visiting Kaohsiung -- what to do?

[naguoning]

I would say the StevenCrook list is a pretty good one.
I would biasedly suggest my place inside the university by the beach (Escape 41) for a restaurant. Not the most convenient but well I will let the pics speak for themselves: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/escape-41/ar ... &l=f&fid=7 Scroll down to see (yeah, I know the writing is in Chinese, but we have English langauge menus etc).
For a downtown pub Brickyard and it's Garden spin off are good bets for foreigners. Likewise Bottom's up or Blackdog if you just want more sit down and talk type bars.
Today at least the weather is actually not too hot. Very windy though.

[downtownandrew]

Had a great time... but just want to update this for any future readers... especially Westerners.... laugh.

Love river was right near our hotel, ( River Hotel) I highly recommend - the breakfast was good, the rooms are clean, and fashionable decorated. ( Guys - two hardcore porn channels and the hotel even provides a condom... ( Thailand made, a bit small looking. laugh. )

took the boat cruise it was quick - fun - 20 minutes at most. The guide was funny ( Mandarin, no english.) people didnt answer one of his questions so asked if he should just shut up and enjoy the view. Pretty funny stuff.

It was hot as balls in the morning when we went to the Fairy to take us to the beach area... decided to take off my shirt... a wee bit buff, I guess... having herds of people staring at you when you realize you are the only one with your shirt off. I mean you are going to beach, right people?
Compared to asain people who are going to the beach wearing: Black skin tight jeans, long sleeve shirts, and either a hat or carrying an umbrella.
So as they thought I was crazy, I equally thought some of them were. While wearing sunglasses I believe my "package" was checked by over 7000 Asian high school girls at any given moment.
Moving on.. the fairy was a delight and swift... on the other side... typical street vendors, and spots selling "pick your fish and we cook it."

I had lunch with my girl and paid a ridiculous $780 for a fresh red snapper fish steamed in some delicious sauce. The fish was terrific, but the price was totally pulled out the guys ass on the spot - which I think is your only chance to haggle if you really want to. There is a menu too, but I learned about that after we sat down. No big deal honestly it was a vacation so I will pay with little fuss. Just a word to the wise shoppers out there.

moving on to the "Beach"... getting more and more excited as we got closer to the park that leads to the beach at the end of the main drag... a huge sign saying dont swim, dont do nothing... ofcourse everyone ignoring it. Then we see the sand... more like a dumping ground for plastic bottles, random discarded shoes, cigarette butts, and drift wood... lots and lots of drift wood. like a forest of driftwood everywhere.

Barely anyone in the water. Just people standing on the wood walk way starring at other people starring back at them.. all starring. My girl did not remove her skirt which had her bikini underneath. I don't blame her.

The beaches are clearly not maintained to any degree and its a shame. There is so much financial potential by the beach, but yet its stagnant in the same run of the mill street vendors... and a uncared for beach. I heard there is a private beach for $40NT or something... but online opinions said "dont bother." We still had fun dipping our feet in the water for a bit.

Went to the lighthouse, that was great. Great views. The hike up really is not that bad.

Other highlights: The nightmarket that is advertised in all of the tourist guides.. is NOT the place you want to visit. It was completely dead, and full of mainlanders. The locals ( the next morning, said that the Other night market is the place to be - ask a local they will tell you. At this moment I forget the name of it.

Other info: The tall building ( 75?) with observatory was excellent - you pay $150 not $200 to ride the fast elevator. Its worth it, bring binoculars to check out all the ships at sea, etc.

Dream Mall is practically where the entire city goes on the weekend. It was very crowded.

Thank you again!

[headhonchoII]

You can rent rooms in the 85 building, great views over the harbor and not expensive at all.

[tommy525]

Great report. That beach at hsichiwan some years ago was not attractive (black sand) but swimmable. Too bad its gotten so bad. But the driftwood is from Morakot probably.

It would be awesome if the city fathers were to redo that beach and get a beach cleaning machine and clean it daily. In fact they could import some nice golden sand from other places in Taiwan. I understand Waikiki beach sand is actually imported from california, dont know if its true.

It would be awesome to have a clean swimmable beach at ktowns doorstep with Hsichiwan.

Bout your package. Are you self advertising or delusional?

And anyway, just like newly pregnant moms who want to know they still got it, newly married men want chicks to check out their package.

Id be only concerned with my womans goods,but yeah its nice to feel "special" i guess. Those with a good "weapon" dont usually need to advertise tho, just sayin.

[Abacus]

I think he's talking about the Cijin Beach. Huge difference between Cijin beach and Siziwan.

[tommy525]

I think he's talking about the Cijin Beach. Huge difference between Cijin beach and Siziwan.

ah yes, cijin beach isnt really developed I think? Its always been unkept I think.

But then thats a good reason to get some beach cleaning machines like they have in hawaii and keeping the place clean. It would be a great new place to enjoy the beach in Ktown. Even if perhaps its not swimmable. Due to currents, etc.

[downtownandrew]

yes, I failed to mention the "sand" of the beach.. I never encountered it until that beach. It will stick to your skin like glue, and its almost like micro paper confetti or glitter. Like that annoying kind that strippers put on their chest.

Package advertising... naaa, I wasn't advertising the goods... but it was very very obvious - unless they all want to counterfeit my Ocean Pacific boarder shorts?