Day 9: Kaohsiung (Cijin Island 旗津島 > The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館> 壽山LOVE情人觀景台 > Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine 高雄市忠烈祠> Takao Railway Museum 打狗鐵道故事館 > The Pier-2 Art Center 大驳二蓬莱仓库群 > Love River Ai He > Lotus Pond 蓮池潭> Kaohsiung Airport 高雄國際航空站)
Day 1: Changi Airport > Taoyuan Airport > Taipei > Hsinchu > Neiwan
Day 2: Taipei (Maokong > Taipei Main Underground Shopping Street > Qsquare)
Day 4: Taipei > Taichung (Taichung Train Station > Miyahara Ophthalmology Department > Fengjia Night Market)
Day 5: Taichung (Rainbow Military Dependents` Village > Great Buddha of Baguashan > Lukang Old Street > Taiwan Glass Gallery & Glass Temple > Gao Mei Wetlands)
Day 5: Taichung (Rainbow Military Dependents` Village > Great Buddha of Baguashan > Lukang Old Street > Taiwan Glass Gallery & Glass Temple > Gao Mei Wetlands)
Day 6: Taichung (Stock 20 > Taichung Park > Yizhong Shopping Street)
Day 7: Taichung > Kaohsiung (Formosa Boulevard > Dream Mall > Ruifeng Night Market > Hanshin Departmental Store > Liuhe Night Market)
Day 8: Kaohsiung > Kenting 墾丁(Fu An Temple 福安宮 > Eternal Flame 出火特別景觀區(恆春出火) > Jialeshuei Scenic Area 佳樂水風景區 > Longpan Park 龍磐公園 > Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻灯塔> ShaDao Eco-Protection Area 砂島生態保護區> Chuanfanshih 船帆石 > White Sand Bay 白沙灣)
Day 9: Kaohsiung (Cijin Island > The British Consulate at Takao > 壽山LOVE情人觀景台 > Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine > Takao Railway Museum > The Pier-2 Art Center > Love River Ai He > Lotus Pond > Kaohsiung Airport)
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Last day of trip... I had really looked forward to going back home. I was physically DRAINED by then BUT~~~ my kiasu mentality told me I must endure and maximize my last day at Kaohsiung for Year 2015.
Our cab driver Mr Lin had offered to bring us for a half day trip before sending us to airport which was a good deal for us since we were physically drained by then.
We first headed to Cijin Island 旗津島. The ferry ride took around 5 minutes and cost NT$25 per person per way.
Upon exiting from the ferry, we saw many food stalls and seafood restaurants. There were taxis for hire and also bicycles for rental. We opted for travel by foot.
Around the corner is the Mazu Temple 代天宫.
Around the corner is the Mazu Temple 代天宫.
Mazu Temple 代天宫 旗津島
Wishes @ Mazu Temple 代天宫 旗津島
Walked all the way to the end, we reached Cijin Beach 旗津海水浴场. The sand was dark grey colored and texture seemed fine. The scorching sun pushed us away from being outdoor (and I was hiding under my umbrella). We quickly walked back from where we came from.
Cijin Beach 旗津海水浴场 1
Cijin Beach 旗津海水浴场 2
And it was lunch time. Both of us were not keen on seafood (except the fish). So in the end, we walked passed the seafood restaurants and reached the ferry terminal. There was a cafe at their 2nd floor where we can enjoy the sea view BUT the place only served beverages (although they had a big poster stating food item)...
We headed to the 7-11 at the opposite of the ferry terminal for small bites.
Cijin Ferry Station 旗津輪渡站
Back to Gushan Ferry
Gushan Ferry Station 鼓山輪渡站
Our visit at Cijin Island was a short one. We didn't cover Cijin Fort which seemed quite long distance to walk under the hot sun. Maybe next time round.. Maybe...
