These are probably the most frequent questions I've had in the past month while I've biked in Taiwan.
Yes, I bike alone. And I am from Danmai.
Danmai-a-ma? Ohhhhh, good. You brave.
Usually followed by thumbs-up and lots of friendly smiles. Or even applause, as when I entered a little cafeteria in Tataka - near the the highest peak in Taiwan, Yushan. A party of 15 repeated everything I said and clapped their hands for each bit of information. Alone? Applause. Danmai-ma? Applause. Taroko? Applause. Hehuanshan? Applause, Sun Moon Lake? Applause. Dongpu? Applause, Yushan? Biggest applause.
As I am writing I am home again. I left Denmark in the middle of June 2010 and toured Taiwan by bike for a month. I took my time along the way for my purpose was not to break any records or travel many miles, it was to see the country and meet the people from my favourite seat - that of my bicycle.
On the way to Pinglin on Hwy 106 - second day in Taiwan...
