Taroko Gorge // Xiangde Temple

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvCwsnLGFoZmobHF-HJOGgdGd0mfbK7r7MTZdDvr8tbUyjKItJbTGz9K2lGGsLLm14z3z9z628_n0pzXjriJ1hNpo492qGmRRCtdYxm2E2EhjMRltzX9ho8-h6FwRpR7S9itaKZZwaIkS/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvCwsnLGFoZmobHF-HJOGgdGd0mfbK7r7MTZdDvr8tbUyjKItJbTGz9K2lGGsLLm14z3z9z628_n0pzXjriJ1hNpo492qGmRRCtdYxm2E2EhjMRltzX9ho8-h6FwRpR7S9itaKZZwaIkS/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSCTRxswcOoHQ19ryBM2PcLctbLSzOZgvdR9qUqzRscYH0JxgKGChnlxU3J9rudnhxow2YoSdUXIScHaF4LYHdSrrXUCvYEjyb5L9WPyv1bTQY8g_K5RE3yYdBSNVRnoIXWGS78C1oz6r/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSCTRxswcOoHQ19ryBM2PcLctbLSzOZgvdR9qUqzRscYH0JxgKGChnlxU3J9rudnhxow2YoSdUXIScHaF4LYHdSrrXUCvYEjyb5L9WPyv1bTQY8g_K5RE3yYdBSNVRnoIXWGS78C1oz6r/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />if you ever make your way to Taiwan [which, <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2014/04/10-things-to-eat-see-and-do-in-taiwan.html" target="_blank">you should</a>] I suggest you take a visit to Taroko Gorge.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXlMulbxMrsrkMF2XWGyrY8aMi3ICYeuGGsJ70-LcvX5cpCPXS75FhSpZaZLm1qMERu25bFSjJ4lUryUELJiYZ_ViOWZeLyMltrc48wdfKJYcYCo9_wNJKxKbdOc1PXDE3dSm0e-OKEwI/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXlMulbxMrsrkMF2XWGyrY8aMi3ICYeuGGsJ70-LcvX5cpCPXS75FhSpZaZLm1qMERu25bFSjJ4lUryUELJiYZ_ViOWZeLyMltrc48wdfKJYcYCo9_wNJKxKbdOc1PXDE3dSm0e-OKEwI/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQfCWFu9laxEEL3sGY2BFE8Qmz_zRHBSNrCCHwjg2Yf2sI0hgTbHX-sioJYWm76yd207KJhjmc0O8YeM48pgDUVRU9xbuDGrnorVGoTGou35glZxNIMRfD-FT_I0DvPrXik2qm8e4gd6W/s1600/silkstarokogorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQfCWFu9laxEEL3sGY2BFE8Qmz_zRHBSNrCCHwjg2Yf2sI0hgTbHX-sioJYWm76yd207KJhjmc0O8YeM48pgDUVRU9xbuDGrnorVGoTGou35glZxNIMRfD-FT_I0DvPrXik2qm8e4gd6W/s1600/silkstarokogorge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />and while you are there, spring for a night or two at the <a href="http://taroko.silksplace.com.tw/en/aboutus.html" target="_blank">Silks Place Taroko</a>. aside from <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2014/05/twenty-nine-birthday-reflections.html" target="_blank">rooftop hot tubs</a> and a buffet dinner, this hotel is one of few actually located in the gorge [in Tianxiang], and not in the nearby city of Hualien. this will allow you to start your day's explorations out where most of the busloads of tourists will not reach until afternoon. namely: the Xiangde Temple.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AS2XFES94BfNKyswDjLGafCNBWeUGV0oAGysxB5TYENG_X9-s5nC_ojTI_Azn4Y-54uBMwoGYWmkVsNaV-KVVzKDtbH-eWXbgyzp4YJpNiadYzxzM5xBBiinThMs72rSQILLJZa228v7/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AS2XFES94BfNKyswDjLGafCNBWeUGV0oAGysxB5TYENG_X9-s5nC_ojTI_Azn4Y-54uBMwoGYWmkVsNaV-KVVzKDtbH-eWXbgyzp4YJpNiadYzxzM5xBBiinThMs72rSQILLJZa228v7/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOlqF0-ApXoY6kMCoy5rpil8qdIshyphenhyphenl6p-mI3EGcNr6LVC0ZbimEgRgmW5ssj9KuhjtiACaFX6ho814zF9ApMqA48qhuWD1oFoAFV2oPZCRe4udbIY3yy-RAw-B57Do56vX39rPCrAzWJ/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOlqF0-ApXoY6kMCoy5rpil8qdIshyphenhyphenl6p-mI3EGcNr6LVC0ZbimEgRgmW5ssj9KuhjtiACaFX6ho814zF9ApMqA48qhuWD1oFoAFV2oPZCRe4udbIY3yy-RAw-B57Do56vX39rPCrAzWJ/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3hZGXjTiYHa-s_qVrQ7L9CGazAKSh1vhhOgJNbKcBAtbvliPf-b3xnf1Y_aCO8yr8GMXROTBvuGBiANwcg94xKGSZ_DN4w9hansM1s6JE_iCLBEcJJs_91JmNhwmFoBCLL6A7hUrbFuw/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3hZGXjTiYHa-s_qVrQ7L9CGazAKSh1vhhOgJNbKcBAtbvliPf-b3xnf1Y_aCO8yr8GMXROTBvuGBiANwcg94xKGSZ_DN4w9hansM1s6JE_iCLBEcJJs_91JmNhwmFoBCLL6A7hUrbFuw/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9ePJldLASz_bwPPxsnAj0cwdD7RG04nxzYgDTYmxGCs5FnRMg0cSQx5q20KfMMoURf46R7vzq1NPChIgKbDd-nAtgF7jxa6OYbugAD3lD64kFQovLmla2GJpg5JqOxdURJVqjoRaPneK/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9ePJldLASz_bwPPxsnAj0cwdD7RG04nxzYgDTYmxGCs5FnRMg0cSQx5q20KfMMoURf46R7vzq1NPChIgKbDd-nAtgF7jxa6OYbugAD3lD64kFQovLmla2GJpg5JqOxdURJVqjoRaPneK/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko6.jpg" /></a></div><br />to reach the temple, cross the lotus-guarded bridge and head through the main gate. then you have to climb up a series of steep stairs and ramps winding through gardens and mountain forest. if you wander to the right, you can find the giant white bodhisattva statue peering down over the gorge.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyt5nVkq_jWufR0iivXqoBppJxg06m-OdB8xWBjxqSQrmJTx7TlZZqm5q2qVqWUX-1HQsxITKR6Ia2V2gf6mBLTf9YPWTdyArNo6vtn_DG5JeDwksHW_DSfRz43o-2b8-0ueENpqsOQdV/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyt5nVkq_jWufR0iivXqoBppJxg06m-OdB8xWBjxqSQrmJTx7TlZZqm5q2qVqWUX-1HQsxITKR6Ia2V2gf6mBLTf9YPWTdyArNo6vtn_DG5JeDwksHW_DSfRz43o-2b8-0ueENpqsOQdV/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dUXp7qGsBHjiRRc_bW9T5XIacgjbubJLKeX5kqRPx4ST5oVItSmHOZyE1Jf3JXP1whLuF8jzC8xMiBqTN6rSfncwxOkbG-7rzO4VFdN2Bayu0ScsrUSLLrzPuc6jjKJ2QTkR2clCfI5U/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dUXp7qGsBHjiRRc_bW9T5XIacgjbubJLKeX5kqRPx4ST5oVItSmHOZyE1Jf3JXP1whLuF8jzC8xMiBqTN6rSfncwxOkbG-7rzO4VFdN2Bayu0ScsrUSLLrzPuc6jjKJ2QTkR2clCfI5U/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko15.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTJ7cKD9_maLBqQXnoLFooGHlYUVfbAeaDnUnmMJHAmd0-e9ImiUowfO8eVDMWMmBcqnMMxX3TZvANyj40xgCdeEVNQtA2U5wVJJslu2yMDcXF0Iv7W7PuJh-leTbDbivW4zmJ42i02nu/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTJ7cKD9_maLBqQXnoLFooGHlYUVfbAeaDnUnmMJHAmd0-e9ImiUowfO8eVDMWMmBcqnMMxX3TZvANyj40xgCdeEVNQtA2U5wVJJslu2yMDcXF0Iv7W7PuJh-leTbDbivW4zmJ42i02nu/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgbmGJhkes1oe5lIhipPQ5qfkCdla2vNDAbeVWtjtW3BfOVqoL0vyTXHmXvu4F9mbHjD-jM0Sz6fKgKClpocKbb7uspWyssgv0A9e0YY9CG8008bW9prFPgGU5Ae0_LJqGuNyzR2gTDza/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgbmGJhkes1oe5lIhipPQ5qfkCdla2vNDAbeVWtjtW3BfOVqoL0vyTXHmXvu4F9mbHjD-jM0Sz6fKgKClpocKbb7uspWyssgv0A9e0YY9CG8008bW9prFPgGU5Ae0_LJqGuNyzR2gTDza/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko17.jpg" /></a></div><br />the Xiangde Temple sits on a large terrace with spectacular views, and is surrounded by several smaller buildings and statues. there is one famous golden statue on the cliff edge, but it was under restoration when we visited.