Jul 20, 2012

Working & Living in Hualien_Tasting the Slowness of Life



 

During this month,
I tried to "live" in a foreign country
and to "travel" in another way.































Jul 5, 2012

Working holiday in Taiwan's B&B by Sally_8


At FlOwEr PaLaCe_A FuLL DaY BicYcle RiDe TrIP

   ∧_∧
(´・ω・)
 O┬O )
◎┴し'-◎ ≡

Decided to give myself a challenge ...cycle alone to Chishingtan Bay (七星潭)! Well Bro Arthur and his family ever gave me a lift to this lovely place. But I decided to take the longer route (actually I couldn't remember the shortcut) (─‿‿─)III

Departed Errantry Lodge 10 minutes before 10am ...weather was pretty good _warm and sunny ☀ I was almost burnt out...Cycled thru the busy roads...Big vehicles_lorries, buses and alotsa of cars (busy road). Stopped at Family Mart (全家) (around 10 minutes break) Bought cool beer to cool down my temperature and carried on my ride. During my ride, I saw some nice structures and stop over for some shots ✿◕‿◕✿


                         
                                     東華大學 Donghua University (Old campus)


                                       
                                                  Abandoned plant (leafless)

                       
                                                   華西路 Along Huaxi Road

                                     
                                                  華西路 Along Huaxi Road

                                      

After 2 hours ride, I finally arrived at Chishingtan Bay (七星潭). As the afternoon weather was extremely hot and warm, I did not see anyone fishing ><(((°> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º>

Again I stopped at Family Mart (全家) and bought 2 cans of beers to cool down. Sat at the Star Gazing Square alone and enjoyed the peaceful moments! Chishingtan Bay is a gorgeous half-moon shaped bay. Well-planned Star Gazing Square, Stone Sculpture Park and the Bike Path are charming attractions. Accompanied with stony beach, strong sea breeze, powerful clear pacific ocean waves and almost face to face with planes (airport is nearby), cooling beer and apple (Theresa afraid I would get hungry and insisted me to brought it along) sweet lady boss ❤

                        
                                                              Stony Beach

                        
                                                          Stone Sculpture Park

                                      
                                                   Crystal clear pacific ocean

I took an hour nap at Star Gazing Square since no one around (maybe there was some people) but I just simply couldn't be bother and carry on my nap. I was so exhausted after the ride anyway ☃

Out of sudden, I heard motor sound that was getting louder. Disturbed by the sound..woke up and saw an uncle was standing somewhere at Star Gazing Square. I walked towards to the uncle's bike and trying to figure out what he was doing! Ice cream man! Of course, such weather definitely need cooling desert ... Bought Yam ice cream and sausage for tea break. Chat with the uncle and shot some of his pictures.
                                        
                                                Ice Cream Uncle - Age mid 50
                                         
                                                            Raw Pork Sausage

                                          
                                                   Old pinball - More than 40 years

After some chat with uncle, I cycled around the estate...and heading to Yuanyeh Ranch. This restaurant located just in the south side of Chishingtan Hsia Village Waterfront. The restaurant was surrounded with artistic atmosphere. All the building materials were drawn from the sea driftwood. Even the menu too.. all these were done personally by the Ami-descent owner! Ordered an icy cool coffee and a loaf of softy bread. (sorry no photo was taken)...Sat near a window...felt the sea breeze, saw the waves...relax in a cosy corner and had my tea break...life had never been so wonderful moments ...city area full of tall buildings, busy street and always so crowded. Over here...the only crowd that was the natural landscape ...baba black sheeps (farm area), greeny mountains ❤

After some rest, heading to the "tedious" bike route. Cycled upwards 48m high mountain! Viewed the grand pacific ocean. Yes really exhausted heading up, but really worth the ride. Strong sea breeze....that washed my pain and sorrows away (a❤‿❤a)


                            
                                        Pacific Ocean_View from 4-8 high mountain

Overall bicycle route:
Estimated 35km

建德街 -> 建國路二段 -> 中央路三段 -> 中央路四段 -> 新生橋 -> 蘇花公路 -> 華西路 -> 海岸路 -> 七星潭 -> 四八高地 -> 環保公園 -> 自行車道 -> 港口路 -> 大理石公園 -> 海岸路自行車道 -> 曙光橋 -> 青華僑 -> 溪畔公園 -> 中正路 -> 民國路 -> 自由街 -> 林森路 -> 中山路 -> 建國路 -> 建國路一段 -> 建國路二段 -> 建德街

Jiande Street -> Jianguo Section 2 -> Zhongyang Section 3 -> Zhongyang Section 4 -> Xinsheng Bridge -> Suhua Expressway -> Huaxi Road -> Haian Road -> Chishingtan -> Siba Gaodi -> Huanbao Park -> Bicycle Track -> Gangkuo Road -> Dalishi Park -> Haian Bicycle Track -> Shuguang Bridge -> Qinghua Bridge -> Xipan Park -> Zhongzheng Road -> Ziyou Street -> Linsheng Road -> Zhongshan Road -> Jianguo Road -> Jianguo Section 1 -> Jianguo Section 2 -> Jiande Street

