August 24, 2013 --- Today was the best weather we got in our entire trip! It was a perfect day to go to the coastal area and see what Taiwan has to offer. We took a coastal bus from Hualien Bus Station to Shihtiping Scenic Area. The bus left as often as every hour, and it took almost two hours to get to our destination. The coastal view was amazing, and it reminded me of the California coast.
Shihtiping is a very scenic area. There is a camping ground right on the coast that offers many wooden platforms with roofs to keep you from the sun and rain. I don't know the cost or how to reserve the camp site though...
Nathan and I spent about an hour climbing on the rocky cliff and enjoying the view of the sparkling blue ocean, the lush mountains and the rocky coast. This place is very rich in coral reefs and tropical fish, and the ocean has three colors-- light brown, pale blue, and dark blue.
At lunch we walked to a small fishing village right next to Shihtiping Scenic Area. It's the most basic fishing harbor you would find in Taiwan with the charm of a local fishing village. The restaurants were right at the harbor where you can enjoy the view while having fresh seafood at an affordable price.
