We really enjoyed walking around the lake and looking at everything, even though it was a very hot day! After Carp Lake we went to see a n old logging camp and and old sugar refinery. These were both small sights with not a lot to see. The logging camp was in a pretty wooded area, but the sugar refinery was now just a bunch of little shops. The hotel that we stayed the night at was in the city of Hua Lien and was very nice. We were all able to get a bunch of rest for the next day. I woke up early to go on a run. It was so beautiful. I ran in to the West which gave me a beautiful view of the mountains! It was a good way to distract myself! I went back to the hotel and got ready and ate breakfast and we all headed out to the beach!! It was such a beautiful beach with many rocks and lots of sunshine! We were so happy to have some since our time at the beach in Kenting was full of rain.
We walked around the beach collecting rocks and taking pictures. I found a dead/dried puffer fish that was really cool to look at.... but kinda sad. We were right next to an air base so we were able to see 4 fighter jets take off over the mountains ! Next we went to the Headquarters for the Taroko Gorge. We had a lunch (that was really yummy!) and then set off to explore the Gorge. It was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen. There were parts of it that were deeper than the Grand Canyon!!! I guess that it is listed in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die! And I have been there, so that was neat! I could not believe how beautiful it was. The base of the gorge was made out of marble! The water was a dark milky clay color from running over the marble and from an earthquake that had happened not long before. I feel like I should have been a little more worried on our walk/hike through the gorge because there was signs everywhere saying to be careful of rock falls, and there were rocks that had obviously fallen from somewhere above all over the pathways. But I was too involved in looking around at all of the natural beauty to think about it until we were back on the bus!
These are pictures of me by a shrine that was built around a natural waterfall . It was built in memory of all of the 200+ people who died and 700+ people who were injured in building the road through Taroko Gorge. I guess that the road and all of the tunnels were built by hand with pick axes. I could not believe it!! (I am sure that they had a lot more modern work done on them eventually.)
That night we stayed at a youth hostel in the gorge. Our view from our room was pretty but the food at the hostel was not good! I counted 5 small ants crawl over my tray at dinner time. I tried my best to eat , but I ended up eating just a bunch of white rice. Breakfast was much better, I love warm soymilk now, so anytime I can get it I am content! At 8 in the morning after breakfast we all headed out for a 2 hour hike through more of the gorge. We saw so many beautiful views and walked through a lot of caves. Davey, our tour guide even put me in charge of carrying one of the "torches" (flashlight). He designated me to the rear of the group.... I am always slow because I like to look at everything and appreciate it , and also take a lot of pictures (I ended up with 307 from this trip!)
Seeing these waterfalls reminded me of all of the hiking that I did as a child! We had to cross a very wobbly suspension bridge to get a good view of the waterfalls! (Don't worry mom, I walked very carefully!!!)
Coming back to Taipei was almost sad because I loved being in Hua Lien so much. I had an absolutely amazing time! I wish that I could go back. But I would have to somehow rent a car and what not. I can't believe that in just about 10 days Austin will be here and all of the other students will be gone. I am excited to come home, but can not believe that this adventure is almost over.
There are many more pictures on some online albums on my facebook. Here are the links to look at them. I will be posting the 3rd link soon when I get the album uploaded!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2156460&l=a84b1&id=19712929
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2156474&l=dbd7d&id=19712929
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2156870&l=1ef54&id=19712929
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