Port of Call: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

The first time I read about Kaohsiung, it was all about its busy port and the incredible volume of goods passing through. A friend once told me she thought the city sounded too industrial, so she skipped it on her trip to Taiwan. But our visit in early February revealed a completely different side of Kaohsiung. Perhaps it helped that our cousin took us off the beaten path to discover its more serene and artsy side, with stops ranging from farms to temples.

Talk about serendipity! We happened to be in town just as my husband’s cousin (yes, another one!) was celebrating a milestone birthday. The two cousins hadn't seen each other in 50 years!

The celebration took place at their farmhouse. The kids had a blast collecting eggs while the adults picked fresh vegetables. We then brought our harvest to a family restaurant, where everything was cooked up for lunch. Now, that's what I call the real deal in farm-to-table dining!

I was never much of a guava fan until I tasted these! 😊

We also enjoyed some fantastic vegetarian food, both at a restaurant in Taipei and at Fo Guang Shan Temple (佛光山), an impressive Buddhist complex featuring a towering golden Buddha, beautiful pagodas, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Vegetarian restaurant at the temple

Tofu pudding

As if the temple wasn’t peaceful enough, our cousin whisked us away to another tranquil spot, aptly named Serene Chateau (清靜莊園). After huffing and puffing our way up quite a few steep steps, we were rewarded with sweeping views of Pingtung’s mountains, valleys, and plains. It was the perfect place to catch our breath, sip a drink, and soak in Taiwan’s natural beauty!

Another day took us to Pier-2 Art Center, a lively waterfront arts district in Kaohsiung's former port area. We enjoyed an Italian lunch at ARTCO C6, tucked inside a converted warehouse. What a great spot for a leisurely meal before exploring the surrounding art spaces and taking in the waterfront views! As luck would have it, the pedestrian bridge opened up right before our eyes, captivating us for quite some time as we watched the fascinating movement.

Later, we explored a Hakka village before heading to another part of the city to catch a lovely sunset — a sweet ending to another day of discoveries.

What a gorgeous sunset to end a beautiful day!

A lovely couple enjoying the fruits of their retirement! 😊

Had it not been for our cousin and his wife, who graciously hosted us and showed us around their beloved city, we might have skipped Kaohsiung just as my friend did. A big thank-you to both of them for such wonderful hospitality! We fell in love with Taiwan and would happily return for another visit!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday. 

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