I got high in Taiwan !

When you look at the map you will see an almost straight line from "home" near Taichung to Hualien on the opposite side of Taiwan along the east coast. When you measure the distance between these two locations on google earth' and do this in a straight line, it measures about 100 km. However, in reality, it is a distance of about 330 km. Enough said, the pictures will show that what’s in between is an amazing bit of road.


The first bit is fairly straight as we followed the Freeway on posts (which I described in a previous blog). Where the freeway ends the fun starts. A never-ending series of twists and turns through the most magnificent lush green valleys and unspoilt scenery lead to a 3275-meter high pass across the mountains to the East Coast of Taiwan. (This road is higher than any road in Europe, other than one dead end road in Spain)
From the carpark, on top of the pass, a walking track can take hikers further up the mountain to over 3600 meters. With the air thinner and the temperature a lot lower we opted for the terrace of the nearby coffee shop instead.

The scenery is breathtaking and to cap it off, the last 30 km runs through a narrow gorge along a fast flowing turquoise coloured river spewing its contents into the Pacific Ocean. All hard to describe but great to experience. See for yourself !