May 17 - Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, welcomes Pride II into the world's 4th largest container port. Excursions to the National Marine Institute of Technology, Matsu Temples to the Sea, the street markets, the Love River area downtown, the lovely Lotus Lake and Confucius Temple, Taiwanese schools, National Sun Yat Sen University, and a mountainside Aborigine school give students a window for understanding this land of scooters.
May 22 - Penghu Islands Pride II made an unplanned stop in the fishing villages of the Penghu Islands, Taiwan. This visit revealed beaches, volcanic formations, lovely agate stones, tidal pools, coral reefs, a Marine Aquarium, ornate Matsu Temples to fishermen, unusual seaside vegetation, lots of mopeds, and a warm welcome from a small elementary school. Wind "on the nose" (dead ahead) causes Pride II to heave to (tie off the helm) on the way to Keelung on the north end of Taiwan.
May 27 - Keelung
After fighting the weather enroute, Pride II made a delayed arrival in Keelung, Taiwan. Time at sea brought to mind issues of dodging fishing boats, pirates, the change of crew, and crew lifestyle. Once docked in this busy port, explorations included shopping, Chung-Chen Park, and temples while experiencing several of the 214 inches of annual rain. A brief history of Taiwan and methods of a proper Chinese meeting are included.
