Day 4 ~ Hot Springs and Yang Ming Shan National Park

Day 4 was spent doing research in the zebrafish labs, exploring a national park, and visiting Sulfur hot springs.  We ended the day with more lab work.  The drive to the national park was definitely a unique experience.  The roads here are much narrower than at home, and lane lines seem to be a suggestion more than a rule.  The drivers are very skilled and extremely aggressive.  I was impressed with how deftly they managed to squeeze between cars, buildings, and rocks jutting out of the mountain along the road.  The roads leading up to the state park were extremely windy, but the views out the window more than made up for it.  The state park in itself was filled with small paths, ponds, and waterfalls, all surrounded by flowers and trees.  The effect was beautiful, and intensely green.  A very nice change from all the snow at home.  At the top of one of the mountains, sulfur water was bubbling up out of the mountain, making the whole area smell of rotten eggs.  Aside from the odor, the whole area was also very foggy, and misty with all the rain.  It wasn't the best day for a trip to the state park, but the rain made it an adventure.  It was a fun park to explore.  The hot springs were the perfect end to the day.  With a variety of temperatures and types of features in the pools, it was fun to relax in them.  My favorite pools were the two hottest ones.  They felt so refreshing, and I was finally able to relax after the stress of travel and getting used to a new temporary home.  The hot springs were definitely a highlight of the trip so far.