GREEN ISLAND TAIWAN

Green Island is located 33 km off Taitung City, southeast Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean. It is a beautiful island full of nature.The best way to explore the island is via scooter in an 18km ring road around the island.

I did a day trip from Taitung and was lucky that I did come back on the same day, as it was reported the next day that the island was closed for ferry transportation due to high tide in mid June. The ferry from the mainland took about 50 mins to reach Nanliao harbour on the west of the island. Upon reaching the harbour, one can rent a scooter to go around. I rented an electric scooter at about NT400 to go around. 

                                                                         Scooters for rent

                                                          Exploring with my little red scooter

The first stop was Little Great Wall, where hiking up on the steps along the ridge will be rewarded with a magnificent bay view at the top. The bay with imaginable Pekingese Dog and Sleeping Beauty Rocks is called Haishenping Bay. 

                                                    Can you see the little great wall on the left?

                                Haishenping Bay with Pekingnese Dog and Sleeping Beauty Rocks

Next, Niutoushan (Ox Head Hill). The hill is unique with grassland and small hills with slopes overseeing rugged coastal views. It gives a Scotish like feeling.

                                                                  Entrance to Niutoushan

                                                                  Magnificent landscape 

                                                          View from the top of Niutoushan

The next attraction was the Lyudao Lighthouse, a white towering structure next to a white beach with a swimming hole. 

                                                                     Lyudao Lighthouse

 

                                                    A clear swimming pool next to lighthouse

                                                                     Seashore landscape

It was worth a day trip from Taitung to Green Island. From Taitung, I took a public bus to Fugang Harbour about 15 mins away to take a ferry to Green Island. 

                                                                         Nantou Harbour

A JOURNEY TO PARADISE

Ever thought a paradise is indeed a place's name? It is located in the outskirts of Queenstown, South New Zealand, about 1.5 hour away. 

Our journey started from Queenstown along the deep blue Lake Wakatipu on the left along the winding road towards the north east direction. Indeed, Lake Wakatipu itself is already a paradise as the white capped snowy mountains with deep blue sky are reflected in the lake. There are many stops along the way for picturesque photo sessions. The water is crystal clear despite deep in blue reflection at a pebbled beach on the way.

                                                                 Journey to Glenorchy

                                                                     Lake Wakatipu

After about 1 hour of drive, we arrived at Glenorchy, the place where the blockbuster "Lord of the Ring" was shot partially. It is a quaint little town with just few shops. There is a beach at the edge of north point of Lake Wakatipu for another mesmerizing moment.

                                                                           Glenorchy

The journey continued north towards a gravel road that leads to Paradise. There is a Paradise signboard after some dusty drive. Paradise deserved the title as the journey along is flanked with alpine mountains and farmlands. There is even a lake with beautiful blooming flowers in the midst of serenity. Though not many people visit the area, it is truly a hidden gem that I hope it will be preserved its nature....

                                                                       Road to Paradise

DAOCHENG YADING - THE NZ OF CHINA

Never in my mind that China would have spectacular nature scenaries until I visited Daocheng Yading. Before the trip, I had thought NZ was the most beautiful country I had ever visited but visiting Doacheng Yading changed my perception totally.

Situated in Southwest of Sichuan, Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve is famed for its awesome natural beauty of alpine glaciers, rivers, grassland and lakes at 3800m above sea level. It is best visited in autumn especially in Oct, where the trees are transformed into golden orange color.

The road trip from Chengdu itself took 3 days, including some sight seeings along the way to reach the Shangri-la town just outside the nature reserve. We spent around 1 1/2 days in Daocheng Yading, with a night spent in Yading Village, in the nature reserve. 

On day 1, the journey in the morning started with a shuttle bus to Yading Village to check in our luggage before we proceeded to the final checkpoint, where the main attractions are located. The first eye popping scenary is the Luorong Pasture at 4180m. This is the perfect spot for photography with high alpine glacier mountains standing tall behind. From there most will trek up to Milk Lake at round 4500m with a distance of 5km. I did not manage to trek to Milk Lake, short of 500m due to timing as I need to turn back to catch the last shuttle bus, supposedly at 5pm. However, the journey up along the trail is incredible with many photo stops, which is also a way to catch the breath due to high altitude. Hence, it is best advised to start the journey earlier, better if one were to stay in Yading Village to save the time for trekking. There was a heavy snow and the temperature dropped to zero at night in Yading Village. It was end of October.

                                                                                

                                                                             

                                                                       

                                                                                 

                                                         

                                                                                    

On day 2, we were lucky to see a totally different landscapes in the Yading Reserve. As it was snowing the night before, the whole scenery was turned into white snowy trees. In fact, it was a blessing to see two different season views in 2 consecutive days, autumn and winter magnificent sceneries. As we had only 1/2 day, we explored Chonggu Monastery and the surrounding views.

                                                                                    

4000 Islands - The Jewels of Laos

4000 Islands known as Si Phan Don in Laos is located in Southern Laos, near the Cambodian border. It consists of 4000 tiny islands in the Mekong River, hence the name. The area is famous for its waterfalls, the most popular being Khon Phapeng and Li Phi Waterfalls.

There are 3 main islands for travellers to stay, Don Khong, Don Det and Don Khone. Most backpackers will opt for Don Det and the quieter Don Khone for more budget friendly accommodation. In fact, Don Det is connected to Don Khone via a bridge. 

