Be as Simple and Well as Nature Ourselves

My Taiwan Besties were on their way out.

And so we went out with a bang. 

A big bang.

 

Toroko Gorge, Hualien, Taiwan

It's Niles Canyon, but with a bit of the Grand Canyon thrown into it here and there. Complete with rushing water, tree-covered cliffs, lakes, rivers, valleys, hikes, temples, waterfalls, and lots of buses full of tourists.

It's breathtaking.

It's the kind of 'breathtaking' where your mouth drops open and you hold your breath just to look. It's the kind of 'breathtaking' where gazing at it just isn't enough, you actually want to be a part of the beauty itself; you want to go in an explore what that beauty consists of. 

It's the kind of 'breathtaking' that just can't be captured on film, but you have to try, anyway.

We weren't your normal tourists in buses, either. Nope. We were legit. Traveling through those windy roads to the top of Toroko Gorge on scooters. 

Scoooooooooters!

That's right. 

And it was fantastic. 

Don't worry that I took pictures while straddling the backs of those whirring little things.

We spent two days there, exploring, riding, hiking, taking pictures, getting bitten by mosquitos, trying to find waterfalls, climbing lots of stairs, and not thinking of the separation that was inevitable. My four fabulous friends were leaving; their year in Taiwan was coming to a close. I was staying, they were leaving. 

We ignored that.

Toroko was really distracting.

We had some goals in mind, coming here: 

1) Climb a suspension bridge. 2) Hike to a waterfall and frolic.

The first goal we totally accomplished. With absolute flying colors, did we accomplish that first goal.

First rule of the suspension bridge: No wriggling. 

Second rule of the suspension bridge: Have a hiking permit. 

We followed the first rule. We tactfully overlooked the second.

The second goal we had, hiking to a waterfall and frolicking, started out pretty optimistically. We found the hike that promised a waterfall at the end. The sign at the entrance assured us that if we were in "moderately good shape," this shnazzy little nature walk would be a piece of cake. 

When we saw this, we questioned the use of the word 'moderately,' but pressed on, nonetheless.

That is, in fact, a 90 degree angled rock, in the middle of the hiking path. They were real thoughtful, and put some chains up there to help us, though.

It would have probably been useful to know Chinese, at this point.

But we did it, like champs.

Only to find, about ten minutes later, the rest of the hike--waterfall included--had been closed down, due to a rockfall. 

Well. Shucks. 

Down we went.

And found some other stuff to do. 

(It was probably a good thing the hike didn't work out, due to the fact that I was embarrassingly unprepared. I could just hear my father in my head: "Why are you wearing capris hiking? You shouldn't have done that. Why didn't you take bug spray? You always take bug spray. Never go hiking without a camel pack. I can't believe you went out there with no first aid kit. Don't wear those shoes. Wear hiking shoes." Man, I would have been in so much trouble.) 

Toroko was gorgeous. Beyond description. Incredible.

There was just so much water. It called to me. 

Next time, I'm wearing my swim suit.