To the Hot Springs

Published on Feb. 22, 2007 in Taiwan

After a mediocre breakfast we were on our way. Just a five minute drive up the road we reached the entrance to the hot spring, but a slow drive and long hike (climb!) was needed. We parked, and started to get ready to go. I was wearing a pair of sandals when it suddenly hit me: crap! my adventure shoes were back at the hostel!

Not wanting to hold up the group, and with no other choice, I borrowed a pair of shoes (two sizes too small) and started hiking. Climbing. For much of the trek we were using ropes, or climbing on all fours. After an hour or so our group reached the bottom of the ravine, and a shallow river greeted us. We changed into our swimming gear, forded the river, swung around a big rock, forded the river again, and finally reached the natural hot spring. Interestingly enough, one of the girls in the group fell off the rock and into the river -- Kelvin to the rescue! A large group of people were already at the springs, but left as we were just arriving. The water was indeed very warm, sometimes too warm, and the 20 of us settled in.

We had some noodles for lunch, sat in the springs some more, and walked back to the bottom of the trail. I was rather eager to take off the shoes I was wearing, since hiking in shoes too small isn't exactly pleasurable (although I was happy to be where I was).

45 minutes later we reached the parking lot, and took our victory photos. We jumped in the cars, got my shoes, and continued for a few hours to our next destination.

In one of the few small towns we had dinner, an aboriginal resteraunt, next to a packed 7-11. The food was the best we had had so far, in my opinion, and I was able to try wild boar -- yum!

After another hour we reached another hostel, where we personally knew the owner. We pulled out our wet stuff, and took turns showering. As you could imagine, it took quite some time for everybody to go shower (20 people X 10 minutes...) Meanwhile we sat on the large patio drinking victory beers and cocktails. The last event planned for the trip was the lighting of a lantern with all our wishes. We took turns writing our wishes, put the paper under the lantern, lit it, and off it went. I don't think anybody was amazed as I was -- it was amazing! I didn't think it would go as high as it did, but off it sailed. A great closure to a great day.

Tagged As: Travel

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