At fLoWeR PaLaCe_CAFE' CARINA 卡姐咖啡工作室

My last stop during my trip ...Carina's cafe. A very unique coffee palace that I wouldn't want to miss it ٩(-̮̮̃•̃)۶

Upon arrival, the display at the main entrance had made me feel like home....old sweing machine (in granny times), old telephone (but i cannot find the numbers) O.o

Walked into the cafe, sister Carina gave me her warmest smile ღ
Looking at the menu making me confused! Too many choice and I cannot decided the aroma for that day. Sister Carina offered me to try a flavor that was still not on the shelf. Of course, I would love to try it out...waited patiently

Finally my coffee was ready.. First sip was relatively bitter but with slightly flora smell. Quite refreshing and awesome. During my trip, I began to learn to drink coffee without any diary and sugar. Bitter of course from first sip...but the frangrance and coffee essence will definetly brought out. Love the smell of coffee beans after roasted and brewing processes. So complicated but every little steps make alot of different. 

Had a good chat with sister Carina and sharing my trip and stay ... my tears filled in my eyes when I told her I was leaving on the next day! I really hate the departure feeling when I was totally used to the adventurous and meaningful life that I encountered (╥_╥)

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Map / Direction to CAFE' CARINA 卡姐咖啡工作室

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At fLoWeR PaLaCe_Tu mAMa DuMpLiNg 涂媽媽特級香粽

During my route, Bro Lee and I pass-by this little dumpling shop. He told me that this is one of the famous dumpling in their estate...Of course, I wouldn't want to miss it and try it before I heading back to Hualien.  

Tu mAMa DuMpLiNg 涂媽媽特級香粽 - NT 30.00
關山米加上肉汁調味，內餡則是滷過的豬肉餡

It is so different from my hometown. 
Once opened, there was strong aroma of bamboo leaves floating out.
First bite without the sauce, the rice was not sticky and the smell of gravy filled inside my mouth. Added Tu mama special garlic sauce, taste was so different. The garlic smell was very strong. Combination well with the braised pork..I love it so much ღღღ
Sharing with my great friends at Hualien....thanks for sharing your experience in life, teaching me how to differentiate coffee beans, brewing coffee ....how to enjoy my great adventurous life at Hualien ツ

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At fLoWeR PaLaCe_aT RuiSui 瑞穗

Alone at Ruisui, did not make me feel lonely at all. Friendly host had warmed my heart deeply. Their hospitality had given me a chance to know the wild pineapple plantation, passion fruits, coffee beans ...grapes. Too bad the harvest season was over when I arrived. Miss the opportunity to harvest all of them myself. Sat at the doorway, felt the cool and windy breeze...there is no word can ever describe that feeling! No tall buildings, busy street and crowd....I was totally relax.  Cycled to hot springs area...spent a great and peaceful evening. I was surrounded with high mountains and puffy clouds! ♡

Wild pineapple plantation (Taken from mobile phone camera)

Friendly host offered me a free ride around on the next day ♡

Went alot of places ...Places that bicycle might not able to reach...so sweet ღ

On the road 在路上

Ostrich at Ruisui Pasture 瑞穗牧場

Cow at  Ruisui Pasture  瑞穗牧場

Calves at  Ruisui Pasture   瑞穗牧場

More details of Ruisui Pasture Link (With Map Guide)

A Paradise of Golden Flower Sea 黃金花海的人間仙境

Orange Day lily 金針花

Overlooking Ruisui-Hongye Hot Springs 眺望瑞穗紅葉溫泉之鄉

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Homestay at RuiSui direct link 歸園田居

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At fLoWeR PaLaCe_hEAaDiNg tO RuiSui 瑞穗

After some discussion with Theresa, decided to go to Ruisui for hot springs. Knowing there are alot of nice scenic areas, of course batteries must be fully charged!

