Sun Moon Lake made it difficult to remember that I was still in Taiwan, for I had never imagined such a place to exist in the country.
Those who used live in Taiwan typically complain about one thing during the summer: the erratic tropical weather. Those who spend only a few weeks there for vacation, like me, complain about typhoons that inhibit the ability to venture out and explore the country. Therefore, when the weather forecast predicted a weekend of perfect conditions, my relatives planned an excursion to the biggest body of water in the country.
The beauty of Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) defied and exceeded my original expectations. I felt that the view was reflective of the entire island of Taiwan. The waters were bright turquoise and resembled Taipei’s coastal waters. The hills were engulfed in dark green trees which reminded me of the Alishan ( 阿里山) mountain range. Most hotels stood right on the edge of the lake, and the nightlife was loud and glamorous, comparable with those in other cities.
We spent the next day touring the lake in a powerboat. Centered on the island was a dock just above water level; we stepped onto it for a 360 view of the lake and its surroundings. The air smelled fresh, the skies were blue and white, and the sunlight felt just right.
The boat took us to a few more locations, including a fish farm where we saw the different species in the lake, historical or notable homes, and a hiking location. We walked a modest amount up a trail and were able to see a view of the lake from a top-down perspective. No matter where I was relative to the lake, it remained breath taking and impressive.
Sun Moon Lake made it difficult to remember that I was still in Taiwan, for I had never imagined such a place to exist in the country. It was a great break from the claustrophobic feeling I sometimes experience in urban areas. Seeing such a marvelous site also reminded me that no matter how small a country or place appears, there is still much to explore in every corner.
