Monday February 27th, 2017

Exploring the lovely forests of Lalashan (拉拉山) around 2,000m above sea level (7°C)

A huge 1,400-year-old tree at Lalashan


A misty but stunning morning at Lalashan

Sunday February 26th, 2017

Another visit to the awesome Bat Cave in Sanmin (三民區) along the #7 (三民蝙蝠洞)

The waterfall at the Sanmin Bat Cave was  flowing strong

A rainy day couldn't keep us from play — exploring Jiaobanshan Park (角板山公園)

Another stop to see the wonderful Xiaowulai Waterfall (小烏來瀑布) in Fuxing District (復興區)

Sunday February 19th, 2017

Led nine Taipei Hikers on a 10KM hike around some of the local trails in Neihu (27°)

Hiking from Jinmianshan (金面山)  to Daluntou (大崙頭)

At the Yuanjue Waterfall (圓覺瀑布) where there is very little water ... we NEED rain!


February Randomness ...

Love, LOVE coming back from holidays to goodies on my desk! Nom, nom, nom!

The Little Miss riding out the cold spell in her self-made blanket fort —dropped down to 7°C

The sun! The sun! Please warm the apartment up quickly!

This makes me giggle! My proud brother (a new papa) and his baby girl, Juno (about one-month-old)

Taichung (台中) — Day 13 ...

First stop of the day: 新社古堡 (Xinshe Castle) in Xinshe District (新社區)

Entry ticket for the castle in Xinshe: NT$250

Second stop of the day: 天空之城 (Castle in the Sky) NT$200 entry fee. You get a NT$200 voucher for the restaurant. The food was plenty (soup, salad, appetizer, main, dessert, drink) but it was only OK!

Third stop of the day: 魚藤坪斷橋 Broken Bridge in Sanyi Township (三義鄉) in Miaoli County (苗栗縣)

Taichung (台中) — Day 12 ...

This hike was extremely strenuous and not for those who have a fear of heights (6KM took 6 hours)

On the way to the Yuanzui Peak at 2,108m (鴛嘴山) on Daxueshan (大雪山)

Hit two other peaks: Shaolai (稍來山) at 2,307m and Shaolai South Peak (稍來山南峰) at 2,303m

It was a gorgeous day and while the climb was scary at times, it offered stunning views

Taichung (台中) — Day 10 and 11 ...

Day 10 — A much needed day of rest! I took a walk around the neighbourhood and hung out in my room with Girl Cat.

Day 11 — I completed the remainder of the Dakeng trails as per this map. I walked up trail #6 which was the most interesting of the three and went down trail #7. I then drove my scooter over to the other parking lot and hiked up and down trail #8 which is an old road for the most part. There are lovely views of Taichung from these trails and they offered some good exercise.

Walking up trail #6 (大坑六號步道)

The Wind Moving Rock (風動石) along trail #8 (大坑八號步道)

Found this along trail #6 (大坑六號步道)

Taichung (台中) — Day 9 ...

This is the Gravity Max at Lihpao Land (麗寶樂園) in Taichung. This roller coaster has a 90-degree drop and is said to be the only tilt roller coaster in the world. The red piece that juts out basically tilts the riders from horizontal to vertical before clicking into the tracks below.

We sat at the back of the coaster and it was a very fun ride though I imagine being in the first car would be scariest. Unfortunately the ride closed due to strong winds so I was only able to ride the coaster once. Until next time, Gravity Max!


Is it me or is this guy giving people the finger?!