I spent a wonderful 4 days 3 nights, based in Don Det. The key activities here are relaxing, sunset watching, cycling, dolphin watching and kayaking. There are few waterfalls to explore, mainly the famous Khon Phapeng and Li Phi waterfalls. 

I stayed at different guesthouses on different nights. That was because the 1st chalet I booked was too far from the pier. So, the next morning, I walked to look for nearer guesthouse but could not get a nice river view accommodation. The 3rd day, I managed to get a river view guesthouse with hammock on the balcony nearby. The accommodation is basic but with a toilet but do not expect a 3 star stay. Anyway, that is what a backpacker would like it for, a basic accommodation. Each costs about 40,000 to 60,000 kip per night. 

Day 1

I rented a bicycle (10,000 kip per day) to explore the nearby Don Khone island by crossing over a bridge. It took about 1 hour to reach a hidden beach with great landscape. Then I proceeded to the impressive Li Phi (Somphamit) Waterfalls, the largest in Don Khone. The road is gravel and can only accommodate a bicycle, a motobike or a bull cart. In the evening, I enjoyed one of the most rewarding colorful sunsets in a riverside restaurant. Seeing the kids bathing in the river with the orange backdrop ray from the sunset is truly mesmerising. 

             Hidden beach in Don Khone 

                       Li Phi Waterfalls

                Sunset at Mekong River

Day 2

I found a new accommodation nearer to the pier, had a wonderful chat with a fellow traveller before I rented a bicycle to explore further. This time I went to the southern most of Don Khone near the Cambodian border where the Irrawady Dolphins are found. I went for a boat ride in the open river, trying to spot a dolphin but could only see the back of the dolphin far away. On the ride back, I explored the surrounding villages around Don Khone. Life here is laidback with picturesque river backgrounds. 

   Bridge connecting Don Det to Don Khone

                    Dolphine watching 

Day 3

I joined a full kayaking and waterfall sightseeing tour. It started with a boat ride to a village, trekked a little to visit another impressive hidden waterfalls. Then we trekked to a river to start kayaking. We reached the open river, trying to spot a dolphin but to no avail, probably due to the heat. It was scorching hot when we reached a small island in the middle of the Mekong River to have a simple lunch and relax. Since it is next to Cambodia, we could hear loud Cambodian music in the midst of isolated beach. 

In the afternoon, we kayak to a nearby village, where we took a pick up lorry to visit the crown of waterfalls, the Khon Phapeng Waterfalls. The trip ended with a pick up drive again to the mainland pier before we took the boat back to Don Det.

                       Hidden Waterfalls 

                       Start of kayaking

                            Lunch stop

               Khon Phapeng Waterfalls 

Day 4

Time to say goodbye. It was surreal to enjoy the river view from my chalet. Next destination, Pakse.

                       Riverview Chalet

How to get to Don Det from Vientiane: 

1. Take an overnight VIP bus from Vientiane to Pakse. This is the sleeper bus where you will be placed next to the same gender except for couple to have a long sleeping ride. The bus ride is around 9-10 hours. 

2. From Pakse, take another 3-4 hours bus/van ride directly to 4000 Island pier. From there, take a boat ride. Normally the tour agent in Vientiane will sell the 2 in 1 bus ride ticket for convenience. 

It is indeed a long journey but worth the effort to travel. 

Welcome to Nepali Tibetan Himalaya

If you are looking for a wonderful trekking experience with great alpine Himalayan view yet not too crowded in Nepal, Langtang National Park is the ultimate choice. Langtang is a region located in north central Himalayas of Nepal. Located 51 km from Katmandu Valley, this region is bordered by the Tibet autonomous region of China, making it a unique place where the Tibetan culture can be seen.

We did a 5 day trek in Langtang Kyangin Gompa Valley. The trek started in Syabrubesi and ended in Kyangin Gompa on Day 3, famous for its Buddhist Monastery. The view along the trek is awesome with great alpine view, especially in Kyangin Gompa. 

On Day 1, we trekked from Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel. As it was the first day of trek, it was tiring. 

Syabrubesi

Lama Hotel

On day 2, we continued our journey from Lama Hotel to Langtang Village. 

The tea house where we had lunch

Langtang Village

On day 3, we trekked to nearby valley village where we had a great glacier alpine view while relaxing at a tea house before lunch. Then, we continued our journey to Kyangin Gompa at 3800m.  As it was still winter in Feb, the weather was very cold upon reaching the guesthouse in the evening. We had butter milk tea to warm ourselves. 

Valley village with great alpine view

The tea house where we had lunch

The guesthouse in Kyangin Gompa

On day 4, we trekked back to Lama Hotel. 

Lunch at the tea house

One of the guesthouses in Lama Hotel

View from our guesthouse in Lama Hotel

On day 5, we trekked back from Lama Hotel to Syabrubesi, where we overnight in the local guesthouse before we came back to Katmandu the next day. 

Friendly villager in Langtang Valley

Final lunch on the trail

Toward the end of the trek

Finally reaching Syabrubesi

As Langtang was the first trek I did in Nepal, it was the first ever Himalayan glacier experience that left me in awe. The surrounding valley is mesmerizing with unique Tibetan cultural experience and awesome mountainous scenery. In fact, comparing to Poon Hill in the Annapurna region of Nepal which I did right after the Langtang trek, I would prefer Langtang to Poon Hill scenery.