wchunga 的blog

Lanyu (also called orchid island) is becoming a hot destination for tourists. Ten years ago, very few people mentioned Lanyu as a touristic place because the transportation from Taiwan to the small island Lanyu was quite inconvinient. Indeed it was a disavantage for the tourists, and because of that, all the precious species of insects, and other animals, have been preserved very well. Lanyu is south east of Taiwan, merely 41 sea miles away from Taiwan, and 80 sea miles from Batan, the further most north island of the Philippines. Although Lanyu belongs to Taiwan now, it actually used to be in a way closer to Batan. Anthropologically, Lanyu people might be of the same origin as the Batan people. Although have been separated from each other due to political issues for over two hundred years, 60% of the language is still the same. They could communicate with each other. In their oral history, it is said that they used to sail the pacific ocean to trade (no passport required). The aborigines of Lanyu called themselves "Ta-O",  are famous for their sailing skills and elegant canoes.

Don't worry, I am not going to mention all the details of the hitory of Lanyu. I am not an anthropologist, as you may know.  I am merely a photo addict, beer lover. The reason for me to visit the island was simple: I have always wanted to take some photos for an exotic place like this, although we are the same nation. 

On this island, wild life is abundant. Natural resources seem to be endless. When I went around the island, I could see those things everywhere.

1 Dogs, sleeping every where.

2 Coconut crab, listed as near extinct in Taiwan, could be easily found on the island, mostly on the shores. Be cautious when you ride a scooter.

3 Unknown bird busy in catching fish.

4 Goats, sleeping or walking everywhere. They were used to be one of the protein sources for Lanyu. I don't know where they originally came from.

4 The Human faced spider. The largest spider of  the mainland of Taiwan, I believe it is still the largest on Lanyu.

5 "Troides magellanus" a unique species of butterfly, it was selected as the most beautiful butterfly of Taiwan in 2007, now almost extincti. I was lucky not to wait long before I could take this photo.

6 Pachyrrhynchus weevil, nearly extinct, but it only took a lucky drunk guy 10 mins to find it.

7 unknown bird, eating berries.

Surrounded by the Pacific ocean, the wafer close to the shore appears to be hues of blue.  Be careful, the tide here could rise rapidly and you can be taken away.  

A few meters from the beach, it is generally more than 20 meters deep.

While walking around the island, you could see some villages are quite modern now. It is no longer a poor island of low living standard, as it used to be.

Tourism is growing now om the island, Traditional canoes which used to be untouchable for tourists are now offered as an exotic item of TaO. Paying some money, one could actually hire an aborigine to sail you out the sea for an hour. 

Perhaps it is a loss of tradition, but this surely brings Tao people more income to retain their way of living. 

 If you are interested in insects, and are adventurous, try to go into the forest at night.

Unique species of Rhinoceros beetle in Lanyu. "Xylotrupes gideon philippinensis Endrodi" could be observed on your way into the forest.

Following the sound " woo woo ", you could see owls in the forest. In the old times, An Owl was regarded as evil spirit by the TaO people, once they heard the sound, they got away as soon as possible. For tourists like you and me, try to shoot as more photos as you could.

Air pollution here is not serious, though it is getting to be.  Starry night photos could be available.

Not exciting enough? Try to get a head lamp and go free diving with some Tao people. sea food here is abundant, certain sea food could be taken only if you dare to dive in the ocean at midnight. Make sure that your insurance would cover this adventure.

Make sure you could dive with the guy, Hsieh-Ma-Ge, who is now Sixty-three years old.

(He went down approximately 20 m deep in my estimation, when I tried to take the VIDEO. He stayed under the water for more than one minute, try to hold the breath while watching it.)