Orchid Island by land

Over the last weekend, some friends and I travelled to Orchid (Lanyu) Island off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. This island is majestic. It is still run by the Yami aboriginal tribe. I don't have any pictures of the tribal stuff that was on the island, as it is highly spiritual to them and considered in very poor taste to photograph anything aboriginal. And I do not blame them; they are trying to hold onto their culture while not becoming a tourist attraction. For that reason, the island is incredibly difficult to get to. There are three options: a ferry near where I am living in Kenting, a ferry from Taidong on the east coast, or an airplane from Taidong that you cannot make reservations for and must just put your name on an incredibly long standby list. But, oh boy, was it worth it. The diving is otherworldly (I'll get to that in another post) and the mountainous, volcanic island makes for breathtaking views. Anyone visiting should rent scooters, as it only takes an hour and a half to circle the entire island on scooter.

(Sarah and I on the ferry which is nicknamed "puke boat")

 (Fruit stand in the village)

 (Steps outside our guesthouse)

 (Pig in the village)

 (Chieh-wen scootin')

 (On ring road, one of two roads on the island)

 (A nuclear waste dumping ground was put on the island against the will of the aboriginal people)

 (Some of the protest graffiti)

 (Scootin' around the island)

 (Ring road)

(With the owner and jewelry maker at a shop we stopped at)

 (The other road, Traverse Road, takes you up to the weather observatory and breathtaking views)

(Sarah capturing the moment)

(The group at the observatory)

(Impromptu yoga session on the meditation platform)

You should also stay in a guesthouse, not one of the handful of hotels. Why? The people are amazing! Our house owner drove us around the island one night to show us a flower that only blooms at night and to a perfect spot for star gazing. Then she needed to run to the store so she got beers for all of us and insisted on buying us snacks as well. On our last night she cooked a traditional aboriginal soup for our whole group at her restaurant. I will never ever forget my experience on Orchid Island, and I can only hope I will get to go back someday.

 (Ready for our night tour)

 (This flower only blooms at night and the tips seem to almost glow)

 (Up close look at a flower that had fallen)

(With our host and her daughter)

 (Aboriginal noodle soup made by our host)

(Hanging around the guest house)

I feel as though I have so inadequately described the experience I had on Orchid Island. The people were all so kind and helpful. The views were second to none. And the island does not seemed to be scarred by tourism at all. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it!

Love to all!

Jules