The fourth day of our five day tour took us on an adventure up the Eastern coast of Taiwan, ending in Taroko National Park. This bridge was the highlight of my day (and the amazing rooftop pool set in the hotel overlooking Taroko was definitely the highlight of the night!)

We started our journey passing by the 7-11, which is home to many monkeys! We saw a whole family of them eating mangoes.

This is the Papa Monkey. He would take penalty bites out of everyone’s food. The smaller monkeys would jump into the trees and run away from him when he walked by.

Our first bus stop of the day was the Xiaoyeliu Nature Reserve, which featured breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

We hiked over these cool looking rocks to get to the viewing area. It was not the day to wear my yoga sandals!

Once we climbed over the rocks, we were able to witness this beautiful coast!

The weather was much better than the day before. Beautiful blue skies peeking out from the clouds. No monsoons in the radar!

Our next stop along the coastline was the Sanxiantai and the Dragon Bridge. Sanxiantai is an island made up of three bodies, and the Dragon Bridge connects it to the mainland. The bridge is made up of eight arches. The legend goes that these were eight immortals that set out for America (I think that was a joke..I am definitely butchering Alan’s story!). Five left and never came back, but three of them came back to their mother land because it was so beautiful – nothing could compare. So, they became an island and are forever home. We had to do a little walking before we could see the immortals in person.

This was the view that we walked up to. We didn’t stop for long because we immediately wanted to go over it and get our steps in!

Toots decided to basically run over the bridge, even though it was 95 and super humid out! We only had 40 minutes to go out and back. Toots ran way ahead of me, and I lost her once we got to the island. Thankfully, she didn’t get lost, like she is prone to do!

When you walk over the bridge, the breeze feels amazing and the views are incredible. This is the view when you look to your left. You can see the tourists on what is known as Pebble Beach.

Toots snapped this picture of me taking the picture of Pebble Beach before she ran off. Good one, Toots!

This is the view to the right.

Once you make it over the eight arches, you come to a wooden trail that is surrounded by vegetation. There is no more breeze. It is hot and humid (somewhat suffocating), but you just want to make it to that big rock! So, that’s what I did!

The views from Sanxiantai island are truly breathtaking. I could’ve spent all day there, but I had to run back to the bus! Only 40 minutes at this stop!

The view of the actual island. Here you can see one of the immortals.

Although I was running to the bus, bounding over these stairs and arches, I was able to score some pictures of the view back. I highly recommend this site. Not many people actually crossed the bridge, so the island itself felt rather private and serene. If you ever make it to Taiwan, go here!

After we finished up at the Dragon Bridge, we rode up to Fanshuliao, which features a bridge that overlooks a canyon.

I didn’t get many pictures of Fanshuliao. It was a very quick stop. I think it provided a sneak peek of what we were going to see in Taroko – beautiful gorges and cliffs.

 

Once we took our quick snapshots at Fanshuliao, we headed to a marble factory to buy trinkets.

We were not allowed to take any pictures inside, but I snagged a picture of this gorgeous marble rock that sits at the entrance of the factory. Taiwan is known for its different type of Nephrite. I particularly like the Cat’s Eye.

 

Once we finished up at the marble factory, we made our way to Taroko National Park. This is the view from the bus as you enter. The lanes are very narrow, so they do mandatory traffic control where you wait for several minutes for other cars to pass by. I didn’t mind sitting right here, taking all of this scenery in!

We did one stop in Taroko before heading to the hotel – the Swallow Grotto. You are not able to access this site when leaving the park, only when entering, so that is why we did this first and ended our day with it.

 

You hike in and out of these little caves along a paved trail that lines the Gorge.

 

This is one of the many views when you look down into the Gorge. Every view is different because erosion has left a unique imprint on every rock down there.

 

A view of the trail that we were walking. You can see our tour bus, the Gorge, and the caves that we were walking through. I just love the misty clouds at the top of the mountains.

 

An obligatory photo of me at the Gorge!

So, I didn’t get an actual photo of the hotel we stayed at in Taroko (Silks Place Taroko – website photo creds) because I immediately ran to the room, and hustled Toots to the rooftop pool. This was my favorite hotel of the tour. It was minimalist, serene, and very cool. The food was also my favorite of all of the hotels. I would go back there in a heartbeat!

https://taroko.silksplace.com/en/

 

I told Toots to take Kardashian pictures of me. She did just that….but forgot to take pictures of the scenery. Oh, Toots.

Toots chilling in a hot tub wearing her bathing suit that she picked up at a market. Sipping on a Long Island Iced Tea. Looking out at Taroko National Park. #NBD #NBD

This was the most amazing pool I have ever been to. I have done infinity pools overlooking the ocean before and rooftop pools in the middle of the city. I have never done a rooftop infinity pool in the middle of a national park, with 360 views of the mountains.

Gorgeous.

Simply gorgeous.

Take me back to Taroko!

 

#Taiwan #Taroko #Asia #travel #Motherdaughtertrip #pool #kardashian