The pandemic is real, and the quarantine is tough. The story is inspired by the harsh and unbearable reality of the pandemic and guide us to explore the creative landscape through Taiwan's mountain. As I miss the time to travel and explore, Taiwan mountains provides the perfect setting for a much needed escape.
From Glamping to Wildest Dream
Beginning at luxury glamping at CMP Village, I enter a dreamland that leads me to an unknown time and space that is mesmerizing and liberating. Soon enough, I have immersed myself in this Dreamy Town based on the wildest imagination from childhood.
Starting from the Taiwanese-style neon lights, the swings under the moonlight, to a hidden vintage carousel in the forest, everything reminds me of the pure joy and cultural regeneration that seems to be missing for a long time. I feel like a child again dancing in the land of freedom and am ready to take off from this starship to explore further.
Encounter with Indigenous Culture and Art
Follow the crisp and enchanting singing; I bump into the Paiwanese singer Abao. She almost shows up as a messenger from the Mountain with an incredible smile and energy. She gives me a piece of nature as a token of our friendship and shares the relationship between the mountains and her Paiwanese root.
Then I take her advice and explore deeper into The Forest Big, where nature has reclaimed the once-occupied land. The unique postmodern landscape becomes the perfect experiment intersecting human and natural experiences through all mediums and senses. While cruising between the remains and art pieces in the forest, I realize how important it is for us to co-create, and co-exist with nature. And we should never lose respect towards it.
The journey continues along the streams and valleys in Taiwan. I come across this stunning beauty of Xiao Wulai Waterfall and am impressed by the abundant liveness it provides to nature.
Mountains are also where civilization and indigenous culture begin. After cooling off by the forested waterfall, I came to visit Atayal artist Miruhayung. The self-taught artist shares his story and personal values with me.
Like how Miru describes, the abstract approach to his art has given a new identity towards his culture. Miru means drawing in Atayal dialect, and carrying forward his art is now a life mission. He has left many beautiful works and remarks as a role model to inspire new generations in the mountains.
The Perfect Hot Spring Experience
Coming into a setting where the clouds and fog paint over the mountains and forests. Hoshinoya Guguan is located at an inland historical hot spring town in the beating heart of Taiwan. Here you would find the subtle luxury and absolute harmony between art, architecture, and nature-rich environment.
I enter a scene out of mythology through the view from the floor-to-ceiling window at the elegant Yue suite. It is serene and peaceful. The indoor and outdoor public onsen is a perfect blend between Japanese and Taiwanese culture with the landscape's contours and colors.
The mountain retreat could not be complete without some gourmet highlights such as this unique ice brick cold noodle. With the impeccable privacy and dialogue with the surrounding nature, this is indeed the perfect hot spring experience.
Next to the Giant Souls of Shenmu (Giant Tree)
As Forests cover over 60% of Taiwan, I begin to wonder how rich is the biodiversity this land has to offer. I take an ecological tour to the Divine Tress Garden that is full of Taiwan Cypress. Each Shenmu (Giant Tree) here is named after a prominent Chinese historical figure as these giant trees have been standing here for thousands of years. I feel so petite next to these ancient souls as they have witnessed more stories and histories than any of us. And I am so honored to be able to feel the pulse of them in person.
Between the Reality & Dream
Returning to the Shanna Village, I join Suana under this giant Tent for Lovers, where he performs his powerful song and lyrics in Amis. It was a healing process by inhaling the energy and elements from nature, local culture, and creativity. All the complications and negativity seem to be left behind. I would only like to look ahead and keep moving forward before waking up from this soulful mountain journey.
Back to reality, after a much-needed self-reflected time. Just about when I get ready before dinner, I found the token in my bag that brings back every memory from the dream. I still remember clearly the fresh scent from the mountains and how joyful and meaningful it was to me being in nature.
