Takao

Kaohsiung is Taiwan's 2nd biggest city but still the roads are quiet, the shops open late and close early, not many tourists and much warmer but we now also start to see the trendy side of Taiwan. We headed out to see the cities sites, first up, Love river which was a longer walk than expected so we rewarded ourselves with a giant shaved ice - mine, matcha and red bean. Crossing the river I walked on to the Pier2 art centre (another train route turned art zone). The place is full of trendy boutiques, cafes and flower shops (they love an air plant here). Following the coast, I went up to the old British consulate which is up a decorated narrow alley. Reaching the top, there is a temple (where I got my fortune from a Japanese doll machine). The views from the sunset platform were great and you can have a quick look around the old building and the strange collection of English porcelain before heading down to the consulate house at the bottom. After dinner I visited the famous painted glass ceiling at Formosa Boulevard station.Read more