Day 12: How to catch a Firefly in Taiwan

Dongshi Forest Park in Taichung County (somewhat close to where I am staying) is currently holding a firefly festival. Seriously. Real ka fireflies. So, I decided to hop by.

Step 1: Spend 10 minutes with dear Google and figure out different routes to reach the forest park.

Step 2: Always ALWAYS carry loads of maps with you. ALWAYS. The maps have the names of places written in Chinese and English. So to ask directions, you just show the map. Much simpler. Trust me. Cause you cant really play dumb charades with names. That's exactly how you find out which bus to take/what's the fare/ return journey, etc. Just show them the fucking MAP!!

Step 3: When you 'think' the bus in front of you is YOUR bus, always ASK (same thing: show the map, point towards the bus, and hold a 'question mark' look on your face). THEN, go and corroborate the same with AT LEAST four other people. ALWAYS!


Step 4: Keep looking out of the window. Some signs are in English. They are like the straws of hope for you, Mr. Lost Passenger.

Step 5: At Dongshin bus stop, you are in for a surprise!! The forest park is EIGHT KMS away from the bus stop, AND there are no buses to that place!! The taxi driver grins cockily, shows his beetelnut-stained teeth and teases you, 'TAXI'. You say NO, and walk! (just cause he had that cocky grin).

Step 6: But which way do you go? Out comes the map. In desperate times, you memorise how the Forest Park name looks like in Chinese. No kidding! Cause the signs will fit in somewhere!

Like this. And you know which way to go.

Step 7: Cause the park is eight kms away and you HAVE to reach by evening, you try your luck at hitch-hiking. You see a car apporaching. Big car, check. (Big car means more space means higher probability of getting a lift). It may not always work like that, but what the heck. Show the lift sign, make a 'PLEASE!' face, and YESSS, you are in!

I really wouldn't have been able to make it without him. Thanks Javen!

Step 8: The authorities at the gate cannot figure out what to do with you. You even try showing them a firefly (Do NOT ask how). So, they call someone who is good at english, and you talk to him. Basically, you buy the ticket and go in.

Step 9: Where in this HUGE park is the firefly trail? Simple. Take high-res pics of the map (for reference purpose and showing it to people when you get lost).

Also, any notice that has a firefly picture. CLICK CLICK. Click them all.

Step 10: Follow the map, match the signs, and there you are, at sunset, RIGHT at THE spot. The payoff: A dark forest full of fireflies. Like a magic show. Millions of them. Suddenly, you see something glow in front of you. You stretch your hand, and here's what you get...

So THIS is what it feels like to have a firefly glowing in your hands. You hold on to it for the next five minutes, and then, give it to a kid who you see has been trying very hard to lay his hands on one. The look on the kid's face: PRICELESS!

PS: Spent the evening chasing fireflies and guess how many I caught. Not one, NOT two, but ELEVEN!! Yup, ELEVEN!! :)