The Green Island is rarely seen by Westerners. It is a charming volcanic island hidden along the coast of southeastern Taiwan. Nowadays it is the most popular holiday destination for the locals. The dangerous Kuroshio surrounding the island and its notorious prison have been notorious for Taiwan's Alcatraz Island. It is easy to reach from the port city of Taitung. If you have a strong belly, you can take a ferry [$30 transfer] or bravely drive a 19-seat small propeller [$60 transfer] for a smoother trip [if more expensive]. But pay attention to the weather; all traffic is grounded in heavy rain or strong winds, and it is easy to find yourself in trouble. It is highly recommended that you book a hotel package before your arrival. Many hotels are near the port, which is crowded, stinky and expensive. In addition, many of them are older, musty and old menthol, and some do not even offer a sea view [$25+]. Shiacarl is the best place to host Green Island. A 10-minute motorbike ride from the harbour, it offers a package of benefits including scooters, night tours, snorkeling, round-trip ferry tickets, free dinner, huge floor-to-ceiling windows, beautiful views and friendly English-speaking bosses. Prices vary by season, but during the peak season I spent about $150 on a set meal for four days/three nights. Located in a small bay, Shiacarl offers rooms with mountain or sea views. The best room is the top double room, both available. Book this if you can.
For those who want to escape the overcrowding in Taiwan's big cities, Green Island is a safe haven and a must-see for anyone visiting Taiwan. Wake up in the morning and watch the truly amazing sunrise on a romantic overlook near Sleep Beauty and Pekinese Dog Rocks. If you are departing from Shiacarl, drive north on a steep mountain road by bike or by scooter [30 minutes. Cycling / 7 minutes. Take a scooter]. Looking to the right before the road begins to rise, you will see the sentinel of Confucius standing in the port.
After catching the sunrise, head northwest toward the Sika Deer area. About two kilometers after that, the Guanyin Cave is worth seeing, but it was not open until later that day. The stalagmites protected by the cave are slightly similar to Guanyin. This is a Buddhist goddess. The fishermen and sailors on the island pray for safety. Soon, you will arrive at Oasis Village, the ironic name of Taiwan's most shameful prison, where political prisoners are imprisoned and tortured. The prison is open to the public and for many visitors this is a historical highlight of the island. Adjacent white buildings and red tile roofs formed the old Green Island Skills Training Center compound, which began as a prison and "rogue" forced labor camp since the late 1960s until the end of the martial law in 1987. For lizards and coconut crabs, follow the road to the right of these buildings and follow the path to the beach. Since I found this place in the early hours of the morning, it has been a bit shocking to see a man entering a vacant lot from a wooded road and seeing two people offering products to a pile of hillside graves. I think I am afraid of them like them! Tombs belong to soldiers and political prisoners, and many believe that the surrounding hills are plagued by ghosts. Continue along the beach path to the Swallow Cave, where the real name, with many swallows and rock-hewn stages, provides prisoners with entertainment and cremation. Looking up at the steep cliff behind the Swallow Cave, you may see groups of goats vying for the most selected grass and boldly entering the ledge.
Leaving the goats and ghosts, heading west, staying at the Human Rights Park to commemorate the political victims who opposed Chiang Kai-shek during the martial law in the so-called "white terror" era. The monument consists of a pool of rainwater, a pipe spiraling into a fountain, which is said to mean that thousands of tears have been saddened by the victims of the dead or "missing". The fountain is surrounded by white marble walls associated with the victim. The name, along with the coolness of a large, semi-covered room, gave the place a strange mausoleum effect. If you are hungry, you can cross the village of Gong Guan, which has a hotel-run coffee shop and a buffet-style buffet restaurant [US$12 lunch/dinner only].
History fans should now return to the northernmost point on the island called Public Relations. This is a huge prehistoric fossil shell pile, created by San Zung Liao, who lived on the island between 1000 and 1,800 BC. From there, everything from shells and antlers to pottery and jewellery was discovered.
Next, head west to the current prison on the island. You can take photos from the outside, but only when you do something horrible. Opposite the prison is the Chaikou diving area with some decent snorkeling. Unfortunately, many of the corals on the shore have died [perhaps being trampled by tourists], but there are still a variety of fish. Gorgeous parrots and clownfish are easy to spot; keep your eyes from less common creatures such as salmon, trout, octopus, jelly fish, and even turtles.
There is an inconspicuous lighthouse near the diving area. In 1937, US luxury ship SS President Hoover ran a coral reef on the island, and her crew was rescued by the locals. As a gratitude, the United States donated money to build the lighthouse built in 1939.
When you are tired of the lighthouse, when you pass through the airport and visitor center, turn your attention to the south and then to Nanxun, which is the main obstacle to shopping and eating. Shopping is OK, if you need a bikini, you want to pick up some deer, squid or seaweed, or interested in shells of plastic googly eyes imported from Southeast Asia. I found some discoveries in these stores, like a delicate white jade necklace and a rustic wall hanging with a fisherman's knot, but if you want to go, you have to work harder with a cheesy visitor Mishmash. The snacks are very good; immerse in the large shells of milk tofu and seaweed gelatin on ice. If it is the right season, you can take a glass bottom boat or watch a whale from Nanxun. Just across the harbour is the large mushroom coral reef, which is said to be a great snorkeling, although I have no chance to see it with my own eyes.
At the southernmost tip of the island, there is a campsite consisting of wooden platforms between the trees where you can set up tents. However, from the situation I was told, it is a bit expensive [$15-20 per night]. Next to it, you can basically set up a tent anywhere; no one will bother you. Close to the campsite, right on the beach, is the world famous Jhaorih Sulphur / Salt Water Spa. Japan and Italy are the other two countries that can boast ocean hot springs, so don't miss it - especially the sweet price of $6 per ticket! But if you go on a hot summer day, until night falls. Close to the hot springs is the starting point of the Cross-Mountain Trail and can only be reached on foot. I told him it was about a six-hour hike; plan to do it for a day and pack a picnic lunch, sunscreen and insect repellent.
So if you find yourself in Asia, don't mistakenly ignore Taiwan. Green Island is a great place to relax and stay away from everything, and is a great place to spend a perfect weekend getaway. Magnificent views, hospitable places, rich history and adventurous spirit are the perfect combination of an unforgettable journey.
Orignal From: Visit Taiwan Green Island
No comments:
Post a Comment