Perspectives: Taiwan mountain valley

A typical mountain valley in Taiwan -- one of the most crowded countries in the world, if you can believe it by this photo.  I walked this day for twelve or thirteen miles along a mountain road, meeting just a few cars the whole day, along with one monkey in a tree eating fruit.  (The only snake I met that day was a dead snake -- a big, colorful green snake -- but these hills are rich in snakes, too, some of whom I have encountered in the past.)  More than half the little island is uninhabited (by humans), aside from a few scattered tribal villages.  Yet the population now is some 23 million, on an island one fifth the size of Washington State.  There is much to see on this beautiful island.