This day is my sad day, I have to take a bus to my next destination which is not part of my plan to cycle around Taiwan island. My ultimate objective to cycle around the island will not be able to fulfill after today.
Had a good sleep in a very good condition room because we are staying in luxury hotel. This is a special treat by a friend whose relative own this hotel thus giving us the chance to stay a night. The hotel name was Ever Luck Hotel (九福企業集團-首福大飯店) and located 100 meters away from famous Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市). Although we are near to night market but didn't spend time to walk around because I am still full from a very good dinner with buddies. Moreover I have been to to this night market and food in night market not good for me next day when riding :)
Had our buffet breakfast from hotel then rolling out to Zuoying HSR station (左營高鐵站). And yes, the buffet breakfast was included in to the package of room which is free too. Leisurely we cycle to the station in the cold morning and arrive too early to get a bus ticket from the counter that open 8:30 am sharp. It is good to be early because we not sure where to board the bus as well as the ticket counter. After finding out all necessary information we have an hour before bus departing which is good timing for packing our "equipment".
Something worth to mentioned in Kaoshiong when we cycle along Boai Road (博愛路). With the distance of just 4 kilometers we have to stop more than 10 times. All these stops are due to traffic lights along the road. Trying to find alternative way but do not see any chance of skipping the traffic lights. [Added on 9th April 2013 @ 8:12 am]
Board the bus and it depart sharp at 9:00 am to Kending (墾丁), Tour de Taiwan 2013 destination on Day 06. While in the bus keep staring at the road we passed make me feel like to stop the bus then start cycle.
It was just 2 hours bus ride from Kaoshiong to Kending. While setting up our bicycle I weather was changing, it's getting wet. The wind here in Kending was strong, much stronger than the ride we had from Shueli (水里) to Jiji (集集). The rain start drizzling and still manageable so we go on to find our lunch spot. Moving around the town in Kending but those blogger recommended food spot was not open. We later settle down in a nice seafood restaurant for "simple" lunch a.k.a cheapest lunch in the restaurant.
After lunch we would like to search for our pre-planned campsite and check out the condition. On the way to Eluanbi (鵝鑾鼻) where the campsite located, we packed some food for dinner and next day breakfast from convenient store.
Once we found the campsite it looks too quiet and empty. Everything you need to camp was there but nobody is camping in the area and moreover it was too far from main road. Considering the safety I suggested not to go with this campsite, so we have to look for other site. After thorough discussion, we decided to go with homestay opposite Eluanbi National Park (鵝鑾鼻國家公園). Most of the campsites were in Kending which is about 10 kilometers from Eluanbi and we do not see any campsite in Eluanbi was reasonable.
Settle the place to stay and we off to the national park where many Chinese (I meant Chinese from China mainland) holding their cameras snapping almost anything around them. Few years back you only see Japanese with their sophisticated camera in those tourist spot but I guess the trend was moving to another part of the world. The park was huge and awesome spend some quality time with loads of photo.
I returned to homestay slightly later than my ride partner, then I suggest we should get our dinner from the shop at the park entrance earlier. Nearby we do not see any restaurant or food stall, so only chance was that row of shop near to park entrance. We have to go earlier because these shop mainly operate during park opening time. When most of the tourist left the park shops are started to end their business and head home. Early dinner then earlier rest to catch the sunrise next morning.
Had our buffet breakfast from hotel then rolling out to Zuoying HSR station (左營高鐵站). And yes, the buffet breakfast was included in to the package of room which is free too. Leisurely we cycle to the station in the cold morning and arrive too early to get a bus ticket from the counter that open 8:30 am sharp. It is good to be early because we not sure where to board the bus as well as the ticket counter. After finding out all necessary information we have an hour before bus departing which is good timing for packing our "equipment".
Something worth to mentioned in Kaoshiong when we cycle along Boai Road (博愛路). With the distance of just 4 kilometers we have to stop more than 10 times. All these stops are due to traffic lights along the road. Trying to find alternative way but do not see any chance of skipping the traffic lights. [Added on 9th April 2013 @ 8:12 am]
Board the bus and it depart sharp at 9:00 am to Kending (墾丁), Tour de Taiwan 2013 destination on Day 06. While in the bus keep staring at the road we passed make me feel like to stop the bus then start cycle.
It was just 2 hours bus ride from Kaoshiong to Kending. While setting up our bicycle I weather was changing, it's getting wet. The wind here in Kending was strong, much stronger than the ride we had from Shueli (水里) to Jiji (集集). The rain start drizzling and still manageable so we go on to find our lunch spot. Moving around the town in Kending but those blogger recommended food spot was not open. We later settle down in a nice seafood restaurant for "simple" lunch a.k.a cheapest lunch in the restaurant.
After lunch we would like to search for our pre-planned campsite and check out the condition. On the way to Eluanbi (鵝鑾鼻) where the campsite located, we packed some food for dinner and next day breakfast from convenient store.
Once we found the campsite it looks too quiet and empty. Everything you need to camp was there but nobody is camping in the area and moreover it was too far from main road. Considering the safety I suggested not to go with this campsite, so we have to look for other site. After thorough discussion, we decided to go with homestay opposite Eluanbi National Park (鵝鑾鼻國家公園). Most of the campsites were in Kending which is about 10 kilometers from Eluanbi and we do not see any campsite in Eluanbi was reasonable.
