Shepherd of the Sea

Embrace the sea and mountains and have a chat with yourself and the time

Driving along the coastal highway as the verdant mountains clash with the Pacific Ocean, you are getting farther and farther away from the bustle and hustle of the city as boundless blue waters just pass your car window. The sound of cars and the sea breeze roar away, while the scenery fly by as seabirds. Shepherd of the Sea sits on the coast of Changbin, Taitung, covered by lush woods with the vista of mountains and the ocean at your fingertips. As the light fades away, the thick fair-faced concrete walls deliver a feeling of wood-grain warmth. Between the irregular walls, floors and rooms are arranged in a charmingly creative way. This unique house stands firmly and raises its arms as embracing the Pacific Ocean.

Walking through the lawn in front of the house, you step into the study on the ground floor. An European chandelier with a bit vintage charm brings a sense of romance to the room along with two wooden long tables in the middle, as the bookshelf displays the long-time book collection of the hosts – Larry and Lu. In the afternoon, the slanting golden rays penetrate the screen window and leave spots of light on the floor. Next to the study, two vertical walls sandwich the stairs leading to the second floor. You walk upstairs and find a window full of green tranquility. To the left, a small dining room serves as a shared kitchen for travellers. Let’s sip on a coffee in the daylight while admiring the antique Spanish wooden cabinet standing by the wall. To the right, follow the gradually ascending steps in the corridor as if talking to the Time. Paintings of the local artist, Kelly Chou, are hung on the wall and shown in the sunlight that sifts through the building, creating a feeling as if you were walking in an open space with nature’s scenic beauty by your side.

Four rooms demonstrate four types of retro romantic life aesthetics

Staggered between the meandering corridors and stairs, the four rooms at Shepherd of the Sea incorporate four types of European retro life aesthetics. From the single to the quad room, all bring you a romantic and leisurely ambience. Hiding in the corridor on the second floor, the single room features a staircase to the exclusive top floor terrace while the walls along it are painted in Tiffany blue and cloudy white. Walking barefoot, the coolness of the cement floor calms your nerves. The white carpet and French cushion add an elegant and restful touch. Next to the bed is a quaint balcony for you to savor the ocean view by yourself. The double room is on the ground floor with a crimson tone. A four-poster wooden bed frame guards the lovers’ dreams, while an oval-shaped bathtub from Villeroy & Boch in the spacious bathroom for you to enjoy bathing in the tide of the sea.

The triple room consists of one double bed with the dark blue cover and one single bed in the cosy window nook with a wall in sunny yellow. The calming wood tone interlaces with daylight, creating a peaceful mood that you’d love to stay in it forever. You may lie on the beige cushion and listen to the whispers of the sea, or from the open stairs outside, you may ascend to the rooftop and take in the ocean blushing at the touch of the sunset and the ruddy cheeks of the sky in the afterglow. In the quad room, a big sky blue wall is matched with elements of various shades of blue. A mini kitchen takes up one corner with the royal blue classic fridge from SMEG coupled with a vintage black leather sofa. The floor-to-ceiling curtains dress the french window and let in abundant light, warming up the dining table by the window. Follow the spiral stairs up to the second floor and find the bunk bed as a secret base. Furthermore, the terrace awaits you on the rooftop, where you can enjoy an exciting vista of the ocean.

In the afternoon, follow the energetic Border Collies, Lady and Money, to the exclusive beach in front of the house. The other doggy members, Duoduo and Mini, also invites you to play fetch game with them by bringing you driftwoods. The tides beside you come and go, while the sea is lit up by the fishing boats in a distance. At night, you may prepare a delicious dinner in the kitchen, pour some red wine, and enjoy the tipsy night. When all the sounds seem to be hushed, the clouds scatter with the silver light casting through, only the whispers of the sea and stars are heard. Accompanied by the melody of sea tide, you sit on the sofa by the French window in the study, reading Fragments d’un discours amoureux. The soft white bed waiting in your room is a ship that will sail to the moonlit Pacific Ocean in your dream with the gentle sound of waves lapping the sand.

Breakfast Table Surrounded by Morning Light and Doggies

As the tide in the dream has just receded, walk through the wooden door and grass path and go down to the beach. You lean against each other’s shoulders and wait for the first light of dawn. Or you may still feel sleepy, so you pick up the scattered pillows and lie in the daylight a little longer before going out. The enthusiastic greeters Duoduo, Lady, Mini, Nike, and Money jump all over you as soon as you open the door. Cheerfully you pat their heads and follow them to the second floor, where you find the table surrounded by the sunlight.

A place by the sea, a wooden table covered in the warm daily light, creamy pumpkin soup, cold noodles with refreshing and aromatic sauce, coffee and bread, butter and jam. What more can one ask for? You and your travel mates look at each other, laughing and chatting and sharing the good food as well as a good time.

Shepherd of the Sea, situated at the border between the ocean and mountains, has all you need to shepherd your romantic ideal. There is the pastoral sea for you to graze your heart with emerald crests of waves, or you may herd the scattered thoughts between the idyllic mountains. Like an oasis, here you can savor the scenic beauty of progressive charm throughout the day and quench your thirst for a nomadic life.