The night in Hualien didn’t just end with having Bian Shi (read previous entry) – on our way back to the mingshu, the gf spotted a roadside beef bbq place, which she vaguely recalled her Uncle singing praises off and since we were THERE and holiday-tummy was unleashed…
I have to admit, there was a chunk load of reluctance to eat beef – despite, knowing I’ll make up for it the day after by eating vegetarian – it was indeed the draw of the bbq place that had me agreeing to it. The restaurant is opened by Indigenous Taiwanese, and being natural hunter-gathers, their diet revolves around the environment with predominant food source coming from wild greens and game. This bbq place is a local hangout for the aborigines in the area, with low tables and stools – Indigenous Taiwanese families would gather around the grill to enjoy their bbq beef, beef stew and bottles of locally produce beer.
I totally and fondly dig the whole rustic, tribal village (Bu Luo) atmosphere and would love to visit one in the future. Oh and yes, the beef was very tender and swoon-worthy according to the beef-lovers in the group.
Our last road trip agenda was to stop at Yilan and head back to Taipei by late afternoon. The drive on Su’ao- Hualien highway this time round, was one of the best scenic drive I’ve ever been on – the 21k coastal drive connecting Hualien to Yilan, bought upon the majestic view of QingShui Cliff or when loosely translated in Chinese ‘ Qing Shui Tuan Ya”.
Many would stop and take some pictures before they head off, not us – we had to park, walk down the cliff, sit by the benches (or walk towards the pebble shores) and stare out in the vast pacific ocean for eons. Yes, that’s us. We’re whimsical (or just plain “stoned” haha) in that way.
The sky was misty, cloudy and there was signs of a lurking thunderstorm which transpired the emotions to another level. There was a lingering sense of calmness, contentment and peace. The shared silence as we bask in the vast ocean view ahead was enchanting.
The threatening rain showers showed no mercy after all, luckily we made it to the car and the drive to Yilan was all gloom and since that dampened the outdoorsy plans, we ended up at Artemis Garden. The country’s first aroma plant-museum, introducing natural flora and fragrance. Both exterior and interior was designed with three elements in mind – steel, glass and wood. The interior boosted of a natural warm landscape for patrons to walk about and explore the fragrant plant, flowers and shrubs.
Lunch was at the main hall which features a certain theme, dependent on the season. For the life of me, I can’t recall what was the theme – can you tell from the pictures? Cause I can’t ..hur hur :). Nonetheless, what I do fondly remember is the delicious plate of tomato-based vegetarian risotto that I had for lunch, the grain and tangy base was such a comfort to the tummy.
There are other places in Yilan, I would have liked to visit and Artemis would not have made it to the list but I must admit, it was a nice respite from the rain and a leisurely end to our road trip.
Guess it’s always nice not to follow a certain agenda or to have a list to check off from, not that my peeps or I usually do – off the beaten tracks works jolly well for us! Six days on the road – abundance of simple pleasures compounded with nature, silence, and laughter. Taiwan, you’re beautiful and I know for sure this won’t be my last road trip on your soil!
J-emine's reflexionando 
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