Wowee!  What a day!  Today was packed full of a variety of activities designed to challenge limits, try something new and to reflect on our goals for the future!

After having spent the past two days travelling as smaller groups, today we gathered together as one large group again.  All students participated in each activity together as a united team of grade 9 students!  Once again, we began our day with a hearty breakfast buffet at the hotel and then headed out on the road for our first event – the hike up Keelung Mountain!

The students (and some staff) were admittedly a little intimidated upon seeing the size of the imposing mountain and wondering how we would ever make our way to the top.  Thankfully, through perseverance and teamwork, each of our students made the journey all the way to the top – and were rewarded handsomely with stunning views of the coastline and beyond.  Students also learned more about the history of Taiwan and took some time to meditate and absorb our incredible surroundings.

From then, it was onward to our long hike back down and over to the Jiufen Old Street to fight the crowds for some well-deserved lunch.  The variety of foods that were available for purchase were astounding.  Taiwanese sausage, calamari and dumplings were the biggest hits of the day – and of course, more bubble tea!  This was also the place where Hayao Miyazaki drew much of his inspiration for the film Spirited Away!

After lunch, it was back on the bus to head over to Shifen.  Our first stop was the Shifen Waterfall.  This natural wonder was perfectly nestled within the forest and inspired many of our students as they took this time to also plan out the designs of their sky lanterns which would be completed in Shifen town.

In groups of four, the students were given a unique canvas – a sky lantern.  Once used as a signalling system for those living and working in the railroad industry, the students today painted their wishes with calligraphy before releasing the lanterns into the sky.

After that, it was time for dinner, and then some reflecting time in our teacher groups to talk about our proud and surprising moments of the trip so far.  Though our trip is far from over, as we still have our service activity tomorrow – the wetlands conservation project!

See you again tomorrow!