How to hike around the island in style – Enjoying the beauty of the east coast comes at a cost

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei   Photos by Charlie & Mark
 
Climbing uphill through She Ding Park officially kicks off the journey through eastern Taiwan, but why is it still all uphill? After countless turns where clothes were soaked through with sweat, the stunning coastline suddenly came into view, the sea breeze from Feng Sha gently brushing their faces, soothing their utterly exhausted bodies and minds.

PART7Pingtung Jialeshui - Pingtung Shuhai - Taitung Daren - Taitung Jin]
They stayed at a surfers’ backpacker inn in Jialeshui. Though their energy had been drained along the way, they still wanted to feel the waves of Jialeshui slap them in the face. That night, they chatted happily with the inn owner and a Dutch couple. The next morning, when they left the guesthouse, it started pouring rain. Endless uphill roads and rain hitting their faces made it hard to tell if it was rain or tears. After bidding farewell to the eastern coastline, they headed back into the mountains. With no help or encouragement along the way, they relied on sheer willpower and the determination not to end up sleeping on the streets to reach Shuhai Village. Shuhai, which had almost nothing, offered only instant noodles to slightly warm their hearts that night.

The next day, they climbed Nanping Mountain, facing not only extremely steep paths but also endless continuous turns. Luckily, they met some friendly indigenous people who cheered them on in authentic local accents, and cute girls who asked for photos as if they were meeting a celebrity. On the way down from Shouka, an uncle who worked in Kenting gave them bananas and bread, replenishing their energy just in time for the rewarding downhill stretch. They arrived smoothly in Daren and checked into the village’s only inn.

Woken up by the sound of rain in the morning, they were relieved when it finally stopped after breakfast. They set off on their journey along the South Loop Highway. Along the way, they met a fundraising cycling team circumnavigating the island and received plenty of cheers. At noon, they grabbed a quick bite at a convenience store to refuel before setting off again, but soon dark clouds gathered overhead. Within moments, their feet were wet enough to raise goldfish. Trucks speeding by splashed water onto their faces. Though physically battered, they still had to take a photo at Taiwan’s most beautiful train station. After finding shelter, they dried their soaked gear a bit before succumbing to exhaustion and falling asleep, hoping the dream of clear blue skies would become reality in the days ahead.

Q&A
What motivated them to hike around the island?
 
Charlie C
They wanted to travel around the island in the coolest way possible – to challenge and understand themselves, think about the next step in life, and give themselves a buffer period before entering society.
 
Mark M
To find themselves and seek the meaning of life.