We had a trip to Lalashan during CNY holiday. Lunar New Year is Christmas in Asia. It’s the time for family reunions. We had dinner at parents’ and then headed to Lalashan, where my grandma is originally from. My grandma relocated to cities when she was very young and she hasn’t really been back ever since. The first time I went to Lalashan was when I was 3 or 4 years old. I barely had any memories, apart from crying for mom’s holding me because I was too tired to walk the trails in forest park, naughty. This time, I’m 30 and it felt very odd to go back to my grandma’s hometown and visit it is again.

We found a super zocy place called 馬紹的家 built by the owner. There are several buildings, all with big windows, making it an incredible experience surrounded by nature. We basically sit in this room most of the time while we were there. We just couldn’t resist staring at this view. I think you would as well.

Let’s go for walks?

It was a beautiful afternoon.
Amazing photos by JD.
Zoom in a bit.
Allow yourself a few seconds of tranquility in them.

The firs time we tried to walk up to the tower, we took a wrong turn and went into a graveyard.

Interesting houses.

Next day, we went to 拉拉山神木群步道. Red wood scent, wet soil and fresh ferns. I understand why grandma moved from Taipei to Zhongli long ago. She couldn’t breathe properly in cities.

Breathe

In the afternoon, we attempted the tower again. This time, with instruction of bnb owner, it was actually a little further up than the same route we took yesterday, without the left turn. Don’t mistake we walked far. This tower was just right in the back of our bnb.

Going a bit dark and deep

Balung(巴壟) means Taiwan Cypress, or evergreens, or fallen trees in Atayal language. Whenever it flooded, there used to be a lot of fallen Taiwan Cypress. Atayal people used to pick them up to build houses. When Taiwan was under Japanese rule, They set up three shooting forts in this area against Atayal villages according to what they called 理蕃計畫 (Organizing the barbarians plan.) Who’s more barbarian? Who’s the intruder? Now, it’s just a lookout point with a red fake tower for attracting touristy photos. I wish I had learned grandma’s language. Maybe it’s never too late?