Hike Leads to Discovery of Taipei's Wellington Heights Homes

On 29 October, I caught the Taipei Metro to Beitou to meet up with an old friend who was visiting Taiwan.  He was also stationed and worked at HSA in the 1960s. 

Ready to head-out, water bottles, hats and comfortable shoes.

We immediately got on our way for a hike around the hills that overlook Beitou.  I'd not hiked any distance for years, but felt good. The sun was shinning, temperature was in the mid 70s, a gentle breeze kept the mosquitoes from bothering us, the foliage was lush green with flowers everywhere. 

We walked onward, upward, the roads seemed to circle the hills until we arrived at a trail head.  The steps where nearly vertical upward, and for the next hour we snaked up the hills, running across old broken down pieces of stone with Chinese characters.  We passed by burial tombs on the side of the trail as we continued our climb upward; passed two families out for a hike, got directions from them as the trail was not marked along the way.  There were numerous smaller trails to the left and right as we hiked, but not knowing where they headed, we remained on the worn main trail.  We reached the top and finally found a sign marker.  We headed downward now, on a trail which apparently was constructed for vehicles to service a large antenna high on a peak overlooking the surrounding valleys. 

We continued walking and soon, ended up at a large Temple and just around the corner a guard shack and office for Wellington Heights Homes.  We were more than halfway up the mountain.

I had heard of Wellington Heights a few times during the past few years, but that's all I knew, just the name.  You knew immediately,  this housing area was different from any other you would find in Taiwan.  It reminded me of Hawaii Loa Ridge in Honolulu.

I know there are folks around the world that spent time in Taipei, many were youngsters and some attended school in the Taipei area.

I thought about you folks when I discovered where we were on our hike.  It was a surprise to be here, never dreamed of ending up in a housing area.


I took many photos, I've tried to pick through to find the best ones that show as much as possible of the area and homes.  I hope someone will find one that brings back happy memories of days gone by... 

UPDATE: 16 October 2012

1.  The photos begin at the top of Wellington Heights next to the Temple.  You might more easily recognize the area if you go to the bottom of the photographs and work your way upward. 

2.  If you would like to find others who resided in Wellington Hts, we will include you on our Taiwan Roster.  Just send us your information. We'll need your name, status (most were dependents of a military or civilian employee of some sort) years you were in Taiwan and your Email address.   We'll ID you as Wellington Heights which will make it easier for you to spot others that check-in from the Heights

Beginning with the photo just below, you can expand each to full screen view!

 

The words and crispness can be seen is sharp view.

Put your mouse pointer on each photo, then double click your mouse..

Bingo - Large View. 

Enjoy...

Hiking trail map - at beginning of trail.

First hint that we were at Wellington Heights - the highest point on the hill, next door to the Temple.

Empty pool, not for lack of water, home abandoned.

Next door, another abandoned home.

I looked over this home and the one next door, looks like the soil shifted downward and damaged both structures.

A very nice home, well kept up.

Between two homes, your view toward Taipei.

Roof top water tank, city water is drawn up and filtered before entering house water pipes.  Used for showers, washing machines and chores around the house.  Drinking water is either boiled or purchased. I have a small machine that boils my kitchen hot water, I only use it for hot tea and things that call for hot water, such as oatmeal or use it if I run out of drinking water bottles I purchase by the case from Costco.

Sign says to please be quiet, family housing area.

As we were walking down this street, the owners were putting up their Halloween decorations.  Probably very few places in Taipei where the kids trick or treat.

Home for rent.

Same house as above.

Another home for rent.

A last look up this street, two homes for rent that I saw.

Corner with three roads.

These look like a couple of buildings someone who lived in the area would recognize.

One of the same buildings, close enough to read the door sign.

Same corner, one of same buildings, we were tired and didn't head up this hill.  Looks like many more homes farther up this street.

Same three street intersection, looking down the hill.  We headed out  down the hill.

Someone will remember this corner sign.

The dog didn't seem to care that we were outside his home on the street. 

Best we could determine, this was the Main Gate of Wellington Heights.  There was one guard on duty.

One last look, up the hill is the gate area we just walked past.

Found this on a Facebook Page,  3 April 1015 photo courtesy of Oakayama Larry‎