原野牧場 (Yuanyeh Ranch Homepage)

花蓮旅遊景點地圖 (Hualien Sightseeing Tour Map)

兩潭自行車步道 (2 Lakes Bicycle Track) Yankees Dude Ranch

More picture Facebook sharing

Sally's Blog

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At fLoWeR Place_Ah zHi BaO 阿之寶手創館

Simple white appearance main entrance...but once you entered, would find alot of treasure. This shop gathers different materials across the province. 3 different generations ... and all made in Taiwan..unique addictive ღ Collection of 50-60 species of Taiwan over the characteristics of goods, many of them are hand-made goods.

Sauce collection shelf had attracted me...All kinds of brand that I never even heard before ツ
How i wish i can carry them back home but backpack full (✖╭╮✖)

                            
                                                              Picture found online

                             
                                                               Picture found online


Cutie and sweetie soft toys ....


                             
                                                          Picture found online

                             
                                                          Picture found online

Wooden crafts .....


                            

                             


阿之寶手創館 Facebook Direct Link

阿之寶手創館 Blog

阿之寶手創館 Map

More Picture Link

Sally's Blog
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At fLoWeR Place_海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY

After reading Bro Arthur's secret of Hualien, I found this Dolphin Bay restaurant and would want to try out. Been there twice (First was the rest day, second time was ...getting fresh ingredients _ back to capital) (╥_╥)

And finally ...yeshhh!
Simple appearance from outside! Plain white window...plain little main entrance.
Walk-in and I was attracted by the super big whale painted on the wall...I was wondering if I was in the underwater cafe ☆

><(((°> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º>

                             
While i was figuring out the menu
Friendly lady boss offered me to try their fired spaghetti..freshly made on that day..really crunchy ❤
                                              
                                                            Crunchy Fried Spaghetti

Order pork knuckle set meal...to my surprise
Pictures at the bottom spell out my fulfillment after this meal ♥‿♥
Appetizer:


                              
                                           Seafood Bisque abit spicy but had warm me up

                               
                               Refreshing Tuna and Onions Salad (would not cause irritation)


To be franked ..after these yummy appetizer, i was quite full ..but where is my main course? hmmmm.....
                              
                                                       Main Course_Pork Knuckle

Super duper big portion...gosh!
Crunchy skin...first bite I could hear the "ka zhi ka zhi" aloud! OMG
Taste feeling:
Pork knuckle was marinated with vegetables spices. Then roasted at 300 degree heat over.
After that, place on aboriginal black heat plate.
Meat texture and taste: Very juicy and tender. Felt the spices essences when I chewed. Marvelous taste...Better than Paulaner Brauhaus pork knuckle!!!
Till now I still miss this dish...
Of course i couldn't finish the main course..Bro Huang (Boss) offer me for take away.

I also request the dessert to take out but Bro Huang insist to dine-in...why?
Tiramisu will melt! Sprinkle with coco powder and little dolphin on the plate. How would I bear to eat this masterpiece. My tears was almost rolling down when I saw this dessert. Taste: Creamy tiramisu with strong coco (sweet and bitter) combination very well (I am a person afraid of sweet dessert) And of course, i finished up this dessert slowly. Burp burp
                              
                                                              Tiramisu with dolphin

Brother Huang loves marine ...whale and dolphin. Open this restaurant in Year 1995 at No. 10 Tianmu Road Street 13, Taipei. In Year 2008 Summer, shifted his restaurant to Hualien, located next to the old railway. If you going to Hualien, you can consider to try Bro Huang's dishes.



海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY Facebook Direct Link

海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY Blog

海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY Yahoo Blog

海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY Map

More Picture Link

Sally's Blog

Jun 5, 2012

Working holiday in Taiwan's B&B by Sally_7

AT FLOWER PALACE_NO. 39 GUEST HOUSE (三十九號招待所)


After some ride, stomach started to growl ! Fortuante Arthur called me and checking on my safetly....and suggested me to try out Bro Mao (毛哥) dishes. Took down the address and heading there!