這次的故事靈感來自於新冠病毒的疫情以及隔離過程的煎熬，讓我在懷念過去能夠自由旅行的同時，做了一場探索台灣山林與原住民創意文化的美夢。
從豪華露營到夏日狂想曲
從勤美學的豪華露營體驗開始，我閉上眼進入了充滿童趣以及想像力的「好夢里」。我很快的就沉浸在這個充滿童年時代，有著瘋狂想像力的「好夢里」當中。從台式風格的霓虹燈開始，到月光下的盪鞦韆，再到森林中隱藏版的復古旋轉木馬，這一切讓我想起遺失已久純粹的喜悅和童趣文化。我覺得自己再次像個孩子一般，在自由之地盡情跳舞，並準備從這艘太空船起飛，進一步探索。
當代原住民文化與創作
隨著迷人嘹亮的歌聲，在茂密的森林環繞的環形走廊間，我遇見令人眼睛一亮的阿爆。她彷彿是來自山林的使者，面帶滿滿笑容和活力出現。她給了我一個自然的信物，作為我們友誼的象徵，並分享了山與她的根源─排灣族之間的關係。
接著，我接受阿爆的建議，更深入地探索「森大」，這裡曾經是被人類佔領和開墾的土地，如今重回大自然的懷抱。獨特的後現代環境成為人類和自然相織的完美實驗室。在這裡，一切都回歸到最基本元素與本質。當我在森林中的遺跡和裝置藝術之間巡遊，我意識到與自然共創和共存的重要性，我們永遠不應該失去對大自然應有的尊重。
沿著台灣的溪流和山谷繼續探險。我被小烏來瀑布的壯麗美景吸引，也對它為自然提供了豐富的生命力留下深刻印象。山也是文明和原住民文化發源地。在森林間的瀑布旁消暑後，我去拜訪了泰雅族藝術家─米路 哈勇。這位自學的藝術家與我分享了他的故事，以及他對於山的見解。
猶如米路老師在影片中所描述的，抽象的藝術方法賦予了他的文化新的身份。米路（Miru）在泰雅語裡是畫筆和繪畫的意思，而發揚他的藝術創作，現在是他人生中最重要的使命。他已經創作了許多美麗的作品，並成為許多原住民新生代藝術家的榜樣，激勵更多的藝術創作人才。
完美的溫泉體驗
進入雲霧籠罩山脈和森林的環境。「星野虹夕諾雅谷關」位於台灣中部富有溫泉歷史的小鎮。在這裡，你能感受到藝術、建築和自然環境之間的低調奢華與和諧。從月見客房落地窗的視野看出去，彷彿進入了神話中場景，無比寧靜與祥和。室內和室外的溫泉區完美融合了日本和台灣的文化，以及景觀輪廓和色彩。完美的山陵體驗，不能沒有這種獨特的冰磚冷麵的美食點綴。這裡的私密性以及與周圍自然的對話，讓我在這個探險中經歷了一個完美的溫泉體驗。
森林覆蓋台灣60％以上的土地，我開始好奇這片土地的生物多樣性。延續山的神祕感以及靈氣，我來到擁有數千年自然遺產和生物多樣性的「棲蘭神木園」。因為這些神木已經在這裡佇立了數千年，所以每棵神木都以著名的歷史人物命名。這些名符其實的神木見證了無數的故事和歷史，在這些巨大的古老靈魂旁，我們是如此的渺小。我很榮幸能夠親身感受它們的脈動。
現實與夢境的界線
回到山那村，我和蘇瓦那一起在這個巨大的情天幕下相遇，深深地被他有穿透力的歌聲和阿美族字句吸引。通過吸取大自然，當地文化和創造力的能量和元素，這個探索的白日夢就像是一個自我療癒過程。所有的複雜性和負面情緒似乎都被拋在腦後。我只想繼續向前看、向前走，直到我從這次的山陵之旅中醒來。
經過這一段自我反思的時光，我終於回到現實生活。就在準備前往享用晚餐之前，我在包包裡找到來自山的信物，夢中的所有回憶與細節彷彿一瞬間回到腦海中，好不真實。我仍然清楚地記得山的清新氣息，以及我優游在大自然中，是多麼喜悅和富有意義。
希望這場與眾不同的夢想能激發大家對於台灣山林之美的尊敬以及當代原住民文化創意的認識。
* 特別感謝阿爆，米路哈勇以及蘇瓦那的盛情客串與演出。
