Go Take a Hike Big Ballerina

I sound like such a mom here, but have you seen Kung Foo Panda 2 when he says, "my old nemesis......stairs."- Well welcome to my Monday hike. Holy crap Taiwan has a lot of stairs. I say this the following day after the Excedrin has been popped and I pray a mysterious fire alarm doesn't go off in the building. In case you're not following...I can't move. seriously. You have no idea what I would do for a vat of icy hot right now. But let me back up. As we've detailed many a' time before, I am not known for my athletic prowess....and I love using that term. Athletic prowess......In fact, I'm pretty sure every blog post I write, my lack of athletic prowess comes up. But in an effort to further humiliate myself, why not share more childhood memories? I was that kid not chosen first in gym class, the girl who walked the mile, and the adolescent who rolled her eyes once it came time for the Presidential Fitness awards. I was however, a non-athlete with heart, as evidenced by my unsuccessful tryouts for the girls basketball team in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Maybe it was my height?! The coach, clearly feeling pity upon my uncoordinated self, awarded me the consolation prize of being named team manager. Pushing the buzzer pacified my urge to run up and down the court while making lame attempts to achieve a lay up. The buzzer became my friend. Ok I think that's adequate story time in order to set the tone. Back to my un-athleticsm and the fact that I agreed to go on an all-day hike with my Tai Chi class. 

I equate myself as the big sore thumb amongst slender graceful fingers. The women in my Tai Chi class accept me unconditionally, are unquestionably patient and offer a warmth and camaraderie that I cannot adequately express with words. With only the slightest hesitation that was quickly overruled by excitement and a whiff of adventure, I agreed to go on this hike, organized by a local travel agency. We met up at 6:00 A.M. at the MRT station in order to travel together to Taipei Main Station; so we could then depart from the bus station.(*deep breath*) Oh GOD help me.  You guys do know that I'm not a morning person right?? I am however a sucker for adventure. (Which is what I kept repeating to myself over and over..adventure…adventure). After discussing with Will and my mom what to pack, I set out, armed with a backpack full of bandaids, socks, bug spray, a change of clothes and a baggie full of TP. I was ready to rock and roll. Did I mention there was a fine, spraying mist that was steadily getting heavier? There were approximately fifteen of us, and a tour guide who, while I didn't understand anything she said ( as I don't understand Mandarin), seemed to really know her stuff about the local flora. Our hike began at the Tsaoling Historic Trail, about an hour and a half from Taipei. It was here where we walked/hiked for approximately four hours. There were a lot of steps on this hike. I think I  may have alluded to this point earlier.  No really. A LOT…just for those of you who may have been wondering. 

Yes, this would be me.

The views? Completely worth the constricting muscles I was experiencing in my calves. The stairs led us up and down the mountainside allowing us the privilege of brownish green grasses blowing in the wind, a multitude of waterfalls and random butterflies the size of small birds. (Which if I'm being honest I initially thought were rabid bats). It was all simply beautiful. Along the way there was shelter coverage, pit-stops and in one instance  the option to even purchase some hot ginger tea....which I unfortunately have a taste aversion to since my unfortunate experience with a gingerbread muffin from Dunkin Donuts last year....*Bear with me while I stray for a minute....well, a minute more. I have to insert a brief side story.* It was at this point in the hike that I struck up a conversation with a woman from another group. We made some informal conversation about where we were from and she mentioned that she plays rugby here in Taiwan. She also mentioned that I looked like a "sports girl" on top of asking me if I was interested in playing rugby. I say this with pride despite the fact that the only portion of my body exposed to the elements were my calves. I also mention this despite the fact that my husband burst out laughing when I told him aforementioned side story..Anyway, being labeled un-athletic as we have solidly discussed earlier, I will cherish her comment forever. (That alone was worth going on this hike). Back to the story. After our hike  was complete, the journey took us to a walk- through of a local temple  and an amazing view of the Ancient Canyon and rock formations that resembled tofu.( I am not making that up. The sign actually said that). The day progressed as we then traveled to Dong Bei Jiao hai yu where we toured the crab museum (who knew they were so smart?) and then onward to Yilan Hot Springs. But back to the crabs for a moment. Did you know that crabs cut their own legs off as a matter of survival? Crazy town. I have to say that one of the perks of this stop was enjoying a cup (ok two cups) of complimentary coffee while sitting at a fish tank inspired table. The decor gave you an underwater vibe, replete with floating puffer fish above our heads. The more adventurous opted to walk closer to the waterfall- which from a distance looked amazing. ( I needed to leave a little for next time). Leaving the resident bunny, which was hopping around the playground, and the homemade makeshift bubble container outside for kids and adults alike to play with, we headed to Yilan to the hot-springs. Hot-springs!!!! I was both excited and terrified at the same time. First, I was not prepared (mentally) to submerge myself into raging hot water, though I have been wanting to do so since we've moved to Taiwan. The question as to should I or shouldn't I that was burning in my mind(no pun intended) answered itself when we walked into the local hot-spring  (jiao xi wenquan). A sign for a certified fish "spa" caught my eye. I was intrigued by fish eating my feet. For a mere 80 NT you could submerge your feet into the water and watch as the fish come and snack on your dead skin. As I did just that, I likened the feeling to pins and needles with both feet feeling as if they were asleep. It was difficult to stifle the giggling, being that these little guys were going to town on my tootsies. I was done when a not so small fish swam over and started eating more than his fair share. Adventure does have its limitations. After I left my new little friends behind, I gingerly walked over to the free hot springs foot soak. 

 

Fish Food

You can't beat free and it felt      AMAZING after a day of being on  my   feet. I have to be honest  though…not  knowing what to expect,  I really had no idea it was going to be  quite that hot. I know, I know, HOT springs. I get it. But this was seriously hot, like boiling. Sorry, just setting the scene. Being that there was a group of other women soaking as well who looked like they were lounging in lukewarm bathwater, I tried to look cool, like I belonged. I lasted about 7 minutes. Good enough. I'll have to gear myself up to full body submersion next time. I found out upon my arrival back to our meeting spot one hour later that there was an amazing bakery one street over. It was probably for the best that I was blissfully unaware of this factor, as I have a deep love for carbohydrates. The bus ride home was surprisingly swift and I had a ton of pictures and memories that were captured in what was, all in all ,an amazing day. I do believe that if my calves agree,  I would happily go on another hike/exploratory day if given the opportunity.…all in the spirit of adventure of course. 

uh..............(P.S. It was raining)

The "Bean Curd" rock formations.