Dear Friends and Family,
After a lovely three hour train ride south along Taiwan’s eastern coast, we arrived in Hualien, Taiwan. The countryside is mountainous, lush and green. We passed several huge factories, including a Crayola Crayon factory, with huge towers in crayon shapes of primary colors. We passed miles of flooded millet fields. They look very similar to rice paddies. Our Hotel Bayview driver was waiting for us at the train station and took us to our darling accommodation, 15 minutes outside of town, on a gorgeous, pebbly stretch of Qixingtan beach. The hotel upgraded us to a beachfront room. It’s the sweetest little boutique hotel, right on the water. They provide complimentary shuttle service, bicycles, a nice buffet breakfast, beverages and snacks 24/7… at $66 per night…unbelievable! Our hotel is adjacent to an Air Force base, and we’ve enjoyed watching fighter-jets take off and land…such a powerful show of force. We walked on the beach as far as we could in each direction and collected colorful smooth stones. We watched bulldozers pull heavy nets from fishing boats. We enjoyed roasted yams from a roadside truck, and sausage on a stick from another stand. The ocean is gorgeous and the waves are really strong. When the water recedes, you can hear the rocks clicking as they drop back down on the shoreline.
We took a 10 mile round-trip bike ride along a beach promenade into Hualien. There were wonderful ocean views along the way. We had a great lunch at a Japanese style sushi restaurant. We ate 24 sushi, miso soup, a tofu tempura bowl, and drank tea for only $19! We were in sushi Heaven. There are stray dogs and cats running loose everywhere. Locals feed them. They all seem to get along with each other and with the tourists.
The hotel took us to the Taroko National Park bus stop and within 30 minutes we were hiking the gorge. The Shakadang River waters are crystal clear, the surrounding mountains steep and picturesque. We hiked the Shakadang trail and a trail to the visitor center for a total of 7 miles. These trails are loaded with tourists but still quite scenic. There were lots of beautiful butterflies, flowers, large leafy greenery, and twisted vines and roots.
The dining options near the hotel are a bit strange to us westerners. We had a fish stir fry one evening that wasn’t too good, and fish soup loaded with spiked bones. We told our hotel manager he should open a fish and chips. It would be an instant success. We did find an excellent bakery/restaurant called “I See U,” and enjoyed bacon-corn chowder bread bowls there.
We will take a two-hour train ride back to Taiwan tomorrow and fly to Seoul, South Korea the following day. We have really enjoyed our time in Taiwan. People are fairly relaxed and kind. We’re so glad we explored Taiwan a bit more on this trip!
Hope you are all doing well.
Love n hugs,
BnL
g
g
y
u
g
bnlmos 
Beautiful. Love the pictures! Bruce w the statue, the amazing turquois water, and i love the clothes behind the dog, where the only color is the clothing, great shot. Loved them all. Thanks for sharing. You guys look great, happy anniversary. Diego and I are celebrating ours too, today is 37. Happy travels, stay safe.
❤
LikeLike
Thanks, Cuz…and Happy Anniversary! Wow, 37, I think that’s the same as Kim and Emmett. Celebrate, and big hugs from both of us!
LikeLike
Wow! I wanna go, the pictures are so lovely… but what is the 6th one down that looks like parking lot stops of sunshine and airbubbles or something? Sorry I’m too busy today to say much! Love your posts! Rita
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
Hi Rita. When you get a chance, look closer…that’s a wave hitting the shore!😜 Glad to have you traveling with us!❤️
LikeLike
Probably your best set of pictures ever. Looks like good weather and beautiful scenery. Thanks for taking all of us along. Brother Gene.
Eugene Moscovitch, Esq. Judicate West 11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2040 Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310.442.2100Fax: 310.450.0376
genem@judicatewest.com http://www.judicatewest.com/
International Who’s Who inMediation, 2019.
International Academy of Mediators, Past President
LA Daily Journal “Top 50 Neutral” (Four ConsecutiveYears)
LA Times “Best Lawyers” (ADR) 2004-2019 California “Super Lawyers” (ADR) 2004-2019
Southern California”Super Lawyers” (ADR) 2018
http://www.moscovitchmediation.com/
LikeLike
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed It!
LikeLike
Now that’s my kind of relaxing right there 🙂 Beautiful pics of the ocean and gorge!
Have fun, stay safe!
Love Jose
LikeLike
Thanks Jose! E-Z P-Z compared with our upcoming Himalayan hike! But yes, gorgeous!😍
LikeLike
Hi,
Good to see your smile and happiness on fab pictures. We are just back from Portugal and going to Kazakhstan in 2 months. We should start writing some blog 😀 Many kisses from Poland.
A.Ł.R.
LikeLike
We’d love to hear about Kazakhstan and Portugal! We met a Polish lady and her 15 month old daughter yesterday while hiking along the old city wall here in Seoul…we were thinking of you guys and told her about you, and our visit to Łódź. 😍🤗😘 Happy Trails!
LikeLike
Beautiful pics! I love the one of you sitting on the rocks mama! What the heck was that snake like looking thing with the teeth? Also, was that bridge kinda creepy to cross? Love you guys, enjoy the rest of your vacation! Dave
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
Hi David-O! Thanks, and Taroko Gorge was stunning! Yes, it was a freaky swinging bridge. I did about 75% of it. It was there for fun, with a more stationary bridge beside it. I think that snake like thing is a baby eel that washed up on the beach. The pufferfish was really cool…also washed up, and the first time I’ve seen one in real life. Xoxo Momma
LikeLike
Gorgeous pictures as always! I can’t believe how beautiful the water color is! You take amazing pictures you guys!
LikeLike
Thanks Sis! I’m usually the photographer…born of necessity…we have some great pictures of Bruce’s thumb, and of me with a flat-top from our early years!😜 I’d love to really get into photography, even invested in a good camera…but I have no idea how to use it!🤣 The wat were was really beautiful, especially in Taroko Gorge!❤️
LikeLike