Once we boarded Mr Lin's cab, it was relief for us... But only a while. The journey to The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館 from Gushan Ferry is a short one (around 5-10 minutes). Mr Lin had brought us to the original building which is at the top of the hill. Climbing up the stairs was REALLY tiring. I rested a few times till I finally reached the top where I took another 5 minutes break. (LOL)
The temple is just beside the entrance of the former The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館
View from the entrance of The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館 1
View from the entrance of The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館 2. The left hand side is the lighthouse at Cijin Island
The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館 1
The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館 2
There is a guided tour where a tour guide will give narrations on the history of The British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館. (Note it is based on their schedule)
Inside of the The British Consulate at Takao, the rooms are not linked so you have to explore around by rooms. They are air-conditioned so if you need to run away from the heat..stay inside! The cafe is at outdoor. They carried a wide range of tea and flavored drinks where you can purchased the tea leaves at their souvenirs store.
There is a path which leads to the new building at downhill. Since we were meeting Mr Lin back at where we alighted, we didn't head down to the new building.
After our quick visit to The British Consulate at Takao, Mr Lin drove us to see Macaques monkeys near the university.
Macaques monkeys near to the university
Macaques monkeys near to the university
壽山LOVE情人觀景台 -
This is a very hot spot. A gentle request from a tourist, the students who were posing quickly moved to a side for the lady to take a few shots and I took opportunity to quickly take a snap too! (Okay, I admit I had earlier posed for a few shots but who can resist this "LOVE" sign)
壽山LOVE情人觀景台 -
view from the top
A view of Kaohsiung city at a glance
From 壽山LOVE情人觀景台 to Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine takes... 2 minutes? I didn't know that. From the map, it looked like they might not be near. But the fact is.. they are very near. From 壽山LOVE情人觀景台, just walked straight to the entrance of Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine.
Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine 高雄市忠烈祠
We headed for Takao Railway Museum 打狗鐵道故事館 next. There was some event going on and people were flying kites around the grassland.
Takao Railway Museum 打狗鐵道故事館
Moving on after around 30 minutes of walk, we went to Love River 爱河.
There is a ferry tour ride but we didn't take up as it was still day time. Took a quick selfie and off we go to Lotus Pond Dragon and Tiger Pagodas 蓮池潭 龍虎塔.
Lotus Pond Dragon and Tiger Pagodas 蓮池潭 龍虎塔 -
The correct way to go in is to first enter via the Dragon Mouth and exit via the Tiger Mouth. We went in and out without climbing up the pagodas. Saw from other blogs the view up there is even better.
Lotus Pond 蓮池潭
The pavilion is just a short distance away from Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. We saw the crowd and we were exhausted by then. We gave this place a miss and headed for the airport.
Kaohsiung Airport 高雄國際航空站
Initially we were worried we couldn't find place to eat. Fortunately (although limited), we were able to find place to dine in.
Pork Knuckle with Rice
Braised Ribs with Rice
Hot Chocolate
To the boarding gate
There are restaurants before and after entering the departure gate. If need to buy foodies as gift or for personal consumption, you can also get them at the airport.
Do note the customer service differs...
In order for an efficient purchase, would be good if you have someone to attend to you first while you pick up your items. I went to the Ever Rich Duty Free Shop 昇恆昌免稅商店 and I decided on self-service and picked up 2 packs of tea bags and went to make payment.
The staffs were keen to attend to their customers and their customers jumped my queue unknowingly because their staffs proceeded with their payment, leaving me in the cold. If not because I really want to buy the tea, I would have just turn around and leave without buying. Another staff noticed my "frustrated" face and FINALLY I got to make payment.
Time to go home and Scoot flight departed on time. We touched down at SG just before midnight.. before the DFS closed.
Bought TWG tea leaves (again) but price differences are minimal compared to retail store.
Ended the day with 8,600 steps completed once again....
Conclusion:
Travelling around Kaohsiung is easy via their public transports - metro line, buses
The time to spend at each place of interest differs based on own preferences. I managed to cover quite a lot of the places I had originally planned in my one day itinerary with half a day time but it was very rush and incomplete.
I skipped on Cijin lighthouse, Cijin fort, inside of the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Spring and Autumn Pavilion, Sizihwan Beach, 85 Sky Tower, night view of Love River, Central Park and Urban Spotlight... Have to revisit and take time to complete!!
Next trip in planning.. To be continued...
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