DAY 67---KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN

 

        We were actually docked a half hour earlier then the 11am plan.  We had nice sunny skies today and the temperature was a warm 80 degrees but there was a nice breeze so not too bad.  Again this was our first visit to Taiwan and the port of Kaohsiung.  

Historical/Background Info

        Kaohsiung is a city in southern Taiwan and is the third most populous city on the island with a population of 2.72 million.  It was founded in the 1600's and has grown from a small trading village into a political and economic center of southern Taiwan.  Its key industries are manufacturing, steel making, oil refining, freight transport, and shipbuilding.  It's port is the largest and busiest harbor in Taiwan.  The Republic of China navy fleet headquarters and its naval academy are here.  

        The Love River flows into the harbor through the Old City and downtown.  The port is an exporting center and serves the agricultural interior of Taiwan by exporting rice, sugar, pineapples, bananas peanuts, and citrus fruits.  It has fertilizer factories, sugar refineries, and canning factories.

        They are trying to increase tourism.  The main landmarks include the 85 Sky Tower, Ferris Wheel, Dream Mall, arena, and the port.  It is also home to many museums.  There are also many night markets.  Buddhism is one of the major religions and there are approximately 1500 temples in the city.  Other religions are:  Taoists, Muslim, and Christian.

LAST EVENING

                                                               City light prior to sailing.

                                                                  We dined in Prime 7.

                                            I had the usual crab cake for my appetizer.

          Rebecca had the jumbo shrimp cocktail.  Too much for her so she shared one with me.

TODAY

This is the new Kaohsiung Music Center.  It opened in October 2021.  These photos taken from deck 12 this morning after we docked.

Cruise terminal.  There is a brand new one but we are here.  I have a photo of the new one that I will have later on.

                                                   Someone being taken to the hospital.

                                                    Tour buses all lined up ready for us.

        We both got our workout in early.  La Veranda opened early at 11:30 due to tours so we ran up and I grabbed a couple slices of pizza for lunch.  Our tour departed at 12:15 and did not get back to the ship until 4:45pm.  Rebecca ran aboard to get showered and her hair washed while I remained in the terminal to use the internet there to upload my 60+ photos taken today.  It took me just 10 minutes to do it as the internet was so good.  It would have taken me hours to do it on the ship.

        It is now 5:30 and I need to shower also as we have to be in Sette Mari around 6:30 as Donald, maitre'd, is holding a table for us.  We will have our cocktail hour here in the suite this evening while getting ready.

        The ship is departing here at 8pm and we will have two sea days before reaching Vietnam.  So I will wait to put today's tour photos on tomorrow's post.

        There is a show tonight featuring Scot Robin doing a tribute to Buddy Holly.  We will try to catch it as sounds interesting.