Early this month we were on a road trip to Kenting. It is a semi-annual family trip we take in the winter break; the other in the summer. We drove south all the way to Kenting from Taipei, and stopped at Taichung, Meinong, and Kaohsiung; and on the return, at Tainan and again at Taichung. The kids had been to Kenting several times. They were less thrilled about the place. Still, Kenting continues to be a favorite of the family. As for myself, often I am in a better mood whenever going more southern than Taichung. This time it is of no exception.

These photos, I hope, capture the mood of the trip. It is not the full picture, of course. (We went to two hospitals, but I am not going to write about it.) It has been a fun trip.

These pictures were taken when I was not behind the wheel, mostly.
These pictures were taken when I was not behind the wheel, mostly.
The road not yet traveled: Highway 6 to Puli, then to Sun Moon Lake.
The road not yet traveled: Highway 6 to Puli, then to Sun Moon Lake.
Central Taiwan is a mix of agricultural and industrial scenes.
Central Taiwan is a mix of agricultural and industrial scenes.
Power networks crisscross road networks.
Power networks crisscross road networks.
Highway 3 goes through numerous tunnels.
Highway 3 goes through numerous tunnels.
A radio tower? I cannot be sure.
A radio tower? I cannot be sure.
Almost always stop at this rest area every time I am on Highway 3.
Almost always stop at this rest area every time I am on Highway 3.
The giant banyan tree in the rest area.
The giant banyan tree in the rest area.

We stayed at Kaohsiung for two days. We went to Rueifong Night Market in the first evening. We had been to Liouhe Night Market in Kaohsiung, so I expected Rueifong to be about the same. I was wrong. The feels are quite different. I cannot say that I like one over the other. Rueifong is very compact and too crowded; Liouhe has too many Japanese tourists. It is hard to have a personal favorite about night market.

My first time at Rueifong Night Market, Kaohsiung City.
My first time at Rueifong Night Market, Kaohsiung City.
A very popular place, it seems.
A very popular place, it seems.
Over exposed, but I like it.
Over exposed, but I like it.
The crowd, and the densely arranged stalls in the market.
The crowd, and the densely arranged stalls in the market.

The next day we went to Cijin Island, once a peninsula, just outside the Port of Kaohsiung. We went through the Cross Harbor Tunnel by car; last time we took the ferry. By car, we were able to explore more about Cijin.

Cargo ships lining up to enter Kaohsiung Port, as seen from Cijin Island.
Cargo ships lining up to enter Kaohsiung Port, as seen from Cijin Island.
The bikers at Cijin.
The bikers at Cijin
Laid back at Cijin.
Laid back at Cijin.
Every moment seems ever more relaxed at Cijin.
Every moment seems ever more relaxed at Cijin.

Kenting needs no word. Here are some photos.

Good morning, Kenting.
Good morning, Kenting.
Facing south from Nanwan Bay, Kenting.
Facing south from Nanwan Bay, Kenting.
Facing east from Longpan Park, Kenting.
Facing east from Longpan Park, Kenting.
A quite corner of Kenting; the bikers were there too.
A quite corner of Kenting; the bikers were there too.

A road trip, by its nature, asks to explore roads that, until now, have not been taken. I have circled Taiwan several times by car — it is a small island after all — but are often wondering about the roads not yet taken. The southern tip of Route 1, or at least some segments of it, was new to me and proves to be very memorable for this trip.

Heading north on Route 1. A Grandma Black Pearl Wax Apple and Mango shop.
Heading north on Route 1. A "Grandma Black Pearl Wax Apple and Mango" shop.
I like this view on Route 1 so much I stop my car. About to connect to Highway 3.
I like this view on Route 1 so much I stop my car. About to connect to Highway 3.

Note: There are 30 photos about the trip in this album.