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwMqMN0fIb0VvdPr_IiJS42PxZdWANopIHafIaOq-tRd9HR-r58MJiAo_Hks7mXJkGbZcSvvXia__yd1E0_264i7_wUNRde5f0HIRt4u6i3gK9IdXWptlue50-DLNJWlDWtXFHp4zKmMs/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwMqMN0fIb0VvdPr_IiJS42PxZdWANopIHafIaOq-tRd9HR-r58MJiAo_Hks7mXJkGbZcSvvXia__yd1E0_264i7_wUNRde5f0HIRt4u6i3gK9IdXWptlue50-DLNJWlDWtXFHp4zKmMs/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDvSfCCdXkmFvxLKbVc1qI6T6cAXRcdf7DMaWvGe4sNz5geek6qVmFwBUGORzNa5dcMglLy2bBGJaX0XrlB7qsMAga6CKVrplSxf2yy1dozxsfvJSN09rxL0kFe-zBLu-LmvQGCaw749a/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDvSfCCdXkmFvxLKbVc1qI6T6cAXRcdf7DMaWvGe4sNz5geek6qVmFwBUGORzNa5dcMglLy2bBGJaX0XrlB7qsMAga6CKVrplSxf2yy1dozxsfvJSN09rxL0kFe-zBLu-LmvQGCaw749a/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8hlnwlNB4-cLQ8yAUcNQMcLb3qgdKkkiV3HqMTe-usVVdNr18cguHFeS0XX5j0n8Qq6yqXGGaI8qMAQiuuftOElFyqh1UkrGaJiJvcAwPbIsf7wZEivDgZvtV88g28ZIx3BR6q__Quj4/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8hlnwlNB4-cLQ8yAUcNQMcLb3qgdKkkiV3HqMTe-usVVdNr18cguHFeS0XX5j0n8Qq6yqXGGaI8qMAQiuuftOElFyqh1UkrGaJiJvcAwPbIsf7wZEivDgZvtV88g28ZIx3BR6q__Quj4/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jr7bi97-pMl5YLONWS6iSMvqVCZetN2tgakqsP8B9IA9UjTdt4d0QLrWyq6hY5P5f9RXHaCpUMy8nm-h42og4rnEifoeVPC_7NzvD2WBqskM2wcuYYHcXIXs5PsMNK-g5b2e9kEbPxq2/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jr7bi97-pMl5YLONWS6iSMvqVCZetN2tgakqsP8B9IA9UjTdt4d0QLrWyq6hY5P5f9RXHaCpUMy8nm-h42og4rnEifoeVPC_7NzvD2WBqskM2wcuYYHcXIXs5PsMNK-g5b2e9kEbPxq2/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko18.jpg" /></a></div><br />the Tian Feng pagoda is located nearby, and you can climb to the top for more fantastic views. [but really, I couldn't find a view in Taroko that wasn't fantastic.] over the next few weeks I'll be showing you more scenes from this gorgeous place, so I hope you enjoy green mountains and blue rivers and bright temples...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR0nyFrjlYwZMAZ9HRR6nlDSVG2axKP3AJC67BnJvxDZEDT0VtM4QqMBc5LywqYtAvxnSEMj-kYs7FiQZ1_S-cVo5kNerJc3CxFOJ99xTBY9FZH-OkthOnGETYfLtMdpJxlzZuFFTco15/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR0nyFrjlYwZMAZ9HRR6nlDSVG2axKP3AJC67BnJvxDZEDT0VtM4QqMBc5LywqYtAvxnSEMj-kYs7FiQZ1_S-cVo5kNerJc3CxFOJ99xTBY9FZH-OkthOnGETYfLtMdpJxlzZuFFTco15/s1600/xiangdetemple_taroko19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i>the cup of coffee that fueled the writing of today’s post was sponsored by <a href="http://www.nearandfarmontana.com/">Jenn</a>. she drinks her coffee with Truvia + almond milk and blogs about lifestyle + home improvement over at <a href="http://www.nearandfarmontana.com/">Near and Far Montana</a>.</i>

Taroko Gorge // Xiangde Temple

if you ever make your way to Taiwan [which, you should ] I suggest you take a visit to Taroko Gorge. and while you are there, spring for a n...