Settle the place to stay and we off to the national park where many Chinese (I meant Chinese from China mainland) holding their cameras snapping almost anything around them. Few years back you only see Japanese with their sophisticated camera in those tourist spot but I guess the trend was moving to another part of the world. The park was huge and awesome spend some quality time with loads of photo.
I returned to homestay slightly later than my ride partner, then I suggest we should get our dinner from the shop at the park entrance earlier. Nearby we do not see any restaurant or food stall, so only chance was that row of shop near to park entrance. We have to go earlier because these shop mainly operate during park opening time. When most of the tourist left the park shops are started to end their business and head home. Early dinner then earlier rest to catch the sunrise next morning.
Start to prepare my at 6:00 am then going to take our free buffet breakfast.
For the past 5 days I have been used to having simple and light breakfast thus with a buffet breakfast I still don't have the appetite to take more. Moreover we should just take or eat what we need.
Check out the front door of the hotel we stayed, isn't it look awesome? When first see this hotel I dare not to walk in with my sweaty clothing. After a while, all being sorted out at front desk I felt a little uneasy to move my bike into the room. Thanks to the staff on duty whom allowing us to keep our bike in the room. Not to expensive bike but once we lost it of if damage then we will not be able to continue our journey.
Found the bus ticket selling counter but not yet open till an hour later. Better start packing my stuff and back here to queue.
Got to know this is the place we will board the bus thus having all our "equipment" packed and place at appropriate spot for loading onto bus.
This is the proof of me taking bus from Kending to Eluanbi, I will always remind myself I didn't do this section of ride which could be most beautiful part of whole journey.
Bus depart sharp at 9:00 am and we are all set to go Kending on the bus.
Wrongly edited photo? No...this was edited grayscale with intention to differentiate those taken while riding on my bike. This spot in the photo showing those trunk road where we might cycling if not taking bus.
NIce small town to drop by...
This is meant to show the sky...a very good weather to cycle.
A strange drop off point, but since everybody on the bus alight here then we just follow the local. Setup our bike at roadside then ready to go around the town to search for food as lunch.
The sky is fill with darker cloud and rain drizzling once we done setup our bike. This does not stop use from going forward because felt hungry thus need food badly.
Off we go to the town...and I regret with this attire, got sun burned on my shoulder :(
This is my "luxury yet cheap" friend noodles for lunch at a nice seafood restaurant. The taste was very good until I found another better one later day.
Kending was famous of the beaches, but during April the weather still consider cold and nobody will come to the beach. And too cold to enjoy the water sports.
Another tourist spot on our way to campsite in Eluanbi, this rock looks like a yacht thus called Chuanfan Rock (船帆石) means Yacht Sail Rock.
Time to have myself with this iconic view.
We are here at Taiwan island most southern tip.
This monument is the mark of south point but as you can see behind me are the rocks where you can go further south. Lol
One of the tourist who is cycling fans admiring our determination to tour a round Taiwan on bicycle. He would like to have a group photo with us and my little Malaysian flag. Later this dude in the photo ask to borrow my little flag. I was puzzled with his intention thus trying my luck to tell him that was not Taiwanese flag. Bingo!!! I got it right about this dude! He thought that was Taiwanese flag then after he knew it was Malaysian flag still insist want to take photo with. (in fact he show me a looks that says "Are you try to lie to me?" lol)
After disappointment of the campsite we planned to stay, we settle down in this homestay. This homestay looks like just open for business and we might be their first customer.
Leave our bike and panniers in homestay then proceed to Eluanbi National Park. Paid NTD40 for entrance fees (YES! It was approximately MYR4.00 for a national park. My experience to visit Kuala Lumpur Bird Park cost me more than that!) then we get to enjoy the nature.
This is the iconic structure in this park, Eluanbi Light house. Eluanbi Lighthouse is called "The Light of East Asia", because its intensity is the most powerful among Taiwan lighthouses.
Although it was not a very tall lighthouse tower but situated on a small hill makes it higher than other lighthouse.
This on top of the small in Eluanbi National Park with the mark of its name.
The weather was not so good, once a while we will get some rain drop.
Walking to another side of the park bring us nearer to sea and I was caught by this beautiful view.
Wooden platform was built to allow visitor to walk along while enjoy the scenic view of the sea joining Pacific Ocean and Taiwan Straits.
The water here was so clear and you can see the living in it. You are not allow to swim here not just because it was dangerous (strong wave) but to protect the nature.
I spent more time to explore the rocks and algae grown near to the sea, the contrast of color between them was so beautiful.
Kissing rock...
A hut on the other side of the small hill where you can have 270 degree angle of sea view.
I was hoping to capture the view of sunset unfortunately the weather was not good. Waited for an hour then I gave up and head back to homestay.
On my way back I saw this fella chasing dogs in front of a row of shop at the entrance to the park. With its size nobody will believe it can run at the speed of approximately 15kph.
Saw this homestay offering B&B (Bed and Breakfast) which could be better than our earlier "catch" that don't include breakfast. Probably those who plan to go this place can have a try.
After shower I found my feet with "henna art", this is the only visible souvenir I brought from Taiwan to Malaysia.
This is the only food outlet still open when we go back to the Eluanbi National Park entrance. Luckily we still managed to get something to eat from this place.
We are the last customer dine in and I got myself a simple fried rice for dinner.
Part 1 actual ride route on day 06 with elevation profile and speed graph against distance.
Part 2 actual ride route on day 06 with elevation profile and speed graph against distance.
Part 1 ride detail from my Garmin Edge 800.
Part 2 ride detail from my Garmin Edge 800.
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