Memorial weekend - our last chance to enjoy the beauty of Taiwan before the big move rush began. There's an island off the south west coast of Taiwan that we had been wanting to visit. I'll be honest, we dragged our feet booking a visit because we don't speak Chinese and knew it could be a challenge to really enjoy ourselves with only charades. Fortunately, our friends joined us which made the whole adventure that much more fun!
Getting to the island is an adventure it itself. Our transportation included the mrt to the train station, the high speed rail to Kaohsiung, a 40 min. taxi ride to the coast, then a boat to the island. Once on the island, the means of transpiration is your feet or a moped.
Thanks to some great recommendations we booked a hotel that was walking distance to town and the beach. The whole "theme hotel" is a very Taiwanese thing so we embraced the ship shape of our lodgings knowing that at least we had a good landmark to charade to someone should we get lost.
The appeal of this adventure was to swim with the sea turtles. There was a little beachy area by the boat docks and our hotel. We didn't know exactly where the best spot to see the turtles would be, so we started there. There is a difference in the way Asians and Westerners travel and enjoy the world. The right hand side of the beach was full of groups of tourists. The were wearing long water suits, life jacket, mask and a snorkel. The proceeded into the water up to their knees holding on to a rope with a guide at the front and another at the back. Most groups didn't go any further. The just laid there in waist deep water looking at the broken coral and maybe a turtle or two. Some groups proceeded in chain fashion to the right for a decent distance, around some rocks and up some steps to the safety of dry ground. That is the Asian experience that we opted not to do.
We came equipped with our own masks. We looked like aliens, but I have to say these masks are amazing. They don't fog up, you have this great, wide view and the snorkel doesn't let water in. Our views were crystal clear. We headed out into the ocean which we had to ourselves. We spent hours just floating, gazing at the turtles. Some were huge and ancient. They slowly pulled and chomped on sea weed with no other care as to what the day may bring. Their shells were thick and covered in allege. Others were younger, smaller and more colorful. The swam through the deep waters with gentle grace.
We did the 45 min. drive around the island. While trying to find a beach on the map, we stumbled across a small abandoned marina. We walked around to the coral and once again had the ocean to ourselves. What a hidden gem! We put our faces in the water and pushed off. It was some of the most beautiful and undisturbed coral I've ever seen. Small tropical fish darted in and out of their hidey-holes. Brilliant coral colorfully created a dazzling world under the protection of the sea.
I wish it hadn't taken us so long to visit Xiao Liuqiu Island. It's the sort of place you can return to again and again.
Ship House Hotel: https://www.booking.com/hotel/tw/ship-house.en-gb.html?aid=356980;label=gog235jc-hotel-XX-tw-shipNhouse-unspec-us_mi-com-L%3Aen-O%3AosSx-B%3Asafari-N%3AXX-S%3Abo-U%3AXX-H%3As;sid=c36968375414e393cbb3467030609af2;dist=0&sb_price_type=total&type=total&
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