Our best day in Taiwan so far. A wonderful day really, that deserves a narrative. Hopefully we’ll come back and fill one in later, but I need to catch up on my sleep a bit first. Odds are good that some time will free up soon because there’s a lot of rain in the forecast for the next week. I foresee some hours sitting around the room drying out.
The elegant Bitan suspension bridge carries a heavy foot traffic, and sways gently as you walk across. I wonder how secure it feels in a storm?
After crossing the Bitan suspension bridge, we almost immediately start climbing into the hills as we follow the Xindian River south toward Wulai. The first several miles are on this quiet rural road, before it merges with busy Highway 9.
A giant, serene Matsu crowns a large, richly endowed temple alongside the Xindian. After tentatively entering the outer gate and looking around a bit, we were beckoned to come inside and view the interior also, and given a blessing when we departed.
Just beyond the temple we join highway 9 and continue climbing into the mountainous interior, now following the Nanshi River, one of the tributaries of the Xindian.
The Wulai suspension bridge spans the river at Wulai Hot Springs. This area was devastated by a major typhoon in 2015. Several large hotels and springs were destroyed, and the community is still recovering.
Graceful Wulai Falls cascades 80 meters down the cliffs opposite Wulai. It is a highly scenic and touristic area, complete with a tourist train and a tram to the top of the falls.
Many bikers make the climb to Wulai, and it looks like nearly everyone stops and poses in front of the falls. This must be one of the main cycling excursions from Taipei.
I stopped to take a photo of this crowd staging a team selfie for themselves, so they beckoned me in to pose with them. Then pulled Rachael in. Then urged me to lift one of their bikes over my head for another shot. Then both of us with the bike. Then I and another guy. And on and on. Great fun, many smiles, much laughter, little English.
The Xinxian bridge gives access to the start of a hiking route through the mountainous interior. We stopped here, crossed the bridge, and ate our lunch - in the shade, because it’s very hot today.
While we were eating, this cheerful couple walked by and interrupted their hike to check out our curious bikes, introduce themselves, chat a bit, and of course pose for a group selfie. The people here are so warm and welcoming!
This huge group of hikers returning from their outing weaves their way up the river to the Xindian MRT station. Surprisingly, we saw this group this morning also at the start of their day, sitting in a huge array in the square outside the station.
We ended our day by biking back to Bitan at sundown to eat at The Shack, the pizza place that our Taiwan restaurant consultant Bob recommended to us. A great place, with pizza as we might have found it at home or in Italy. We brought leftovers home for tomorrow’s lunch.
We biked the three miles back along the river paths to our hotel in the dark, enjoying the evening riverside scene and the light show. We rode in the dark, since the batteries in our bike lights were dead. It was fine though - safe, and adventurous. We felt grateful to Bob for causing us to make this outing.
The Sunshine suspension bridge puts on a fabulous light show, its colors transforming continuously. It makes us think of Portland’s Tilikum Ceossing, but on a grander scale. Mesmerizing, and great fun to bike through slowly on our way back to our hotel, just a few blocks from the far side.
