Preparation Taiwan

The last days in Chiang Mai, I take it easy. After the yoga workshop on Saturday, I will probably participate in a few meditation circles. But I will put sports activities on hold until Saturday. I had some thoughts about a night in Chiang Rai, but I don't really see why? I don't feel like sightseeing and 4 hours bus ride there and 4 hours bus ride back.

On Sunday, I started planning my bike tour to get an idea of what to expect and what is feasible.

The way through the mountains is a huge challenge.

This map would be my preferred route for the 18 days.

https://www.bikemap.net/en/r/4713725/

It would take me to 2400m twice and have a total length of 1200km. I will decide what to do at the halfway point at 600km. But I can hardly keep my inner will to ride the mountains under control. Although I hardly have an idea what 2400 meters of altitude mean. I am very excited and looking forward to the coming time. My hostel in Taipei for 2 nights is booked. On Friday, I will meet Kuanyu. He was an exchange student in Mannheim and took a free walking tour with me. He has time for me on Friday, and I expect nothing less than an introduction to Taiwanese cuisine on that day :-)

I can hardly put my feelings and anticipation into words. After 2 weeks in Chiang Mai, I feel like I've been released from a cage. I do my best to allow the positive feelings.

But back to the here and now, my last days in Chiang Mai will be very relaxed, and we'll see what happens. Jungsoo, a South Korean, who was in the group on the temple mountain with me, has been back from Pai since Sunday. She will stay in Chiang Mai for the next 2 days. I find it very pleasant to interact with her. She was in a similar position as me, except she decided to search for development opportunities in Australia next year and sold everything at home. The path that I consciously decided against. It is all the more exciting for me, without any doubt about my decision, to see how the path looks for others who have consciously chosen to let go of everything and follow their life goals. We sat together on Sunday and Monday evenings and talked a lot. Madness, the stories people have to offer.

She continued to Chiang Rai on Tuesday morning. My path led me to Decathlon. Shopping list: yoga mat, scarf, cycling gloves, and cheap shoes for the bike tour.

I found everything except the shoes. I'm not sure which type of shoes to choose. My desired pair was available again in size 45 after 45 minutes of searching. Unfortunately, with a defect in the fastening strap. I take it as a sign and won't look around anymore and see what happens. If necessary, I can use my sneakers, but I expect rain in the first 2 days, which makes quicker drying shoes appear more practical.

For tonight, I have planned to do laundry and go to the hairdresser. Let's see if I can get myself to do it, hairdressers are not really my thing.

There are not many pictures, I spent a lot of time in the Bodhi Tree Cafe and researched my bike route.

I will contact you again from Taipei before I start cycling.

I feel amazing and I hope I can keep the mood up :-)

Greetings to all