The bus from Kaohsiung to Kenting only took 2 hours and cost 389 NTD. In Kaohsiung I talked to several bus drivers trying to figure out which bus was the fastest. The first bus driver I spoke with was fluent in English and was extremely helpful. I told him I was meeting a friend and had to wait for him. He said he would wait for us. After a couple of minutes I looked at the time table and realized it was already passed his departure time and so I told him to go ahead and leave. His bus was the slower cheaper option. So we boarded the express bus 15 minutes later and were on our way. Once in Kenting we discovered that our bus didn’t go all the way to where we were staying, so we got off the bus and waited around for the next one. I was fumbling around in my purse for my MRT card when I heard a deep laugh only to look up at the original bus driver. Really! He took us the rest of the way.
My update for Kenting is unfortunately short. A typhoon decided to hit us just when we were preparing for a couple days of snorkeling and hiking. All we were able to see was the aquarium. We did rent scooters the first day and rode to the southern tip of Taiwan. Driving scooters has been awesome. I am still glad I didn’t have one in Taipei (crazy traffic and way too many scooters).
The best part of our time here was my close friend Andrew came down from Taipei. Fortunately, he brought a board game with him and thus provided the typhoon entertainment. It was so nice to spend some time with him and made me realize how hard getting on that plane to Japan is going to be. Taiwan has been my home for over two years and I now strongly identify with it. The people are honest, hardworking, and kind. The crime rate is basically non-existent. The food is AMAZING and it is so easy for a vegetarian to eat here. The public transit is clean, fast, and efficient. The island is made up of a beautiful mountain range that provides hiking and stunning sunrise/sunset vistas. The list goes on and on. I really love Taiwan.
Well, it is time for us to move on now. Check back in with this worldly gnome on 9/24.
Update: The strength of the storm has increased and all buses and trains are suspended. Thus, we are stranded in Kenting for yet another night. At least the 7 Eleven still has bananas and veggie cups! The picture below doesn't do the weather justice. The winds are gusting between 40-60 kph and the road in front of our hotel is flooded.
My update for Kenting is unfortunately short. A typhoon decided to hit us just when we were preparing for a couple days of snorkeling and hiking. All we were able to see was the aquarium. We did rent scooters the first day and rode to the southern tip of Taiwan. Driving scooters has been awesome. I am still glad I didn’t have one in Taipei (crazy traffic and way too many scooters).
The best part of our time here was my close friend Andrew came down from Taipei. Fortunately, he brought a board game with him and thus provided the typhoon entertainment. It was so nice to spend some time with him and made me realize how hard getting on that plane to Japan is going to be. Taiwan has been my home for over two years and I now strongly identify with it. The people are honest, hardworking, and kind. The crime rate is basically non-existent. The food is AMAZING and it is so easy for a vegetarian to eat here. The public transit is clean, fast, and efficient. The island is made up of a beautiful mountain range that provides hiking and stunning sunrise/sunset vistas. The list goes on and on. I really love Taiwan.
Well, it is time for us to move on now. Check back in with this worldly gnome on 9/24.
Update: The strength of the storm has increased and all buses and trains are suspended. Thus, we are stranded in Kenting for yet another night. At least the 7 Eleven still has bananas and veggie cups! The picture below doesn't do the weather justice. The winds are gusting between 40-60 kph and the road in front of our hotel is flooded.
