Penghu

First of all, don't make the mistake I made the night before last, only to find out that the boat doesn't depart from Magong Port. You need to go to the Beihai Visitor Center in Baisha Township, a 30-minute drive from Magong City, to check in and board the boat (because Jibei Island is north of Penghu). Upon arriving at Jibei Island, to match the tide times, the first activity was an intertidal zone activity. However, perhaps because it's relatively static compared to other water activities, there weren't many participants, so it was a small group of about 1 to 5 (which I was very happy with). And because there were so few people, everyone could try fishing on the embankment (it seems everyone here loves nature). On the way to Mudou Island, we met a super nice captain. His explanations were humorous and informative, making it fun while also providing a lot of local knowledge. When we arrived at our destination, we didn't disembark since we didn't plan to swim, but we chatted with the captain on the boat. He mentioned that he's been constantly updating the boat's facilities, so I'm looking forward to seeing what changes he'll bring when we meet again! While taking photos and playing in the water, we enjoyed the instant coffee provided on board, lying down and gently rocking with the waves – it was quite a unique experience. On the return trip, the captain provided sardines for everyone to feed the seabirds and offered commentary. As we neared disembarkation, the captain concluded by saying he looked forward to seeing everyone again, which was met with applause. I imagine everyone felt, like me, that this voyage with the captain was truly enjoyable, both physically and mentally. Back at Jibei Island, everyone went their separate ways for lunch (the mixed shaved ice at 'Jibei Xiaosan's Shop' was delicious!) followed by more sightseeing before returning to the Beihai Visitor Center. Personally, I think this arrangement was a perfect one-day trip. Although we didn't participate in any water activities this time, if you'd like to, I recommend staying on Jibei Island for two days and one night!

Planning a trip to Penghu to see the Fireworks Festival? A scooter is a must, and that's when Hongzhen Car Rental came to mind. They're close to the airport and offer shuttle service. The cars are pretty good, allowing us to get around quite a bit.

Led by a guide, we ventured into the hidden gems and learned about the local culture and customs. Dongji Island is extremely hot with no shade, but it's well worth a visit. In Qimei, we not only admired the Twin Heart Stone Weir but also visited many photogenic spots. With the accompanying storytelling, we had an even more memorable experience of the island's scenery and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

A holiday visit to soak in hot springs and pray to Guanyin Bodhisattva is a wonderful experience, especially in the morning when it's less crowded.