This past weekend we took our first foray into river tracing. We travelled north to Tbsang Pratan (San Zhan), one valley shy of Taroko National Park, and plodded our way upstream through what soon became a stunningly breathtaking valley. The water was, as you can see, gorgeously clear and cool ('invisible' as Crystal would say). The sky was blue save for a few clouds dotting it here and there. Swimming, walking, swimming, cliff jumping...an excellent way to spend a sultry Saturday.
Along the way we met a really nice family, a mother, father and little girl. As the day was a progression of walking then stopping for a swim, then walking some more until we reached far enough upstream to the Gold Valley, we had multiple opportunities to chat and play as they passed us, or we them. It was so reviving to see a Taiwanese family out playing, exercising, experiencing nature, rather than being stuck at home watching tv while their child sat in cram school hour after hour. These experiences are what will rekindle the youth of Taiwan to get out and do something, rather than live off tv, milk tea and shopping. They were wonderful people, we shared a wonderful day with them, and I hope that they - now back in Taiwan - make it back here. They seemed to have a wonderful time.
Swimming and walking upstream...
Walking some more, and trying so hard to get up to a jumping spot (it didn't work out here!)
Biggify via the clickity click - us, jumping. Scary at first, wonderful the second time.
That is it - a great day at a great new place. We had talked about this area many time, but never found the time. Now we know, and we will be back.
