October 2005: Chingjing, Lishan, Ilan and Taroko

The following pictures were taken on a four day trip in October 2005. Initially, we'd planned to go straight to Taroko across the Central-Cross Highway. However, this particular route was blocked by a landslide. After spending the first night at Chingjing Farm, we therefore had no option but to travel to the east coast via national highway number eight to Lishan, which was only barely passable, and from there on national road number 7 to Ilan, which was also in poor condition. We then travelled down the east coast road to Taroko before returning home the same way. Unlike our trip the year before in which we experienced nothing but sunshine, on this trip we saw nothing but rain!

Leaving our guest house at Chingjing Farm.

Miserable weather on Hehuan Mountain.

National highway number 8 from Tayuling to Lishan.

My friend Patrick discusses politics with a local resident. He'll tell you that it was the most intelligent conversation he had that day!

This was taken on national highway number 7 between Lishan and Ilan. We had to wait here for over an hour while they cleared the road. For a while it looked like we might have to turn back.

We couldn't believe this tour bus was attempting to get past here!

Yet another landslide on the east coast road between Suao and Hualian!

Absolutely soaked on my way from Suao to Hualian.

One of my favourite pastimes; drinking beer on the beach. This is taken at Qixingtan between Hualian and Taroko. This beer was thoroughly deserved after all the bloody rain!

There's a bicycle somewhere under this lot!

Heading back the same way that we came. This bridge was damaged during the previous summer's typhoon. Luckily there was just enough space to squeeze the bikes across.

This picture is taken in Mingchi forest on national highway number 7. It's misty here for most of the year.

Finally some good weather on the last day!