I saw my breath today....

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and remembered how lovely it is to enjoy nature!

"There’s something about the
quiet touch of nature that
untangles my thoughts, awakens my heart
and reminds me how beautiful
our world was meant to be." Rinehart

The Blonde Bomber (Rach's new name ha) The Cat Man (Mike) and I headed up to Alishan Mountian in Chiayi for a day trip on Saturday. I loved it, frankly because I only had to travel an hour and a half ha! We arrived in the early afternoon, where we proceeded to try to get a bus up the mountain, well of course they were sold out, so then we were going to think of renting a scooter ( thank god we didnt because after seeing those curves-yeah i might not have been here to write this today ha) but instead we grabed a taxi and headed up. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL The clouds in the mountains, the way you can see the mountain tops from every direction, the hills and valleys, the idea that a community can live so peaceful and survive with so little around them! At one point we stopped and took a little picture form a great look out point, though the cab driver didn't take the greatest snap shot but what can you do. As I stepped out that cab I had to stop a minute and take in the fresh air, the beautiful mountians, and the quiet sound of nature..crazy to think that at one point in time this is how the world started off to be. When we finally reached the top of the mountain, after some ear popping, "ooos and ahhhs," and a 2 hr ride upward, we headed for what you can call a hike. ha. Thoughhhhhhhhhhhh the BB and I got really excited as we got out of the taxi and for the first time in about 12 months we saw our breath and it was a nice feeling. A little memory of the midwest winter! Though we did fail in taking a picture of our breath to capture the moment, still don't know why we would have been successful ha. Before our hike we had some lunch, and enjoyed the ever so delicious cooked cabbage and neu ro and chow fan. So we headed on the Red and Green paths of the mountain and we saw gorgeous flowers blooming (it is the season) and a Rose bush, this 'elephant tree' and the LARGEST/TALLEST tree i have ever seen. We even got to see the train that makes its treck around the mountain (one of the last three left in the world). When we were on our hike we also saw a temple that was across from the Primary School. A school in Alishan mountain, I don't know how these children do it, never really having the opportunity to experience the 'outside' world (being taiwan or anything) but like a wise one said, 'you dont really know what you miss if youve never had it.' All i can say is that i would have missed and i would have left-ha. After a few hours on the mountain, we hit a few stores and headed back down, in yet another taxi ride. This one however, didnt allow us to sleep much since the driver was all over the place, though somehow the Cat Man managed to stay asleep. ha. We were told to eat the turkey rice in Chiayi while there, so that is what we did and drank some lu cha, played some video games and headed home.....in anticipation for next weekend...when TEENAGE MUTAIN NINJIA TURTLES COMES TO TAIWAN. haha ok not really, but we are goign to see it. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR KOREA....only 8 more school days!!!!

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Photos

Alishan
Cat Man and his ladies

Alishan
the gate

Alishan
Love the clouds

Alishan
Flowers

Alishan
Rose bush

Alishan
Elephant tree

Alishan
GIANT TREE

Alishan
For mom and dad ;)

Alishan
So beautiful!

Alishan mural
ya shoulda seen the looks we got for this one. ha

Alishan
Semi-sunset

Comments

[doug]

Envy
You make me want to go to Ali Shan--it's one of the places on our must-see-while-in-Taiwan list. Enjoy Korea. I know a travel agent (Huntington's Tours) who specializes trips to Seoul. I think he needs a marketing course, though--his slogan is "Huntington's Chorea--we always give you a fair shake."