All six surfers awoke to a large pan of mushroom omelets and Chinese pancakes. We chatted for a bit and then we all headed our separate ways. Nini left for Green Island (famous for its snorkeling and hot springs that are right on the ocean), Theo took a train to Taipei, and Sam hitchhiked north. We decided to try our hand at hitchhiking. Partially to save money and mostly because we won’t be able to in many other countries. The first car took us as far as the train station. The second driver (a University of Wisconsin Madison graduate) drove us to highway 11 with hopes that we would find a car heading to Hualien. The third car took us 3 kilometers to a 7 Eleven with shade. The fourth car drove us to a town just past Dulan. On the way he stopped and bought us lunch. At this point we were out in the middle of nowhere basically. No train station and no bus station. The fifth car took us to Chengong to find a bus station. We are talking small small small town here. The sixth driver was actually Dutch and drove us 3 meters before he got a flat tire. The seventh driver drove us two hours from Chengong to Hualien. He even delivered us directly to our hostel. Amazing! We visited a famous tea house which was actually the original birth place of this trip. In April 2013, I sat there and wrote out a rough itinerary for this adventure. In the tea shop I met a Taiwanese man named Go Go. His best friend lives in Eugene, Oregon and is a cook at Hooters. Small world- because I am from Oregon and not because of Hooters :).
Recommendations for Hualien City:
Wang Ji Tea House
Recommendations for Hualien City:
Wang Ji Tea House
