Soccer Tourney in Taipei

Mark and I headed to Taipei last weekend for his last tourney of the year. Due to an unfortunate penalty kick, by a not-so-fortuate former Brazilian national soccer star that missed the net completely, the team was placed 5th out of the 16 teams. I didn't really understand the full story until I later found out that he had tried some fancy footwork instead of just the old ball-into-net tactic and cost the team what might have been a victory. We spend Saturday night in Taipei catching the night view of a lit up Taipei 101 and returned back to Taichung after the games, and festivities, on Sunday.

Crazy Kenting

This was our final adventure in Kenting. We found a bar called 'Ocean Blue' that was giving away free beers all night to ladies in bikinis, so obviously Heather and had to take advantage. Mark was a little disappointed that they weren't encouraging him to go topless so he entered a drinking contest and had no trouble beating his Taiwanese competitors and winning some free beer for himself. We stayed here from 10 till 2ish and seemed to be the only girls really taking advantage of this fabulous deal. Only in Taiwan... We had a fabulous three days and arrived back safe and sound in Taichung Sunday afternoon, thanks to Mark's driving, narrowly escaping the beginning of a big typhoon that closed the beaches and is sure to cause a couple stormy days ahead.

Heather and I enjoying Day 2 in the China sea. The huge rock behind us was called 'Sail Rock' because it looks like a sail.? We could see people climbing up and jumping off the little ledge to the right, something we'll definetly have to try next trip. 

This is the main street in Kenting it was PACKED with tourists, vendors, shops and bars. There was also a steady stream of traffic inching along, getting no where fast. 

Speaking of sun-scorched I got one of the best sun-glass burns of my career. Not only did my face keep Heather and Mark entertained but the Taiwanese tourists thought it was pretty hillarious aswell. 

After the beach we took a ride around the Southern tip of Taiwan. This is Mark and I standing at the edge of a cliff looking towards Australia. A spectacular view.

This past weekend we took Friday off and headed South to Kenting with Heather. The weather was beautiful, the water was blue and the drinks were a plenty. This picture was taken at a beach that was about a five minute walk from our hostel.

Cross-Island Adventure

This the most famous rock formation at Yelio called "The Queen's Head Rock". (Yes I am a typical tourist who is pretending to kiss her. I always have been slightly lame)

This Jay at Yelio. The ocean tides have created some cool rock formations from erosion of parts of the rock. It reminded us of Mars or something....hard, dry, red, and different.

Our next stop was Fulong Beach where we took a quick dip in the Pacific and then were off to Yelio.

Taroko poster shot!

We like waterfalls!

Yaaaayyyyy!

A beauty waterfall right in the heart of the Gorge. Would have been nice to stand under but it's impossible to reach.

We stayed in a Catholic Youth Hostel right in the Gorge for $12.00 each. It was totally clean, nice and comfortable. This was the view!

Heather and some friends we met on the way, soaking up the hot water from the spring behind them while staying refreshed by the river.

We went to the hotspring in Taroko Gorge again to show Heather and Jay how wicked it was, but found a big gate stopping us from descending down. We decided to climb over it and squeeze between it and the giant overhead rock. This is a 6'3" man squeezing through a 3.5' space.

As there were no dumbells on our cross island trip, Jay was forced to resort to curling cobs of corn.

Heather and I peering out over the vast unknown. This is pretty close to the top of the mountains - 10,000 vertical feet up. It was much colder up here and we were right among the clouds. Super nice.

Heather, Jay and Mark at our first stop on our Cross Island adventure.