Cycle Taiwan Day 11 Liuqiu Island to Kenting - A long & strenuous day to the tip

Good morning Xiao Liuqiu we took the scooters out again for a brief spin and breakfast. Here we were again at the Vase Rock for a lovely morning view.

After the breakfast we returned the scooters and all packed to leave the island. Goodbye Greenie "minsu".

For the last time in the street of Xiao Liuqiu as we gradually rolled out to the Ferry Terminal.

We bumped into out minsu landlady and we shall remember her for chanting "Love you love you 爱你 爱你 Malaysian". Her son helped us to take this photo. Bye bye Xiao Liuqiu.

At Tungliu Ferries Joint Sercive Centre and we took the second ferry at 9am.

The distance from Liuqiu Island to Donngang Ferry Terminal is about 18km away.

All set at for our next destination, Donggang and let's hit the road again.

As much as possible we try to avoid the main road we saw this inner to road and gave it a go and hopefully it is accessible.

All went well as far as the routing is concerned and the weather was wonderful. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the outskirt Taiwan.

Still on the right track to Nanzhou Town where we hope to catch a train to Dawu.

At a typical traffic light stop as we approaches Nanzhou.

After 9km ride we were at this small town called Nanzhou.

The train fare NTD26 from Nanzhou Station to Fangliao Station.

We had a good meal at Tan Ma Ma Shop 陳媽媽肉圓 the dumplings were different and awesome. Everyone one of us left the shop satisfied and happy.

Tan Ma Ma Shop is located opposite Nanzhou Station at Renli Road GPS : 22.492027, 120.511489

Another tough time carrying our bikes and luggage up and down the staircases to the platform. And finally the train arrived.

The train service in Taiwan is efficient and reliable. The only dislike is we have to bagged our bikes whenever we embark on a train if not one will be imposed with an additional fare.

At Fangliao Station 枋寮車站 GPS : 22.367886, 120.594990

All ready to go to the southern most tip of Taiwan Island at Kenting.

We were surprised to meet Aroha and Alan on the road again. The last time we met this Melbourne couple was at Nantou Bus Terminal, Kaohsiung. They were on their way to Checheng.

The wide motor cycle lane is always bicycle friendly and making it safe and comfortable.

Lovely view of the vast South China Sea with good road laid in front of us.

Taiwan people is really friendly always giving us encouragement to ride on. 加油! 加油!

I could recognize this familiar face on the bill board, must be a TV celebrity seen on our Malaysian TV.

Another stop at 7-11 outlet located at the junction of Delong and Route 1 GPS : 22.194768, 120.691934

The route was getting strenuous with the head wind as we pedalled along the coast line.

A pit stop for Taiwanese dessert at a shop at Ren'ai Road, Checheng Township

Pingtung County GPS : 22.074668, 120.713883 the distance covered has reached almost 70km.

The sky is getting dark and Kenting never seem to be any where near. Finally we reached Kenting town after a long and strenuous ride. We were approached by a lady on a scooter offering her "minsu" homestay. After much deliberation we finally followed her. It turned out to be a pretty nice place and we stayed for 2 nights.

Kenting Sea Cloudless Day Homestay for a charge of NTD300 each per person per night.

The night market 墾丁夜市 of Kenting is found on the main road and it was near to our homestay. We took a walk to the night market to experience the atmosphere and pamper our hungry tummies.

Kenting night market is happening, full of visitors and many interesting to see.

We ventured into a noodle shop 牛肉三牛肉麵 for our dinner. And a good night after a long tough day.

The route we took and out of 89km which included a 20km train ride.

Cycle Taiwan Day 10 Kaohsiung to Liuqiu Island - Scootering the Island

Breakfast was taken care by Long Siang Hotel for Day 10. Everything was in order and we were ready to continue the journey to further south.

Long Siang Hotel is located at 76-98, Liwen Road,ZuoyingDistrictKaohsiung City, Taiwan GPS : 81322.664494, 120.304725 and a short walking distance to Kaohsiung Arena Metro Station.

We took a metro train from Kaohsiung Arena Station to Siaogang and started cycling to Donggang Wharf.

There was a dedicated bicycle path on certain stretch of the route and it was lovely to ride on with friendly canopy around. In the vicinity of Xiaogang District.

Our destination was Donggang Wharf where we will be crossing over to a small island called Liuqiu.

A pit stop at a betel nut shop for a drink and it was so nice of the people next door offering us chairs to sit. Later we found out that it is a community centre where the elderly people would be going in to collect their allowances at Section 1, Yanhai Road GPS : 22.499684, 120.404397

Along Route 17 heading for Donggang Ferry Terminal.

Crossing Donggang Bridge東港大橋 GPS 22.477822, 120.459255 as we were approaching Dongliu Ferry Terminal 東琉線船運服務中心

At the end of of Donggang Bridge we stopped for a group photo session.

The red Jinde Bridge crossing while we were at Dongganghedi Park,  Bo'ai Street, Donggang Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan GPS : 92822.470760, 120.451335

Pushing our bicycles to the ferry and Xiaoliuqiu here we come. The return fare was NTD400 and our bikes have to be covered to escape being charged.

In less than half an hour we have arrived at the island of Liuqiu.

We were expecting to meet locals (mostly ladies) waiting for arriving visitors and offering the homestay (minsu) for rent. We followed one lady on scooter to her place.

A short ride to the homestay with a steep climb near the wharf as the land lady scooter-ed her way up easily.

We were skeptical about the arrangement initially with the way it was conducted yet we followed the lady to her "minsu" Greenie Homestay and agreed with her offer with a damage of NTD3,500 for a night stay.

Lunch at happy Restaurant

One of the best activities of the day was renting scooters to explore the island. I really enjoyed it very much and it has been a long time since I rode a motorcycle.

Robert paired with Anne while Jotaro and Fenn on another bike. We visited this Chinese temple 小琉球碧雲寺 at GPS : 22.338005, 120.369925

As we were enjoying the motorcyle ride we bumped into a couple with their Brompton on a uphill struggle.

We made a complete round of the island and also cutting across it making full use of the bikes. Some of the scenery was awesome. This was at Guanyin Rock 觀音石 GPS : 22.322750, 120.361277.

Also near Guanyin Rock there is Rat Rock 老鼠岩.

There are a few pavilions for viewing and was timely when the sun is setting. We went round the coast to visit each and every of them.

At the Sun Set Pavilion 落日亭 GPS : 22.324793, 120.353613

It was great fun trying to get a good shoot from the coast.

Picking a wild flower for the sunset.

It was getting dark as we visited this last attraction for the day known as the Vase Rock 花瓶岩 GPS : 22.355384, 120.380941 before going for a dinner at Jiamei Restaurant in the town area.