Winter Travels

By Carina Terry

I was fortunate to be able to spend my winter holiday this year traveling in Taiwan and New Zealand. I started off exploring Taichung City, where my parents currently live. Almost everywhere you go in Taichung is crowded and busy; however, after driving for several hours on (anxiety-inducing) mountain roads, my mother and I were able to find some isolated trails. We were rewarded with excellent bird-watching, and saw several endemic species such as the Taiwan Barbet and the Taiwan Sibia.

Taiwan Barbet

Taiwan Sibia

New Zealand was much different – colder and drier (despite the fact that it is summer there) and far less busy. A large proportion of the people we met were travelers themselves; everyone was involved in hiking, kayaking, biking, or some sort of outdoor activity. The mountains were much more rugged and rocky than the jungle-filled mountains in Taiwan.   

Mountains of Taiwan

Mountains of New Zealand

However, the bird life in New Zealand was similarly interesting and diverse, with its own share of endemic species such as the Fantail. New Zealand is working hard to conserve these species, with strict customs to prevent invasive species and initiatives to bring back their endangered birds, like the kiwi and the kakapo. 

Fantail

Overall, both of these islands were beautiful places filled with diversity. I would love to go back eventually and see more of the nature they have to share.