17 December 2011
Sansiantai was the furthest point we went along Highway 11 before heading back towards HuaLien. Next stop was Basiandong (Caves of the Eight Immortals). Mr Lim stopped the taxi by the side of the highway and waited for us while we went to see the caves. According to the signboard, there are 11 caves. We went to the LingYen and ChauYin Cave (Number 1 and 2 on the signboard below) only.
As we walked towards the caves, we could hear the roar of the waves echoing from the cliff in front of us although the ocean was behind us.
The LingYen and ChauYin Caves are actually used as places of worship.
It was getting dark as the sun was setting early in winter. Mr Lim must be thankful we did not go see all the other caves.
We made a brief stop to see the Tropic of Cancer marker. The Tropic of Cancer marks the furthest points north of the equator where the sun can be directly overhead. This only happens once a year, during summer. On this day, the tall marker would not cast any shadow during noon, i.e. the sun is directly overhead. There is a gap in between the marker, probably used to view or mark the sun’s position, or for you to take a photo so that people know that you had stood directly on the Tropic of Cancer.
After leaving the Tropic of Cancer Marker, I thought we would be heading directly back to Hua Lien as it was getting late and it would take an hour’s drive to get there from here. I was surprised when Mr Lim made a stop at a rather normal looking bridge. Actually there are 2 bridges here.
The old bridge is supposed to the one of interest as it was the first and longest single span or cantilever bridge in Taiwan (i.e. no support at the middle). A marble sign on the bridge showed its name - ChangHong Bridge.
He told us to walk across the old bridge while he drove his taxi across the new bridge to meet us on the other side. With the new, metal arch bridge carrying vehicular traffic along highway 11, this old bridge is now a pedestrian bridge.
The old bridge is a good place to view and photograph the new bridge, as well as the river below. Some interesting rocks that looks to be made of pure white marble can be seen on the river banks.
The ChangHong bridge was our last stop for our tour today. Our driver finally drove us back to Hualien and alight us at the famous pai gu mian (Pork Ribs Noodle) shop where we had our dinner.
After dinner, it was time for some Christmas shopping. While the wife was spending money (and almost half an hour) in a costume jewellery shop next to our dinner place, I took a photo of the street of Hua Lien.
We were supposed to buy some buns from the famous Kong Zheng Bao bun shop for supper on our way back to the minsu. But it was not to be. I suddenly did not feel too well. So we hailed a taxi to take us quickly back to Oceanbnb minsu.
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