After filling our tummies, we walked back to the hotel and found 小萱 already waiting by her taxi. Without further ado, we began the southward journey towards the 花東縱谷國家風景區 along Province Highway No.9 from HuaLien to TaiTung.
The first stop was 佛教慈濟大學, built right next to 佛教慈濟綜合醫院. The campus was a harmonious combination of modern buildings, wooden houses, Japanese style gardens and a grand looking temple. Time only allowed us to explore a few buildings but we already had a taste of the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the university. Not a bad place to study in my opinion!
A bit more driving led us to 吉安鄉慶修院. The temple was built by the Japanese immigrants in 1917 and the only one in Taiwan with such complete restoration. The main temple and the 88 stone statues of deities were the major features showcasing the traditional architecture. Everything from 手水舍, 地藏菩薩, 晴天公仔 and the wishing tree looked just like what they were in the comics and I almost felt like being in Japan!
Entrance of 慶修院 and the main temple
手水舍 and a Japanese garden
The next place 小萱 brought us belonged to a local farmer with a passion of flowers. He grew lotus flowers in a small lake and ran a small shop selling fresh flowers at the same time. He no longer served dishes cooked with different parts of the lotus plants but still offerred lotus tea to any visitors free of charge. The sky and the mountains reflecting on the lake formed a postcard-worthing picture. It was a secluded yet inviting place. If it weren't for the moisquitoes we would have loved to stay a bit longer!
The pictureque environment of 蓮城蓮花園
Tea was made by infusing a fresh flower in hot water for about 15 minutes. It smelled divine and had a mild but refreshing taste. We also bought cookies made with peddles from lotus flowers and pumpkin seeds.
Leaving 吉安鄉, we were back on the highway to 壽豐鄉. With farms and mountains on both sides of the road, the view was beautiful. We reached 鯉魚潭, which is the largest inland lake in HuaLien county at the foot of 鯉魚山. On the other side of the lake was a seminary. It was not a Catholic institute so we did not dwell for long.
小萱 dropped us off at the walking trail, which was a partly shady path just beneath the mountain surrounding the lake. Among the trees and bushes were a lot of butterflies, birds and lizards. A few shelters with benches were scattered on hte track for visitors to enjoy the soothing lake view.
We must be hiking faster than we thought because 小萱 was unseen at the car park as she said. We gave her a ring and 5 minutes later we were on our way once again.
鯉魚山
鯉魚潭
For lunch, we stopped by 立川漁場 which was also in 壽豐鄉. This aquafarm consisted of a clam museum, a culture ecology museum, a fish pond and two restaurants. The museums contained display on the species, origin and the life cycle of the marine life and the technologies used in the farm. Children were free to go down to the pond and try to catch clams. There were even a table and seats in the pond for anyone who wanted to keep their legs in the water! 五餅二魚餐廳 was famous for their 黃金蜆 and 貴妃魚 and we ordered a few dishes recommended by our driver. We had a table by the window overlooking the fish pond and enjoyed a nice seafood feast.
Signature dishes of the restaurant: 炒黃金蜆、清蒸貴妃魚、蜆肉丸湯
The final stop of the day was 新光兆豐休閒農場. The farm was divided into zones specifically for birds, flowers, fruits, deer, dairy cattle and other animals. The ground was too big to visit on foot so transportation within the farm was available. Golf carts and bicycles could be rented with an additional cost and an electrical train took a circular route around the land.
The train and some farm animals
The pictureque environment of 蓮城蓮花園
Tea was made by infusing a fresh flower in hot water for about 15 minutes. It smelled divine and had a mild but refreshing taste. We also bought cookies made with peddles from lotus flowers and pumpkin seeds.
Leaving 吉安鄉, we were back on the highway to 壽豐鄉. With farms and mountains on both sides of the road, the view was beautiful. We reached 鯉魚潭, which is the largest inland lake in HuaLien county at the foot of 鯉魚山. On the other side of the lake was a seminary. It was not a Catholic institute so we did not dwell for long.
小萱 dropped us off at the walking trail, which was a partly shady path just beneath the mountain surrounding the lake. Among the trees and bushes were a lot of butterflies, birds and lizards. A few shelters with benches were scattered on hte track for visitors to enjoy the soothing lake view.
We must be hiking faster than we thought because 小萱 was unseen at the car park as she said. We gave her a ring and 5 minutes later we were on our way once again.
鯉魚山
鯉魚潭
For lunch, we stopped by 立川漁場 which was also in 壽豐鄉. This aquafarm consisted of a clam museum, a culture ecology museum, a fish pond and two restaurants. The museums contained display on the species, origin and the life cycle of the marine life and the technologies used in the farm. Children were free to go down to the pond and try to catch clams. There were even a table and seats in the pond for anyone who wanted to keep their legs in the water! 五餅二魚餐廳 was famous for their 黃金蜆 and 貴妃魚 and we ordered a few dishes recommended by our driver. We had a table by the window overlooking the fish pond and enjoyed a nice seafood feast.
Signature dishes of the restaurant: 炒黃金蜆、清蒸貴妃魚、蜆肉丸湯
The final stop of the day was 新光兆豐休閒農場. The farm was divided into zones specifically for birds, flowers, fruits, deer, dairy cattle and other animals. The ground was too big to visit on foot so transportation within the farm was available. Golf carts and bicycles could be rented with an additional cost and an electrical train took a circular route around the land.
The train and some farm animals
The dairy cattle zone was one of the largest and we got to see the cows in their different stages of life, from newborn to the lactating ones. We were allowed to walk through the outdoor shelters where the adult cows were kept and fed. The younger ones were kept in individual cages and I got to play with one of them. And I learnt that it had a hairy tongue!!
A shop next to the barn were selling snacks made with fresh milk collected from the dairy cattle there, such as egg rolls, biscuits, lollies etc. We tried the popular ice cream and the yoghurt, both infused with rich milky flavour. Although the yoghurt had a consistency that was almost pudding-like, the ice cream was really creamy and smooth and I really enjoyed it!
A one-day-old baby girl and hungry cows feeding on grass
Ice-creams and yoghurt made with fresh milk
The last area we went was the fruit farm but during this time of the year, not much else wase in season, except mandarins. We were free to pick the fruits so we all had a go. Despite the greenish colour on the peel, they were quite juicy and sweet!
Fruit-picking area and a hand-picked mandarin
Then it was time to head back to HuaLien. I was so tired I probably slept through most of it. We returned to 王記茶舖 for dinner that night. It was officially our favourite restaurant in HuaLien!
A shop next to the barn were selling snacks made with fresh milk collected from the dairy cattle there, such as egg rolls, biscuits, lollies etc. We tried the popular ice cream and the yoghurt, both infused with rich milky flavour. Although the yoghurt had a consistency that was almost pudding-like, the ice cream was really creamy and smooth and I really enjoyed it!
A one-day-old baby girl and hungry cows feeding on grass
Ice-creams and yoghurt made with fresh milk
The last area we went was the fruit farm but during this time of the year, not much else wase in season, except mandarins. We were free to pick the fruits so we all had a go. Despite the greenish colour on the peel, they were quite juicy and sweet!
Fruit-picking area and a hand-picked mandarin
Then it was time to head back to HuaLien. I was so tired I probably slept through most of it. We returned to 王記茶舖 for dinner that night. It was officially our favourite restaurant in HuaLien!
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