Missed the morning train (7am), but bought afternoon ticket. Went over to the tourist center, a friendly lady staff advised me to visit Hualien morning market (manage by the aborigines). Of course I wouldn't want to miss the crowd, cycled back to the town. Along the market, saw alot of fresh fruits, vegetables and poultry. Busy street....

Along ChongQing Road  重慶路

While having some walk in the market, stomach started to growl!!! Found a small shop and walked in. No signboard outside the shop but handwritten menu was pasted on the wall. Ordered soup noodles and waited patiently. 

Yangchun Mian 楊春面

Finally it was ready! The soup was abit oily, but the essences was pretty strong fragrant. Presentation was simple but overall taste is relatively good. Spring onions, bean sprouts, vegetables and some minced meat. A small bowl cost NT 40.  Having a small bowl of noodles and a small cup of red tea...replenished my hunger and started a great day. Hoping the weather is sunny.

After breakfast, cycled around the busy city and halted at Starbucks to rest. 

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At fLoWeR Place_海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY

After reading Bro Arthur's secret of Hualien, I found this Dolphin Bay restaurant and would want to try out. Been there twice (First was the rest day, second time was ...getting fresh ingredients _ back to capital) (╥_╥)

And finally ...yeshhh! 
Simple appearance from outside! Plain white window...plain little main entrance.
Walk-in and I was attracted by the super big whale painted on the wall...I was wondering if I was in the underwater cafe ☆ 

><(((°> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º>

While i was figuring out the menu

Friendly lady boss offered me to try their fired spaghetti..freshly made on that day..really crunchy  ❤ 

Crunchy Fried Spaghetti

Order pork knuckle set meal...to my surprise

Pictures at the bottom spell out my fulfillment after this meal  ♥‿♥

Appetizer:

Seafood Bisque abit spicy but had warm me up

Refreshing Tuna and Onions Salad (would not cause irritation) 

To be franked ..after these yummy appetizer, i was quite full ..but where is my main course? hmmmm.....

Main Course_Pork Knuckle 

Super duper big portion...gosh! 

Crunchy skin...first bite I could hear the "ka zhi ka zhi" aloud! OMG

Taste feeling:

Pork knuckle was marinated with vegetables spices. Then roasted at 300 degree heat over. 

After that, place on aboriginal black heat plate. 

Meat texture and taste: Very juicy and tender. Felt the spices essences when I chewed. Marvelous taste...Better than Paulaner Brauhaus pork knuckle!!! 

Till now I still miss this dish...

Of course i couldn't finish the main course..Bro Huang (Boss) offer me for take away.

I also request the dessert to take out but Bro Huang insist to dine-in...why?

Tiramisu will melt! Sprinkle with coco powder and little dolphin on the plate. How would I bear to eat this masterpiece. My tears was almost rolling down when I saw this dessert.  Taste: Creamy tiramisu with strong coco (sweet and bitter) combination very well (I am a person afraid of sweet dessert) And of course, i finished up this dessert slowly. Burp burp

Tiramisu with dolphin 

Brother Huang loves marine ...whale and dolphin. Open this restaurant in Year 1995 at No. 10 Tianmu Road Street 13, Taipei. In Year 2008 Summer, shifted his restaurant to Hualien, located next to the old railway. If you going to Hualien, you can consider to try Bro Huang's dishes. 

海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY Facebook Direct Link

海豚灣餐廳 DOLPHIN BAY Map

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At fLoWeR Place_Ah zHi BaO 阿之寶手創館

Simple white appearance main entrance...but once you entered, would find alot of treasure. This shop gathers different materials across the province. 3 different generations ... and all made in Taiwan..unique addictive ღ Collection of 50-60 species of Taiwan over the characteristics of goods, many of them are hand-made goods.

Sauce collection shelf had attracted me...All kinds of brand that I never even heard before ツ 
How i wish i can carry them back home but backpack full (✖╭╮✖)

Picture found online

Picture found online

Cutie and sweetie soft toys ....

Picture found online

Picture found online

Wooden crafts ..... 

