The great thing about journalling is never knowing when or what will inspire you to write. Tonight I am punching hastily on my iPad some 40,000 feet over the Indian Ocean, flying southeastward-ly for the tip of the Australian continent to the city of Melbourne. But in my mind, a lyrical sketch of Taipei 101 dominates the Taipei skyline and the vast gorges of Taroko National Pa
rk has left me breathless once again.
For the average foodie, a trip to Taipei is almost like a pilgrimage. There we were at the home of the legendary sweet sausage and birthplace of the famous bubble milk tea. Yes, it was holy ground and if you are a believer, Taipei will not forsake you.
This place pretty much romanticises you into a culinary love affair. Our one-night-stand with the infamous marketplace and scandalous flings with nearby street side hawkers left us very troubled indeed - Too little time, too much food to eat. To make matters worse, everything you eat leaves you wanting more. When there is no time for second helpings or re-visits, you end up feeling jilted.
But if you only have time for one, it's got to be Shilin. The Shilin Night Market was really a treat for all senses. Needless to say a plethora of mouth watering hawker delights gratified discerning taste buds. More than that, it was the buzz of activity that provided the true feast of the night, flavourful sights and sounds. From Taiwanese sausages to Taiwanese pancakes, and Taiwanese milk tea to Taiwanese roti canai. Locally produced, globally infused. This is Taiwan.
rk has left me breathless once again.
For the average foodie, a trip to Taipei is almost like a pilgrimage. There we were at the home of the legendary sweet sausage and birthplace of the famous bubble milk tea. Yes, it was holy ground and if you are a believer, Taipei will not forsake you.
But if you only have time for one, it's got to be Shilin. The Shilin Night Market was really a treat for all senses. Needless to say a plethora of mouth watering hawker delights gratified discerning taste buds. More than that, it was the buzz of activity that provided the true feast of the night, flavourful sights and sounds. From Taiwanese sausages to Taiwanese pancakes, and Taiwanese milk tea to Taiwanese roti canai. Locally produced, globally infused. This is Taiwan.
That night at Shilin Night Market, we were happy like that.
A 20-minute flight out Taipei to Hualien will get you to Taroko National Park where nature will rob you of your breath, but don't blink. This is nature at its best.
Crisp mountain air welcomes you with serene sounds of water flowing from a babbling brook close by and a walk to the Eternal Shrine promises icy cold gushing spring waters breaking the sunlight into fleeting rainbows.
Then comes the masterpiece, 600 metres vertical marble cliffs in their purest of forms. Marauding white water raging down slender waterfalls of one mighty, mighty gorge.
They eye can only behold what the mind cannot comprehend. The vibrant blue sky and the brilliantly steep, carved walls forces you to only stand by, a quiet observer craving the next chapter.
Heaven and Earth are vast. The Universe is endless. Whawe see is real but also an illusion. The power of nature stand before our very eyes but in an unseen place it continues creating, waiting for man to discover its mystery.
It is places like these that makes one want to take the longest route home.
