Scooter Adventure Continues

We are nearing the end.

Four days down.

Three more to make it back home in Taichung.

Breakfast was traditional American fare- McDonalds. We rarely ate at McDonalds before leaving America, and while easily accessible here in Taiwan, we still rarely visit their premises. So, strangely, my Egg McMuffin was highly satisfying.

Our plan of travel for the day would find us following the coast a short while, then heading inland once again. I would miss that blue shiny water, but looked forward to mountain coolness. Our overnight accommodations were in Kaohsiung, the second largest city in Taiwan.

Along the way, we once again hoped to find a waterfall.

This time.....

we were successful.

The hike began somewhat normal, except for these signs.

Yikes! After reading all the warnings about the deadly poisonous snakes to watch out for on the trail, I wasn't quite sure I wanted to proceed!

I just love translated signs!

While the first part of the hike was routine, standard paved and boardwalk like trail, the going got a little bit harder  further on. 

Ropes and ladders are always a sign of something good up ahead!

The water coming off the waterfall was cold, extremely cold, yet refreshing. Despite being fully clothed, the temptation to jump in was just too difficult to deny. 

Oops! Didn't see this sign until afterwards. Neither did all the other people in the water evidently. Actually, I have found these kind of signs, like most of the traffic laws, are just strong suggestions.

After leaving this scenic area, we found ourselves in more populated areas, which naturally means an increase in traffic. I prefer the out-of-the-way no cars allowed kind of roads.

On a side note, good Mexican food is hard to find here in Taiwan. But on hearing of a possible half decent establishment, we employed the local subway to transport us to Don Burritos, which turned out to be delicious! The owner is from Mexico and cooks with fresh ingredients just like his mom. This was the best meal of our entire adventure!

Up With the Sun

Day 4 of our scooter adventure began and ended with the sun.

It's not often that an Ohioan girl has the opportunity to see the sun rise over the Pacific, so when the opportunity comes, you have to take it. 

Before leaving Taitung, we made several stops.

A fish market...

That was a smelly experience. Our second stop was not as odorous, but much louder.

Taiwan has a very active air force. Several fighter jets began maneuvers starting at 7am.  

Today's journey took us to the very southern tip of the island. We chose little traveled route, used often by the cyclist and not cars. 

This is a very rural area of Taiwan, mostly untouched by the recent boon of tourism.

At lunch time, we stumbled upon a secluded beach.

A small village was located to the side of this beach. An unadorned restaurant overlooked the scenery. With such an off the beat location, I wondered how the establishment could stay in business. We decided to stop for lunch. We ended being there for over three hours!

A village family made their living giving four wheeler and jeep tours through these sand dunes.

The shop owner invited us to stay and enjoy the beach and the view. With water this inviting, how could we resist?

 Which brings me to the life lesson for the day: If you stumble upon a beautiful beach and no one is in the water, there is probably a reason. 

In this case, the water is full of jellyfish.

Poor Grace. I had just started into the water when I saw Grace jump and yell out. A rather large jelly fish had wrapped its tentacles around her arm! I made a quick and hasty exit from the water! The next day her arm was swollen and painful!

This is what the injury looked like several days later! Needless to say, we quickly abandoned the water. That didn't stop us, however, from enjoying the view. The shop owner encouraged us to sit outside in the shade. She even brought us fruit and steamed peanuts. 

I think I had a big piece of fruit in my mouth which accounts for my unhappy looking face!

Our last stop of the day was at a very familiar spot. The south eastern tip of Taiwan boasts amazing views of the Pacific. It never gets old.

But, once again we stumbled upon something new. A filming crew was in the process o shooting a scene!

In the scene, the actor was to either fall or jump from a cliff. We watched as they set up pads below this drop off. The actor asked for more hands to hold his landing pad. Evidently, he didn't want to fall any farther than what was planned.

There was a lot of activity, and while we waited, we never did get to see the actual filming. We needed to get going because a special treat awaited us in Kenting.

Abbi and her two friends, Maggie and Liz, were waiting for us to have dinner with them! They were enjoying a mini beach vacation of their own.

Despite the jellyfish, this was another great day of exploring the beauty of God's creation here in Taiwan! 

And the Adventure Continues

And so the adventure continued....

Not only were we on an adventure, but it was also a vacation. And a vacation isn't complete without a morning of conversation and coffee So instead of rising early to beat the heat, as the previous two mornings, we eased into our day with Don and Marla Bettinger. 

Delicious coffee and friendly conversation- a great start to any day!

What a view to begin every morning!

After venturing through the mountains, several scooters were also in need of a little TLC. So while our rides received the attention they needed, we enjoyed a late breakfast at a shop next door.

After our bellies were full and the scooters rejuvenated, we headed south. For most of the day, we had the wide open, sparkling blue Pacific to our left and the deep green of the mountains to the right. My biggest dilemma was deciding which way to turn my head!

  

As in previous days, we stopped often to admire God's handiwork.

If you look closely at the above picture, you might see steps dangerously hugging the wall of the ravine.

Would you go on these steps?

Could you go on these steps?

While  traveling throughout Taiwan, I constantly look for the perfect spot to build my dream retirement home. Never mind I could never afford to buy the land, let alone build a house!But, I can't help it. I am a dreamer. 

This little hill, or perhaps its an island, caught my eye. Wouldn't a house at the very top with a wrap around porch be just perfect? Imagine the views! Imagine the sounds of the ocean waves gently singing you asleep each night. Imagine the price tag! Fortunate for me, dreaming is free!

Someday I hope to actually walk across this bridge and explore that little island. Last time we visited, the bridge was also closed. 

And while you can not tell from the pictures, it was mighty hot! While I enjoyed the break from the scooter seat, I was more than ready to be on the road again. As long as a scooter is going forward, the riders are the recipient of moving air. 

Since our breakfast was late, our lunch was also late, but well worth the wait. Cheap, too! Here's a life lesson #3 that I experienced over and over again during our travels- sometimes the most delicious food can be found in the most unassuming places. Such as these delicious steamed bun, believed to be Taiwan #1! This little old couple, in an unremarkable roadside building, create these sandwiches filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, and other delicacies! They all range in cost from 15 to 25NT (50 to 90 cents). I bought one with cabbage and spices and another with lightly sweet, crushed peanuts. Very filling and very delicious! 

Poor Carl. Since he is gluten free, he couldn't partake in our delicious feast. He had to settle for a banana for his lunch. 

Our resting spot for this leg of the trip was at the Gant house in Taitung, another one of my favorite places to visit! How would you like to have this view every morning?

The day had been so hot and so sticky all we wanted to do was get into the water and cool off.

Even Carl could not resist the ocean's tempting pleasures!

After our therapeutic dip in the Pacific, we headed into Taitung to hunt down some dinner.

This temple was stunningly lit up. Not sure what kind of temple, Buddhist, Taoist, or some other god, but it was very busy with the townsfolk doing various forms of bai bai (worship).

The day had been long. The day had been hot. 

But, any day that I can enjoy both the mountains and the ocean is a good day!