Day 12 To Ruifang

We departed Hualien at 14.00 on the North Link to Ruifang,  direction Shulin, New Taipei City). The train is as comfortable as previously - such leg room! Destination Ruifang - stop off point for the old Pingxi Line.  We requested seats on the right hand side of the train to enable us to have a coastal view. 

We passed the entrance to the Gorge 

and then the Quingshui Cliffs shrouded in mist this morning. 

We are tunnelling through the cliffs with odd glimpses of the ocean shrouded in mist. The typhoon didn’t arrive nor did the tsunami materialise. However, one can understand the safety concerns in a country prone to earthquakes and typhoons.  It appears the Phillipines suffered severe losses but Taiwan escaped except that the nearby typhoon will result in wind and torrential  rain 

The rail line turned quickly inland and evidence of the torrential rain lay in the flooded paddy fields 

and the once dry river beds had their rivers flowing once more. 

When proceeded further up the coast and the Pacific came into view. It was not so pacific as the thunderous waves hit the shore. 

The train arrived at Ruifang punctually at 15.48. We visited our friends at the Visitors’ Centre. The staff were most helpful in explaining where our hotel was - the Delicateperfume Hotel, No 14 Lane , 30 Mingsheng Street, Ruifang.!!!! 

A staff member pointed out the road but locating Lane 14 posed a problem. We enquired of a young girl and using Google Maps, she brought us to the Lane. 

The hotel was visible from there. The room is basic - I think we might have hit a windowless room - windows  but no view - can’t even see a wall!! It is superbly clean with a fine bathroom - perfect for our requirements. Outside the street is vibrant - people  everywhere and food stalls abound. 

At the end of the road was Ruifang Food Court with Japanese, Chinese and even Italian pizza and pasta for sale - eat in or take out. 

We saw meat rolls being assembled and put in our order. We paid and were given a disc to come back in 30 minutes. We did. They were deliciously meaty and spicy!   

The stand must have a reputation as photographs from what I presume are  ‘the great and the good’ were  displayed on a banner above the stand. 

We had a walk through the town admiring the station in its evening attire: 

and returned to eat at the Food Court - my choice of noodles with corn paste was tasty though the quantity was more than generous. 

We returned to The Delicateperfume  Hotel ......