sandro in taiwan 2
San Diao Ling Waterfall Park
2010/09/25
Two Phoenix Gorge Waterfall, Flying Dragon Waterfall,
Ho Ku Waterfall, Tiao Ling Waterfall, Moon Cave, Ni Ya Waterfall, Keelung Night Market
Citation of the trip: "I almost died there". Edward
After the first week of school, I decided it is a time to make some new adventure trip.
I asked my new friend Michal if he would like to join me and together we started to plan our Saturday.
From 3 possible choices we chose this one as the most interesting. There was a typhoon one week
ago in Taiwan and thus the waterfall park will be very nice (I don't mean destroyed, but the strength
of the streams will be much bigger :) ).
We asked several people to join us, but only Edward, my "Chinese teacher" promised his participation.
We also wrote to several girls, but none of them wanted to go. However, in the end it was good they didn't,
because this trip was a little tough and really adventurous.
We agreed to meet in 9:00 in front of our dormitory. In 8:55 Jakub (another Czech guy) knocked on
My dorm door and asked, whether we are still planning the trip. He was quite lucky, as I really wanted to
leave in 2 minutes. Therefore the final number of travelers was 4.
We left the school campus in 9:20 and took a train directly to San Diao Ling from the Taipei Main Station.
The train was on the place within 50 minutes. We took off and headed to the Two Phoenix Gorge Waterfall.
Even so we got lost immediately at the beginning for several minutes, we found the right way
quite soon (too easy when you have a native speaker with you haha). We found the stairs and climbed
uphill for 30 minutes, before we got lost the second time in front of a new temple with fine view over the
Keelung gorge. However we solved even this case within minutes
and before long we emerged in front of the wonderful Two Phoenix Gorge Waterfall.
We descended to the gorge and ate a brunch sitting on the stones under the waterfall. The view was
awesome! Later on we found out it was the best place to swim and we were a little disappointed from
our previous hasty decision to do not go to the water yet.
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As always the way back took half time of the way there and we approached the train station in 20 minutes. Following
the rails to Pingxi we joined the main route along the most famous waterfalls of this area. Several
minutes later we turned right up the stairs to the hilltop to see the near Flying Dragon Waterfall.
The path was terrible, just trampled and dried grass among the trees and several ribbons marked the
right direction to the waterfall. When we reached the top, we have to face the real danger of 2 spider-webs
with their constructors onto them (both 10 cm long). We tightened muscles and slowly passed under the
huge webs spread just across the path.
When we finally reached the waterfall, it was almost 15:30. The view sucked a little as this path was not
maintained for a long time. A little disappointed we turned back. Within 20 minutes we descended the
hill (some of us more brown then the others :) ).
We joined the original main route again and followed it for next 3 hours. Before long we reached the
Ho Ku Waterfall, the biggest of the whole set (40 meters high). We wanted to descend to its roots, however the
time pressure didn't allow us to do so. So we just took several pictures from the viewing platform
and we headed to the next one in our direction.
After crossing two rope bridges over some small streams and after a couple of minutes we came to the
San Diao Ling Waterfall, which actually gave name to this area. The waterfall is 35 meters
high and with a gentle curve falls into the small pond under the colorful limestone cave-like cliff, which
is called a Moon Cave.
On the viewing platform we met a group of tourists interested where we are from. Except that they didn't
say too much. We found a big sign symbolizing "don't go into the water" and thus we didn't even take a bath. It took several moments to
find the right path. However the Taiwanese hiking paths are really well supported and then the rope in the
grass gave us a hint of hidden route.
In two minutes we reached a ladder made from tree trunks. I have never seen something like that before.
And have to say (even so it was fun) the idea is a little stupid, because the wood is quite slippery after rain. We ascended
the ladder and dozen meters by chains and holes in the rock wall, reaching a small platform. Before long we
have met the group of tourists again. This time they were going back. They told us it is too difficult to
climb up and we should turn back. Well, I think it was pretty easy, but whatever :)
We reached the last waterfall named Ni Ya Waterfall. It is just several meters from the ladder and from the
root of the waterfall you can see the upper edge of the lower one (San Diao Ling Waterfall). That time the dusk
already endevoured the jungle and we had to hurry up. Edward was a little worry, but we decided to go forth, as the way
back would be much more difficult and time-consuming than the part ahead.
