I took a 3-day trip with my scooter in early November 2015, after concluding intensive work for months. Hualien (花蓮) and Taitung (台東) are my best choice for their unparalleled nature view and quietness.
Both counties are located in east side of Taiwan that occupy almost 1/4 of Taiwan land area. But the population is less than 2.5% of total 23-million people on the island.
Hualien is where I took my 2-year compulsory service in Army. Days go by fast and I visited there 1-2 times per year, mostly by driving. This is my first time in my life getting there on a scooter so I named the trip "Iron Butt".
My 3-day route is shown
here.
 |
| The route in my 1st day. Pretty exhausted one. |
 |
| Pin-Lin arch bridge, Pin-Lin District, New Taipei City |
Bei-Yi Highway, a 70-km winding road in mountains that connects New Taipei City and Yilan County, slow and peaceful riding is absolutely needed with my 220-kg scooter and a 80-kg rider on it. :-)
 |
| Bei-Yi Highway |
As I approached the most notorious section of the road, nicknamed "9 curves & 18 turns", for its numerous turns on the way, Yilan Plain, the Pacific Ocean and Guishan (Turtle Mountain) Island were welcoming my arrival to Yilan County.
 |
| Yi-Lan Plain, Pacific Ocean, and Guishan Island |
Su-Hua Highway, built along with shoreline and cliffs, connects Yilan and Hualian counties. Super scenic in every turn.
 |
| Su-Hua Highway |
After a brief lunch at Yexiang wonton (液香扁食) in downtown Hualian city, I keep on heading south to Taitung. That's another 180-km ride.
 |
| Yexiang wonton shop |
 |
| This is the lunch I had for Day 1 ride. Simple but bold taste. |
There are two main routes between Hualien and Taitung: Provincial Highway 9 and 11. I took Highway 9 to enjoy the straight road and broad view of rice fields.
 |
| Provincial Highway 9, south of downtown Hualien. |
 |
| Very straight road in a very hot November. |
Finally checked-in B&B on 6pm. 391 km achieved in Day1.
Stay tuned for Day 2 :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment