Top 100 Mountain

Published on Feb. 21, 2007 in Taiwan

Waking up rather early we walked back to the resteraunt and ordered breakfast, another five course meal. Soon we were packed, in the cars, and on the road. Since we were driving through the Jade Mountain National Park, there was almost no development. What a relief.

We drove and drove, finally reaching the bottom of the mountain we were about to climb. I was under the impression that the mountain wouldn't be cold, so only brought a sweater and pair of shorts. Even at the base I was cold, so I put on my pants and hoped that I wouldn't get too cold. Everybody else was wearing double layered waterproof jackets, warm pants, with big backpacks. Indeed, both Yan-Shih and myself were a bit out of place. Even though the two of us get almost no excersice on a daily basis, we both have hearts of iron, and trekked up the mountain with no delay.

I should mention that the mountain wasn't like "hiking," as I was told, but more like climbing. We reached the top after a few hours, and started eating some more food. Yan-Shih was a little worried about me blowing away, yet I was more worried about freezing to death.

Somebody yelled "no shirts!" -- or something like that. All the guys subsequently took off their shirts and stood at the top -- which was blistering cold (it was hailing moments before). A few photos were taken, and we hiked back down the mountain. Thoroughly tired, we jumped in the cars, and started to our next destination.

Our intentions were to stay at a little campsite near the hot spring we were going to, but due to poor weather the group decided to go to a hostel/hotel. And here is where the cheekyness started. The hostel had advertisements, both public and in the hostel, for a certain amount. Once we started to check in the owner said, "oh, sorry, your price will be..." and he said how much each room would cost -- double the normal price! I didn't understand any of this, but we paid what they asked, and went to our rooms. Little did the owner's know, but two of the people in our group are reporter's for an institution in Southern Taiwan -- so legal action is already underway. Anyhow, I hate cheeky people.

The rooms were pretty crappy, bathrooms even crappier, and the dinner medicore at best.

But, we climbed one of the top 100 "best" mountains in the world, so a little cheekyness couldn't distract from the overall great day.

Tagged As: Travel

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