Arrived at Bro Mao's restuarant...I The restaurant was quiet (but with some jazz music) and simple. I was the only customer. Bro Mao began to chat with me and our conversation broke the emptiness in the restaurant ☃
The restuarant wall was pasted with old newspapers and children drawings. Bro Mao explained the meaning of each drawings. All these drawings were drew by primary school kids age of 10. Their drawings and mind had showed the meaning of Hualien. So creative ㊣

                             

                             

                             

                             


                             


                                           

During our conversation, I realized that Bro Mao managed the restaurant himself. He is the waiter, chef and bartender (liquor only serve after 9pm). Bro Mao recommended to try "braised lion head" (紅燒獅子頭) as I mentioned to him that I want to pork and with vegetables. While Bro Mao was preparing the food, I shot some pictures of the restaurant...and waiting my dinner to be ready 。◕‿◕。


Finally my dinner was ready...°¤*(¯`★´¯)*¤°
My first impression: simple and quite colorful (braised beancurd, scramble egg, wild vegetables and braised pork with cabbage soup) - NT 170
Bro Mao knew that I was super duper hungry and gave me alot of rice! Gosh...made me so full and bloated..hahaha But I had managed to finish up all the food (all ingredients are organic) The cabbage in the soup was so soft and it absorbed the soup essence. When I tried to chew, the soup essence splashed out inside my mouth! Yummy!!! Really go well with rice and the soup was not salty at all. Beside that, the wild vegetables were also abit crunchy. A simple dish yet with colorful taste!

                           
                                                  Braised pork with cabbage soup

                            
                                           Braised beancurd, scramble egg, wild vegetables

After dinner, Bro Mao offered me _"Revolution Coffee" (革命咖啡)
This coffee has 18 years history, specially mix with 4 coffee beans and even after cooling still remain mellow sweet. The taste really special. After dinner ..a cup of "Revolution Coffee" was extremely perfect (>’.’<)

                            
                                                              Revolution Coffee

                           

                            

Another dish I would like to recommend to everyone. If you like fermented bean curd, you should order steam fermented bean curd. You can inform Bro Mao of your spicy level so that he can prepare specially for you. Of course the smell is extremely unbearable however taste is really awesome. Really go well with rice. This is a must try dish. Thanks Theresa for this recommendation...she knows my preference.

                             
Steam fermented bean curd - NT120
My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best (^_−)−☆
Taste it and you will LOVE IT


No. 39 GuEsT HoUsE (三十九號招待所) Business Hours
Lunch: 11am - 2.30pm
Dinner: 5pm - 9.30pm
Every Thursday rest day


No. 39 GuEsT HoUsE (三十九號招待所) Map

Sally's Blog



AT FLOWER PALACE_EANOR COFFEE (伊 諾 咖 啡 館)

Sudden had an urge for coffee...cycled around the district ...managed to locate a nice cosy coffee place along Guangfu Street. This place ambience is quiet ....had given me cosy fu~
Looking at the coffee menu (actually not the main menu, just the coffee mellow graph) Oops...I was so bimbo ツ


Ordered Panama Santana's Tear (巴拿馬聖塔那眼淚) to my surprise ...came with 1 pot and 2pcs of coco. First taste was very surprising and the acidity is quite enough. Will not feel uncomfortable in my mouth. Chewed a piece of coco, it neutralize the bitterness and brought out some cream and rugosa rose fragrant after second sip of the coffee.
The combination aromatic ...till now still cannot forget ღ


The shop atmosphere is nice too...warm lightings accompanied with jazz music ♬
Especially on the rainy weather...hearing the raindrops and sitting at this cosy cafe having a pot of coffee to warm up....Feeling extraordinary awesome! ♥‿♥
Not only that, magazines, books and newspapers also provided for reading too!


Chat with the boss and his nice wify..their friendliness and sociability had brighten up the gloomy weather and quiet environment! SoOooo comfy ☂
The boss also offered me orange juicy...so sweet ...☃


Miss this place ...nice boss, nice coffee, nice and cosy environment cafe 유 ♥ 웃


                            
                                         Panama Santana's Tear (巴拿馬聖塔那眼淚)

                           

                                           

                                           
                                                                  Bar counter

                           

                           

                                        

                         

                         

                         

                         

Eanor Coffee 伊 諾 咖 啡 館 Facebook Link


Cafe Map Link

Sally's blog



AT FLOWER PALACE_HUALIEN RAILWAY CULTURE MUSEUM (花連鐵道文化園區)

Weather is relatively hot and warm! Cycled around the town area ...stopped over at Hualien Railway Culture Museum! Walked around the quiet street ...Looking at those histroic structures and understand these stuctures! Those olden days.....the life of the workers ♡


Sharing the information of these historic structures ♡



                                


                               
                                                 Factory-rest station for railway workers
                                                         Built in Year 1941 January
                                                         建造年代: 民國30年1月

The factory was originally a place for railway workers to rest and for equipment storage. It is now used as a warehouse for construction materials


                                 
                                         Guarding railway safety-the old railway police station
                                                                Build in Year 1954
                                                             建造年代: 民國43年

At the end of the Second World War, Taiwan underwent a period of social unrest. People too the train without buying tickets and build illegal housing along the railroad. To handle these disputes and maintain order, the government established the Railway Police Force in 1946


                                  
                                   Guarding railway safety-the old railway police station (front-view)

                                 
                                                                    The old railway track

                                                   
                                                                           Old letterbox

                                                   


More information of the Railway Culture Museum

Map of the Railway Culture Museum

Visiting hours:
Tuesday - Sunday 8.30am to 5.00pm
Close on every Monday and National Holidays

Sally's blog