That first visit was simply NOT enough. The stroll from the Kaohsiung Music Center to the Whale Promenade across the bridge gave us a sweat. Feeling a tad out of place with the younger crowd that late Sunday afternoon cheering on a band onstage amidst food kiosks and arts and crafts booths, we headed back to our hotel in time for dinner at a nearby izakaya. On our last full day in Kaohsiung, we leisurely spent the day food shopping in the morning, then checking out this institution of a beef noodle house which has been in business for 65 years. We beat the lunch crowd and promptly got a table without having to line up. Siesta after lunch, why not? It was only wise to wait till late afternoon when it’s not too sunny and humid before giving Pier 2 another stroll with plans to enjoy cocktails in one of the seafood restaurants by the riverbank. Another afternoon, another sunset.
The row of brick warehousesand some art installations happened to be right behind the Kaohsiung Music Center. A wide promenade good for joggers, sightseersas well as some avid shoppers and friends who just want to hang out, perhaps helped along by some alcoholic beverages. We watched as the sun set and thereafter indulged in sundown cocktails in this seafood resto and wine bar by the riverbank called Yonshin Fudopia. For the first time, I’ve tried whelks — a kind of marine snails used for food — which I absolutely enjoyed! Besides, vino by the waters by sundown is one pleasurable moment in my book. A slight breeze on an otherwise humid day with good company clinched the deal.
The art installations by the water’s edge continue beyond the bridge all the way to a parkand Art Center. It’s a good walk. I headed back the following morning and simply traced the route of the light rail which weaved thru brick warehouses and a mini park. A robot here, a peeing boy painted on a wall, a giant statue, some more art installations which included a mini train, something that looked like either a phonographor a megaphone, a suitcase, dragon, swing, etc. Tried to eavesdrop on this bunch of school kids with their teacher spilling details on the sculptures but no deal — can’t break through the Chinese spiel. For sure, those kids were awed by the lessons.
By and large, Kaohsiung is a more quiet, cleanerplace than Taipei. We’ve skipped the touristy stuff and simply enjoyed the shopping and strolls by the pier. We could have done better in the dining department though but trip’s short and sweet so that’s alright. I slept real good and I haven’t done that in a long time. Like 8 to 9 hours! Trips with absolutely no agenda do work.
We arrived on a Saturday evening and settled on an al fresco dinner around the corner from our Fullon Kaohsiung Hotel before calling it a night. Though it was just a 2-hour flight with no time difference from Manila time, airport departures and arrivals still shift one’s balance and leave you tired and restless. The dinner in this hole in the wall was both funny and satisfying. We had our fill of Taiwan beer and Kirin along with bowls of fish, gelatinous pork, spicy clams, Taiwanese sausages, anchovies, and whatever else our eyes fancied. We were famished and tired. And the restaurant ran out of rice but we were a bunch of uncomplaining, happy diners. A good start.
Touchdown, Kaohsiung!
Dinner in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant
The next morning, we walked 3 blocks towards the Holy Rosary Cathedral for our Sunday English Mass, followed by shopping at the SKM Mall. By late afternoon, we were ready to pay the Pier 2 Arts Center a visit. Just a walking distance from our hotel but we only managed to visit the Music Center and the Whale Promenade across. There was a very young crowd that Sunday evening, complete with a a stage for some entertainment hemmed in by rows and rows of food and crafts booths. Like a Mercato with a stage band! Worked up a sweat just walking around. Missed a good part of the Art Center (it can wait another day) as it swiftly turned dark after sunset.
Holy. Rosary CathedralA carousel outside the SKM Mall
Shopping was alright. Bagged a few items but I’m not much of a shopper anyway. Besides, Uniqlo prices here seem higher than what they fetch back in Manila. Better to enjoy my hotpot lunch instead of shuttling between the outlet stores. But then again, my hotpot meal left much to be desired that I vowed to search for a good hotpot or beef noodle house while I’m here. (We found one the following Monday)
Gang Yuan Noodle House. 65 years in business.
The. Kaohsiung Music Center at Sunset
Would anyone recognize this singer?
It’s nice to be back in Taiwan. My last visit was years ago, where I still remember the excellent meals we partook with delightful plum wines. Had a local then who took us to good dining outlets. With only 3 nights to spend here, there may not be enough chances 🥲 as we’ve only covered that al fresco dinner, beef noodle house and a Japanese izakaya. Let’s see how our luck turns out in the few meals remaining.
lifeisacelebration 