So the trip was a success. Of course it was, why wouldn't it be? Well, the traffic was disheartening at time. The east coast is largely single lane as it winds it's way through small town after small town. As we arrived down south, Kenting National Park and town, the traffic relented and we were able to take the freeway back up north.
The awe of locales down south is even more pronounced as three white men trudge through along with Chinese girl in tow. The first two "cities" we stayed in were Hualien and Taidong, both along the east coast. Not much in either town, though the draw to Hualien was admittedly Taroko Gorge. Taroko Gorge is a huge chasm between mountains, results of thousands of years of earthquakes and geophysical shifts. The sight of a sheer, towering, mountain cliff; rising as high as you can visibly see at times, is jaw-dropping. Just one of the natural wonders of the world we can only feebly try to match.
After Taroko we stayed in Taidong, not much of note in this quiet, seaside town. However one thing that strikes me about this country is the lack of development. There are dozens of miles-long stretches of beautiful, sandy, vacant coastlines in this country. I can perceive why that's the case in Alaska, but it's hot and crowded here. Developers, hotels to amusement parks, would make a killing selling perspective tracts of heaven. Insofar as I mention that, I come to realize how "Westernized" my mind is set. Why aren't there Wal-Marts, Applebee's, A&P's, and bars everywhere? Little town after little town of old, happy, peaceful people, fishing and farming for a living will never provide the answer.
Kenting National Park is less park, more paved roads and walkways everywhere. The ocean water was warm, though less than inviting with firework remnants everywhere. The night before was the 5th day of Chinese New Year, the day in which everyone shoots off fireworks to scare away the ghosts who are said to otherwise haunt your home or business. After Kenting we headed north, stopping occasionally to hike off on trails in search of wild monkeys (to no success). The following day we went to Tainan, on the west coast, which was the former capital and headquarters of the Japanese. A lot of history and untouched temples in the city, as close to old China as I think Taiwan gets.
Afterwards we went to Alishan, which at almost 3K meters is the highest city in Taiwan. It was noticeably colder, though still jeans and t-shirt weather. As we walked in the woods and areas around Alisha (more or less a ski-resort type town) we got many remarks and comments on our lack of thick jackets and gloves. We laugh, shrug our shoulders, and think long and hard about the impending summer.
A nice, quaint, town named Puli was our final stop. Not much in the way of attractions, though the museum of etymology was surprisingly entertaining, but we were able to borrow the B&Bs bikes and we took the town by storm that night.
Our way back was largely uneventful. I did experience a weird sense of departure upon our way back. Thinking about it, it makes sense. I have lived and worked here for six months (hard to fathom that long) and I took a nice week long vacation to see the country. Seemed to be a final post-work vacation that saw me ultimately on a plane back to regulardom. Made it back in one piece and other than some driving gaffe's by Megan and Derek, we avoided any and all problems.
Back to the grind, weather is getting slightly warmer, though still very much pleasant out. Lost my cell phone, so in the process of acquiring a new one. Eagerly awaiting early April when Jamie comes and we are off to Boracay (small island in the Phillipines)Manila, hopefully Seoul, and Lanyu Island off the southern tip of Taiwan. As promised here are some pictures:
A few pictures of Taroko Gorge and a narrow river I climbed to.
Megan in Taroko Gorge.
More photos from Taroko. Megan inching her way down a "staircase" towards a natural sulfur hot spring.
Me under an archway at a traditional temple, and a meditation pond. Alex, Derek, and myself in a cave way-common method of pedestrian traffic in Taroko.
Our bed and breakfast in Taidong. Very nice, people take a lot of pride in their B/B's. However the latter B is sometimes lacking.
Typical slice of countryside in Taiwan.
Megan and I at the southernmost tip of Taiwan in Kenting. We passed the Tropic of Cancer, farthest south I've ever been.
Pictures as we drove up to Alishan. Pictures below are in Alishan.
Biggest lion statues in Asia.
After a random hike. You can see snow-capped mountains in the distant.
Our loft B/B in Taidong. Actually had a shower w/ a curtain. A rarity in Taiwan.
Had a bet with Megan it would get lower than 7. Early morning hours it was 5. Coldest I've been in Taiwan.
Giant, old tree. Myself, Megan, Derek, and Alex.
Typical "breakfast" at the B/B. Otherwise the B/B's were all relatively cheap and astonishingly nice.
