Taimali Township

I'd always wanted to experience a vintage train ride, and this was finally my chance! I was initially worried about the typhoon and heavy rains in southern Taiwan, fearing it might be canceled or I'd miss the scenery. On August 28th, my husband and I drove from Tainan to Fangliao, and it rained heavily the whole way. I thought all hope was lost… But then, heaven heard my plea! On the way there, the rain stopped or just started to drizzle. Finally, on the way to Taitung, I saw the blue sea I'd been longing for—it was absolutely stunning! It was totally worth it! ☺️ The staff at the Blue Ocean Museum were incredibly kind and helpful, and they settled everyone in order. The itinerary was perfectly arranged! The journey from Fangliao to Taitung takes about 3 hours. There are delicious Taiwan Railway pork rib bento boxes and refreshing sweet fruits to enjoy. There are also small vendors on the Blue Train that you can browse around a bit. The onboard guide was very attentive, explaining the story of the Blue Train's "Relief from Worries" service. The train stops at various stations along the way (Jialu/Dawu/Duoliang/Jinlun/Taimali/Zhiben). The guide also provides specific explanations on and off the train about where to collect stamps and take photos. Knowing that the Blue Train only has fans and no air conditioning, so the windows can be opened, even though it was raining and windy, I still sweated quite a bit! My husband and I are both very sensitive to heat, but we both found the experience unique and fun! Next time, I hope to take the train back from Taitung to Fangliao and see if it's a different experience!