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Ascending another tree trunk ladder (but this time done much more efficiently) we emerged on the top of
the mountain. We turned right and before long we reached a cement path, which joint a concrete road in couple
of minutes.
We found a small villa there and asked for directions and refilling of our bottles. Taiwanese are always
so kind, so no wonder they helped us without any problem :)
Following the instructions in the book we emerged on a crossroad and turned left. During 20 minutes we reached
the closed steel gate with cameras and automatic light. Is it some villa for high officials or some base? No-one
knew. But all of us knew we went a wrong way. I turned on my GPS (God bless the
5800 Xpress Music) and found out we were out of map. What the hell? We had to go back.
We found the right path quite soon, but the complete darkness reached us very soon. After 500 meters, when we checked
our position on the road more by GPS then by eyes as we could see only several steps in front of us we turnedback,
because it was too dangerous. We decided to return to the villa we saw before and ask for some help.
However after 15 minutes we found out a TAXI beside the road with the engine still warm from usage. What a
coincidence, huh! We descended to a small cave-house and found a man with flashlight on his forehead
standing in the house entrance. Edward spoke to him and explained him our situation. He told us he wants
additional 150 NT$ for the trip plus the regular tax, because we are right now in mountains. However he invited
us to some tea (oolong tea, very delicious) and shared with us some warm words. In the end, he was very helpful.
After 30 minutes we were already on Keelung Night Market. I decided I will introduce all the delicious things here
to Michal and Jakub. They were hesitating at the beginning, because they hadn't too much experience with night markets
yet. They agreed when I said I will eat it with them. Nevertheless, after several meals my support wasn't even necessary.
I was already full and they were still eating and eating and eating :D
Before we returned back to Taipei, my girlfriend called me that she is just returning home. How she was surprised
when I told her I am right now in Keelung Night Market :) so we have met in Keelung Harbor and stayed there
for half an hour :) We took a bus directly to our campus in 22:30. The bus was there in 23:15 :)
2010/09/25 - San Diao Ling Waterfall Park [25 pictures]
Keelung
San Diao Ling Waterfall Park Phorum [0 posts]
1143 views
2010/09/25
Two Phoenix Gorge Waterfall, Flying Dragon Waterfall,
Ho Ku Waterfall, Tiao Ling Waterfall, Moon Cave, Ni Ya Waterfall, Keelung Night Market
Citation of the trip: "I almost died there". EdwardAfter the first week of school, I decided it is a time to make some new adventure trip. I asked my new friend Michal if he would like to join me and together we started to plan our Saturday. From 3 possible choices we chose this one as the most interesting. There was a typhoon one week ago in Taiwan and thus the waterfall park will be very nice (I don't mean destroyed, but the strength of the streams will be much bigger :) ).
We asked several people to join us, but only Edward, my "Chinese teacher" promised his participation. We also wrote to several girls, but none of them wanted to go. However, in the end it was good they didn't, because this trip was a little tough and really adventurous.
We agreed to meet in 9:00 in front of our dormitory. In 8:55 Jakub (another Czech guy) knocked on My dorm door and asked, whether we are still planning the trip. He was quite lucky, as I really wanted to leave in 2 minutes. Therefore the final number of travelers was 4.
We left the school campus in 9:20 and took a train directly to San Diao Ling from the Taipei Main Station. The train was on the place within 50 minutes. We took off and headed to the Two Phoenix Gorge Waterfall.
Even so we got lost immediately at the beginning for several minutes, we found the right way quite soon (too easy when you have a native speaker with you haha). We found the stairs and climbed uphill for 30 minutes, before we got lost the second time in front of a new temple with fine view over the Keelung gorge. However we solved even this case within minutes and before long we emerged in front of the wonderful Two Phoenix Gorge Waterfall.
