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Taiwan Travel Tips

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Bicycle Trekking in Taipei...What a fun day
Bicycle Trekking in Taipei…What a fun day

Taiwan Travel Tips ]

Travel tips to help you enjoy your Taiwan trip.

Taiwan is a unique, and wonderful place to explore, and with these simple Taiwan Travel Tips you will be well on your way to having a great adventure. With so much to see, and do we had a real hard time selecting just a few points. So it has been decided that this piece to be edited over time, and more information will be added to improve the usefulness of this small Taiwan Travel Guide. If you take the Taiwan high speed rail system from Taipei the following areas can be visited very easily. We will concentrate on these section in our introduction for now.

First of all you have to break Taiwan into several pieces from a environment standpoint or adventure standpoint. The northern area is more Chinese in nature, and speaks mandarin fluently. The food is multi-ethnic since Taipei is an international city with visitors from around the world. The north has wonderful hot springs, and a cool northern coast for some island exploration with great seafood.

The more north central areas of Hsinchu county are more windy but have influences of north Taiwan Chinese, Hakka Chinese, and aboriginal peoples who are traditionally from the area. There are great mountains with peaks that are accessible via automobile, and hiking trails. Locals and visitors alike bike along the small roads in the countryside, and enjoy the agricultural views along the way.

taiwan travel tips
Steps to a perfect view over looking Haishengping Bay, Green Island
  1. Taiwan is a not a tropical island per say, and is more of a sub tropic location. So you must be prepared for the wind, cold mountains, and tropic heat in the south. Make sure to have a wind jacket if in the winter, and loose cool clothing if in the south.

    taiwan travel tips
    “Taiwan’s Famous Stinky Tofu” Love or hate it, just gotta have it!
  2. The food in Taiwan is great, and has a tremendous amount of unique delicacies. Stinky tofu has a really bad smell, but the taste is pretty good. So consider trying it at one of Taiwan’s famous night markets. As you travel around Taiwan please consider that the type of food will change from very traditional Chinese styles to Hakka in the Hsinchu area, and even some curry fish dishes in the south area of Tainan or Kaohsiung.

    Coral Reef
    Collecting Algae along the Green Island Taiwan coastline.
  3. Consider going out to one of Taiwan’s islands. We really enjoyed “Green Island” with all of its great photography, nature, site seeing, and scuba diving. The traditional life still carries on there, and everyone local who lives there is super friendly. We went in winter, and had the whole island to ourselves, and then went back again in the summer, and it was very crowed but still fun. There is a rare hot spring there that is one of the very few salt water hot springs in the world.

  4. Xinwu Mazu Temple
    Xinwu Mazu Temple overlooking the Sea in Xinwu Township Taiwan
  5. Taiwan temples, and learning the local culture can be a very enriching experience. No matter what your religion is we still recommend that you visit a few in Taipei or another location. To truly understand who the Taiwanese are and how to interact with them knowing their culture, and religious traditions can help you on your quest for adventure. You will find the religious, and temple culture unique, and very interesting.

    Songhe chefs create a culinary delight at the Grand Garden restaurant in Taipei Taiwan
    Grand hotel Grand Garden restaurant

5. The Grand Hotel in Taipei is very original, and a great opportunity to take some wonderful photographs,and while enjoying some of the best food in Taiwan. The hotel has several restaurants, and the buffett has rare delicacies from all over asia.Aboriginal and Hakka village in Hsinchu county Taiwan

6. In the mountains just outside of HsinChu city Taiwan; there is a community of people from some of the aboriginal, Hakka, and others of Chinese decent. This area of HsinChu county is very rural, and has some unusual photography, market, and foodie travel opportunities. You can go here for the day or spend the night for an even better experience. We did eat in the market area, and on the hill. The food was really good, and lower cost due to the lack of tourism, and traffic.

Seediq 賽德克族 Taiwan's Aboriginal Tribesmen
Seediq 賽德克族 Taiwan’s Aboriginal Tribesmen

7. Visit the aboriginal cultural centers in the south of Taiwan. These places will give you a great overview, and understanding of Taiwan’s aboriginal past. Some of these centers house multiple museums, and interaction with people who represent each tribe present in Taiwan today.

Pingtung County
Exploretraveler.com Team with new friends Dario and Joy, in the rich culture of the Paiwan and Rukai Tribes at Sandiman Village in Southern Taiwan

We hope you enjoy these Taiwan Travel Tips and we will continue to add to this over time.

 

Happy Travels,

ExploreTraveler

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Diving Warm Volcanic Waters

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Diving the volcanic waters

Diving Warm Volcanic Waters

Diving warm volcanic waters of the deep is spectacular. The warm tropical climate is awesome. The water is clear and clean. You can see forever!  Just as volcanic soil can really grow almost everything, so it is with the sea. These waters are rich with marine life! Diving warm volcanic waters is an unforgettable experience. It is a vacation in paradise! The richness of the sea is so vast that the volume of colorful tropical fish is amazing. The rich abundance of smaller fish bring in larger marine life, such as sharks.  As one diver put it, “telling you what you will see is impossible! Maybe, I should tell you what you will not see.” One thing is for sure, the list would be shorter.

Diving warm volcanic waters brings you smack dab into the warm Japanese current. It is that current that allows you to see over 200 species of coral. There are miles of hard and soft coral beds waiting for your exploration. What beauty!  There is a vast amount of Mountain Coral in these waters. The Mountain Coral can only be seen within the Japanese current. What a privilege to dive these unspoiled and crystal clear waters. What an amazing underwater adventure! This is a divers paradise! It is a jewel that is unforgettable! It is one of Taiwan’s gems! It is one of Asia’s best kept secrets! Diving warm volcanic waters generates a spirit of awe! The amazing waters around Green Island creates what only nature can……a most magnificent diving site!

Diving warm volcanic waters brings an element of surprise. Green Island was once known as “Fire Island.” It is this amazing fire that created such spectacular beauty. The volcanic formation of the island left a rough and curvy coastline. Coastal beach terraces stair step off into a sea of coral. Fantastic cliffs drop off into the warm tropical waters. White sand beaches fill the coastline of the island. The beautiful coves around the island lead out to the deep blue Pacific. What fantastic beauty abounds! Diving warm volcanic waters is a dive into paradise.

Spectacular Coral Beds

Warm, crystal-clear, shallow tropical waters provide the perfect growing environment for coral. Green Island is exceedingly blessed with such a fantastic ocean environment. Location can be everything! Green Island is a tropical island located in the middle of the north-flowing channel of the warm Japanese Current. It is this awesome location that has provided such a magnificent world of coral. What beautiful underwater skyscrapers! The intensity of the colors is amazing! There are over 200 different varieties of coral around Green Island. This in itself would be magnificent. These amazing coral beds are home to more than 300 species of marine life. The beautiful bright-colored reef fish are the most abundant. These brightly-colored fish  gracefully swim among the coral cityscape. What a beautiful world! What an grand undersea display! What a wild and vibrate underwater pageant. This underwater pageant is waiting to be explored. You’ll find it, surrounding Green Island. It is a jewel in the midst of the warm tropical sea.

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Published on [email protected] on June 9,2017 at:

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Green Island Adventure

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Green Island Adventure

Green Island Adventure

Green Island Adventure looms before our eyes! What unspoiled tranquility lies all around. The water is so blue and welcoming. The lure of unknown adventure is in the air. We gaze at our destination from a far. Some of the finest dive sites in Asia are in these waters. The door to a water paradise is wide open as we race toward our destination. Green Island is an island of untold mysteries beneath the sea. Just dive and see all the brightly colored coral fish. As we race across the deep blue sea, we ponder our next Green Island adventure.

Green Island Get Away

Are you wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of Taiwanese cities? Is your head tired of crunching numbers all week? If you are wanting to get away, then Green Island is your paradise. Green Island is the perfect place for the nature lover. This small island is sparsely populated. There are a few towns, but most of the island is an open paradise. Adventure is everywhere!  For the most part,  the island has been kept free from commercial development. There are dive resorts on the Western and Northern side of the island. There you will find restaurants with amazing food.  From the moment you arrive, adventure is waiting.

