Warm Taiwan

My legs are still wobbling a bit from the freighter. Never mind, I have a tour of this wonderful island to do!

These travelers I met randomly on the road hadn't lied to me: Taiwan is a cycling paradise. The asphalt is real silk and the cycle paths are plentiful and well signposted. After a week's break, it's good to be back in the saddle. From Kaohsiung, where my container ship unloaded me, I set off for the southern tip of the island.

The speed at which I feel like I'm driving after an idle week on the freighter.

Again in Buddhist territory.

Taiwan in East Asia.

A first 350 km on the beautiful Asian island.

It's rising

Taiwan is unquestionably a country of mountains. On the small island half the size of New Brunswick, there are almost 300 peaks overhanging 3000 meters above sea level. All these mountains gather in the middle, especially towards the north, while a path winds almost the entire coast. In the south of the island, the mountains turn into hills and the road winds its way through some of them. 

I cross quickly from the west coast to the east coast, climbing 600 or 700 meters. A good first warm-up! It had been a long time since I had pushed my gear towards the peaks. I stop to eat in a roadside boui-boui. The lady points to her menu posted on the wall. Everything is written only in Chinese. I laugh and the lady understands that she will have to improvise something for me. We may not speak the same language but we understood each other. I won't be disappointed with his noodle dish.

Side path through the thick forest of southern Taiwan.

A country on the move

All over the coast and in the mountains, I come across Taiwanese walking or biking long sections of their island or even all around it. I speak to solo travelers, duets, and even several groups of schoolchildren. These young adolescents are obviously on tours organized by their schools since they all have the same bike, decorated with the same travel bags.

And these Taiwanese are so nice! With such a beautiful landscape and such a welcoming population, I cannot understand why the country is not a more popular tourist destination. Almost every athlete I meet repeats to me several times “It was so nice to meet you! »When we set off on our own.

Tiffany, on her third-of-the-island trek.

David, who is touring the island in 50 days.

Leo and Jamie, on their 12th day of 30 hike.

Andrew, from Hong Kong, who is traveling to Taiwan for 2 weeks.

It's not just the locals who are warm ... so is the temperature! Leaving the coast to move to the adjacent valley on the other side of the cliff, I feel like I'm losing water like a towel in the sun. The pores fountain, I alternate my sweaters to try to dry them. Without success.

Then, a few seconds after the summit, I embark on the descent towards the valley on the other side of the mountains. The wind whistles in my ears, and I race along the smooth asphalt of the almost deserted road. I feel like I'm flying. I forget the heat, the effort, my sweaty sweaters. My smile does not leave me for miles.

Definitely, this country is perfect for cycling.

Young rice shoots in the fields as far as the eye can see.

Bananas, it grows upwards.

Agricultural oasis in the middle of the valley.