A group of college students went on a canoe trip around Taiwan last summer, until Typhoon Morakot got in the way.

This year, they set out to finish the remainder of the journey and successfully accomplished their mission.

It was a canoeing trip full of unexpected events for these National Taiwan Ocean University students. On July 4 last year, these students departed from Keelung in canoes and paddled south along the western coast of Taiwan in hopes of making a full circle around the island.

After rounding the southern tip of Taiwan, they were on their way to Taitung when Typhoon Morakot struck. Forced to put their plans on hold, the students did not continue the trip until July 6 this year. This time, they departed from Taitung and picked up where they left off, almost one year later.

The 500-kilometer-long trip around Taiwan took these students 31 days. At one point, they had to be rescued by the Hualien Coast Guard when their canoes filled with water. Footage shot by the students reveal the choppy waves they encountered and how the group members encouraged each other during difficulties.

The canoeists were all smiles when they finally arrived back in Keelung. They say that the experience was worth it and gave them memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.