Divers Heaven

International visitors are delighted with the quality of diving off Green Island. This is some of the best diving in all of Asia. The water is pure and clean. It is the deepest blue. Visibility seems to be endless.  The beautiful coral reefs are amazing. There are over 200 species of hard and soft coral in these unspoiled waters. It is even home to the Mountain Coral which is found only in the warm Japanese current. Beautiful colored tropical fish and coral reefs put on an amazing underwater display.  Snorkeling and scuba diving excursions are available with trained guides. First timers have nothing to fear. Everything is professional and safety a priority. For those who prefer not to dive, there are glass bottom boats cruises. These boats  cruise above the amazing coral reefs. No matter how you choose to enjoy Green Island, adventure is waiting.

Plenty Of Adventure

Green Island is a nature lovers paradise! Life on the island is relaxed. The pace of life is slow, giving ample time to savor each experience. The islanders are friendly and give their guests a pollution free environment to enjoy. Here you get away from the intense tourist spots and simply enjoy Taiwan at it’s finest. The island can be easily hiked by anyone.  There are many trails waiting to be discovered. For those not so ambitious, rent a bike or a motor scooter and cruise around the island in style. Discover the island! Set out on a Green Island Adventure. Enjoy the many rock formations that are present on the beaches. They are magnificent! No matter where you go on the island,  excitement is waiting. The climate is tropical and can be enjoyed year around. The water is always warm and inviting. Green Island is in the tropics, so even if it is miserable in Taipei, it might be beautiful on Green Island. Green Island is waiting. Escape the city! Explore the unknown! Discover your Green Island Adventure today!

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Published on [email protected] June 7, 2017 at:

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Sogod Bay Southern Leyte, Philippines

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Sogod Bay in the Philippines
Treasuring the moment as evening sets at Sogod Bay in the Philippines

Sogod Bay As The Evening Sets

Sogod Bay, as the evening sets, is so beautiful. When you look across the bay, the water is so blue that it blends into the sky. Can you picture watching the sunset across the bay? What majestic beauty! The perfect end, to a delightful day.

Watching the natural beauty of the bay is a fantastic experience, but it does not end there. As beautiful as the bay is, there is more! Sogod Bay is an underwater paradise teaming with soft and hard corals. These waters are home to an endless variety  of beautiful marine life – all waiting to be explored.  With extraordinary reefs, divers delight in beds of coral with amazing and steep drop-offs. For the more experience diver, there are shelves and walls to delight you. On the floor of the bay there is   black sand teeming with  life. This is the other side of Sogod Bay!

What might you see on the underwater side of the bay? First you will notice an awesome cover of soft coral with beds of hard coral. As you move through the coral beds you may see the shrimp fish, the pipe fish, the frog fish, and the bat fish.  There are so many amazing creatures for us to see. You might see Sea turtles and lion fish. There is a Charismatic Signal gobie fish that lives on the sandy seabeds. They mimic the eye spots and claws of a crab. This is their built in way to fight off predators. It is amazing what you can see and this is just the beginning. If you have a trained eye, you may spot the frog fish and the scorpion fish waiting to ambush an unsuspecting predator. The blue-spotted Ribbon Tail Rays are extraordinary.  Large families of snapper run through the reefs and are awesome to watch. If you watch you may see the odd looking Dogtooth Tuna or a Great Barracuda.

Not only is Sogod Bay a divers paradise, but it is a snorkelers dream. Because of the massive numbers of plankton in these waters, the Whale Shark also calls this their home between November and April as they drift through the bay on their migratory route. There are many snorkeling trips that seek out opportunities for snorkelers to swim with the  Whale Shark. These huge sharks move with a smooth continuous motion, making very little noise. Those who have had the privaledge to swim with these magnificant creatures of the sea, know that it will take all your best swimming skills to keep up.

Not only is Sogod awesome for the tourist looking for peaceful sunsets and an awesome beach, it is a delight to the photographer. Underwater photographers often return multiple times to the same spot or shelf to get as many of the different shots available. Sogod is an underwater photographers dream, with an unlimited number of wide angle shots.

What are you waiting for? Make this the year you discover Sogod Bay Southern Leyte, Philippines. Grab your passport and pack your bags.

