What’s has more gas than Daddy on a Sunday morning? Fumaroles!

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Taiwan is a volcanic island and last Sunday we took the opportunity (thanks to some friends who were willing to drive) to visit the fumaroles of the Tatun Volcano Group. This is about 15 km north of Taipei in Yangmingshan National Park, actually even closer to us since we live in Tien Mu on the northern edge of Taipei. We were treated to some fantastic views from scenic overlooks on the way up the mountain, not to mention the higher we climbed, the greater the relief from the heat.

A panoramic shot as seen from halfway up the mountains behind where we live.
A panoramic shot as seen from halfway up the mountains behind where we live.

Bodhi made a new friend (named Kai) and together they proceeded to climb nearly an entire mountain together.

Bodhi's new friend Kai was psyched to climb up the steaming mountains.
Bodhi’s new friend Kai was psyched to climb up the steaming mountains.

All the way up the mountain there are warning signs about staying away from hot rocks releasing steam due to volcanic activity.Fumerole Warning 1 Fumerole Warning 2

In case you’re wondering why, check out this video. It also happens to be the reason for the title of this blog post. And you can imagine how hard it was to keep 6 & 9 year old Bodhi and Griff from riffing on a fart joke theme for hours after seeing this.

Mommy, Griffin and I proceeded to follow Bodhi and Kai up the mountain but it was tougher than it looked as you can see from the following pics.

Our ambitious 9 year old son begins the climb full of desire to reach his goal.
Our ambitious 9 year old son begins the climb full of desire to reach his goal.
After climbing a while in the heat his resolve begins to falter.
After climbing a while in the heat his resolve begins to falter.
We encounter a sign that destroys Giffin's motivation. We are ONLY a quarter of the way up!
We encounter a sign that destroys Giffin’s motivation. We are ONLY a quarter of the way up!
Even with encouragement from both his parents, Griffin REFUSES to budge without a drink of water...seen here practically dying of thirst.
Even with encouragement from both his parents, Griffin REFUSES to budge without a drink of water…seen here practically dying of thirst.
It takes not only a big drink of H2O but also a big hug from Mommy to get back his smile.
It takes not only a big drink of H2O but also a big hug from Mommy to get back his smile.
Content to settle for halfway, here is the top as seen from the point of our furthest progress (halfway).
Content to settle for halfway, here is the top as seen from the point of our furthest progress (halfway).

Someday we hope to be up there looking down at you all when you come to visit and we take you on the Fumerole Tour. But until then, enjoy these views of the scenery on the way up and know that we love and miss you all..

. Yangminshan Park View 1 Yangminshan View 2 Yangminshan View 3Steambird

–The Klars Afar

5 thoughts on “What’s has more gas than Daddy on a Sunday morning? Fumaroles!”

  1. I’m so glad you’re enjoying Taipei! The weather here has been beautiful – mostly in the 70s – open window weather. Will you ask Becky if she got my email from a week or so ago? Also, when is she going to get on FB??!!???

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  2. wow, such amazing photo’s!! What a great experience for the kids! Thank you for sharing! You all are missed by everyone back in the states!! Take care and keep these pictures coming!!

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  3. Love the pics and the stories of your explorations of your new home. Blake is really missing Graf and we will look forward to catching up on FB or SKYPE!

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  4. Love these pix! Such a climb! Al terms it “hot face,” that expression we all get when we’ve had too much heat. We miss you too. Glad the dogs are back with you. Sending you all virtual ice cream cones.

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