Return to Elephant Mountain

Elephant Mountain has been one of my favorite adventures so far. That is why I had to return. Albeit this time better prepared. Water is important when you are hiking in high heat and humidity. Also the right clothes and shoes. Really, the first time just spur of the moment, but this time I put some thought into it.

Always a good view from the mountain.

I woke early in the morning and got dressed. I packed up my adventure bag with two bottles of water. After a quick breakfast I rented a ubike and was on my way. It was an easy ride through the streets on an early Saturday morning. The crowd and traffic was light, letting me zip down the sidewalk. I cruised along by Taipei 101. I watched as other early risers enjoyed the park as I parked my bike.

The hike up was just as I remembered it from last time: exhausting. This time I was ready to deal with it though. I had plenty of water this time and the right set of cloths. The sun was bearing down, but I paid it little mind.

Just as the time before, I trekked my way up the steps. I took in each sight as though it were new. I looked out across the vistas that were presented and smiled at the feeling of having escaped the jungle of concrete and steel for a short while. I listened, looked, and smelled my surroundings. The mountain was flush with life.

Which way to go?

This time I opted to try a new trail. I walked across the mountain ridge till I found a trail heading down. I walked down the steep stairs and into a new world. I found a nice rock outcrop to sprint up and look through the canopy to scan the area. The trees were spread out before me like a great green roof. Farther down I found something unexpected. Areas had been cleared away and looked like they had been set up as some kind of sports area in the past. I could imagine people hiking up the trail for an early morning game of badminton. To me, now out of use, they looked like a good place for morning martial arts practice. That would wait for another day.

Reminds me of Old Man's Cave

Continuing down I came to a point where the path branched off. It was a tough choice, but for this trip I chose the path that I figured would lead me back around to where I had hiked up the mountain. This trail took me past steep cliffs. I was happy to find that there was even a passage through a stone tunnel. It remind me of the hikes at Old Man’s Cave back home.

I came upon a nice rest area. It had awnings and tables to relax under. Even better, it had bathrooms. I rested there for a good while, taking in the view and just thinking. With few people out and about, it was an ideal place to clear my mind. Being away from the noise of the city is the only way to hear myself think some days.

The hike came to an end as I followed the trail to its conclusion. It had wrapped be back around the mountain to intersect with a portion that I had hiked up earlier. I headed back down the stony steps towards the park. I had to purchase more water from the lady at the foot at the mountain. Two bottles was just not enough water for the humid weather. The hike had invigorated me, however, so my day was far from done.

Bidding the mountain farewell for the day, I hopped back on a ubike. I cruised down the sidewalk along one of the better bike lanes. I traveled past Taipei 101 once more, but now I was focused on the Holiday Jade and Flower Markets. I always enjoy looking at jade, even pieces I cannot hope to buy. I was more of a window shopper that day, but it was relaxing. The flower market made me hunger for the day when I would have my own place to move into. It would be a first stop for me to procure some house plants. Finally, the craft market is nice, though I spent most of my time at tables selling binoculars, microscopes, and other gadgets. An hour later, the only things I left with was a bag of  peanuts and some passion fruit to make a meal.

A great spot to rest and think.

For the next few hours I took a bicycle tour of the city. Pedal power can get you to a lot of places. I cruised by various monuments and temples. I made the mistake of getting lost in some market areas. A word to the wise, bikes do not do so well when the sidewalks are narrow and crowded. I did make a few attempts at shopping, or at least research for shopping. So much to buy, so little money. Adventures are expensive, at least if you want a good camera to capture the memories. Fortunately, the people are friendly, and that eases a great deal of the journey.

Riding buy some of the government buildings.

Once I had thoroughly exhausted myself, run up a great debt for the ubike, and ensured my butt would be angry at me the next morning, I turned myself towards home. A tricky ride itself. With only marginal effort I un-lost myself and rode back to the hostel. It felt good to have accomplished something for the day. So after a good shower I relaxed and enjoyed my peanuts and passion fruit.