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Newer Page 586 of 1218 Older Full Trip Report
Taiwan Kaohsiung Hiking Shoushan Chaishan

19 March 2017

Sweating profusely

Hiking Shoushan and Chaishan in Kaohsiung

Astute readers will recall that the day before yesterday I tried to climb over the back of the small mountain between the ocean and Kaohsiung and failed due to a combination of landslides, monkeys, wild dogs and the military.
I refuse to be defeated. Today I climbed up the city side, did a loop along the ridge at the top, and then back down again. It was excellent, and I am glad I went back and tried again. It was however very hot and I was sweating profusely.

I hate sunscreen, but it is an absolute must to wear it here. I purchased the cancer council brand in Australia before starting my trip, something about being sports and sweat resistant. What this means is when I sweat, the top of my black t-shirt goes white from sunscreen, which is just fantastic.
So because of that, I just keep wearing the same clothes, day after day, soaked with sweat, sunscreen, and beef noodle soup. The door man at the hotel is looking increasingly concerned for me each time he holds the door open.

Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - I took the subway to the point nearest the trail start. It is still a 45 minute walk from the subway unless you take a bus, there are numerous, but I

I took the subway to the point nearest the trail start. It is still a 45 minute walk from the subway unless you take a bus, there are numerous, but I like walking in the sun.
Nearly every station here has free activities to enjoy. I read some childrens books until the security came with a net.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - The path to the path was mostly through parks with paths. First this park, on a red brick path, then another park with a gravel path around a duck lak

The path to the path was mostly through parks with paths. First this park, on a red brick path, then another park with a gravel path around a duck lake.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - This is a new style Taiwanese mega apartment building. They look very ominous compared to the typical all glass design in Australia. I am guessing tha

This is a new style Taiwanese mega apartment building. They look very ominous compared to the typical all glass design in Australia. I am guessing that is due to earthquakes.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - An old man and his parrots were enjoying a remote area in a park. I asked if I could take his photo with the parrots on his head. No. I could only pho

An old man and his parrots were enjoying a remote area in a park. I asked if I could take his photo with the parrots on his head. No. I could only photograph the parrots without him in the photo. So heres his parrots.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - I fed the ducks for a while.

I fed the ducks for a while.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Then I stopped at the place where Monet famously did his painting.

Then I stopped at the place where Monet famously did his painting.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - NO MERMAIDS, there started to be a lot of signs, some seemed serious, but it got confusing, read on...

NO MERMAIDS, there started to be a lot of signs, some seemed serious, but it got confusing, read on...


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - No worshipping, a sentiment I can get behind.

No worshipping, a sentiment I can get behind.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Beware of qigong, ok I stopped photographing now. Dont feed the trolls.

Beware of qigong, ok I stopped photographing now. Dont feed the trolls.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Just another Kaohsiung nice looking street.

Just another Kaohsiung nice looking street.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - The start of my path today is through this temple. Paths up mountains often are, but you would never find it if you didnt know that.

The start of my path today is through this temple. Paths up mountains often are, but you would never find it if you didnt know that.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Soon after negotiating my way past incense burning grandmas, I was on the trail.

Soon after negotiating my way past incense burning grandmas, I was on the trail.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Except more grandmas were walking slowly with terrifying umbrellas to stop anyone getting past.

Except more grandmas were walking slowly with terrifying umbrellas to stop anyone getting past.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Thankfully, before too long, the grandmas had stopped and turned back. There were still lots of people, but it was possible to go at a good pace, and

Thankfully, before too long, the grandmas had stopped and turned back. There were still lots of people, but it was possible to go at a good pace, and enjoy the evolving view.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - A bit more view. I saw lots of different hiking clubs. Including people walking backwards as always, but a new one was about 10 guys chanting whilst r

A bit more view. I saw lots of different hiking clubs. Including people walking backwards as always, but a new one was about 10 guys chanting whilst running with no shoes on down the rocky trail.
The Taiwan barefoot hiking association.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Nearer the top it became cool and tropical. Boardwalks the rest of the way, very convenient. Apparently this place is filled with snakes! Scientists s

Nearer the top it became cool and tropical. Boardwalks the rest of the way, very convenient. Apparently this place is filled with snakes! Scientists specifically go up here at night to study the snakes that mostly come out at night, mostly.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Eventually I was over the top of peak number one and could see down to the ocean where I was lost the day before yesterday. There is no way to walk do

Eventually I was over the top of peak number one and could see down to the ocean where I was lost the day before yesterday. There is no way to walk down there.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - There are lots of peaks and valleys and lookout spots. All had a little picnic spot like this, generally filled with people as you shall see.

There are lots of peaks and valleys and lookout spots. All had a little picnic spot like this, generally filled with people as you shall see.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - There are also caves. These people are attaching ropes and harnesses before descending into a cave under this tree. I note they have a first aid guy o

There are also caves. These people are attaching ropes and harnesses before descending into a cave under this tree. I note they have a first aid guy on standby. I bet theres snakes in that cave.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Along the top was a truly excellent hike. It was mostly boardwalks but the scenery was superb.

Along the top was a truly excellent hike. It was mostly boardwalks but the scenery was superb.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Some more people resting at the top, blurry photo, but someone hauls up water, which is then boiled to make it fit for consumption. I didnt have any.

Some more people resting at the top, blurry photo, but someone hauls up water, which is then boiled to make it fit for consumption. I didnt have any.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - There were lots of monkeys. I came around a corner and a group of people were arguing with a monkey who was hissing at them. I passed quickly.

There were lots of monkeys. I came around a corner and a group of people were arguing with a monkey who was hissing at them. I passed quickly.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - More view of ships, pollution had cleared a bit by now.

More view of ships, pollution had cleared a bit by now.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - Lots of people enjoy this mountain.

Lots of people enjoy this mountain.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - I learnt that its made of coral. Really it is. Somehow this all used to be under the ocean.

I learnt that its made of coral. Really it is. Somehow this all used to be under the ocean.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - A few hours later, after going all the way as far as you can along the boardwalks at the top, it was time to descend back to the city.

A few hours later, after going all the way as far as you can along the boardwalks at the top, it was time to descend back to the city.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - The start of each trail has some stalls selling hiking equipment, boots, gloves, poles, head torches, and of course, small transistor radios to listen

The start of each trail has some stalls selling hiking equipment, boots, gloves, poles, head torches, and of course, small transistor radios to listen to distorted Chinese opera.


Taiwan-Kaohsiung-Hiking-Shoushan-Chaishan - On the way back I got off at the interchange station to take the photo everyone takes in Kaohsiung, and a photo I took last time I was here. So here i

On the way back I got off at the interchange station to take the photo everyone takes in Kaohsiung, and a photo I took last time I was here. So here is that photo.


NewerPage 586 of 1218OlderFull Trip Report