We weren't scheduled to dock until 8am, so we didn't have to roll out of bed until 7am. Our little group assembled in the Ocean Bar and after the ship clearance announcement was made, we scanned off the ship and walked through the small terminal area. A couple of us tried to use our ATM cards to get local currency, but we were unsuccessful. In the end it didn't matter as our US$ were accepted where we needed them.
We headed off with Andy, our driver and guide, for our first stop at the Lotus Pond. This area is marked by a very colorful dragon and tiger with a couple towers. Across the street is a temple and we visited it along with another temple down the street devoted to government officials and business people. Next we drove a ways out of town to an area called Tianlao Moon World Mud Rock Geology Tourist Center which could best be described as a miniature Dakota Badlands. It was quite scenic and we strolled around a little retaining lake named the Jade Pool formed by a set of earthen dams. The Rihyue Temple was also located there but we didn't visit it.
After a short drive back towards the city we came to the Fokuangshan Monastery. Its notable feature is the world's largest sitting Buddha and the teaching here is of the Humanistic persuasion as championed by one monk. The complex is huge and contains meeting rooms, museums, a hotel, restaurants, and the like. Our meal there was nice with many courses of primarily vegetarian cuisine. The cost was $15US per person.
After lunch we made our way back to the city and saw the glass done in the main subway station before visiting the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and then the Shoushan Love lookout (it overlooks the Love River). We were back at the terminal just after 4pm and said our goodbyes to Andy, did a little internet in the terminal, and then were shooed back onto the Volendam.
There were no stragglers and we watched the sailaway from the Crow's Nest while enjoying nuts and a beverage and conversation with a couple from Alaska that we've sailed with before. The captain indicated that the narrow harbor entrance was only 1 1/2 ship widths and I can certainly agree that it was narrow as we passed through. There was an electronic guidance screen to aid in the departure. Once we were out in the open sea we turned north to follow the west coast of Taiwan which should give us some smoother seas tonight.
After a very light dinner we watched a short film about Salvador Dali and Walt Disney (a strange combo to say the least) and then the movie 'Red Obsession' a documentary about China's obsession with Bordeaux wines. We capped the evening off watching the cast performance of 'Dance'.
Tomorrow we're in Keelung which is the gateway to Taipei, Taiwan. Stay tuned for more adventures.
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