A treasure chest of natural wonders deep in the mountains
At last, Xiao Hei, the lively little black dog, approaches the car to welcome you upon arrival. You see baskets of freshly-picked tangerines, and a bunch of hardy bananas on a wooden table. Like an elder uncle walking across a field, your amiable host, Mr. Lai, approaches with an amiable smile. With no neighbors in sight, everyone in this place of vitality and warmth quickly makes the acquaintance of the sky, the earth, and the abundant wildlife.
You walk with Mr. Lai up a sloping road towards the independent lodging area. The sublime scene that greets you is of beautiful primrose blossoms lining the road and butterflies dancing between them. Xiao Hei and the endless mountain scenery accompany you on your stroll as mind and body relax. Mr. Lai points to the distant mountains on either side, saying, “Our home extends from here to there…” Like a child of the Earth herself, he names for you the many tree and plant species along the way; tomatoes, persimmons, dragon fruit, banana... “Listen! That’s the call of the muntjac deer!” From far off in the surrounding quiet we heard the bark of a strange and mysterious animal. Pointing once again to a distant mountain ridge, he exclaims, “Formosan serows inhabit those mountains!” You can’t believe the sharpness of Mr. Lai’s sight. As you squint your eyes in the direction of his hand, trying to catch a glimpse of that rare specimen of majestic wildlife, the curiosity of a newborn calf arises within you. Following his footsteps, you feel like you are exploring a treasure chest full of natural wonders, discovering endless surprises.
The stony path up the cold mountain is steep. A household lies deep in the high mountains.
After climbing the steep road, you and Mr. Lai catch your breath on a terrace situated between the high mountains. Suddenly you catch a glimpse of light reflecting off azure waters: the faraway Pacific Ocean. You greet the breeze from off the Pacific Ocean with beads of sweat and blushing cheeks as the sun kisses your moist hair. You close your eyes and take a deep breath. At this moment, you feel just like a mountain spirit beholding the Earth for the first time.
Three white bungalows sit to one side of the road, simple and elegant. French windows allow the beautiful scenery to merge with the interior of each residence, giving you a place from which to observe the natural mountain scenery. In the Maroon Oriole Residence, the pink and rouge color scheme of the Chinese court-style dwelling gives you and family the satisfaction of vacationing in a child-pleasing pink abode. In the mustard-yellow decor of the Collared Scops Owl Residence, you enter the magnificence of classical European style, with the smell of rosemary and green oranges outside. The colors of the Formosan Blue Magpie Residence are just as lively and clamorous as the bird for which it is named. You relax in both body and mind amid elements of maritime Greece that give you the impression of an ocean voyage.
No matter which residence you inhabit, all have a spacious balcony overlooking the mountains, and a large bathtub in a roomy bathroom to help spoil your world-weary body. When you visit the bathroom, remember to take a moment to admire the toilet, and you will be pleasantly surprised by your host’s careful attention to detail!
Make your way to a world-class villa with unparalleled mountain views
The sky is still light after you finish checking in, and Xiao Hei seems to know that it’s about time to go out to play as he suddenly starts bouncing around and wagging his tail. Mr. Lai has finished his farming work and invites you to experience an activity with a set itinerary. With expectation and excitement, you and your friends jump aboard the little blue work truck, gasping with excitement as you bounce along the steep, rugged mountain road and the beautiful environs fly past you, hinting of the unimaginable journey to come.
Mr. Lai stops the truck on a flat section of the hillside as a crested goshawk spirals above your head and off into the distance. Looking down you see the Changbin plains and the Pacific Ocean beyond. You seem to be able to make out Green Island in the fog off the coast. Hanging from a large tree by the hillside is a swing, and after being reassured by Mr. Lai, you bravely give it a try. A few good pumps later, you seem to soar into the sky! You feel the rushing wind on your extended legs as you surge forward, gripping the ropes tightly in your hands. You hold your breath and release a great, unreserved shout. You can’t believe that such a private, world-class scenic spot could exist here in Taiwan. You feel like a small bird enjoying the swiftness of soaring through the air.
Once the sky is dark, you can no longer hang in the mountain swing, but Mr. Lai’s wife, Mei-jyu, has already prepared a full table of tasty, organic cuisine for you. After dinner, you chat about life with your friends in the open-air mountainside dining area, enjoying the comforts of this farming household. Afterwards, you might again explore the mountain environment alongside Mr. Lai. In the darkness, you drop your voice and quietly gasp in wonder as you encounter a little muntjac deer, a flying squirrel, an owl, and all sorts of spider webs. It is as if, on this mountain forest adventure, everyone regains the pure innocence of children.
Early in the morning, as the sun once again blankets the entire mountain, you enjoy a multicolored vegetarian breakfast. The many adventures of the night before still linger in your heart and mind as you marvel at the glistening splendor of nature before your eyes. You feel like you are living in a mountain retreat painted by the brush of Wang Wei, a well-known Chinese landscape poet. Deep in the mountains, you experience the beauty of a simpler lifestyle and explore all the precious surprises that nature has to offer. When it is time to leave, your reluctance to leave transforms into immense gratitude as you give thanks for the rich offerings of the natural world, and to Mr. Lai and Mei-jyu for their passionate love of nature and their unreserved sharing.