I arrived at Beitou area too late yesterday morning and had no chance to meet the travel group on the spot. Our customers were coming from an elementary school of northern Taiwan. The members include teachers, students, parents and volunteers of that school.

I found one group inside the Hot Spring Museum first, guided by Bruce and Tammy. At auditorium visitors watched video for knowing Beitou generally. Bruce and Tammy replied the questions on spot upon visitors' asking.

I supposed the 2^nd group could be at Geothermal Valley at that time, I found a shortcut after leaving museum. I enjoyed the beautiful views of those hot spring hotels standing along my route. I met the 2^nd group at the entrance of Geothermal Valley when they were just going to leave. Both Ming and Sherry explained the details of the valley to our customers in front of a standing post with their professional skills.  

Ming asked me one question regarding why the application of soap inside the hot spring is prohibited. What I have explained was inappropriate. The soap formed via the esterification( 酯化反應) of alcohol and organic acid. Upon using it with hot spring, the acid contents of hot spring could resolve the contents of soap and caustic formed ( this is incorrect). The salt ( such as NaCl) instead and organic acid will be generated. The reacted salt will cause the blogging problem. 

 

Ming abruptly guided us to a private site via the escalated wood steps after walking a short period from the exit of

Geothermal Valley. At the intersection, we met Tammy, most of her customers have already arrived Geothermal Valley. And what she’s doing was looking for if any lost chicken.

 

The blog contents relevant to Pu-Chi temple by Tom and Michelle have been read by me in advance. Their detailed

information, when actually appeared in front of my eyes, was thrilling to me to see all of the concrete elements. Ming’s explanation was like to say a story with long history. I am surprised to understand a professional tour guide must know quite a lot of knowledge from history, building structure, and culture, etc. I was amazed to hear the brand new messages from Ming including

 

1.  The application of flowers booming season of a tree named 刺桐

for the judgment of what tribe people should do.

2.  A small arched bridge without support to erect at the beginning of construction for Beitou area, not like what the present construction skill with SRC structure when building a bridge.

3.  Chilian stone, an anti-corrosive building material, just match the corrosive environment in Beitou area with acidic hydrogen sulfide gas evaporated. ( now the corrosion resistant material, FRP (( reinforced plastics )) has been applied instead for water storage tank of hot spring water).

4.  Quite a lot of other details, to be ignored herewith. 

Sherry also mentioned the function of the small room next to the temple as ever conveyed from the responsible personnel of this temple. Thanks for Sherry’s thoughtfulness otherwise I could ask the same question again.

 

For touring such a big group within such a tight schedule, how to compromise between schedule control and quality

will be difficult for me frankly speaking. I will learn continuously in addition to the actual experience of this tour guidance by Bruce, Tammy, Ming and Sherry.

 

With so much of resources of Beitou area, and professionalism of our tour guides, I strongly believe the revisit on Beitou area by those customers will be definite.

 

I really appreciate the orientation program offered to me, it will be very beneficial to my future touring work.