Life is all about travel. Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets. Adventure can remind you to explore new horizons, and step out of your comfort zone
Cijin Island is a very small island in Kaohsiung Taiwan. Kaohsiung is belong to the Southern area in Taiwan. It is just 15 minutes ferry ride outside the famous Kaohsiung Harbour to the Cijin Island. Although it is a very small Island, this island has become a favorited destination for those people whoever had visiting the city. The island is famous not just only for historical and cultural sites, but also for the fresh seafood around the night market. It really is perfect for any type of travelers; no matter if you are visiting for a hiking trip, sightseeing, cycling, photography etc. Cijin Island has something special for everyone.
Cijin Island is one of those destinations that always has visitors and it is the best tourists attractions in Taiwan, it is because there is so much trip to do in the island. Those who love a good hike usually make their way to the famous Cijin Lighthouse that is located on top of the hills. The hike is not difficult and it is easy to navigate around the trails, so it is very suitable for many people. Cycling around the island is also a preferred activity in Cijin Island; some of the best places that can be explored include the Cijin Windpower Park and the Cijin Seashore Park. Exploring an island is not completely without a dip in the water, and because the water in Cijin is quite warm, many love to relax while soaking their feet or taking a swim by the beach. Lastly, it is also important to try some seafood in the port area of Cijin since it is known to be very fresh.
Which Month and what season of the year will be the best for visit
There is four seasons in Taiwan. They are Winter, Autumn, Spring and Summer. Taiwan season is totally opposite with Australia seasons. For example, When Australia is on Winter, Taiwan is on the Summer season. Many people are wondering that which season would be the best visit Cijin Island. In my personal experience, the best time to visit Cijin Island would be between September and February of the years. That would be when the summer about to end. It is because Summer is the season of raining which is not able to explore much on the island while raining so it is very best to visit between September and February which was Autumn, Winter and Spring season. I am not recommended to visit between June and August as the weather is too heat with raining. You may wondering that why Winter would be good to visit. Well, Kaohsiung won’t be freezing during the winter. It is totally different with Taipei City.
Please note that during the summer seasons, the ocean wave is pretty strong due to the weather
Introduction of the Cijin Lighthouse
Lighthouse
According to the photo taken above, it is taken from the Lighthouse in the Cijin Island. Aside from the scenery, Cijin is also famous for its historical sites, including the Cijin Lighthouse and the Cijin Fort. In 1883, British engineers built the Cijin Lighthouse, which was used for the military during their conflicts with France. The lighthouse went through several reconstructions during the Japanese colonisation, and it is now open to the public. The Cijin Fort is also a historical site in the island that must be on the itinerary. The fort was originally built in 1720 and has witnessed quite a lot during its time. Since it was destroyed in the war, the fort was reconstructed in 1991 and is now one of the most famous attractions in Cijin Island that offers a magnificent 360 view.
The History of Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell Monument in the Cijin
Basically James Laidlaw Maxwell Senior Chinese name called 馬雅各 and he was born on 18 March 1836 in Scotland. March 1921 was the first Presbyterian Missionary to Formosa (Qing-era Taiwan). He served with the English Presbyterian Mission.
Maxwell studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and completed his degree in year 1858 with a graduation thesis of The Chemistry and Physiology of the Spleen. He worked in London at Brompton Hospital and at the Birmingham General Hospital. He was an elder in the Broad Street Presbyterian Church before being sent to Taiwan by the Presbyterian Church of England (now within the United Reformed Church) in 1864. He donated a small printing press to the church which was later used to print the Taiwan Church News.
On 16 June 1865, at the urging of missionaries H.L. Mackenzie and Carstairs Douglas, he established the first Presbyterian church in Taiwan, this date now celebrated by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan as its anniversary. First of his mission centred in the then-capital Taiwan Fu (now Tainan city); in 1868 he moved near Cijin and now part of Kaohsiung where his work place, both medical and missionary, became more welcomed. In early 1872 he advised Canadian Presbyterian missionary pioneer George Leslie Mackay to start his work in northern Taiwan, near Tamsui.
He married with Mary Anne Goodall who died on January 1918 of Handsworth on 7 April 1868 in HongKong. They had two sons, John Preston and James Laidlaw Jnr, both of whom later also became medical missionaries. He retired in London in 1885 where he formed and became the first secretary of the Medical Missionary Association. He and his sons oversaw the construction of Sin-Lau Hospital in Tainan, the first western-style hospital in Taiwan. The younger J. L. Maxwell served in the Tainan hospital from 1900 to 1923, during Taiwan’s Japanese Era.
How to travel down to the Cijin Island
How to travel down to the Cijin Island? Well, this would be depending on where will you be coming down from. Firstly, getting to the Cijin Island from Kaohsiung City is very easy. Just take the MRT orange line and get off at Sizihwan MRT Station. From there, just head to the harbour and take Cijin Ferry; instructions from the MRT station to the harbour are available around the streets and it will take about 10 minutes to get there on foot. The cost to the Cijin Ferry is roughly NT$15 (approximately 0.50 USD) and the journey is around 15 minutes. Travelers can take a bike on the ferry so if you prefer to rent a bike in Sizihwan, so it wouldn’t be an issue.
But if you are drive, you wouldn’t need to worry about the ferry and you can explore much more surround the island by car.