We descended to the gorge and ate a brunch sitting on the stones under the waterfall. The view was awesome! Later on we found out it was the best place to swim and we were a little disappointed from our previous hasty decision to do not go to the water yet.
The path was terrible, just trampled and dried grass among the trees and several ribbons marked the right direction to the waterfall. When we reached the top, we have to face the real danger of 2 spider-webs with their constructors onto them (both 10 cm long). We tightened muscles and slowly passed under the huge webs spread just across the path.
When we finally reached the waterfall, it was almost 15:30. The view sucked a little as this path was not maintained for a long time. A little disappointed we turned back. Within 20 minutes we descended the hill (some of us more brown then the others :) ).
We joined the original main route again and followed it for next 3 hours. Before long we reached the Ho Ku Waterfall, the biggest of the whole set (40 meters high). We wanted to descend to its roots, however the time pressure didn't allow us to do so. So we just took several pictures from the viewing platform and we headed to the next one in our direction.
After crossing two rope bridges over some small streams and after a couple of minutes we came to the San Diao Ling Waterfall, which actually gave name to this area. The waterfall is 35 meters high and with a gentle curve falls into the small pond under the colorful limestone cave-like cliff, which is called a Moon Cave.
On the viewing platform we met a group of tourists interested where we are from. Except that they didn't say too much. We found a big sign symbolizing "don't go into the water" and thus we didn't even take a bath. It took several moments to find the right path. However the Taiwanese hiking paths are really well supported and then the rope in the grass gave us a hint of hidden route.
In two minutes we reached a ladder made from tree trunks. I have never seen something like that before. And have to say (even so it was fun) the idea is a little stupid, because the wood is quite slippery after rain. We ascended the ladder and dozen meters by chains and holes in the rock wall, reaching a small platform. Before long we have met the group of tourists again. This time they were going back. They told us it is too difficult to climb up and we should turn back. Well, I think it was pretty easy, but whatever :)
We reached the last waterfall named Ni Ya Waterfall. It is just several meters from the ladder and from the root of the waterfall you can see the upper edge of the lower one (San Diao Ling Waterfall). That time the dusk already endevoured the jungle and we had to hurry up. Edward was a little worry, but we decided to go forth, as the way back would be much more difficult and time-consuming than the part ahead.
We found a small villa there and asked for directions and refilling of our bottles. Taiwanese are always so kind, so no wonder they helped us without any problem :)
Following the instructions in the book we emerged on a crossroad and turned left. During 20 minutes we reached the closed steel gate with cameras and automatic light. Is it some villa for high officials or some base? No-one knew. But all of us knew we went a wrong way. I turned on my GPS (God bless the 5800 Xpress Music) and found out we were out of map. What the hell? We had to go back.
We found the right path quite soon, but the complete darkness reached us very soon. After 500 meters, when we checked our position on the road more by GPS then by eyes as we could see only several steps in front of us we turnedback, because it was too dangerous. We decided to return to the villa we saw before and ask for some help.
However after 15 minutes we found out a TAXI beside the road with the engine still warm from usage. What a coincidence, huh! We descended to a small cave-house and found a man with flashlight on his forehead standing in the house entrance. Edward spoke to him and explained him our situation. He told us he wants additional 150 NT$ for the trip plus the regular tax, because we are right now in mountains. However he invited us to some tea (oolong tea, very delicious) and shared with us some warm words. In the end, he was very helpful.
After 30 minutes we were already on Keelung Night Market. I decided I will introduce all the delicious things here to Michal and Jakub. They were hesitating at the beginning, because they hadn't too much experience with night markets yet. They agreed when I said I will eat it with them. Nevertheless, after several meals my support wasn't even necessary. I was already full and they were still eating and eating and eating :D
Before we returned back to Taipei, my girlfriend called me that she is just returning home. How she was surprised when I told her I am right now in Keelung Night Market :) so we have met in Keelung Harbor and stayed there for half an hour :) We took a bus directly to our campus in 22:30. The bus was there in 23:15 :)
2010/09/25 - San Diao Ling Waterfall Park [25 pictures]KeelungSan Diao Ling Waterfall Park Phorum [0 posts]1143 views
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