Text / Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network
More and more people enjoy circling Taiwan—there are silver-haired riders biking around the island, solo cyclists, and even those trekking in flip-flops. But have you ever imagined a cooler way to go around Taiwan? Someone in Taitung did it by canoe. A “Delivering Dreams – Never Stop Paddling” canoe circumnavigation team, formed by faculty and students from the Department of Physical Education at National Taitung University, arrived at Dapeng Bay in Donggang, Pingtung yesterday (the 7th) despite wind and rain. They are expected to return to Taitung on August 13, achieving their one-month goal of circumnavigating Taiwan by canoe.
A canoe circumnavigation team composed of faculty and students from National Taitung University set off from Taitung on July 15 and is expected to return to Taitung on the 13th, successfully realizing their dream of circling the island. (Photo provided by Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration)
The canoe team arrived at Kaohsiung’s Gushan Fishing Port on the 6th. On the 7th, due to poor weather and sea conditions, the team opted for land travel out of safety concerns. They arrived at Dapeng Bay at 2 pm, where the Dapeng Bay Administration and Dapeng Bay International Development Company deployed over 10 canoes and rubber dinghies to accompany the Taitung University students as they launched from near the Dapeng Bay Cross-Sea Bridge. Despite the rain, they crossed the waters of Dapeng Bay and reached the waterfront dock of the Dapeng Bay International Leisure Zone, completing a symbolic challenge.
The circumnavigation team encountered wind and rain during their journey, and yesterday, with assistance from local operators in Dapeng Bay, managed to cross the bay’s waters. (Photo provided by Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration)
In addition to giving out special postcards from the circumnavigation as thanks, the students also shared that they met many other types of island circumnavigators during the trip—one female solo cyclist, and someone who started hiking the circumference wearing only flip-flops worth 500 NT dollars. Everyone encouraged one another, which was especially uplifting. Although Typhoons Saola and Haikui disrupted their journey, the team members held firm to their never-give-up spirit and will complete the final seven days of paddling. They are scheduled to arrive at Fugang Fishing Port in Taitung around 3–4 pm on August 13, marking the triumphant conclusion of this remarkable feat.
● Read more: The Cutest Moment in Taitung’s Sky – Pirate and Mushroom Hot Air Balloons Take Flight
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