Taiwan 2013 - Day 6 - Kaoshiung, Cijin Island

Today was a cycling day and off we went to Cijin Island (旗津島) at Kaoshiung area. The nearest station is Sizihwan Station (Orange line 01). Initially we thought of taking the ferry over to the island before embarking on the cycling trip. However, at the train station, we rented the bicycle for the whole day at NTD 90. Cheap deal but the catch would be we will be cycling along the cars and trucks to the ferry terminal. Really an experience which we would never do in Singapore. Cool thing was we could take the bicycle on board the ferry to Cijin Island, which will cost you NTD$15 NTD (less than S$1).

Here's the planned route within Cijin Island but well, since it was all about cycling, I think everyone could just go with the flow, not really a fixed route to follow:

旗津區風車公園 (Cijin Wind Turbine Park) – 旗津海岸公園 (Cijin Seaside Park) – 旗津天后宮 (Cijin Tianhou Temple) – 旗後山隧道 (Cihou Tunnel) -旗後燈塔 (Cihou Lighthouse) – 旗後砲台 (Cihou Fort)

As some places did not allow bicycles into the premise, we had to park our bicycle by the side and locked them with a chain provided by the shop. Ok, I guess no one really wanted to steal the bicycles. I simply loved the relaxing day with the nice weather - clear blue sky!

Beauty of Cijin Island

Almost spent the whole day at Cijin Island where we had seafood. There were a lot of seafood shops around selling fresh seafood. Not knowing which is a better shop, we just pop in to the nearest shop available. There, we ordered sashimi, calamari and some shell dish -  it was not very expensive and I can safely say that the food was really fresh. Thereafter, we went to a dessert shop to have some cold mango ice. Well, the shop is just next to the chinese temple near to the ferry terminal, you won't miss it. It was marvelous and refreshing - mango is indeed fresh as well!

Seafood Lunch and Mango dessert

Afterwhich, we went back to the main island and continued our cycling trail. As compared to Cijin Island, Kaoshiung's road traffic was heavier and so, please do take care when cycling along with the motorist. There, we visited the Takao Railway Museum, Love Pier/Pier 2 Art Centre (驳二艺术区) and any places that we happened to pass by which attracted our attention - a very random hop on and off kind of trail. The scenery was really a beauty! 

Beauty of Kaoshiung

After the whole cycling event, we went back to Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市) for dinner. Nearest station will be Formosa Boulevard Station which was near to our hotel. You got to try the papaya milk, it was really great with many famous people visited it as well. As for the other food, just buy whatever that caught your attention - Taiwanese street food is really up to standard. But do try out the dessert - red bean soy milk pudding - it was great especially after eating the main course. 

Food at Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市)

Time to rest for the next day - a day to see the sheeps. Like I said, weather at Kaoshiung had been great for us that my tan-line was formed. Boo-hoo!