3rd stop out of 5: Yilan

On Monday we said good bye to our new friends in Hualien and headed about one hour north to a small, very beautiful town called Yilan. The locals call it small but in our eyes Yilan is big compared to Samford, Morris, Cooperstown, Delhi and Ithaca. Yilan is located on the flat plains between the east coast mountains and the Pacific Ocean, which makes it the perfect place for outdoor activities, from hiking in the mountains, whale watching in the ocean and exploring the rice patties and agricultural land in the plain. The views in every direction are beautiful...jungle mountains, cliff coastlines and rice patties that resemble patchwork quilts. The surrounding villages are filled with natural hot and cold springs too.

Upon arrival in Yilan, we headed to the National Center for Traditional Arts, where we were given a brief tour and allowed some time to look around the small shopping area which only sells handmade goods. Despite the rainy weather, we all found some great traditional Taiwanese gifts to bring home.

Yilan's Rotary Clubs joined together to host a Welcome Party for us on Monday night. Held in a banquet hall in the heart of downtown, we were treated to several unique gifts, a feast of food and drinks and a night full of karaoke! One big difference we've encountered in our travels is the prevalence of karaoke! From hotel rooms, to bars, to everyday living rooms--every place is equipped with a karaoke machine. Fred and Lauren took one for the team and serenaded the Rotary Clubs of Yilan with a beautiful rendition of 'Knock Three Times' with one of our host mothers, Wendy. Lauren turned out to be the hit of the night when she was invited back on stage to dance!

Welcome Party  

Lauren, Fred and Wendy sing karaoke

Our very own Dancing Queen!

Welcome Party--Four clubs combined to welcome us to Yilan. Great night!

The sun finally broke through the clouds on Tuesday as we headed just outside of town to an agricultural leisure area. To add income and increase tourism to the area, the farmers and craftsman have joined forces to create a DIY (do-it-yourself) tour destination. Tourist can rent bikes or travel by car to each location and learn a skill or trade. We started off the day with a brief introduction of the area at the Welcome Center, then stopped at our first DIY location....green tea ice cream! Our tour guide was a tea expert and along with the ice cream, he helped us learn many of the different techniques to harvesting tea. His family owns and maintains several acres of tea fields and he could easily answer any question we had. 

Tea field view from our ice cream classroom

Bryan and Lauren shaking their ice cream with yet another adorable baby of Taiwan!

Reaping the benefits of our labor--green tea ice cream with hot green tea...so very healthy!

Ice cream entourage

After ice cream we stopped for lunch at an organic restaurant in the middle of the agricultural village. Another interesting, yet delicious meal with Rotarians. Our afternoon DIY included a tea shop/cafe and make-your- own chopsticks. 

Bryan, Kim (host brother) and Derek in front of a small temple outside of the restaurant

Afternoon: Tea Shop/Cafe--After our first round of tea and an explanation of the homemade tea oils, lotions and soaps, we were treated to a tour of the property, where the man pouring tea above taught us the different uses for almost every plant that growing. To us the plants looked like weeds but to the Taiwanese everything in nature serves a purpose. What a great rule to live by!

Dried tea

Chopstick DIY

Finished chopsticks!

Tea fields

Although our schedule is booked tight, the lifestyle in Yilan is much more relaxed than Taipei or Hualien. The change of pace is welcomed after a busy two weeks. 

Much more to come from Yilan...stay tuned! We've crossed the halfway mark, see you in two weeks!

In case you still didnt hear

Tell me who's in the house tonight......UK, tell me who got a win tonight.............UK, tell me who's in the final four ................UK!!!!!  UK 76 -UNC 69!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My apologies to all friends and family that are not Bryan's.  Was too excited not to do this!!!!! 

And now for something completely different.

Panoramas of Taiwan

This is a shot taken at the Lin Family Home Garden in Taibei.  It is a beautiful, traditional Chinese garden which has been left to the public and is open as a garden park right in town.  It has an other worldly feel about it.

Another view taken at the Lin Family Garden Park.

The bridge we crossed to visit the Temple.  Near the Yingge ceramic area.

The Ceramic Museum in Yingge.

Day trip to Wulai with my host family Amy and Paul. 

Another beautiful view at Wulai.

Outside the Historical Museum in Taibei.  This museum is home to some of the most ancient and beautiful artifacts I have ever seen.  The amazing jade and ceramic workmanship boggles the mind and inspires the heart.

Inside the Veteran's Hospital in Taibei.  This was an impressive building, but more impressive is the care given to veterans and other citizens as well.

Our first visit to the ocean in Hualian.  I have now touched the Pacific Ocean on both West and East.  It is warmer here as are the wonderful people of Hualian.

Taroko Gorge National Park.  Some exceptionally inspiring views and engineering.

At the end of a long day, the GSE team (less leader) strolls the beach North of Hualian.  The cliffs rise an impressive 1000 meters and more in places.

The harbor in Hualian.

The Buddhist Tzu Chi (Ci ji) Foundation in Hualian.  This is a beautiful building and amazing hospital and medical school complex, but more than the impressive complex is the beautiful peaceful essence which permeates this place.

Today is a rest day in Hualian.  Tomorrow we are off on the next leg of our journey.

More to come,

Team Leader Fred

Moving to a New City

Tomorrow morning, the team is headed north along the coast to Ilan for our next city.  As we go through the cities ONE BY ONE, we are meeting a lot of new people.  If you have noticed some strange names such as Manpower, Gift, Insurance, Container, Cutter, Oil, Car, Color, Camera, Building  etc.   These are their Rotary nicknames which are usually related to their line of business or the company they own.  We hope all is well back home and we miss you guys!!! and in case you didnt hear......UK 62 Ohio State 60 !!!!!!!!!!

The children of Taiwan

We are amazed at how cute the kids are here.  Here are just a few examples

Check out these twins.  This brought back a lot of memories for Bryan!!

Banking in Taiwan

Although for the most part, banking in the US and Taiwan are very similar there are some things that are different.  Again we see all of the employees in uniform at both banks that I visited.  They also have a computer check in system.  Instead of standing in line at the teller window, you check in at the PC and pull up what services you need.  You are then assigned a number, and you wait to be called on, much like the deli line that we are used too.  Both bank managers were very nice, and the second bank manager in Hualien is a former New Yorker, as Chang Hwa Bank has branches world wide.  He was in fact in the world trade center on the 32nd floor when the first plane hit on September 11th 2001. 

This was the Bank Manager who was in the World Trade Center.

Bryan's Host Families so far

My First family in Taipei was great.  Here are their two grandchildren.  They called me uncle and were very shy about taking their picture with me.  As you can see, the little guy was a little cautious about sitting next to me!!!

My second family in Hualien are also another wonderful family.  Their son Michael spent a year in Oklahoma on a Youth Exchange and has been very helpful in translating.  My mom PP Gift is also very good at English, although if you ask her, she will say she is very bad.  My host Dad's name is Frank, and that is his father who we just call gramps.  He is 88.  How cool is he??   He reminds me of my own grandfather! 

More From Taroko National Park

A suspension bridge that leads to a 7 hour hike, to a pagoda built by Chang Kai Shek. Lauren and Bryan wanted to at least walk the bridge but unfortunately a permit was required!!!!

This is the eternal spring shrine.  It was built in memory of the 226 people who died building the highway in Taroko National Park.  Their names are inscribd on the walls. 

This pagoda was built by Chang Kai Shek's son.  Can you see the frog with the crown on its head??

As nice as some of these shots are.  They really do not do any justice to how bautiful this place is!!!!!!  Truly Incredible.