I woke up bright and early on Monday to start my trip scooter trip. The first day I was heading to Yilan which is in the north-eastern region of Taiwan. I was expecting about a 4-5 hour trip there - but, due to events unforeseen, it ended up being 9 hours! More on that later.
On this trip I had decided ahead of time that I didn't actually want to do anything - I only wanted to see stuff. I did all this research ahead of time of things to possibly go to do, but in the end decided I was more excited to relax and see the country and be immersed in the views and natural world. I've spent almost 18 months here, so I've done plenty: museums, restaurants, hikes, temples, tours, etc...enough to not feel guilty for missing anything else I may not have seen. But that's not to say I didn't have an amazing experience and a ton of fun - it was actually a perfect trip.
Much of the photography - especially the first few days (until my camera stopped working on day 3 and I had to switch to using my iPad) - is of sights and views of this beautiful country (as this is what I was most excited to see - plus there wasn't really anything else to photograph anyway).
So the first day's drive was straight through the middle of Taiwan from west to east. It was up through the mountains where it was rather damp and humid. But the terrain was overall magnificent -
and green - very very green.
Overlooking a small village in the mountains
Hot pink bridge in the middle of nowhere
Dam far away
Dam up close
Around 11 o'clock I saw a little area with a hiking trail and decided I'd rest for a little bit then walk up the trail. It was beautiful at the top...
...but on the way down is when I slipped and fell!
Please laugh at this, because it's funny - On the trail back (it was separate than the one going up), there was fresh mud that had just come down in a small mudslide a few days prior (or I'm guessing because we had a typhoon two days before this). Anyways, there was no way around it but to go through it, and I misjudged the slipperiness of it and ended up doing some ice skating moves to maintain my balance - but alas, I fell directly on my left side into the mud! But falling over wasn't the end - oh no - I ended up sliding at a slight downhill on the trail for about ten feet - gathering up mud and more mud as I went. HAHAHAHA. There was nothing I could do. I knew I was alone in the forest so I just laid there for a few seconds contemplating if this was my life at the current moment - I couldn't believe that had just happened. Once I stood up and refocused myself, laughed for a few good minutes, it was then I officially decided:
"Alright, now I'm definitely not going to DO anything on this trip! This was the first and last straw!"
When I said I wanted to be immersed in the natural world: I DIDN'T MEAN LITERALLY!
I even cut up my arm a little bit - but had a first-aid kit with me for bandaids!
Quite the experience.
I ended up going back to get my bag and changing clothes in the forest -
and then was back on my way...
...only to be stopped by a road block (I didn't get a photo of it). But there was a definite road block with a construction person guiding traffic and talking to people. Luckily he spoke a little english and said the road wouldn't be open until tomorrow! DAH! I said, "I have to get to Yilan tonight!" He showed me on my map the way to get there another way, but it would involve going back about 90 minutes and then up through Taipei and down another road to get there. Luckily I left early enough so I could get this done, but it was a definite bummer. But oooooh well - had to do it.
I love this photo
After many extra hours of scootering, Yilan eventually came into sight from the top of the mountain. Immediately the blue of the ocean was vibrant and the scenery was visually lush.
I wanted to go to the island out there, but they only allow 20 people a day and you have to get a permit far in advance. So that didn't happen.
Once I got to Yilan I was so tired but glad I had finally made it. This is really the only day that had anything crazy happen. The rest of the week goes perfectly and as scheduled.
And I for sure didn't go hiking again.
