Taitung to Kaohsiung by train

Image: Train linking Taiwan in the South

Luckily after typhoon rail and train were still there. With slow train traveled to Kaohsiung. It was raining, but views from train were fantastic. Especially, when crossing mountain range.


Video: Taitung to Kaohsiung. Not much can be seen as it was raining most of time

In the train I was sitting next to Chinese lady who is living in Taitung. One good thing I observed in Taiwan is that people don’t miss a chance to talk with foreigners if they can speak English. She wanted to hear me speak something and then she said she knew I am not American. I let her to guess where I am from and she called many countries, including Austria*, but still she could not guess.

They are curious, but maybe sometimes a little afraid. World is really diverse – I hope I contributed a little to internationalization of Taiwan.

In Kaohsiung, I went to see a bit of night city.

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* Austria is sometimes missunderstood for Australia in Asia, because both names sound similar.

Walk around Taitung market and departure

Next day weather cleared and it was pity to leave this town filled with sun. Taitung was last stop on the East coast and when crossing mountains to the West side I will be in Kaohsiung.

Streets were completely different from typhoon day and were really lively. I randomly walked around Taitung market. Even this town is so far from capital, I spotted Christian Dior and other brand shops. People really like brands, I thought and here they are not missing out anything from life in Taipei.


Video: Taitung market

Bus took me to Taitung station, which are some miles out of town. New station is in the middle of meadows and nothing much to do while waiting for train, so it’s time to do shopping.


Image: Another Taitung bus station. I got my bus to Taitung railway station from here. Sign says - mountain line

This mysterious fruit, which was sold outside station, captured my attention. I asked name of it and to obtain one. As soon as I was told, I forgot its Chinese name, but later at home I found out that in English it can be called - sugar apple. Taiwanese guy, who was selling fruits, gave me one for free (well, getting something for free doesn’t happen so often, right ?).


Image: sugar apple

He talked continuously, so I understood that he is trying to explain how to eat it. I encouraged him to communicate using gestures and what I understood is that it can be eaten while breaking in 2 parts and then using spoon or – another way - breaking peace by peace and eating with hand. It is really tasty and after one such fruit I felt really full.

Seller guy did not seemed to be one of those regulars at Christian Dior shop (fruits was really cheap). So, I gave him some money for fruits and nice explanation. It was first time I spoke with Taiwanese, even we could just communicate by using body language. I wanted to know more about their daily lives. Where do they live ? What they do for a living ? I assumed they live near to those big mountains, but are they all farmers ?


Video: Look outside Taitung new station. Wooden sculptures

Next train to Kaohsiung.

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There is just one bus per hour to Taitung station. It costs 22 NTD.

Typhoon day in Taitung

Even typhoon was strong I could not enjoy warm hospitality of KFC for ever. I spotted 7 eleven and bought map in Chinese (see cover). Immediately asked staff – show me where I am. Now with reading road signs and following geometry of streets I could find one of hotels I spotted on internet. It was great relief.

Typhoon was really setting in, but at times there were periods of no rain. I got out of hotel and was enjoying sweet cakes in street cafe while being entertained with James Blunt songs. Cakes are like magnet for local stray dogs, but when given one they run away like devil from cross. Is their interest not gastronomical ?

The best place to see full power typhoon - is near ocean. There I met with police officers, who were not allowing curious spectators to approach ocean. Surprisingly came across two other foreign tourists. You can see them in video - they are even enjoying this typhoon.


Video: This is how it looks during typhoon

There was another unusual thing I saw in Taitung. On the street side, stage was set up on the opposite side to temple entrance and some performance was going on. But wait, where are spectators ?

Later I got to know that this is Taiwanese opera and they are singing for God. Good to see it.


Video: Taiwanese opera

It looks like all roles are played by women. Lady playing boy's role is singing in lower voice - falsetto. Actors seemed also a little bit surprised to see foreigner there.

Bonus video – musical garbage disposing truck.


Video: musical truck

Next day typhoon has passed.

Hualien - Taitung by bus

After relaxing day in Hualien I was ready for more filming. Since, train line did not follow coast from Hualien to Taitung I choose bus. There is one direct bus per day as to my knowledge. Other buses go till border of Hualien County and maybe it is possible to catch another bus to Taitung about which I was not sure. (Japanese guidebook which I read in bookstore says there are 6-8 daily buses, but I could not confirm this)


Image: Next morning clouds cleared impressive mountains behind Hualien. I did not wanted to leave this town after seeing mountains


Image: mountain behind Hualien. Red building is bus station

I upload longer video with scenes outside window. This definitely it the most beautiful bus route in the world. No music just natural sound. See ocean, mountains and houses.


Video: scenes from window

From Hualien, bus was half-full, but soon most of people got out and we were a few people riding. Close to Hualien are nice penthouses and built up areas, but later on - simple houses.

Other passengers were local people. This time I could observe Taiwanese people closely. They talked language, which I heard first time and seemed not to notice me – I was just another passenger. Conversations were flowing enthusiastically in the bus that sometimes I was keen to jump in and talk, but I have no idea what is being discussed really.


Image: This is the bus I was traveling

This bus route crosses tropic of cancer line. So there is special monument to mark this place.


Image: monument marking tropic of cancer belt

As closer it got to Taitung, the less people were in bus. Soon I was only the one passenger.

After arriving in Taitung, typhoon became strong and I had my shelter in KFC (Thank you, KFC!). With tourist pamphlet in English and no signs around, I had no clue, where I have arrived.

Check next entry about my time in Taitung.