Taroko Road Trip

This is a photo record of a short two day road trip I took down the East Coast of Taiwan. With TAV resident artists Helene Juillet, Yoni Lefevre and Taiwanese colleague Hui-Chun Chen we decided to get out of the city, focusing our trip around a visit to Taroko National Park. It was an adventure of the best kind, and although we planned some elements wonderful things seemed to happen, just by chance...We sat around the breakfast table sharing about our lives and talking about 'following your heartbeat', as artists and people...and then, well the most wonderful things can happen... 
It's raining in Taipei..that means its wet, humid and warm, and grey...
We rent a budget car, and can't quite believe we have been given a brand new Lexus
Maps and instructions - Hui and Helen
Our car!
On the road - Yoni, Hui & Helene
We reach the coast, and it is simply stunning
River bed - base of Taroko

Yoni & Hui can't quite believe it..
Taroko Gorge - spectacular
Taroko views - up intot the heavens

Hanging bridge
C'est moi!
Tunnel Entry to the Baiyang Trail

Baiyang Trail Views

Baiyang tunnel
Taroko...sigh
Again..

Yep, loving it!

Marble cliffs
and again..the textures and detail.

Water Curtain tunnel
Arrived..water fall
The deadly foursome - on the bridge
Helene - Baiyang Bridge

Overpass - Baiyang Trail

Helene at Eternal Spring Shrine

Eternal Spring Shrine..not open today :(
Eternal Spring overpass
Chandong Temple - nestled into the mountain

Golden Bhuddas
View into Taroko from Chandoing temple steps..the summit is hidden in the clouds.
Kuan Yin at Chandong (she pops up everywhere)

Kaun Yin on a rock in the forest

Hualien Night Market

Haulien Night Market

Options...

Down town Hualien
Dumpling heaven

A long wait, but worth it...
Too easy....
Street signage

Another angle

Small business owner - with cute van


Morning view from B & B bedroom window
Our B & B - a beauty!
In bed, at the foot of the mountains

and cloud action again..
Ok, its that good!
We decide to follow the lead of our B & B host who has offered to take us on a trek up river....
Yoni

Helene
and into the mud...

Almost there...
Then this.....the secret spot only our local B & B host knows..
It is breath-takingly beautiful...and yep, pretty happy
Swimming in fresh water

Diving
More swimming...
Cliff-climbing
and jumping!
Forest magic..

All of us
Helene with goggles
Lovin it...
Post swim bliss..
Bye...

Hui & Yoni
Mountains meet the ocean - Sanjhan
No filter - it's THAT blue
Pristine pebbled beach
That delicious icecream pancake!
Suao Port stop
Sun-kissed travellers..oh, and with new shopping bags

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