Adorable summer in Vibrant Kaohsiung / 真愛夏天.非常高雄
◎Written by Yun-si Lin ◎Photograph by Jung-Hui Pao
It's in summer that Kaohsiung's beautiful port is truly appreciated. You can head straight to the beach or to one of the water parks for a refreshing swim, or why not take a relaxing boat ride around the Port itself. What better way to prepare yourself for that refreshing swim then by cycling around the city first. With such a range of activities, you're certain to have a fun summer in Kaohsiung.
True Love Tour - Travel around the Sunny Coast
Amongst all the many summer activities, the most popular would have to be the "True Love Tour - Kaohsiung Port Tour".
"True Love Tour" is the newest tour package currently being promoted by the Kaohsiung City Government in 2006. It combines a ferry ride and tour bus visiting sights such as those in downtown Kaohsiung, the port area, and Cijin. The tour can be a whole day or half a day - a truly relaxing way to experience the diversity of this city.
The tour ticket includes return boat and bus trips. Tickets can be purchased at the True Love Port. The tour involves taking a boat to the Red Lantern Seafood Market of Jhongjhou Fishing Harbour. Then a shuttle bus, the "Sunshine Avenue Bus", takes you around Cijin, and then back to Jhongjhou Fishing Harbour or Cijin Ferry Pier. From there, it's a relaxing ferry ride back to Gushan Ferry Pier. Upon arrival at the Gushan Ferry Pier, the "Coastal Bus" will be waiting to take you back to True Love Port.
This tour allows you to experience an enjoyable boat ride as well as become familiar with the sights of Kaohsiung and Cijin by bus, whilst eliminating the hassles of arranging your own itinerary. For only $150 (concession $100) on the weekend, and $100 on weekdays - excluding Mondays, (concession $80), the "True Love Tour" is excellent value for money.
Worthwhile mentioning is the "Costal" and "Sunshine Avenue" tour bus lines. They are new routes that were set up on June the 3rd by the Kaohsiung City Government. The "Coastal" bus route starts from Kaohsiung Train Station, travels to Liuhe Night Market, Urban Spotlight, Fisherman's Wharf, True Love Port, and Gushan Ferry Pier. In comparison, the "Sunshine Avenue" bus route shows you particular sights around Cijin on the weekend; namely the Wind-power Park, Cijin Seaside Park and Cijin Beach. You can take either bus on the weekend to enjoy the sights of both the city and Cijin, offering a more complete tour.
In Love with Love River Forever
Besides the ferry rides and tour bus rides around Kaohsiung and Cijin, there's always the summer atmosphere of Love River, which is one of romance and passion. Kaohsiung City Government is holding a series of activities, inviting local bands to perform on the riverbank every Saturday.
There is more happening in August as activities are to be held at Love River every Saturday. Since the Lunar Calendar Valentine's day falls on the 7th of July (August on the Western calendar), the Kaohsiung City Government is holding a special activity along Love River, sure to add even more romance to the sweet atmosphere.
Enjoy the scenery along the bicycle path
To improve leisure facilities and reduce pollution, the Kaohsiung City Government is continuing to plan and develop bicycle paths around Kaohsiung. Two of the longest paths include the Cijin Oceanview Bicycle Path and the Love River to Lotus Pond bicycle path.
Cijin Oceanview Bike Path is a well planed route allowing you to visit a range of relics, popular sights, as well as conveniently enjoy the ocean view during the process. With the ocean breeze gently pushing you along, riding around Cijin is a very relaxing experience. There is also an area next to the Wind-power Park for extreme sports where athletes can be found showing off their skills.
The Love River to Lotus Pond bicycle path route starts from True Love Port and travels by the mid-stream section of Love River, past the Water-friendly Park, Coastline Coffee shops at the lower-stream of Love River, and the Wetland Park area under the Jiouru Bridge. Then it passes by the Sanmin No.1 Park through the elegant Riverbank Community, then past the Indigenous Plant Garden, finally arriving at Lotus Pond. Bicycles can be ridden around Lotus Pond past relics such as the Old Fengshan City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Every part of the journey takes on a unique feel.
Cooling Down with a Refreshing Ice Dessert
Ice desserts are a must in the heat of the Kaohsiung summer. The "Ah-Po Ice Dessert"
◎文/林昀熹
◎攝影/鮑忠暉
夏季是高雄海港魅力發揮到極致的季節,你可以直奔海水浴場或水上活動主題樂園,感受清涼水意,也能乘船遊河或進行海港之旅,體驗水岸魅力,更能騎著自行車遊遍高雄,感受南台灣的暢快;還有各種大大小小、熱情洋溢的活動,肯定讓你在高雄的夏天過得忙碌又有趣!
