Tag: Beautiful attractions

My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Hualien Chinese Lanterns

By on June 18, 2019

A good scene to start with, the most common Chinese street decorations that symbolizes vitality. The red oval-shaped Chinese lanterns on the city street of  Hualien Country, Taiwan The lanterns hanging above adoring the street can be seen elsewhere during festivals in Taiwan. Here in Hualien, you’ll enjoy a lot of beautiful attractions includes everything from Taroko National Park, Qingshui Cliff, Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Changchun Temple Trail and the irresistible and appealing shopping centers and Shilin night market.

Street photos taken just a few meters around Guangfu Street and Zhongzhen Hualien Country, Taiwan

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Sunrise Alishan

By on March 1, 2019

Together with my family in Chiayi, we had a delightful stay in Ho Fong Villa Hotel. The hotel is ideally located within Alishan Forest Recreation Area, a very convenient access to all tourist spots and nearest to the foot of Alishan Forest Railway Station. (From our hotel to the train station is just a 15-minute walk and 8-minute drive) 

Alishan National Scenic Area is in Central Taiwan, best known for its fascinating sunrises, high peak mountains, tea production and home to Tsou aboriginal villages. Keeping a lot of things in mind and running on a tight vacation schedule, we still have 4 days left after Alishan and set-off to Taichung the next day. Day-wise activities carried in conformity that was already arranged ahead of time.

  • Ho Fong Villa Hotel

Alishan Sunrise

An hour train journey to reach Alishan (Ali mountain), we must be there ahead of time before the sun rises in the east. We woke up 3 am to catch the early train, I’m an early riser, the kind who wake up instantly as other family members are difficult to wake up in the morning. On our way to Alishan Forest Railway station, it was still dark, cold and getting short of breath to climb the highest stairway, it was a bit strenuous but a good workout.  Alishan’s winter record drops 6°C, I was wearing all 3 layers top fit to protect me from winter freeze.


Designated boarding station

Around 4 am, railway station was crowded, hundreds of people lining up for trains. Way up, train running by forested ridge of mountains and unspoiled forest for an hour. Upon arriving to the final station and again, we need to climb another stairway.



  • My Alishan Forest Train Ticket

We arrived at the summit around 5 am, we need to wait for an hour for the sunrise. What a sight! By any standard, one of the most spectacular mountain range I’ve ever seen. Visiting Alishan is really a mystery and surprise!


My Aerial Photography

From my experience, sunrise takes about 5 minutes that’s why, you need to be there beforehand.


 Sunrise beauty at dawn

My effort paid-off! I was rewarded by the awe-inspiring scenery and the most beautiful sunrise above clouds in winter.

Sun rising above horizon is totally different from sunset that appears below horizon. The banyan tree standing before the sunrise.

Sunrise above clouds. The green, blue and foggy mountains with sea of clouds above.

My viewing point, I’m uncomfortable to capture with the presence of too many people beside me.

You can see on this photo the geographical features of Alishan.

First silhouette clouds

The silhouette of mountains against dawn looks like a watercolor painting.

To experience the beautiful sunrise, don’t miss to visit Alishan, it was the most magical place I’ve ever visited. Taiwan has a diverse landscape and lots to offer for travelers. Capture your sunrise moments. Book to the nearest recreation area.

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

Taiwan, Chiayi County, Alishan Township, 59號

My Taiwan adventure will not end up here, more beautiful attractions next post..

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Kabigan Falls Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

By on September 6, 2018

The hiking trail goes up Kabigan falls would take 45 mins, a tour guide will lead you all the way from the entrance to the waterfall and back. Taking the easier route, we passed by a long stretch of large  plantations and vegetation. The hiking path crosses a river, 2 streams and small hanging bridges along the stony land and climbing above mountains of evergreen forest, a rugged stairs will lead you up to the waterfall.

Kabigan Falls (Barangay Balaoi Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte) a cascade of water flowing down a steep rocky slope and situated inside an evergreen forest on top of the mountain. The refreshing pool at the bottom of the falls is quiet perfect for swimming, you’ll enjoy not only swimming but climbing Kabigan mountains with river flows in to the embrace of the plains.

Crossing out rivers and streams with big stones, a mountain surrounded by tropical trees, small waterfalls right in the middle of the jungle but Kabigan falls offers a spectacular view over the entire mountains and farmlands.

Thanks to our tour guide for the first 30 mins.  Manang ( friendly tourist guide) who accompanied us all the way to the first station and from there, another one will take over.

Despite the rugged trail on this route goes through… 11:00 am is an unfavorable time to hike. I’m carrying 2 bottles of water and cookies, the extreme heat of the sun as the hot temperature hovering underneath, this is the reason why not to forget to bring all your travel essentials like sunblock, umbrellas, hat, friendly shoes and sunglasses, you’ll really need it as the sun causes problems.

An eagle appeared out of nowhere diving and gliding around in circular flight. What a scenic view but I’ve missed to shoot.

Breathtaking! This would be an ideal place where people could get together in harmony with nature.

 

A few minutes stop to give time for the animals, seems I’m welcomed. So nice to bond with the cows and other cattle around.

The rugged trek is just a part of mountaineering.

Deep into the forest is quiet dark and bit cold but I feel excited and comfortable over rugged terrain, it is an exciting experience with mother nature.

Exhausting!. Considered as strenuous trek.

Trekking up and down the mountain, A climb upwards is difficult.

We finally reached our destination Kabigan Falls.

It’s a beautiful mother nature. Inside the forest you can hear not only the birds but also the hissing, whistling noise of the bugs, crickets and cicadas in chorus, just like an ultrasonic sound with a full volume.

It’s really worth the effort to visit. It was a rewarding hike!

Photos taken along the way. What a beautiful experience to see the beauty of nature. Hope to be back again soon…

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Bantay Abot Cave

By on August 20, 2018

Ilocos is a home to some of the beautiful attractions, one of the most wonderful attractions I’ve seen is the ”Bantay Abot Cave” It is located along the beautiful shore of a small town of Baloi, Ilocos Norte. From the name itself, ”Bantay” means mountain in Ilocano and ”Abot” means a cave. It’s a mountain with a hole.

Bantay Abot cave is not really an ancient cave, it is a hill that was wrecked by an earthquake in the year 1980, leaving a hole in the middle part, it looks like a Doughnut hole. Behind the hill is a high cliff.  Down there is a sea from a high cliff, you can see the powerful waves breaking down and crashing into rocks. This sea is not suitable for swimming.

Standing up high the cliff to see the stunning view of the whole area. What a stunning scenery! Somewhere up there, the sounds of sea waves can do more wonders, it makes me feel more relaxed, so refreshing to keep me going and washed my blues away. It cures everything.

This is just a proof that beauty can also be found in ruins, Natural forces have sloped this, it looks like cracks on earth.

More photos of ”Bantay Abot Cave” next posts

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