Houtong Cat Village

Who else is a cat-lover? I love cats even though they don't seem to like me very much. Oh, don't run away please. They don't seem to want my cuddle. Sad.

So, how can I not include this cat village in my itinerary, right? If not for the cats, there would probably be hardly any tourists in this little quiet town. The cat population here is not overwhelming, just more than the usual as compared to other towns or cities. I think there's still more human than cats.


Papa (or Mama?) cat with his little kittens. (Spot a real kitty crossing the field in the background.)



Some of the non-living kitties around the town.


Yawn! They must be "suffering" from food coma all day because some tourists came with cat food. Why didn't I think of that? They seem so well-fed that some are not even interested and continue to nap on the motorcycles or any corner along the street.



KB and I took a break at this cat cafe. And the whole time I was hoping the owner's cat will wake up. No, it didn't, but thankfully this ginger cat came back and jump right on the empty table. It wasn't scared when the cafe diners came near and took photos of it and with it.

Kaohsiung Airport

Arrival

We flew on Scoot and landed in Kaohsiung in the late morning. After going through the custom and collecting our luggages, KB wasted no time to get his hands on a pre-paid data sim card.


There's two telecom booths at the airport, both offering the similar packages.

Since we flew on budget and we didn't order a meal on this red-eye flight, we were starving by the time we landed. I was hoping we would find McDonald's or at least some local eateries in the airport, but there's only Starbucks, which I'm not complaining. Fortunately, the menu is in both English and Chinese.

My caramel macchiato and sandwich

After our brunch, full and satisfied, we finally set off to our hotel via the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit (高雄捷運). We bought the iPass at the station service counter. Each card cost NT$100, which does not include any useable value, so we top up another NT$100 on each card as a start.

iPasses with cartoon designs to choose from

Departure

After checking our luggages, we had plenty of time to kill. Fortunately, KB's priority pass entitles us entrance to More Premium Lounge. The lounge isn't big but comfortable enough. There's also 2 massage chairs by the window (hidden behind the divider wall).

Takao Railway Museum + Hamasen Railway Cultural Park + The Pier-2 Art Center

After spending the morning in Cijin Island, we took the ferry back, had lunch and headed towards Takao Railway Museum (打狗鐵道故事館), located near Sizihwan (西子灣) metro station.

Entrance to Takao Railway Museum

Old trains which visitors are not allowed to climb onto

Just beside Takao Railway Museum is the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park (哈瑪星鐵道文化園區). On the day we visited, there was a group of graduates taking photos in their graduation gown in this area... reminds me of my younger days so many years ago.

Art sculptures scattered among the old railway tracks

Giant dressing table and sofa art sculptures

Giant musical instrument art sculpture

Giant luggage art sculpture

Resting area under the tree

Fancy a ride on this mini train?

Mini train taking its passengers around the cultural park

These Labor and Fishwoman 「工人及漁婦」art pieces are found around The Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區). They are symbols of the important industrial and maritime workforce of Kaohsiung.

Pier2 Train Station wall mural 「車站壁畫」

Bumblebee?

Cijin Shell Museum (旗津貝殼博物館)

On Day 2 of our Kaohsiung trip, we started the day at Cijin Island (旗津島). We took the train on the orange line to Sizihwan (西子灣) station and walked to Gushan Ferry Pier (鼓山輪渡站).

Gushan Ferry Pier

One lane for pedestrians (on the right) and one lane for those with motorbikes (on the left)

Boarding the ferry

It doesn't take long for us to reach the island. I had initially wanted to rent a bicycle to ride around the island, but the weather forecast suggested that it was going to rain. Thus, we took the mini bus instead. It goes around the island in one direction. Before we reach our stop at Cijin Shell Museum (旗津貝殼博物館), the bus made a short rest stop at a market, where there is a beach on the opposite side of the street.

Cijin Island beach with greyish sand

Finally arriving at the Shell Museum

The museum showcases an individual's personal collection of seashells from all over the world. I never knew that seashells come in so many different shapes and sizes.