Taipei, Taiwan is located within the Ring of Fire, a string of volcanoes situated around the edges of the Pacific Ocean. It has the highest number and density of mountains in the world – 286 of which are 9,800 feet or more above sea level. Our tour today took us away from the city and through some of these mountains and past Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano, Xiaoyoukeng (zow-you-king).
The day began with a steady rain, but that didn’t prevent us from stopping at one of the areas beautiful gardens known for its cherry blossoms and azaleas. We were too late for the azalea blooms, and a little early for the cherry blossoms, but even through the rain we could appreciate the beauty each adds when they are at their peak.
The area is known for its hot springs and sulfur deposits, and that was the focus of our tour. We were making our way to the Calla Young Garden Resort to enjoy their sulfur baths. Along the way we stopped by Xiaoyoukeng. Volcanic activity in the area has created openings in the rock where hot sulfurous gases escape, creating puffs of steam. It was pouring rain while we were there, and the area was enveloped in clouds, so we weren’t able to see the steam then, but we did witness it from a distance when the clouds began to clear later in the day. What the rain and clouds didn’t hide was the overwhelmingly distinct odor of sulfur. Phewee! The sulfur from the volcano feeds into the hot springs we were about to visit, reputed to provide a number of health benefits. A soak in a sulfur hot springs is said to stimulate your immune system, alleviate the pain and swelling of a different type of arthritis and reduce your blood pressure.
After lunching on a number of interesting food options, we made our way to the baths. Everyone was required to don a swimming cap; bathing suits, however, were optional. There were four sulfur hot springs options, each a different temperature and on of which offered a string of “massage” beds. It was like sitting on an open water bed of hot tub jets. There was also a regular swimming pool for cooling off, and massage showers. The showers were hilarious. You have the option of choosing a moderate pressure or a more intense one. Pam opted for moderate, which was bad enough, but when Ken went for the “vigorous” massage we thought he was going to be jetted all the way back to Taipe!
The resort overlooks a very pretty river valley, providing a beautiful viewpoint for the surrounding mountains. Towards the end of our visit the rain stopped and as the sun began to peek through the clouds we were able to see the steam rising from Xiaoyoukeng off in the distance, a nice end to a good day.
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