As we headed back from Taroko National Park towards Hualien, we stopped by at Xiulin to visit a marble factory...
Taiwan's national flags fluttering in the air. The wind had become really strong and we were told by Josephine that there was a weather alert for strong winds, as Typhoon Dujuan is expected to make landfall over Taiwan soon...
The marble factory...
It looked less like a factory, but more like a stately mansion...
Sculptures depicting a hybrid of traditional Chinese and Aboriginal styles...
A monk with a lion head holding a coin...
A serpent...
And there's our guide, Josephine - the red-haired lady with pink pants, who kept us all in good humour throughout the day...
When we started our journey this morning, we had been "warned" that Josephine looked like a lion and talked too much. But she is quite a kind and helpful person - she arranged a vegetarian meal for Neeti, which was quite delicious!
What a huge jade rock on display...
A Mickey Mouse carved out of stone...
Traditional Chinese lions guarding the gate...
It seemed we had entered Aladin's cavern...
A map showing Taiwan's mineral wealth...
Photography inside the factory was prohibited and that was the sad part. We managed to pick up a few souvenirs for home and as we headed back...
...we saw the message "Happy In Taiwan" emblazoned on the bus...
With all its natural beauty and friendly people like Josephine, Taiwan can indeed make anyone happy!
