The clock is ticking so it was time to move on to Hualien on the East coast. This is the area that suffered the 6.7 magnitude earthquake a month ago.

With very kind assistance from the Manager of the Reloading Hotel in Taichung, we organised two trains for today:-

Firstly, the 11.32am HSR (High Speed Rail) train to Taipei. This took almost exactly one hour, showing a maximum speed of 284 klm/hr at one point.

At Taipei Main Station we travelled down one level to the TRA (Standard) platform for the two hour trip down the east coast to Hualien. The route ran along the coast adjacent to the ocean for some time - this looks like a tourist area of the future (if it isn't already).

We also went through quite a number of lengthy tunnels as well as the usual very lush, green forested areas and wooded hillsides. Having now seen a bit of the highway that runs north from Taipei and then across and down the east cost, I'm certain that a motorcycle tour through here would be a winner - assuming you packed warm clothes and wet weather gear!

Hualien looks to be another largish city with my first impression being "where the mountains meet the sea". Not very original I guess.

Tomorrow we aim to go by bus to Taroko Gorge - should be great.

Ciao.