Sketch of Archilife Study Tour, December 2016
2016年12月份見識之旅縮影 ![]() For the tour of December 3, 2016, Ms. Lu Ming-yun led 14 ARF interns and their parents on a trip to explore the mountains and butterflies of Maolin and culture of the Rukai tribe. At the start of the day's activities, team leader Ms. Lu Ming-yun reminded everyone about things to note and what to observe, and gave the interns some background knowledge. ![]() The destination of this tour was Maolin National Scenic Area in Maolin District, Kaohsiung City. This area is known for its unique landscapes and expansive view due to the distinct boundary between mountains and flat land, providing natural mountain resources and cultural diversity. Every winter, over a million purple crow butterflies migrate from the north to the warmer climate here, forming a spectacular view known as the "purple butterfly valley". The tour started in the ecological park with the guide introducing the overwintering en masse habits and habitat of the purple crow butterfly, displaying the butterfly to show its color change, thanatosis and hair pencil, and teaching the pithy formula for identifying four species of purple crow butterfly. Specimen of the purple crow butterfly was also passed around to give everyone a deeper impression. Next, the group proceeded to Duona High Suspension Bridge and the Little Great Wall Trail of Longtoushan. The highest suspension bridge in Southeast Asia, Duona High Suspension Bridge has been the main thoroughfare connecting Maolin District to the outside world since the Japanese Occupation. Little Great Wall Trail is a boardwalk built along the ridgeline of Longtoushan. The winding river of Longtoushan is laid out before the eyes. Along the way, the guide introduced the plants used by the aborigines in their cooking and everyday living, explaining their characteristics using funny slangs and proverbs. Everyone was impressed by the wisdom of the aborigines' ancestors. ![]() Lunch was the special cuisine of the Rukai tribe in Duona Tribal Village. Everyone enjoyed the sumptuous spread of cuisine. After lunch, the guide brought everyone deep into the Duona Tribal Village to observe the structure of stone slab house, learn the differences between male and female stones, and their uses, understand how to differentiate status hierarchy of house owners by the decoration of the lintel above their doors, and learn about the unique lily culture of the Rukai tribe. The final part of the tour was a visit to Ubake Workshop, which is a must-visit place in Maolin. It is run by a lady who is talented in glass bead-making, bead stringing and leather craft, and a gentleman who is talented in metal craft and art creation. Besides viewing the extensive collection of butterfly specimens and enjoying the beautiful scenery, the interns also had fun playing with the Rukai tribe's traditional swing. The guide's spirited personality and colloquial Taiwanese also greatly enlivened the trip. At this point, the day's itinerary came to an end. Everyone returned to home after taking a group photo and looked forward to the next study tour. |