Finally it looks like the incessant winter rain
is stopping, joy! So, that means only one thing for
my days off: the beach! For me, the beach is always
an exciting expedition, whether you're keen for some
sea, sand and sun, or would rather approach the beach
in a more local fashion. I love watching the sun fearers
swimming in their jeans!
There are many beaches close enough to Taipei that
you can visit on a day trip, and personally, I couldn't
think of a better way to spend the day. Fulong beach,
on Taipei's most eastern point, is my favourite.
This beach has everything a beach could offer! OK,
there are no cute cocktail waiters bringing strawberry
daiquiris, but besides that... You approach the white
sands of its strangely wide beachfront, by walking
over a fantastic, multicoloured bridge. The bridge
crosses a winding river that feeds into the ocean.
There is a beautiful beachfront temple to the right
and many rolling hills behind it! Yes, what a beautiful
sight! It has great waves for swimming and surfing.
Although I forget my snorkel every time, apparently
there is great snorkelling too. For the wind-surfers,
this is your spot!
Not only is the beach beautiful, it has facilities
too! We are in the land of convenience after all.
There are two sides to the beach, one side costs 60nt,
but only in the summer months. It has shade clothes
and restrooms equipped with showers and toilets. The
other side is free. On the road behind the beach,
there is a selection of restaurants, which serve tasty
local and western treats. You can even get a decent
pizza! There's a seven eleven, of course, just outside
the parking to stock up on cold beer and other treats.
If you'd like to stay the weekend, there is a good,
cheap campsite nearby, guests houses and other accommodation.
Fulong is the epitome of convenient beaches!
At a mere 57 kilometres from Taipei, it's also easy
to get to too. It takes about one hour thirty minutes
to get there on a scooter. If that's not your flavour
of transport, there are always good old trains and
buses. The fast train takes less than an hour from
Taipei main station or it's about one hour, forty
minutes on the slow train. It leaves every two hours
and costs approximately 100nt. The station is called
Fulong and is a spit away from the beach. There is
also a regular bus leaving from Taiwan bus station
in Keelung. To get to Keelung, you can catch a train
from Taipei main, or a bus which leaves every ten
minutes from Taipei's east bus station. (50nt). There
are also trains to Keelung, but then you might as
well catch the train all the way to Fulong!
Don't forget your sunscreen and enjoy the beach. It's
the perfect relief from the unrelenting, melting,
summer heat!
Nikki McLeod |
