Sun Moon Lake Field Trips

Michella Jade Weng, Host:
Today we're making... What are we making?
Oh, we're making our own canoes! And is it fun?
I think that means "yes." Welcome back to Sun Moon Lake.

Using their hands, ropes, bamboos and plastic, air-filled drums, these kids are working together to build a raft. Remind you of Tom Sawyer? This is a survival camp at Sun Moon Lake.

What do we tie next? This one. Like this. Make it tight.

So the raft is put together, now let's see if it actually floats...

Ready.

Hey, it really does! Most people don't know about this camp, but it's been taking place here for several decades now.

James Liao, Outdoor activities activist:
This started in 1969 with an American minister who was working in Nantou. He rounded up some kids (who were not going to school) and taught them life skills and philosophy through camp.

This program has been incorporated into the new Travel Learning Center at Sun Moon Lake, and there are many more just like it, with themes related to local life and culture.

Speaking of culture, there's someone interesting you might want to meet. This person gave up comfortable city life to come back to Sun Moon Lake, where she grew up.

The sign says: "Owl Factory," and this is...

Lin Yi-bei, Owl artist:
Hi everyone, I'm Yibei!

Nearly all the owls here have been designed by Yi-bei and made by her family.

Lin Yi-bei, Owl artist:
What they're doing is dancing and making sticky rice.

Yi-bei once worked at a Taipei design firm, but because she liked life at a slower pace, she decided to come back here.

Lin Yi-bei, Owl artist:
About 7 or 8 years ago, I was working in a wildlife conservation area. I heard people say that there are owls this time of year. Every time I saw one, I liked them even more. Plus, thye're a lucky sign to the Ita Thaos. They bring news of pregnancy.

She had no idea that her cross-eyed owls would be a big hit not only with locals and tourists but also with international customers.

Inspired by the land, its beauty and its life, Yi-bei found that this is where she belongs. And if you let it, Sun Moon Lake might inspire you too.