Some Much Room for Activities

The most active day was also one of the hottest since I've been here!

I don't even bother checking the weather like I usually do at home, because I'm pretty sure the forecast each day will be the same: sweltering.
I think I'm finally used to going outside and sweating immediately. Good thing I brought two deodorant sticks.

Our hike up Balaka Trail took about two hours, but the temperature was comfortable in Yangminshan National Park. Probably because we were about 1,000 m above sea level.

 Taiwan is beautiful. 

Beautiful! 

I especially loved seeing plants that grew anywhere they could - vines on trees, moss on steps...

Time for some facts: Millions of years ago, subterranean movements caused a massive collision between two plates, the Philippines oceanic and Eurasian continental. They didn't like being pushed together...not enough room. So the pressure from the angry plates spawned violent volcanic activity, lifting up the Eurasian plate. Super hot fire burst up, covering the land. So the seven mountains in the park are sleeping volcanoes. The real term is dormant.

Even though the air was cool, everyone worked up a sweat. When the steps weren't steep, they were covered in slippery moss. So I regret that I spent most of the time looking down at my feet. But then again, I'm glad I didn't slip & tumble down the mountain. The frequent stops to look at different plants and animals were much appreciated. Two of our proffs came along with us. They're very knowledgeable about the local happenings in biodiversity.

Here's a shot of our sixty year old guide being a beast up the stairs. 

Finally at the top and our reward is a breathtaking view and extremely strong winds. 

Girls on the right are Ji Ling (from China) and Hulda (from Taiwan)

Then we were off to another sight. I think the program is pushing me to the limit of my sightseeing abilities. Not that I'm overwhelmed, but every night when my head hits the pillow I have solid, dreamless sleep until morning. 

Anyways, the next place to visit was Beitou Hot Springs. Beitou is nicknamed the Hollywood of Taiwan because so many movies are made here. We watched a couple of clips of old movies, which were funny and the over acted. The museum had a lot of Japanese influence. I felt like I walked into Spirited Away. I also felt like I just wanted to sit down in a freezer and sleep. 

1,000 degrees Celsius=1,832 degrees Fahrenheit in the Thermal Valley

Standing next to this pool filled with dead butterflies made the normal 90 degree weather feel cool.  

Even after all of this, I still wanted to go to the gym. I must have been crazy. But actually, swimming some laps and floating around with my classmate Randy felt great. Unlike swimming in the Thermal Valley. Death swim.