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the Hualien night market

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r4Q70HdTdVTcHW-L7zIGtn-FFoJ9IYlmO2HfSjN3W7Wubr4vAVl252Lny7JmpyLVUYzHifg1biKAJFBjeKV0B5teoR_0HzAGHMQ0wEL75c1KZdTJtYWEPSIL45tL390HE7a_GaDo_w_r/s1600/IMG_4771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r4Q70HdTdVTcHW-L7zIGtn-FFoJ9IYlmO2HfSjN3W7Wubr4vAVl252Lny7JmpyLVUYzHifg1biKAJFBjeKV0B5teoR_0HzAGHMQ0wEL75c1KZdTJtYWEPSIL45tL390HE7a_GaDo_w_r/s640/IMG_4771.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />the cities don't truly come alive here until nightfall. the days are so steamy, it makes sense. the sun sets. the lights go up. and the people flood the streets, wandering the open shops and strolling through the night markets.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLHDOYi2sEmFDm_PIHml2-_hb_ERysnx4Q44k3VU-QF6q6iXKmXQT2m1ANfTFR3MOJJFETB6TIk7v-oofijvMYu-tQF1EXK0-Oo1VRZmk14JObwm2FHus9c5LgRZ9WR2YkLVlU28DOqjy/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLHDOYi2sEmFDm_PIHml2-_hb_ERysnx4Q44k3VU-QF6q6iXKmXQT2m1ANfTFR3MOJJFETB6TIk7v-oofijvMYu-tQF1EXK0-Oo1VRZmk14JObwm2FHus9c5LgRZ9WR2YkLVlU28DOqjy/s640/IMG_4773.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />the night markets are... an experience. packed with people. roasting hot. stall after stall of new foods and strange smells.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeTSZo9Vz4pEh234czhEG-A4E3Xi8VyLyKRPdzxK4dhoMBNndZZEVxG-6dFPR2ResPM8bKOegdvYgxBgU2tvjyYI0QAcEhpzurxIvd9glya-z1ezwlZsLLmwnGwHkHyCzbdVqwZ4zumuS/s1600/IMG_4775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeTSZo9Vz4pEh234czhEG-A4E3Xi8VyLyKRPdzxK4dhoMBNndZZEVxG-6dFPR2ResPM8bKOegdvYgxBgU2tvjyYI0QAcEhpzurxIvd9glya-z1ezwlZsLLmwnGwHkHyCzbdVqwZ4zumuS/s640/IMG_4775.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />crispy fried squid on a stick. comes in 8 different flavors. [the boys tried curry]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4cbAg2Wlu88HqK6U6gPgtXA138TSP5mNqP5ydSZpIMbttL0hN9qcZ9HwbCvQppwlBz6AbInGJn3sOYiFS2WPxomSjWxcPsHfkaFaSdm_uIfev0hHhd_JqLFGP-Q1rBj4h9DMaigG58w9/s1600/IMG_4770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4cbAg2Wlu88HqK6U6gPgtXA138TSP5mNqP5ydSZpIMbttL0hN9qcZ9HwbCvQppwlBz6AbInGJn3sOYiFS2WPxomSjWxcPsHfkaFaSdm_uIfev0hHhd_JqLFGP-Q1rBj4h9DMaigG58w9/s640/IMG_4770.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />there are stalls with clothes and shoes and jewelry and trinkets. there are stalls with fresh fruit smoothies and shaved ice and rice noodles. there are stalls with boxes of children's toys that look like they might actually be from the late 80s. [or maybe just knock offs of something from the late 80s.]