LFL AT SEA

Saturday, 16 March 2019

Still Sailing from Manila to Hong Kong

Because almost half the crew of the Westerdam is from the Philippines, today is a happy time on the ship, as she welcomes on board families ready for joyous reunions with their loved ones. Unlike in the US, ship personnel don’t worry too much about having visitors on board, although security is still very strict.

And just a short note about climate change—really weather change: In just 12 days I have traveled from the low 40s in Shanghai to the high 80s and even higher humidity here in Manila. Although I did spend this morning walking through the old Spanish section of Manila, Intramuros (a very short distance from the port), the heat and humidity were not pleasant, so I called it a day after several hours to return to the now-frigid air of the Westerdam.

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

It takes over one hour for the Westerdam to sail from the harbor entrance to the city central pier. The sun has not yet risen high enough to burn off the smog, but some of the tall downtown buildings can be seen as we move deeper into the port.

Kaohsiung's Tallest Building in Early Morning Light

Artistic Display of Old Anchors Outside the Cruise Port

Exiting the ship, passengers pass a children's park with large inflatable figures, and a troop of local girls providing song and dance entertainment.

Post-Modern Port Guidance Tower

Kaohsiung is a large modern city with little of interest to the average tourist. So today I join a shore excursion to the historic city of Tainan, Taiwan's first capital.. Our coach takes us from the port exit and city gate--

through the city center, with its large blocks of stores and office buildings--

and its post-modern Metro stations.

Tainan is about 60 kilometers north of Kaohsiung, and the drive takes us on a thruway as it cuts through large factories and industrial plants. There isn't much that is pretty to look at, but it is clear that the area is the powerhouse of Taiwan's economy.

Tainan, on the other hand, is a city with much potential for the tourist trade. Like Kyoto, in Japan, this city is home to many shrines and temples from different historical periods, in different states of restoration. Unlike in Kyoto, however, little effort is made to create a tourist-friendly atmosphere. The visitor must pass through several large and unattractive parts of the city to visit the important sites.

Our first stop is the Koxinga Shrine (1874), dedicated to the general who finally ousted the Dutch traders from this area in the middle of the 19th century. The shrine is composed of highly decorated prayer halls surrounded by a formal Chinese garden.

Roof-line Temple Decorations (above and below)

Chinese Garden with Dragon Fountain

Inside the Koxinga Shrine

This area is also home to the recently built Art Museum

Our second stop is the Confucius Temple, built in 1666

Our Tour Guide (on the left) with Ship Passengers

Various Parts of the Confucius Temple Complex

Our last stop in Tainan is the Chikan Towers Fortress. We are then on our way returning in about 45 minutes to the ship. I stop in the Lido Buffet for a quick lunch, and then I am out again, this time alone, to visit Pier 2, a popular harbor-sids arts center. The walk is a little longer than it looks on the map, so I don't have much time to visit and shop at each artist studio. On the way over, I have a closer look at the Children's Park, with its many inflatable play areas.

The Pier 2 Arts Center is a series of former warehouses, re-purposed for artists and visitors. It is a popular place for families and young people to wander around, with larger-than-life exhibits everywhere.