阿之寶手創館 Facebook Direct Link

阿之寶手創館 Blog

阿之寶手創館 Map

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At FlOwEr PaLaCe_A FuLL DaY BicYcle RiDe TrIP

   ∧_∧
（´・ω・）
O┬O　)
◎┴し'-◎ ≡


Decided to give myself a challenge ...cycle alone to Chishingtan Bay (七星潭)! Well Bro Arthur and his family ever gave me a lift to this lovely place. But I decided to take the longer route (actually I couldn't remember the shortcut) (─‿‿─)III
Departed Errantry Lodge 10 minutes before 10am ...weather was pretty good _warm and sunny ☀ I was almost burnt out...Cycled thru the busy roads...Big vehicles_lorries, buses and alotsa of cars (busy road). Stopped at Family Mart (全家) (around 10 minutes break) Bought cool beer to cool down my temperature and carried on my ride. During my ride, I saw some nice structures and stop over for some shots ✿◕‿◕✿ 

東華大學 Donghua University (Old campus) 

Abandoned plant (leafless) 

華西路 Along Huaxi Road 

華西路 Along Huaxi Road 

After 2 hours ride, I finally arrived at Chishingtan Bay (七星潭). As the afternoon weather was extremely hot and warm, I did not see anyone fishing   ><(((°> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º> ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º> 

Again I stopped at Family Mart (全家) and bought 2 cans of beers to cool down. Sat at the Star Gazing Square alone and enjoyed the peaceful moments! Chishingtan Bay is a gorgeous half-moon shaped bay. Well-planned Star Gazing Square, Stone Sculpture Park and the Bike Path are charming attractions. Accompanied with stony beach, strong sea breeze, powerful clear pacific ocean waves and almost face to face with planes (airport is nearby), cooling beer and apple (Theresa afraid I would get hungry and insisted me to brought it along) sweet lady boss ❤

Stony Beach

Stone Sculpture Park

Crystal clear pacific ocean

I took an hour nap at Star Gazing Square since no one around (maybe there was some people) but I just simply couldn't be bother and carry on my nap. I was so exhausted after the ride anyway ☃
Out of sudden, I heard motor sound that was getting louder. Disturbed by the sound..woke up and saw an uncle was standing somewhere at Star Gazing Square. I walked towards to the uncle's bike and trying to figure out what he was doing! Ice cream man! Of course, such weather definitely need cooling desert ... Bought Yam ice cream and sausage for tea break. Chat with the uncle and shot some of his pictures.

Ice Cream Uncle - Age mid 50

Raw Pork Sausage

Old pinball  - More than 40 years

After some chat with uncle, I cycled around the estate...and heading to Yuanyeh Ranch. This restaurant located just in the south side of Chishingtan Hsia Village Waterfront. The restaurant was surrounded with artistic atmosphere. All the building materials were drawn from the sea driftwood. Even the menu too.. all these were done personally by the Ami-descent owner! Ordered an icy cool coffee and a loaf of softy bread. (sorry no photo was taken)...Sat near a window...felt the sea breeze, saw the waves...relax in a cosy corner and had my tea break...life had never been so wonderful moments ...city area full of tall buildings, busy street and always so crowded. Over here...the only crowd that was the natural landscape ...baba black sheeps (farm area), greeny mountains  ❤

After some rest, heading to the "tedious" bike route. Cycled upwards 48m high mountain! Viewed the grand pacific ocean. Yes really exhausted heading up, but really worth the ride.  Strong sea breeze....that washed my pain and sorrows away (a❤‿❤a) 

Pacific Ocean_View from 4-8 high mountain

Overall bicycle route: 

Estimated 35km 

建德街 -> 建國路二段 -> 中央路三段 -> 中央路四段 -> 新生橋 -> 蘇花公路 -> 華西路 -> 海岸路 -> 七星潭 -> 四八高地 -> 環保公園 -> 自行車道 -> 港口路 -> 大理石公園 -> 海岸路自行車道 -> 曙光橋 -> 青華僑 -> 溪畔公園 -> 中正路 -> 民國路 -> 自由街 -> 林森路 -> 中山路 -> 建國路 -> 建國路一段 -> 建國路二段 -> 建德街