真愛之旅 暢遊陽光水岸
在令人目不暇給的眾多夏日活動中,今年最新鮮的莫過於「真愛之旅──高雄海港遊」了!
「真愛之旅」是高雄市政府於2006
年最新推出的旅遊套裝行程,結合遊輪與觀光公車,串聯市區、港區與旗津各重要景點,讓大家可以在輕鬆的一日或半日遊中,體驗到最豐富的高雄特色。
此行程的票券內含兩格船票及兩格公車票,遊客在位於愛河出海口的真愛碼頭購票,搭乘觀光遊輪抵達中洲漁港紅燈碼頭下船後,可搭乘接駁的「陽光大道公車」至旗津市區遊覽,再搭乘「陽光大道公車」於中洲漁港或旗津輪渡站搭乘渡輪返回鼓山輪渡站,再搭乘「水岸公車」返回真愛碼頭。
在這樣的一趟行程中,可以感受搭乘遊輪的趣味,也能藉由觀光公車深入市中心與旗津各景點,一舉兩得,而流暢的旅遊動線也為遊客省去行程安排的麻煩,更棒的是,「真愛之旅」套裝行程的假日票全票只要150元(半票100元),平日票(每週一停航)全票更只要100元(半票80元),相當划算。
值得一提的是,其中「水岸」與「陽光大道」兩線觀光接駁公車,是市府自今年6月3日起所增設的路線;「水岸」公車由火車站發車後,
行經六合夜市、城市光廊、漁人碼頭、真愛碼頭、鼓山輪渡站等多處知名水岸觀光景點。而假日行駛於旗津觀光景點的「陽光大道」公車,沿途停靠風車公園、海岸公園、旗津海水浴場等旗津觀光景點,您也可以在假日搭乘這兩線觀光公車,不論是逛市區或遊旗津,為行程安排增添更多元的選擇。
永浴愛河 長長久久
除了搭乘遊輪與觀光公車暢遊高雄港與旗津之外,夏天的愛河更是充滿浪漫與活力。從七月份開始,高雄市政府在愛河畔舉辦一系列的活動,每週六都會邀請在地的樂團與表演團體,在愛河邊展現多樣化的才藝。
到了八月份更是熱鬧,每週六在愛河及碼頭邊都有大型活動,特別的是,由於今年農曆為閏七月,而農曆七月七日的「七夕」就是中國情人節,因此今年八月可說有兩個情人節,而高雄市政府也會針對七夕情人節擴大舉辦河邊活動,讓浪漫甜蜜的氣氛得以加倍,愛的感覺綿延整個夏季。
飽攬美景的自行車道
為了降低能源消耗與污染,讓環境更清新,也為了提供大家更多元、更優質的休閒選擇,高雄市政府近年不斷規劃各區域的自行車道,其中最長的兩條路線,就是旗津環島自行車道系統,以及愛河連接蓮池潭自行車道系統。
旗津環島自行車道系統,是一條規劃完整的環島觀光路線,沿途不但可以造訪古蹟、名勝、景點,騎著自行車沿海岸線一路前行,一邊欣賞海天一色的美景、一邊感受海風吹拂,是在旗津才能感受到的愜意經驗;風車公園旁還有寬闊的4X越野土坡競技場,讓極限運動的玩家可以在此大展身手,或是欣賞越野車玩家的高超技術,也為這趟旅程增添更多刺激感。
而愛河連接蓮池潭自行車道系統的路線,是從河海相接的真愛碼頭開始,沿著愛河一路往中游上溯,途中經過擁有親水公園、河岸咖啡座的愛河下游段以及九如陸橋下的愛河生態濕地園區,並沿著三民一號公園到達雅緻的河堤社區,最後途經原生植物園後連接到煙霧繚繞的蓮池潭,循著環潭自行車道暢遊潭邊舊城、孔廟等古蹟,每段旅程都各有特色、充滿變化。
熱天吃冰透心涼
此外,高雄的夏天裡,當然少不了冰品,鹽埕的「阿婆冰」以傳統口味與新鮮水果聞名,鼓山渡船頭的「海之冰」,則是以創意口味與可達十人份的超大份量著稱,此外還有許多各有特色的冰品店,都在高雄各個角落向你招手,等著你去感受那透心涼的爽快感。
搭船、看海、踏浪、河邊活動、騎自行車、吃冰......,你是否開始發現時間不夠用了?相信在這一連串活動與旅程之後,你一定也認為:真希望高雄的夏天越長越好!