The hot spring baths. 40°C + in the hottest. Alternating soaks in the hot and cold pools was a very relaxing experience. These are carbonate hot springs. No sulfur smell.
After riding a lap or two of downtown Taitung to find a well stocked bike shop, we replaced a slow leaking tube, bought a spare patch kit, pumped up our tyres and began pedalling in exactly the opposite direction we need to return eventually to Taipei.
The reason for an about turn is that we saw a sign to hot springs in the high country to the south of Taitung, so that’s where we meandered to. We eventually found our way up to a place called the Rainbow Resort. It seems to cater mostly for the older crowd, and it feels half-closed. Perhaps the quiet season or not many people visit mid-week. Whatever the reason, it is pleasantly quiet, surrounded by high, forested hills and has clean, basic accommodation. It also has outdoor spa pools ranging from 40°C to about 20°C so we spent a couple of hours alternating being parboiled to semi-chilled while sitting in sulfurous waters with views to the hills. Thankfully we packed our swimming costumes. We did however have to borrow swimming caps. No bare heads allowed in the pools.
Another highlight of today was a visit to a very peaceful Buddhist monastery a few kilometres, and a couple of hundred metres uphill, from where we are staying.
In summary, it was a wonderful day. Cycling, beach views, hot springs, mountains, forests and immersion in a delightful rural environment. And sharing this with one of my sons is a very special experience.
I like Taiwan.
There are very punny restaurants here on the east coast
