Taiwan -- Day 7 Hualien Airport, Taipei

We left The Silks Place hotel at 830a after a lovely a la carte breakfast. We sat on the deck at The Wellesley and watched the butterflies dancing and kissing the plants. Apparently I didn't get up early enough to go on the monkey hunt. Dammit! Next time I will have to be up earlier than 6am.

The Silks Hotel, Wellesley Patio
Tianxiang, Taroko Gorge



Leaving the Gorge was so bittersweet.  It was hard to believe we had to head back to Taipei when the sun was finally beaming and the marble walls of the gorge were gleaming. I would so love to actually ride it again at my own leisurely pace.  Fingers crossed the Taiwan Tourism Board will invite me back next year.



Taroko Gorge
Gleaming Marble Walls



Taroko Gorge



Next stop Taipei.  On the way back to Hualien airport for our flight we took a ride along the coast to Cisingtan. It is gorgeous! The sun was shining and the beach was semi calm as compared to previous days. The view was a turquoise blue sea with rolling waves landing on a beach with marbled rocks everywhere. The stones were fabulous for skipping, smooth, flat and oval. I could have spent the afternoon skipping them across the water. Alas, we only had time for a few quick photos before heading for our flight.



Cisingtan Beach
East Coast Taiwan



Cisingtan Beach
East Coast Taiwan

Isn't that water amazing?

 

Skipping Rocks on Cisingtan Beach



John our amazing Tour Leader


Hualien airport is gorgeous. It is lined with immaculate shining marble. There is a lovely waterfall and stone path through a garden area. We were able to check in, pass security and board our flight in the space of twenty minutes.  Great service. When we landed I knew I was in Taipei again because Typhoon Megi was knocking the island sideways.  I got soaked just walking across the street to our new bus. The rain was coming down in sheets but off we went to tour some bike shops.

Hualien Airport, Taiwan

Hualien Airport, Taiwan