For instances, when traveling to Kaohsiung, do saving a day for Cijin Island is a definitely a no-brainer. This island offers varieties of activities and sights for many types of travelers, starting from hiking, cycling, sightseeing, to eating. How can anyone say not to that? So, if you are planning to travel in Taiwan and looking for something to do in Kaohsiung, be sure to take a day trip to Cijin Island. You won’t feel regret to visit as it is worth of travelling. #vacation#dream#summer#Cijinisland
Hope you enjoy your vacation when you get there one day. Stay tuned for my next post 🙂
Dolphin discovery centre is located in Koombana Bay Bunbury WA and it is a top tourist attractions in Bunbury Western Australia. This attraction is for tourist to have premier wild dolphin experience. They have a good facilities such as cafe and restaurant. Their food are yummy and I do recommended for a taste. They do have 4 tours market. These tours are interaction zone, interpretive centre, Dolphin Eco Cruises and swim with the dolphins.
Interaction Zones
Firstly, interaction zone with so many dolphins living along the coast, Bunbury and Koombana Bay offer the perfect opportunity for dolphins and humans to meet and interact. The Interaction Zone has been designated as a special dolphin protection area for this very purpose. Under strict license conditions set out by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (BDCA), the Centre has been able to offer a unique interactive experience on the beach right in front of the Centre since 1989. Dolphin Volunteers have been trained to ensure the interaction guidelines are followed and they will always be present on the beach to answer your questions and manage the interaction should dolphins visit the Zone. Naturally, being a wild animal there is no set time, however, the most common visit times are in the mornings of the warmer months between 8 am – 12 noon! Therefore, there is no ticket or booking requires!
Interpretive Centre
Secondly, interpretive centre is the aquarium where will give the tourists to experience the local marine environment. Also, there is a feeding program. All age groups are welcome to participate with interpretive centre. However, there is $18 per person for the admission fees. There is an option of package with the dolphin eco cruises. Please take note that 3 years old and below are free of charge.
Dolphin Eco Cruises
Dolphin Surfing
Thirdly, the Dolphin Discovery Centre’s Dolphin Eco Cruise is for 90 minutes within Koombana Bay. Centre’s vessel provides an excellent viewing platform designed to get you as close as possible to the dolphins – without getting your feet wet! The team will introduce you to their local Bottlenose Dolphins as they interact in their natural environment. Many of the Dolphins seen on the cruise call Koombana Bay their home. They can be seen frolicking, playing, sleeping and feeding during the cruise. The informative commentary from the skipper will keep you updated throughout. This tour is running daily for 12pm noon scheduled! The cost fees will be $54 per person. I do highly recommended for you as a tourist to go for a tour and experience Dolphin eco cruises. $54 fares included for you to learn more about the Dolphin genders, surfing, food they eat etc…..The best day to go will be between October and May. Please try to avoid cold or raining season due to the horrible weather.
Swim with the Dolphins
Lastly, I do highly recommended for swim with the dolphins for an intimate swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment. This tour is the most popular and exhilarating experience. Visitors are given the opportunity to swim with the wild Bottlenose Dolphins in their own environment. Accompanied by my experienced guide and trained volunteers you will venture into the open waters of Koombana Bay. Depending on dolphin sightings you will be guided into the water where the dolphins may elect to initiate interaction with the swimmers. As they are wild dolphins, interaction cannot be guaranteed. This tour is only available between November – April. Always running at 8am sharps. Regarding to the prices, swimmers will be cost $165 per person, Observers cost $85 per person.
History of Dolphin Discovery Centre
During the mid 1960s, local resident Mrs Evelyn Smith began feeding the dolphins from a small jetty near her home on the Leschenault Inlet (directly south of the Discovery Centre). However, it wasn’t until 1989 that a dolphin specialist was hired by the newly established Bunbury Dolphin Trust to continue this tradition and begin feeding and studying the local dolphins of Koombana Bay.
From this work came the establishment of the Interaction Zone in 1990 and the Dolphin Discovery Centre in 1994 to allow tourists and members of the community to interact, understand and enjoy the group of five to six dolphins that regularly visit this Zone. We don’t clearly understand why the dolphins continue to visit the Zone today, however, research suggests that the small amount of food they receive as a reward for their visit is not the only attraction. There are many dolphins that visit the Zone regularly that do not receive any fish and many of them stay for extended periods of time for interaction with the human visitors. Sick and injured dolphins also treat the beach as a haven, with some repeatedly visiting during periods of illness or injury. A weekly dolphin visitation chart is maintained on site as a guide for people who visit the Centre. The Dolphin Discovery Centre will continue to grow and increase its resources to further make its mark on the tourism industry and to continue to care and conserve the Koombana Bay dolphins.
How to get to the Dolphin Discovery Centre?
South West Coachlines
Well, this is depend on where are you coming down from. If you are coming down from Perth airport, you will need to book for the South West Coachlines buses from airport to the Bunbury Bus Station. It will takes for about 3 hours to get to Bunbury. If you are coming down from Perth City, there is two public transportation go to Bunbury. They are Australind train line and the South West Coachline buses. The pickup point for the buses will be at Elizabeth Quay Bus Station. It will takes for 4 hours to get there from Perth. After you arrive the Bunbury Bus Station, it will take you for a walk to Dolphin Discovery Centre for about 15 to 20 minutes walk. Buses is strongly recommended as the distance to the DDC is pretty closely. For the train line, it will takes for 2 hours to get to Bunbury which is very good and fast but there is a distance to the centre so you will need to take the bus to get to the centre from Bunbury train station if you catch train line down. Train line is much cheaper than buses. This will be up to your preference. Go for a visit and Enjoy yourself!!
TravelQueen4ever 旅遊的璐 