10 Jun 2025

All Aboard in Keelung, Taipei

After meeting our fellow adventurers joining us on our Asian Island Odyssey voyage over dinner the night before, we enjoyed breakfast together again at our hotel before setting off in our air-conditioned buses. With the day set to be a hot one reaching 34C we appreciated the air-con as we made our way to the National Palace Museum where we explored the exhibits at our leisure enjoying the fine artworks and ceramics throughout the Taiwanese history.

With an exquisite lunch served in the Grand Hotel we were refuelled ready for the changing of the guards at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial hall, the soles of their boots leaving trails from the many guard changes. Onwards to the Yehliu Geopark which provided evidence of a land once underwater where the tectonic plates had collided and the earth’s crust risen out of the sea. The cape which Yehliu is situated on was named by the Spaniards as Punto Diablos meaning ‘Devil’s Cape’ as many a ship was struck by the winds and underwater rocks in what could be a sheltered bay. The site offered many sandstone rock formations with varying levels of tafoni erosion providing a honeycomb or hollowed out structure.

It was then time to board our home away from home Heritage Adventurer, a fine-looking expedition vessel with many famous adventures to her name, waiting patiently for us.

Images © C. Finch, Heritage Expeditions