Day 11 - Parks and Fishing

     We started our day off bright and early at 8:30 and headed straight to our hotel's delicious breakfast. After we finished eating breakfast at our hotel, we hopped on the bus and headed to Ye Liu geography park. This breathtaking landscape included unique rock formations overlooking the beautiful pacific ocean. At the park, we also met up with some students from Chihlee University of Technology and shared many conversations. As we wrapped up our visit to Ye Liu park, we ate a delicious lunch with the college students overlooking the ocean.

After our delectable lunch filled with dishes of mapo tofu, watercress, popcorn shrimp, and many other scrumptious dishes, we headed on to the port to learn about crab cages. These specialized enclosures made out of mesh with a four-sided pyramid shape are used to lure and capture crabs for seafood consumption. The strategy the trap uses is a natural scavenging sequence in marine ecology–a perfect fishing technique. When bait is placed in a submerged crab trap, it creates a powerful scent in the water that attracts multiple marine species in an unique order, creating a chain reaction. Typically, micro-scavengers and small crustaceans enter the trap first, followed by larger crab species, and lastly, large marine life such as octopus or eels that can be caught to eat by locals. Yummy! 

Following our tour guide, we headed on over to an old Taiwanese-style house. The walls had a special design crafted by dead and dried coral that felt rocky to the touch. Inside the house, there were many traditional artifacts and Chinese calligraphy characters from paintings that hung from the walls. We played with traditional Taiwanese toys, namely, the Chinese yoyo and Kendamas. Following our little scavenge, we got back on the bus and headed to a new area near the water. Only this time, we went into a small hut-like building to learn about the history of fire-fishing. This ancient technique is used to attract fish to the water’s surface at night, causing the fish to jump up out of the water and into nets. During this brief history lesson, we went outside to light torches of fire ourselves and proudly held onto a big, smoking flame. 

Later, we walked to a mini 7 Eleven-dupe store and bought some tasty snacks and continued our journey to a temple. At the temple, we learned traditions about always entering from the right side and exiting from the left, while the middle region of the temple entrance was blocked for humans so spirits could enter. We also were given red envelopes and went near the incense area to spin our hand holding the red envelopes clockwise and counterclockwise three times while making a wish. 

The best part is yet to come. As soon as our temple tour is over, we head over to our boat and immediately get blessed with dinner: squid noodles. For the next three hours, we play games of finishing the phrase in Mandarin as we set off on our motor boat. The boat is spacious, so half of our group sits on the top of the boat and the other sits on the lower. But after an hour in, we all moved to the front of the boat. Whether sitting or standing, we all enjoyed the views. Kalyx is the first to catch a fish–and a poisonous one at that. Wearing our yellow rain ponchos to protect us from the rain, we all get close and some lay our backs along the boat. Zhong Lao Shi proposes that we make a bet to see who will catch the next fish between Kalyx, Mia, Jack, Alex, Momo, and William. Lets just say we all lost, except Zhong Lao Shi…congrats Tang Zha Hu and Kong Wei Li. I (Kaitlyn) started to get super motion sick since we were rockin’ while posting up for the fishies to come take the bait. As the sun started to head down, our journey continued. In the dark, rainy, and frigidly cold stormy night, we endured the downpour together. Our wet bodies clinged together as we chatted about the hope we had to see a successful fire-fishing mission. Already on hour two, we felt as if hope was lost until the fifth attempt at lighting the blazingly bright torch. As soon as it was lit, fish swam from every direction, budding up and out of the water and splashing relentlessly near the net. Jumping up, they were eager and quickly attracted to the light. Seeing that experience was truly blazing and heartwarming for all of us. A once in a lifetime experience I will never forget. The community we formed and the experiences on the boat were wholesome, carefree, and unforgettable. Heading back to the hotel now felt rewarding.

After we got back on land, we were all relieved and wiped out from our long day full of adventure. Momo attempted to convince Zhong Lao Shi to let us get a midnight snack at McDonalds. Initially, she said yes, but she had to change the plan and take us to Family Mart because it was already too late, and our morning wake-up call for tomorrow is early. Oh well…everyone got some tasty ramen, but a McFlurry would’ve hit the spot.

Wow–this trip is rapidly concluding, but alongside everyone’s cheerful and optimistic spirit, I (Kaitlyn) am excited to spend these last two days with everyone. All the moments left count!

Thank you for reading!

Kaitlyn and William