Getting out and about...

Now that I have settled a bit more into Taiwan lifestyle, managing the heat and started Language School, another opportunity for me to see the sights has arisen. One of the office staff at the Language School has organised Friday night outings for those students that are interested. It is like a local's tour of the city.

The Friday night before last, our organised trip was to an island on the other side of Kaohsiung harbour. The island is called Cijin Island. On this island, we visited an old fort that I presumed was used during the wars and the old English Colony state house. We also had hoped to visit the lighthouse but unfortunately that was closed.

The photo to the right is looking from the old fort back over Cijin Island, Kaohsiung harbour and Kaohsiuhng city in the background.

All this was done on foot and by the end of the evening I was ready to go home and sleep. My poor feet...

Last weekend's trip was also out and about but not on foot. We hired bicycles. I haven't ridden a bicycle for years (or is it decades) but that was the least of my worries. In Australia, people drive/ride on the left side of the road. In Taiwan they ride on the right, and that is said very loosely as well. The bike trip started out well with us following a bike track, but quickly it turned to riding around the streets. I am really glad I had fellow students around me because I don't think I would have don't it by myself. The place we initially headed for was along the coast a bit and up small mountain. The place is known where you can watch the sunset. To the left is a photo that I took looking back where I had ridden. You may notice that the breakwaters stretching out into ocean is where we were the previous week when we walked up to the old fort. I am rather hot and sweaty in this photo as well as being quite worn out. But this was only the first stop.

After watching the sun go down on the horizon, we headed back into the city and found our way to Love River. I can tell you that Love River is much more beautiful at night time (and forgetting about the sewerage treatment plants along the river). The boats are going up and down the river, the bright lights and the big dragon has eyes that change colour.

Needless to say that the sun was not beating down on me either so it was much more enjoyable.


The benefits of riding as opposed to not walking was great on my feet, but not so on my gluteus maximus. After the night's ride I was sore for a few days.

However, Love River was not the last stop. Kaohsiung has a tourist night market called Liouhe night market. That was our next stop where we had a dinner. Sorry no photos there but next time I visit I promise I'll take some.

After dinner, it was time to take the bikes back ( I think six hours was enough in anyone's language) and head home.

I have to admit, having ridden a bike around Kaohsiung city, I did get to see a lot more than merely taking the train through the subway. I can get my bearings a lot better and get to see things that I would normally have missed. Although I am not sure if I would dare to ride a bike by myself. Maybe the Language School social organiser would consider another trip when the memories of six hours biking have faded.

Anyway, till next time, haveagoodone...