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKWlV_jRQj805jdoouxUQlgEaE5lJpOG0txRByq5-UabMsR8Cl6ORGA2V-Gi0iQLyVzzDU4v5L8_rXd2HA_f9iwvsBDzE2EnLwLsraxzsHq8r45BlRDxKYRGPjY2X1ThhVXb7Q72diAap/s1600/IMG_4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKWlV_jRQj805jdoouxUQlgEaE5lJpOG0txRByq5-UabMsR8Cl6ORGA2V-Gi0iQLyVzzDU4v5L8_rXd2HA_f9iwvsBDzE2EnLwLsraxzsHq8r45BlRDxKYRGPjY2X1ThhVXb7Q72diAap/s640/IMG_4769.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />and then there are stalls that have tall, tall towers of tasty dumplings. yep. those are round wooden baskets stacked sky high full of dumplings, steaming hot all the way up.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT8TwtP6syXlkuD-ZfvhHNI4wtQOkx_Kb1T6mDTW_Hp5_66izVA1poysSjW4gqL72Bv_-1lCpjuKmhXDyo8Q8Sm6lgc8xphtBo2zr1sgls-mdTIXn7sZAj8MIxsBseXgXYE77lpbJo6vK/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT8TwtP6syXlkuD-ZfvhHNI4wtQOkx_Kb1T6mDTW_Hp5_66izVA1poysSjW4gqL72Bv_-1lCpjuKmhXDyo8Q8Sm6lgc8xphtBo2zr1sgls-mdTIXn7sZAj8MIxsBseXgXYE77lpbJo6vK/s640/IMG_4768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />that's when we stop to eat. <b>to feast</b>. dumplings and pork buns and hot + sour soup with rice noodles. and all for dirt cheap. a basket of 10 dumplings cost 30NT. which is the equivalent of $1. ONE DOLLAR. the five of us ate until we were stuffed and the bill was less than $10 US. ridiculous. and awesome.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wZWsFoJQhpNXvWFLiFBL6jWIQs6bu0IqwEe2lnroZXL1QjjR1ShNS0fxow8h3_xDHYucPxz0sHhsKBKToAXyuFwK3xRGg2LbfId2_3xrqMZheCNmHh3LhL4YhNiE5hoKCw-a5cBUvori/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wZWsFoJQhpNXvWFLiFBL6jWIQs6bu0IqwEe2lnroZXL1QjjR1ShNS0fxow8h3_xDHYucPxz0sHhsKBKToAXyuFwK3xRGg2LbfId2_3xrqMZheCNmHh3LhL4YhNiE5hoKCw-a5cBUvori/s640/IMG_4764.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />these are steamed pork buns. imagine that someone wrapped a meatball in bread dough and the cooked it by steaming instead of baking. [most definitely not gluten free.] but they were delicious, or so I was told.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBXcRlHiwlbHG_AeXh5rvrPHM0g8iVuV26u6rFdrTlruBy-t-Scg_MApe3SsB1YLNFj34qWTRRS92fF_qpSt_lCCYaz7aHGDwNoIR7UpeWExr8soGO2sYJW5sIEQhkUhu46Wa6ulohdF2/s1600/IMG_4765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBXcRlHiwlbHG_AeXh5rvrPHM0g8iVuV26u6rFdrTlruBy-t-Scg_MApe3SsB1YLNFj34qWTRRS92fF_qpSt_lCCYaz7aHGDwNoIR7UpeWExr8soGO2sYJW5sIEQhkUhu46Wa6ulohdF2/s640/IMG_4765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />and... dumplings. incredibly delicious pork dumplings. also not gluten free. but so tasty I ate them anyway [and suffered a stomach ache for it.] what can I say? woman cannot live on rice noodle alone.

the Hualien night market

the cities don't truly come alive here until nightfall. the days are so steamy, it makes sense. the sun sets. the lights go up. and the ...

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