#7

Traveling within Taiwan

From modern cities with enormous skyscrapers to mountain villages. To the alpine top of Yushan Mountain overlooking the vast jungles that leads to the coastal plains and beaches. You can surround yourself by millions of people or find a mountain trail and be utterly alone. A hot and muggy day in the city can turn to a chill, crisp day with a 2 hour bus ride. Save a ski resort, Taiwan has just about everything. And as discovered this island is by its 23,000,000 people, it has been relatively untouched by the Southeast Asian backpacking circuit.

Beaches

            My favorite beach experience was with Mike, Jodie, and Greg on Penghu Island. I don’t know if it was just being with family that made it better. Or it could have been the perfect water temperature on that late November day. Or the golden sand. Or maybe it was because there were no other people. (Taiwanese people hate being out in the sun) Or maybe it was because there were no beach chairs or umbrellas or restaurants or resorts or anything. Taiwan doesn’t do tourism very well, but that makes it better for once you actually get there. There are better beaches in the world, no doubt, but something about having an abandoned beach with no trash makes this rank near the top of my favorite Taiwan beaches.

Mountains

            The mountains are as rugged as they come. Having mostly soil and jungle rather than exposed rock making the stability of the mountains questionable during heavy rains. The American Rockies are large gradual mountains in comparison. Taiwan is only 80 miles across, yet the tallest mountain nearly reaches the height of the tallest mountain in Colorado. They are incredibly steep.

            My favorite memory has to be my trip across these mountains to Taroko Gorge with my mom, Sarah F. and her family. This was a crazy, uncomfortable and dangerous 10 hour drive that I really didn’t enjoy until months after it was over. But it is definitely a memory I will have for a long time.

Cities and villages

            Each city and village has its own identity and vibe. I liked the southern cities vibe much better than Taichung or Taipei. The mountain villages are all cool in their own way, my favorite is Pingxi where the lantern festival is held. But Taichung was my home and I that always makes a place a little more special.

Lakes and rivers

            Sun Moon Lake is really the only lake I have been too and it is very pretty. The only river I am partial to is the one we whitewater rafted down. There wasn’t anything special about the river, but the experience was pretty epic.

I didnt attach photos because I have posted them all on here before.....and I am lazy!

28 days until I leave and growing sadder by the day.

Get the El Rancho nachos and Flatbranch beer ready. I’m coming BAAAAAACCCKKK!!!!! I will being teaching 3^rd grade in Columbia, Missouri next year. M-I-Z!!!