Kenting

Signage at the southernmost point of Taiwan announces it is ‘The Heart of Asia’, a dubious claim given its location and history. However, scratch at the surface and you find Japanese influence, Korean bathrooms, Buddhist sculpture, and South East Asian night markets. Alright, Tourism Taiwan, let ‘em cook.

We rented a scooter to hike in the Kenting National Park, trek round Eluanbi lighthouse. This gave us a chance to recreate a pic from our very first scooter of the year, on the Thai island of Koh Yao Noi (go back to mid-March to see the original). Dan's scooter handling has improved so much since then that he now gets road rage at slow drivers in front, like a true Asian expert (although, very Britishly, we never exceeded 50km/h). On the hike we were beset by very excitable lizards wearing jazzy green waistcoats who sprinted under our feet like they had a deathwish. The butterfly game has been exceptional, both in size and variety 🦋 Dan also serenaded a beetle friend who was very keen on his salty skin 🫠

After hiking, we took a dip at the Bar Beach. We were admonished for sitting on the ‘hotel only’ loungers, despite the fact that they’d just sold us drinks 🤡 Back in town after yet another sweaty day in the hills and on the sand, we enjoyed the Kenting night market, where dozens of stalls pop up every evening selling local delicacies: BBQ oysters, scallion pancakes, and stinky tofu. The latter smells like Birmingham when the bin men strike. Absolutely rancid. We had drinks at a bizarrely out-of-place ‘cantina’, across from the ‘Formost Hotel’ (genius name) and were intrigued to discover a Fish & Chips stall that advertised its British credentials with pictures of Paul McCartney and… Gollum?

Chelsea had hoped we’d left windowless hotels behind in SEA, but alas no, and our accommodation felt like the interior of a 70s boudoir, satin bedspread, cigarette smoke-infused walls and all. Dan managed to scrape his back kneeling in the shower because nothing is built for his height, and the heat and sun continue their assault on his delicate British skin, rendering him itchy and sore each evening. Chelsea’s South African childhood has insured that her skin suffers nothing more uncomfortable than a sandal tan. Dan’s only got to last a week more, and then we’ll be on to cooler climes for the rest of the year 🙏Baca lagi