During the holiday break, we hiked up Qixingshan (Seven Star Mountain) in Yangmingshan National Park (right behind our apartment). We went with our friends Paul Jacob, Amanda Jacob and their son Theo and of course we dragged our little dogs along too. Both Jake and Scout are getting on in years (15 & 14 respectively) but they hate to be left behind and luckily they are small enough to carry when they get tired or the terrain gets too rough. It was a beautiful day for a hike – with clear skys, pleasant temperatures and breathtaking views of the city of Taipei as well as the surrounding mountain-studded landscape. We loaded the kids, dogs and hiking supplies in our two vehicles and headed for the trailhead.
Qixingshan in Yangmingshan National Park.
Qixingshan is located in the Datun Volcano Group and is the highest peak in Taipei, at the rim of the Taipei Basin and is also the highest dormant volcano in Taiwan. Thousands of years ago the Datun Volcano Group erupted and spewed huge amounts of lava that flowed to the north and became the foundation of Taiwan’s rocky north coast.
Qixingshan Trailhead
Looking up to our destination
Looking up towards the top.
Mountains and more mountains.
Master of all he surveys.
The north coast of Taiwan visible from the mountains.
Bodhi gives Scout a lift.
Above the tree line, the mountain is covered with silver blooming grasses.
Low clouds, high mountains.
Mountains and more mountains.
Amanda Jacob takes the lead on the way up.
Beautiful mountains of Yangmingshan National Park.
A lonely dog treks.
Jake takes his time.
Lunch at the top.
Breathtaking horizons.
More surrounding mountains.
Silver grass covering the mountainside.
Lunch at the top.
The trail begins
The Klars Afar on the move.
Griffin gives Jake a lift.
Beautiful views on the way up.
Bodhi perches on a rock on top.
Pause for a picture.
A wonderful day in the fresh mountain air for everyone. At the top we enjoyed packed lunch and of course a bottle of wine. Scout and Jake were the favourites of the other hikers at the top and even managed to beg some treats.
Thanks for keeping up with the Klars Afar. Remember we love and miss you all and we always have room in our home for friends to visit us in Taipei
It’s been months since a post and the last one was far from current. So as the title says, I’ve got some catching up to do. This first instalment is from our visit to Sun Moon Lake. While we were there, we rode the sky gondola over the mountains to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. This was both a shameless commercial venture AND an education on the different tribes of Aborigines – of which the Taiwan Govt. recognises 16. The shameless commercial side was an amusement park complete with overpriced, crummy food and a selection of rides. The educational part was a great walking path leading through life-sized villages of many of the tribes.
This was part of the exhibit where they showed the dependence on “fertility” gods.
Griffin tried out the bed in one of the exhibits.
Seen from the gondola ride from the lake – up and over the mountain
View of the Lake from the Gondolas.
View of the lake from the gondolas.
The Boyz strike a pose.
In front of a cool totem pole.
Griffin tries a blowgun
Of course the feeding pool was swarming
I promise to get current by New Year’s – either Chinese or Western. Until the next instalment, please remember that we love and miss you all. And there’s always a spare room for you here in Taipei. Here is your token video of a fish frenzy
The Klars Afar 