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.

Kaohsiung Night Markets

We started with Nanhua Night Market (南華夜市) because it is nearest to our hotel. The stretch of shops along the sheltered road are mostly selling clothes and shoes (which I find are not very fashionable). I thought that I could settle my dinner here, but there was only a few roadside food stalls at the end of the street. As you can see from the photos below, there wasn't any crowd at all and the road was shared between the pedestrian and the motorcycles.

Food stalls at one end of Nanhua Night Market

In no time, we were out of there and we headed for Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市), which was a lot more interesting for me because there were more food varieties. There were also more visitors here at Liuhe than Nanhua, but the crowd certainly cannot compare with the amount of humans in Taipei night markets.

Different flavours of milk candies

Barbecued over charcoal

Pick your fresh seafood and proceed to the dining area behind

Fresh squid (on the left) vs fried squid (on the right)

Another seafood stall

Kaohsiung Lotus Pond (蓮池潭)

After unpacking and a brief rest at our hotel, we head out to the Lotus Pond. Armed with the camera and umbrella (because it had been drizzling since the moment we arrived), we took the metro from Formosa Boulevard station to Zuoying station.

Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard metro station

When we reached Zuoying station, we were quite lost as there wasn't any signage or information directing us to Lotus Pond. So we had to approach the very busy customer service counter. We followed his instruction and found the bus stop.

The route of Red 51 bus that would take us to Lotus Pond from Zuoying station

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔)

It is said that for good luck, you should enter the pagoda through the dragon mouth and exit through the tiger mouth.

Paintings in the pagoda

Sculptures of legendary characters along the walls of the dragon and tiger walkway

Spring and Autumn Pavilions (春秋閣)

Entrance to the pavilions via the dragon mouth

Wuli Pavilion (五里亭) located behind Spring and Autumn Pavilions

The rain was getting heavier and the place was crowded with tourist, we decided to end our exploration at this point, although we have only visited a small section of the Lotus Pond.

Hotel dùa

We stayed in Hotel dùa for our 4D3N Kaohsiung trip. It is conveniently located near exit 6 of Formosa Boulevard metro station, where the red line and orange line crosses.

Entrance to the hotel

Hotel lobby and reception

A little reading corner for the guests

Self-service complimentary coffee and tea

We were allocated a room on the 6th floor and we were given early check-in!

KB was very glad that the room is big and spacious

Our chillax corner

The mini-bar which doesn't look very exciting, perhaps because all the items are complimentary. Of course, tea bags and kettle are provided too.

The bathroom that has both standing shower and bathtub

KB's favourite kind of toilet bowl, the kind that is equipped with the butt spray.

Toiletries all provided for

On our last night here, we decided to indulge and pamper ourselves with Boston Lobster Set Dinner, served in the restaurant étage 15 on the top floor of the hotel.

Fresh Green Salad with Japanese Oil Dressing

Fried Potato with Cajun & Salt + Chef Soup of the Day

Braised Lobster with White Wine & Spice Sauce

Special Dessert