EASY TRIPS
MAKE IT HAPPEN MAKE IT HAPPENWith an enriched culture and fantastic
landscapes, Silks Place Taroko is the only resort
to be seen in while exploring Taroko National
Park. This five-star hotel is more than just a
resting stop, as it takes travellers into a world
of Chinese arts appreciation, indigenous dining
wonders and harmonious natural relaxation
(silksplace-taroko.com.tw).While in Otway, head to the Apollo Bay
Cottages for a modern take on traditional
cottage living. The eight cottages available
for rent are arranged around native shrubs
and vegetation, and are fitted with the most
sophisticated touches – think open fireplaces,
personal spas and fully equipped kitchens
WORDS: CAITHLIN NG AND JOSMIN ONG. PHOTOGRAPHS: TAROKO FLICKR-¡KUBA!; FLICKR- (apollobaycottages.com.au).
మࢧਹጱ揌
SILKS PLACE
TAROKO; FLICKR-RUSHEN; FLICKR-WHITECAT; FLICKR-PIERRE ROUDIER; FLICKR-VANJASPHOTOSTaroko National
Park, Taiwan
With its plunging waterfalls and stretching
mountains, Taroko National Park offers a
dizzyingly new point of view. Located in
the eastern region of Taiwan, the park
embraces 920sqm of land, and embodies
the renowned charm of both eastern Taiwan
and Hualien County. An especial highlight
amidst its beauty is Taroko Gorge – its sheer,
nearly flat marble walls are a product of the
Liwu River’s erosive travels and the
continual rising of the mountains from
tectonic forces. The highest peaks here soar
to 3,000m, and watch over a harmonious
ecosystem of lush greenery, animal life and
gushing riverbends. About half of Taiwan’s
mammal and butterfly species, for instance,
and 90% of its bird species have made their
homes in Taroko, illustrating how so much
of the country’s native flora and fauna can
coexist in just one place. There are plenty of
hiking trails – some more accessible, others
requiring permits – for visitors to wend
their way through this natural spectacle,
and to stop by the several temples and
museums located throughout the park.
These mountains are also home to two
communities of Taiwanese aborigines, and
hold evidence, such as the Taroko Site, of
human habitation dating back to before
recorded history. But time has far from
stopped in this region – to this day, the
mountains still rise at
approximately 0.5cm
each year, and to
walk along their
trails and peaks is
to truly experience
being a part of a
living, breathing
wonder.MAKE IT HAPPENStay at Casa de Montana for both
outdoors excitement and indoors comfort.
It’s a fun new concept hotel centred on the
idea of travel, and basks in the view of the
famous Khao Yai peaks. Visitors enjoy
campfires and barbecues in the evening,
and spend the night in authentic caravans
(casa-de-montana.com).Khao Yai National
Park, Thailand
Khao Yai’s highest peak, Khao Rom,
stands guard at 1,351m over
Thailand’s first national park.
Established in 1962 and declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in
2005, Khao Yai’s vibrant natural life
has unfailingly delighted visitors
throughout its rich history. It sprawls
across 300sqm of parkland, and
includes areas of tropical seasonal
forests and grasslands to support a
spectacular range of plants and
animals. Hike through any of the
park’s many trails and you might see
some of its 320 bird species and 66
mammal species, such as the Asian
black bear, the Indian elephant or the
pig-tailed macaque. The park offers
trail lengths from 500m to 8km,
allowing you to tailor your visit
according to how much you want to
walk and see; for those with an
appetite for a longer adventure, there
are also some routes of up to three
days that you can tackle with a guide.
For a real taste of outdoorsy life, rent
a tent at one of the park’s two
camping sites – fear not, both are
well facilitated with toilets, showers
and parking space. The experience
doesn’t just end in the day, however,
as tour operators
lead night safaris
through the late
hours for an
adventure
under the
stars.Great Otway
National Park,
Australia
From shaded trails sheltered beneath
overarching ferns and trees, emerge
into the open to discover a rugged
coastline glinting in the sun – here in
Victoria’s Great Otway National Park,
beaches and heathland exist alongside
soaring forests and waterfalls; koalas
slumber in the curves of tree branches,
while whales meander through the
water along the Great Ocean Road. It is
impossible not to feel small and in awe
when visiting the park, and its charm
lies in the many different ways one can
take in the beauty of their
surroundings. Take an e bike tour
around the trails, for instance, or
venture down to the coast to revel in
the wind and sea; tree top walks take
you to spectacular heights, while
horse riding will bring along cliff tops
and rivers. Picnics are another popular
activity for visitors, especially if done
by one of Otway’s many waterfalls,
and there will be endless
opportunities for the sighting of
abounding wildlife. The Great Ocean
Walk, which stretches over 100km
between Apollo Bay and Twelve
Apostles, affords one of the best
opportunities to take it
all in; step off the
trail if you ever
need to catch
your breath, and
pitch your tent in
any of the
campgrounds
along the way.Open your eyes to the marvels of nature
EXPLORING NATONAL PARKS