Jiande Street -> Jianguo Section 2 -> Zhongyang Section 3 -> Zhongyang Section 4 -> Xinsheng Bridge -> Suhua Expressway -> Huaxi Road -> Haian Road -> Chishingtan -> Siba Gaodi -> Huanbao Park -> Bicycle Track -> Gangkuo Road -> Dalishi Park -> Haian Bicycle Track -> Shuguang Bridge -> Qinghua Bridge -> Xipan Park -> Zhongzheng Road -> Ziyou Street -> Linsheng Road -> Zhongshan Road -> Jianguo Road -> Jianguo Section 1 -> Jianguo Section 2 -> Jiande Street

原野牧場 (Yuanyeh Ranch Homepage)

花蓮旅遊景點地圖 (Hualien Sightseeing Tour Map)
兩潭自行車步道 (2 Lakes Bicycle Track) Yankees Dude Ranch
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At FlOwEr PaLaCe_No. 39 GuEsT HoUsE (三十九號招待所)

After some ride, stomach started to growl ! Fortuante Arthur called me and checking on my safetly....and suggested me to try out Bro Mao (毛哥) dishes. Took down the address and heading there! 


Arrived at Bro Mao's restuarant...I The restaurant was quiet (but with some jazz music) and simple. I was the only customer. Bro Mao began to chat with me and our conversation broke the emptiness in the restaurant ☃
The restuarant wall was pasted with old newspapers and children drawings. Bro Mao explained the meaning of each drawings. All these drawings were drew by primary school kids age of 10. Their drawings and mind had showed the meaning of Hualien. So creative ㊣ 

During our conversation, I realized that Bro Mao managed the restaurant himself. He is the waiter, chef and bartender (liquor only serve after 9pm). Bro Mao recommended to try "braised lion head" (紅燒獅子頭) as I mentioned to him that I want to pork and with vegetables. While Bro Mao was preparing the food, I shot some pictures of the restaurant...and waiting my dinner to be ready ｡◕‿◕｡


Finally my dinner was ready...°¤*(¯`★´¯)*¤°
My first impression: simple and quite colorful (braised beancurd, scramble egg, wild vegetables and braised pork with cabbage soup) - NT 170
Bro Mao knew that I was super duper hungry and gave me alot of rice! Gosh...made me so full and bloated..hahaha But I had managed to finish up all the food (all ingredients are organic)  The cabbage in the soup was so soft and it absorbed the soup essence. When I tried to chew, the soup essence splashed out inside my mouth! Yummy!!! Really go well with rice and the soup was not salty at all. Beside that, the wild vegetables were also abit crunchy. A simple dish yet with colorful taste! 

Braised pork with cabbage soup

Braised beancurd, scramble egg, wild vegetables

After dinner, Bro Mao offered me _"Revolution Coffee" (革命咖啡)
This coffee has 18 years history, specially mix with 4 coffee beans and even after cooling still remain mellow sweet. The taste really special. After dinner ..a cup of "Revolution Coffee" was extremely perfect (>’.’<)  

Revolution Coffee

Another dish I would like to recommend to everyone. If you like fermented bean curd, you should order steam fermented bean curd. You can inform Bro Mao of your spicy level so that he can prepare specially for you. Of course the smell is extremely unbearable however taste is really awesome. Really go well with rice. This is a must try dish. Thanks Theresa for this recommendation...she knows my preference. 

Steam fermented bean curd - NT120

My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best (^_−)−☆
Taste it and you will LOVE IT


No. 39 GuEsT HoUsE (三十九號招待所) Business Hours 
Lunch: 11am - 2.30pm
Dinner: 5pm - 9.30pm
Every Thursday rest day


No. 39 GuEsT HoUsE (三十九號招待所) Map

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