Watch Follow Alana

2021
3 Seasons
9.2 (12)

Across three incredible seasons, Alana Nichols introduces the diverse sceneries, lifestyles, cultures and cuisines of Switzerland, Australia, and Taiwan. Alana is an inquisitive and playful host, engaging the regions' experts with thoughtfulness and genuine excitement. Together, we intrepidly explore three continents through rural and urban settings alike

Follow Alana is a series that ran for 3 seasons (38 episodes) between March 18, 2021 and on

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13. Night Lights

December 3, 2021

Marked by its distinctive granite buildings, Qinbi's architecture remains remarkably preserved. During her visit, Alana learns how to both paint calligraphy and play the guzheng before visiting the Confucius Stone, known as the guardian of the village. Finally, Alana takes a boat to interact with Blue Tears Algae, the blue-green bioluminescent organisms that light up the ocean at night.

12. Kites in Hsinchu

December 3, 2021

Comparing the landfills of 1995 Hsinchu to its present-day condition demonstrates the scale of ecological cleanup and development occurring in Taiwan. With its constant, strong wind, Alana also learns Hsinchu provides the ideal environment for making and drying rice noodles, biking, and even flying kites.

11. Swimming with Sea Turtles

December 3, 2021

Interviewing a foreigner and a local on Kinmen Island, Alana tours traditional houses, roasts sweet potatoes, and learns how to harvest and cook radish cake. Armed with both perspectives, Alana continues to Liuqiu to swim with sea turtles. She later learns how to identify them by their facial scales, understanding that Liuqui is home to the highest density of sea turtles in the world.

10. Hiking Alangi Trail

December 3, 2021

Alangi Trail's 12-kilometer views of both mountains and the sea are the only of its kind in Taiwan, uninterrupted by man-made highways. After discovering smooth, marble-esque stones from centuries of water erosion, Alana must time her hike between tides to complete the trail.

9. Monkey Mountain

December 3, 2021

Arriving at Chai Shan, Alana explores the region known as the "Monkey Mountain," named for its abundance of monkeys. Rappelling into a magnificent basalt cave, Alana squeezes through tight rock passages before traversing "Ghost Alley" and rope swinging across natural chasms - all while learning about the importance of leaving beautiful environments exactly as she found them.

8. A Lake of Trees

December 3, 2021

Alana embarks on an 8 hour hike through the Shuiyang Forest, encountering fascinating rock formations and steep climbs before finally arriving at a unique lake with hundreds of branchless trees. Once the epicenter of the 9/21 earthquake, the site used to be an entire forest - now sunken and flooded by a nearby river.

7. Hot Springs in Lisong

December 3, 2021

Having descended sheer and treacherous rock faces, Alana river traces for the remote Lisong Hot Springs. Discovering a unique phenomenon in which dramatic changes in water temperature can occur along the same river, Alana cooks hardboiled eggs and enjoys the hot waterfalls.

6. Trekking to Hehuanshan

December 3, 2021

3417 meters above sea level, Alana discovers why so many people love trekking to the breathtaking Hehuanshan Mountain in Nantou: unlike European mountain ranges, Taiwan's mountains are lush with vegetation and color. After reaching the summits spectacular and peaceful views, Alana hikes again at night to stargaze, undisturbed by light pollution.

5. Wonder in Green Island

December 3, 2021

One of only three places in the world with a natural ocean hot spring, Green Island is the stunning result of preservation through various government and community-led programs. Surrounded by volcanic rocks, Alana explores remarkable rock structures across its coastline, eats traditional pancakes, snorkels for coral reef mushrooms, and dives into the beautiful "Blue Cave."

4. The Canyoneers

December 3, 2021

With the help of extensive canyoneering equipment, Alana sets out to the spectacular Linmei Shihpan Trail to rappel down various waterfalls. After wading through freezing rapids that cut through beautiful slot canyons, Alana learns how to make ice cream burritos in Yilan before relaxing in the hot springs at the bottom of the mountains.

3. Learning from Leaves

December 3, 2021

Young people work to harvest tea leaves outside of New Tapei City, utilizing organic and protective farming techniques to dry, grind, and sustainably produce traditional Baozhong Tea. Later in Taoyuan, Alana learns how to climb massive trees with the help of advanced ropes and harnesses - discovering local forest ecosystems and observing symbiotic relationships within the tree canopy.

2. A Night in the Wilderness

December 3, 2021

In the Jinshan District, Alana designs and constructs a custom, hand-made kayak to sail to a secret beach, only accessible by water. Journeying to the remote Wulai District, she camps overnight with a wilderness guide who teaches her how to become more intimate with nature by packing less, drinking water from the mountain, and even building shelter from branches.

1. Leave No Trace

December 3, 2021

Alana embarks on a stunning six-kilometer uphill hike through Taroko National Park in Hualien County. Marveling at incredible mountainsides, she's introduced by local caretakers to the philosophy of "leaving no trace" in nature. Moving to New Tapei City, Alana visits a unique horse stable and learns to ride an Arabian stallion while learning about the growth of equestrian in Taiwan.

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Where to Watch Follow Alana

Follow Alana is available for streaming on the website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Follow Alana on demand at Amazon and Apple TV Store.