Taroko National Park

I’m not too sure why but today I felt very tired. I really didn't feel like doing much of anything. I think that maybe the long bus rides today made me feel a bit sick because of all the swirling up to the hills. Breakfast was very interesting, very good except for the milk tea. It taste just like it sounds, milk and tea put together, but I couldn't bring myself to drink it. Putting two ingredients that I do not really care much for wasn't my cup of tea. On the other hand we had some type of omelet hash brown waffle looking food with some onions pieces. I liked it at first but then it started to get to me, perhaps it was just too much egg for me. After breakfast we made our way to Taroko National Park and watched a short video of the scenery and diversity of animals inhabiting the area. Then we made our way to the Shakadang Trail.  I really wanted to see the Formosan macaque that we had seen in the video but unfortunately we didn't see anything at all. The only thing we found was a tiny little cute blue snail. Perhaps this was in the area that we couldn’t make it to due to damaged roads from falling rocks.

About half way through the trail we stopped by the local aboriginal area where they were selling some food and jewelry. The aboriginal people still live in the park and have various little tents around the area.

 We stopped up until we reached a spot where we climbed down the rocks to get to the Shakadang River. It was beautiful, cool and refreshing with a blue greenish color. I wish I could have gone swimming, but I didn't want to get all wet and have to change.

Jenny and Carolyn 

 After a short time in the river, where several students were daring enough to climb on the big rocks, we headed back to Taipei. It was a very long bus drive but I was glad to get back. For dinner, Corrine, Alicia and I really wanted some American style food. We were looking for some beef and fries, because eating rice everyday is starting to get tiring. I think it may be a while before I eat rice again when I’m back home. But anyways we went to a place called the Second Floor Cafe that is supposed to be very popular and supposedly you have to wait for hours or months. However we walked in and were seated right away. We were lucky because another part of our group came and they were told the wait would be at least 2 hours! I ordered a delicious club sandwich with fries. It was heaven!! I had been longing for some nice warm fries and a normal sandwich. I ate every single thing on that plate except the egg that I took out of my sandwich. Egg is put into everything here. Not to mention I really want a cold glass of water with ice. No one uses ice over here. I cannot express how much I really miss this. Next time I think we will have pizza. Dominos or Pizza Hut?