Qi Xing Tan

My family and I stayed at Mei Li Chen Xi family home during our short three-day stay in  Hua Lien. Traditionally, family homes came about when the owner of the house had and extra room, he would rent it out to tourists to stay in them, and he would charge the tourists a fee. Unlike most other family homes, Mei Li Chen Xi family home was different. The whole building was meant for the guests, and the owners of the home, Mr and Mrs Huang, lived in a separate place. Although they did not live here, Mr and Mrs Huang came over quite a times to check and ensure that we are comfortable. Also, unlike other family homes, Mei Li Chen Xi family home included breakfast and they also had a driver cum tour guide to bring us around, Mr Li.

                              Mei Li Chen Xi family home

                                   Our room! 

Mr Li is really nice and kind, took the effort to plan the route we were going to go to. First, he brought us to Qi Xing Tan. It is actually Hua Lien's beach!

Located about 20 minutes drive away from the county's center, Qi Xing Tan is a quiet strip of pebbles where one can experience peaceful bliss, away from any man-made noise, surrounded by nothing but nature.  The seemingly endless sea looked calm and serene, and thin strips of fluffy white clouds were driven by a slight zephyr. I felt wholesomely relaxed as I watched the waves crash onto the shore. A totally white pebble caught my eye. Warmed by the sun's rays, it felt warm in my hand when I picked it up. A group of children jumped around in the shallow water a distance away. There was a tangy smell of salt in the air and a lone seagull circled in the air, high above our heads. The water was cool against my skin as I dipped my toes into the bluish green waters.

Unfortunately, my family and I had to leave Qi Xing Tan after about an hour or so as we were going to have dinner at a restaurant that Mr Li had recommended us. Reluctant to leave, I put on my shoes real slow, hoping that my father would let me stay longer, but nonetheless. The five of us, including Mr Li piled into the car once again and this time we were off to lunch! 

                                             Lu Rou Fan 

Lunch was sumptuous. The restaurant's specialty as Lu Rou Fan, basically rice with delicately cooked mince meat and gravy, and a few slices of Japanese radish to go with it. Though this was a simple dish, it was really delicious and I ate every grain of rice in my bowl. We also had Taiwanese sausages, baby kailan cooked with dried shrimps and a pot of fish and egg tofu soup. 

Next stop -- Tai Ru Ge!