A new ferry service from Taiwan to the outlying Penghu islands offers an alternative to going abroad for a vacation. The ferry can carry vehicles of all kinds. FTV joined a group of friends who took their motorbikes over to the islands for the long weekend of a lifetime. After a sleeper trip on the ferry, they had the freedom to move around Penghu on their own schedule, with their own bikes. Some said it felt like going abroad, while others said it was an unforgettable experience.
Here at Gushan Ferry Pier in Kaohsiung, 15 people have lined up with 12 motorbikes, and they’re preparing to catch a ferry to Penghu.
The ferry personnel fix the bikes down with ropes to stop them rocking on the journey. The Tai Hwa Ferry officially began transporting passengers to Penghu in September. With a passenger capacity of 600, the ship has space left for coaches, small buses and freight deliveries of groceries, among other things.
Motorcyclist
We’re a group of amateur bikers, and we wanted to take a trip to Penghu together with our bikes. Most of us are from the north, Taipei and Taoyuan.
Motorcyclist
It’s the first time I’ve taken my bike overseas! The Taiwan Strait is the sea too, right?
Taking your motorbike on a ferry may not be as cozy as taking a short flight, but it gives travelers lots of flexibility for their holiday. They can arrange their own schedule freely. And if the weather’s good, there’s no need to worry about seasickness.
Ferry personnel
People are more likely to get seasick when there’s a typhoon, a tropical depression, or a northeast monsoon.
The ferry to Penghu takes seven hours. The group get on the ferry at 11 p.m. and arrive at 6 a.m. the next day to see the sun rising over the coast. Biking around the islands, they can enjoy basalt rock formations, and the stone pathway known as “Moses Parting the Red Sea,” in a trip they won’t forget anytime soon.
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