Day 26, Taroko: Two Cthulhu Burgers to Go.

(Posted by Andrew about the events of Jan 6; Taroko National Park, Taiwan.)

Not knowing much about Taiwan, a country which nobody playing the guessing game chose, we were curious if its culture was going to match that of Japan in politeness or mainland China in assertiveness. (This was especially on our mind after a fight nearly broke out at customs in Bangkok when a Chinese family tried to jump the extensive queue.) The question was answered when I went to the local burger joint to grab us a late quick dinner and the line cook came out from the kitchen to show me my take-out order to make sure I was happy with all aspects. Also in the Japan category was the “burger” menu itself: I think I ordered a cheese burger topped with a fried egg and a slice of Cthulhu tentacle.

Yet another 5AM wake up call got us on a flight to [I have no idea] as a launching point to Taroko Gorge in Taroko National Park, a narrow ravine made up of white marble.

There's so much marble that everything in the area is plated with it: the bridges, the park benches, the sidewalks, etc.

My review of Taroko Gorge... GORGE-ous! Simply MARBLE-ous!

Actually, scratch that.

It wasn't that great, but it would be a sin to let those puns go to waste. Really we probably are encountering the same thing we did at The French Valley last year: when you've got such beautiful scenery in the Rockies on your doorstep, it's easy to forget how well it compares to other places in the world, and easily to not be impressed when you travel elsewhere.

An unexpected highlight of the tour considering it didn't cost that much was lunch in a five-star hotel which featured authentic Taiwanese cuisine. (The lady sat next to me was Taiwanese but living in Toronto and back for a holiday, and she explained each dish as they were presented.)

Nothing much more to say here. Here's a picture of us by a rope bridge.

P.S. We've been watching the weather back home on CNN... ouch. :(