We started our Taiwanese journey from the less developed eastern coast. Our first stop was the largest city in the east – Hualien, with a population of about 100,000 people.
Our trip to the city was by train, not bullet one, but fast and comfortable enough. The hotel was cozy, minimalist, and modern, somehow reminded me of Japan.
Hualien definitely had more of a provincial town vibe rather than a super modern Asian city… which was what we had expected. But let’s not forget, we were in the undeveloped part of the country.
Along the main street and in the busier central parts, there were numerous different restaurants and shops where one could find everything they needed. The restaurants ranged from small, typical Asian fast food joints to larger ones where the customer could get excellent service and food. Surprisingly, in the supermarket, there were signs and pictures of the farmers at different stands for fruits and vegetables, showcasing where the products came from.
Without Chinese it would had been difficult getting around. Menus were usually only in Chinese, and ordering a taxi and explaining the address in English was unrealistic. But we were with Yee Ling, and she not only managed without any problems but also chatted a lot with the locals.
It was the people who helped us understand more about the place. They were definitely responsive and helpful whenever we needed anything.
We learned how active they were in various sports in the surrounding nature. Cycling was extremely popular, mountain hiking, of course, as well. But also water sports like surfing were not far behind. I was surprised that they had volunteer groups that go along the rivers to describe their condition and changes after typhoons (like one they had had a month earlier). People were combining the useful with the pleasant.
Our feeling at the coastal park was one of the most touching in Hualien. There were hardly any people (weekday morning), except some cyclists passing by on the alley. The well-maintained grass reached right up to the rocks of the ocean beach with sparse sand. The waves were breaking, and the whole atmosphere was so calm, a real idyll!
Let’s not forget the typical Asian night market. A place where people gather, with diverse food, various games, but also things to buy. The smell of a specially prepared tofu with rotten prawn sauce emanated from some stalls, the so called stinky tofu. It was so brutal, reminding me of a decaying corpse. It had the fame of a very tasty, but I hadn’t dared to try it yet.
We were surprised that it was hard to find formula milk powder for children under 1 year old. It turned out that it was a government policy to encourage mothers to breastfeed until 1 year old. It was even visible in the market, where there was a special breastfeeding room.
From what we saw, heard, and read, I got convinced that the eastern part of Taiwan would be great for a longer trip and exploration. However, our plan continued north towards Taipei. The towns, activities, and nature in the east require much more time, a car, and last but not least, the absence of a small child.
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