips like this. Hope God helps me in my dreams to make my life worth while.
Here are some of the photos
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