Taroko Gorge

I was really anxious for our Day 3 trip in Taiwan. What with my research skills being put to an all time test. 

I was adamantly trying to put into our itinerary Taroko Gorge. But with minimal (okay, zero) Chinese-speaking skills, I was put at a disadvantage. The first time I read about Taroko Gorge, I thought you needed to fly in. Good thing that more blog-reading brought insight to my frivolous mind. And I learned that from Taipei Main Station, you can catch the TRA going to Hualein (one-way costs 440 NTD, 2 - 2.5 hours). From there, several modes of transportation are available.

I read you can rent a motorcycle. That would be a plus since you'll have to spend only 400+ NTD. BUT! There was a big BUT there. We don't own an internationally-recognized driver's license. I don't even own a Philippine license! Expired and I never got the time and will to update it.

Anyway, it was a good thing that while walking towards the Tourist Information Center in Hualein station, Mr. Wang approached us and asked if we were going to Taroko. I was hesitant at first, thinking a taxi would cost us 3,500 NTD, like a private car would. But after talking to him, he told us that we can rent his taxi for five (5) hours for 2,000 NTD, and we can visit seven (7) places. That's almost the price of the tourist bus I scoured online (NTD 600 to 850 per person). Thus, without further ado, we started with our trip to Taroko riding with Mr Wang. His details are in his calling card I posted here.
In retrospect, I should have asked if we can have an additional hour for that cost.

R quipped: Buti pa ang taxi drivers dito, may calling card.

Mr Wang apparently, has been driving cabs for 35 years. He has two kids living away from him, both grownup and living their own families. He tells us his daughter once visited a Philippine beach. We gathered it was Boracay. #ItismorefuninthePhilippines

I like him because he loves his job. And he has a keepsake in little pieces of papers, snippets of good words from his previous tourists. So cute.

That's what I wanted to say in this post. Should you want to visit Taroko Gorge, hire Mr Wang. Also ask for the best food in Hualein. He will point you to a Congwobin stall. :)

Monzenn, Reinzy, and our guide/driver

I'm blogging his details because Monzenn promised I'd make him popular.
Haha.