It's the first day of 2011, and with it comes the hope that this year will be much better than the one we bade goodbye to last night. To all the wonderful people I've had the pleasure to get to know over the years, here's wishing you a healthy and happy 2011 for you and all your loved ones!
We welcomed in the new year this afternoon by taking a leisurely drive to the hot-springs resort of Guguan 谷關, which dates from the Japanese era 台灣日治時期. The waters there are reputed to help cure skin diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and arthritis, according to the town's entry in the Japanese guidebook 地球の歩き方台湾 ('05-'06 edition):
日本統治時代は明治温泉の名で親しまれていた谷関は中西部を代表する温泉郷。切り立つ谷合いにある自然の中の露天風呂は癒し度１００％。皮膚病、胃腸病、関節炎に効能があり、飲用もできる。
２００４年１１月現在、夏の台風による土砂災害の被害が大きく休業中の店も散見させる。
We didn't get a chance to try the springs for ourselves (more on that later), but we did get to stroll along the Shaolai Trail. Amber had very little trouble tackling the 1.3 kilometer-long (0.8 mile) trail (800 meters/2625 feet up, 500 meters/1640 feet down), though the same couldn't be said for her mother :-)
After finishing the walk, we had dinner at a second-floor restaurant along the main street. We had hoped to end the day with a soak in a hot spring 温泉. However, with this day being a national holiday, it came as no surprise to find long waits for private rooms at the spas we checked, and so we decided to head back home. Still, it was a relaxing way to start the new year.
Walking up the Shaolai Trail. As you can see, we were properly attired for walking in the mountains.
We couldn't have asked for better weather today!
The view of Guguan as we neared the end of the trail.
Amber crosses the final suspension bridge back into town.
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