Road Trip: Wulai Hot Springs

---

Today we go to Wulai. We drive to a park area, trek a little way into the woods, cross a stream, and land on a rocky beach. I have brought the "Barbecue in a Box" setup that I received from Melody, and which provides up with quite a feast! There is a steady drizzle, but we manage to get our barbecue started and some people even go swimming. Afterwards, we head to the Wulai hot springs area. Besides the hot springs, Wulai is home to one of Taiwan's indigenous population and many of the items in the local shops reflect that culture. The hot springs feature several pools, from warm to scalding, and even a sauna. The real action however, is to be found on the other side of the walkway! You can scrabble down a steep, sharp, slippery slope to the river, (or jump or dive in from another spot; then let the brisk current carry you to a set of stairs to the left around the bend. You can turn around and try swimming against the current, but those of us that tried found it was all we could do to swim in place. Afterwards, we play in town, have dinner, and head back to the Dream Community.

---

Photos

Photo Op
Josh, Ivan, Me, & the Thai Guys.

Butterfly
We saw several of these colorful butterflies flitting about as we checked in at the police/ranger station before going into the park.

Barbecue
Inch and I creating a barbecue feast!

View to the River
Near where we barbecued.

Feasting in the Rain
From left to right, Patti, Monkey, Robin, Ena, Chien Yu, Ivan, Inch, and Tomas.

Renata
Renata trying to stay dry.

Butterfly
This was one of 3 or 4 species of butterfly we saw near the river where we barbecued.

Butterfly 3
This was one of 3 or 4 species of butterfly we saw near the river where we barbecued.

Waterfall
We saw this waterfall on the way to the hot springs.

Wulai Landscape
Opposite the waterfall, a stream cuts through the misty hills.

Welcome to Wulai
A statue of aboriginal people greet us as we enter Wulai.

Tub Party
Our group, from left to right, Me, Bryant, Carmen, Renata, Ena, Robyn, Lilik, Nu, and Tomas

Edgy Descent
This steep, slippery slope led down to the river.

Ena leaping into the river
Carmen and Ena helping Chien Yu jump into the river.

Spooky Cat
It was just after dusk as I was leaving the hot springs to go back to the little street of shops and noticed this cat rustling about in the darkness.

Video Taiko
Josh and Ivan play this Video Taiko game.

Wulai Shop
One of the many eateries in Wulai.

Chicken
A formerly live chicken with a sprig of barley in it's mouth. A few of the shops featured local barley wine.

Happy Bear
Bryant, Ivan and Carmen take a ride on Happy Bear.

Asparagus Juice
More asparagus juice, I find the picture reminiscent of 50's Coke bottles.

Comments

[Julia]

Amazing scenery
Thanks for posting this. The scenery is amazing and seeing this makes it feel less like you are on mars to me. The river ride sounds fun. Did you see any fish in the river.

[Karen]

Okay, NOW I'm jealous! I can just see you out there being wild in the wild. The pics were great, beautiful scenes, spooky cat, market. I would have loved to be shopping with you at that market.