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Peter’s Dive Resort Philippines

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PETER’S DIVE RESORT
Scuba Diving in Sogod Bay in the Philippines

Peter’s Dive Resort Philippines

Peter’s Dive Resort has welcomed the divers of the world since it opened in 2000. It’s Southern Leyte location makes it easy to explore the many marine sanctuaries surrounding Leyte, Philippines.  In Leyte you will find world-class diving in pristine waters. The reefs are a mixture of both hard and soft corals of every color imaginable. These beautiful virgin reefs are home to over 2,000 species of fish. Here you will discover the Pygmy Seahorse and perhaps even spot a Whale Shark, as it is feeding in Sogod Bay. Whale Sharks are usually spotted from October to May. The rich plankton provides an excellent feeding ground for these magnificent sea creatures.

Whaleshark 2 is the backbone of Peter’s Dive Resort . It has the reputation of being one of the strongest seaworthy boats in the area. It is extremely spacious and is a convenient wet weather boat. It has a 100% safety record. All dives are accompanied by experienced dive guides. Your comfort and safety are of extreme importance. Whaleshark 3 is a smaller boat and is an excellent back up for the busy times. It also has a 100% safety record.

The service at Peter’s Dive Resort  is excellent. Among the many amenities are wi-fi and a safe deposit box that is located in the office. There is a spacious indoor pool, dive Shop, and a well equipped gym. The restaurant is air-conditioned and has a full service cocktail bar.  Enjoy the local cuisine of the Philippines. The food is excellent and the fish is fresh! There is nothing like a feast after a dive!

For those who want to get out and explore the island there are motorbikes for hire by the day, including insurance. Peter’s Dive Resort makes all the local arrangements for you, and if you have extra energy but want to stay on site, you will find table tennis and darts in the pool area. For those who come back from the dive a little tired, in-house massages are also available.

There are many different types of accommodations at Peter’s Dive Resort. You can choose houses, cottages, or luxury rooms. No matter what you choose, they are clean and the service is excellent. For those who prefer to save their money for diving, Peter’s Dive Resort is  the only resort in the area to offer dormitories for the divers. You will find a description of all the types of accommodations on their website below.

Peter’s Dive Resort accepts USD and EURO foreign currency at their own exchange rate. They also accept most major credit cards. Discounts are offered to those buying 10 dives or more. Divers are given a discount on their room accommodations. Group rates are available.  Contact the resort for information on groups. There is a contact form on their website. If you prefer, you can also call or write the resort at the address or phone number below.

http://whaleofadive.com/

Peter’s Dive Resort
Barangay Lungsodaan
6602 Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte
The Philippines
Mobile: +63917-791-0993
+63915-437-7560

Make this the year you discover the Southern Leyte, Philippines. Peter’s Dive Resort is an excellent choice for the diver and the snorkeler alike. There are even classes for those desiring to get Padi Certification.  For other information on the area, see our website at Exploretraveler.com. 

Green Island, Taiwan

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Green Island, Taiwan

 

Nestled in the channel of the Japanese current off of the Southeastern shores of Taiwan is the hidden gem of Green Island. Less than 21 miles from the main island of Taiwan, this small island in the Pacific, is a paradise for both snorkelers and scuba divers alike. It’s rugged shores and coral reefs are filled with schools of tropical fish and flora. It’s rugged shores have steep cliffs which drop to the coral reefs below. These colorful coral reefs are home to over 300 species of tropical fish. There is also many coves around the island, and an abundance of white sand beaches.

The warm, clear, water surrounding the island makes the perfect environment for all the awesome underwater cityscapes of coral that thrive along the shoreline. There are many different species of coral, each with its own variety of color. All of these coral cityscapes are home to hundreds of different colorful tropical fish. What an adventure is waiting on Green Island!

There are several fascinating underwater adventures available, some not even requiring that you get wet. Several different glass-bottom boat tours are available, as well as semi-submersible and fully submersible tourist submarines. Many causal hiking opportunities are available  and cyclists will enjoy the paths and roads surrounding the island.And for the divers who are qualified, just put on your tanks and enter the fascinating underwater world of Green Island, Taiwan.

No matter if you enjoy hiking, cycling, casual walking, boating, diving,or just want to relax,  there is something for everyone. Those who enjoy history will enjoy a visit to the prisons. Green Island,Taiwan was used for different  types of prisons over the decades, each with their own stories to tell. For those who want to just sit and enjoy the warm water of the hot springs, there are several salt water pools available. So no matter what you want to do, there is something for you on Green Island.

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