In Training

Hubby and I have been in sleep deprivation training the last few nights. This morning we woke up at 4:30 am on purpose just to see the sunrise. We also haven't been sleeping very well since our hotels over the last few nights have had very unhelpful night lights (the night lights have been so powerful they made us think we missed sunrise when we woke up in the middle of the night). We're warming up for getting by on little sleep after pick up day!

We set out along the footpath to watch the Alishan sunrise at 4:45 am this morning and arrived around 45 minutes later. We were the first to arrive at the viewing spot (having been the only ones on the trail - most people take the train) and enjoyed a thermos of hot Alishan Oolong tea while we treasured the predawn silence and snapped some photos. Around 6:15, the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon and we could hear what sounded like a stampede approaching. As you can see from hubby's earlier post, it was a stampede and its leader was armed with a megaphone. Ahh, behold nature's wonders! People packed in like sardines for 15 minutes or so while Mr. Megaphone did his stand-up bit then the crowds dispersed to walk or ride down the mountain. Despite the crowds it was a lovely way to start the day.