First, a touch of what we call home. These are the two views that we get from the roof of our appartment; top, the view west to the mountains and the bulk of Hualien City; bottom, the view east to the Pacific Ocean.
Friday, tearing home from work (stopping to get groceries and the ever necessary grill...) we got on the road early. Bikes saddled up, bags packed, and a burning urge for dinner in our bellies, we headed out to Chishingtan beach for a geurilla barbeque dinner. We got there in sunlight, and by 6:30 the dim light of the pressing evening allowed stars to poke out as the embers that cooked our feast burned away. Packing up in the stillness of the empty beach, we biked back to the city to venture off to a place that sells cold brews. What we got was warm beer and ice cubes....but what'er ya gonna do, eh?
Crystal packing the bikes up, yet again.
Crystal on the bike path along the coast, left, and the trail as it meanders into the forgotten forest near the beach, on the right.
After a short jaunt through the city streets, we were out in the less-ventured region of the bike trail and had our time with the buzzing cicadas as we pedaled north to the beach. Hualien City has done a huge service to its people by building such an awsome bike trail, and it actually connects to others in the neighbouring counties making one, almost continuous, bike path for most of the east coast. It dwindles south of Hualien, but there the roads can get so untraveled or curvy and cliffy that the cars are slow and the biking is nice. Canada can learn a lot from these trails....alot. Within a city so huge (by Canadian standards...well....PG size...) there is a high km count of trails for bikes or multi-purpose walking trails or scooter/bike lanes on major roads. If you need to get there, you can take your bike. And the road rules allow for it, the drivers expecting it.
Trevor on the cusp of the beach...pumped for some grilled mushrooms and green peppers and tofu and the sweet smell of calm. Crystal, on the right, biking along the approaching section.
So, we found a spot, dug a hole in the gravel and sand and tossed a flame to the charcoal (no wood around these parts...none....picked clean by those who fish its shores in the early morning). Gave the grill its proper home and let the veggies get themselves all nice and warm!
Starting the fire/bbq and a quick inspection of the fare.
Packed up after the sun set, we were full and eager for a drink. Biked back to town, drank our warm-ice-cube beer and called it a night (after an adventurous ordeal with an electronic dart game....one of the most confusing experiences of Taiwan!).
Saturday we were immobile in terms of "fun" stuff....met friends for lunch and did some errands in the afternoon. But Sunday....
