Orchid Island: Taiwan’s Tropical Paradise

by Bama
May 9, 2013
57 comments
Asia, Taiwan
01

Daily Air’s Dornier 228

The 19-seated Dornier 228 was parked on the far side of the apron of Taitung Airport. A huge hose was blowing Oxygen into the cabin when James and I entered the plane. Seated on the first row behind the cockpit, we could clearly see what was happening behind the control panel – the pilot and his co-pilot communicating to each other while holding pieces of paper with tables and numbers printed on them. After all passengers were seated, it did not take long until the old iron bird ascended to the sky, leaving the Taiwan mainland behind.

30 minutes later a green and rugged island emerged from the low-hanging clouds, shrouded by the fog. Rows of towering mountains and hills sloped down to the cobalt sea, bringing my memories to Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna – two fictional islands from Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park and The Lost World. Lanyu – better known as Orchid Island – is one of the most remote islands in Taiwan and also the home of the Tao, one of the aboriginal tribes of Taiwan.

Shaokang, the young proprietor of our homestay, greeted us at the arrival hall of the tiny airport after we reclaimed our baggage from the back of a pickup truck. Driving his minivan back to his homestay through the light drizzle, Shaokang explained a few things to James along the way – later I found out that he told James some do’s and don’ts regarding the culture and custom of the Tao. We passed through several villages where houses covered in white tiles dominated the view, such a stark contrast to the breathtaking natural landscape sitting behind.

After dropping our bags at the homestay and another short conversation with Shaokang, we rode the scooter and started navigating the narrow ring road of the island. Shaokang told James earlier that there is no need to wear the helmets, something I have not done for a long time. Stopping at the first gas station we saw – and the only one on the entire island – we greeted the staff with àkokay, “Hello” in the local language. The attendant who helped us fill the tank was startled. Her face implicitly told us that very few visitors did the same thing, greeting the locals the way they greet each other. Bearing a physical resemblance to most Southeast Asian people, I often felt as if I was really close to home, and locals often mistook me as one of them.

Right beside the gas station, a small beacon was perched on the top of a rock, overlooking the picturesque water below. I gazed down, amazed by the rippling sapphire sea. Turning around, the natural walls of island’s volcanic spine covered with trees and bushes provide a majestic backdrop to the blue water.

02

Peeking into the Cockpit

03

Leaving Taiwan’s Mainland

04

Small Beacon, Great Significance

05

Green Backdrop for the Cobalt Water

06

Pristine Seashore Viewed from the Small Hill

07

Nature at Its Best

The breeze from the ocean and the mountains touched my face as we continued exploring the island on our scooter. “This is exciting!” James couldn’t hide how much he enjoyed his first ever experience riding on a scooter. I rode the two-wheeled vehicle towards a lighthouse atop the northwesternmost tip of the island, through a snaking road on the mountainside. Halfway to the lighthouse, we stopped at the roadside to marvel at the breathtaking expanse of the west coast. The emerald highlands on the left met the sapphire water on the right, separated only by the narrow ring road. Despite having never been to Hawaii, the breathtaking vista of Orchid Island’s western coast reminded me of images of the 50th state of the US.

The lighthouse itself is situated in a small compound built to sustain itself due to its remoteness. One man walked from one building to another, crossing the neatly cut field of grass and completely indifferent to our presence. Not spending too much time around the lighthouse as it was actually forbidden to climb the structure, we decided to go back and visit the small lake off the road. Taking heed of a small signboard as the only hint to get to the lake, we parked our scooter and walked down a dirt pathway through dense scraping bushes. As we ventured deeper into the forest, big butterflies – the biggest I have ever seen – were the only moving creatures we saw. An abandoned tent was hidden under a tree, close to the point where we found out that we went to the wrong direction as the pathway ended on the edge of a cliff.

Tracing back the trail where we came while trying not to get lost, we finally found a forking pathway studded with the ubiquitous moon peach blossoms. The further we walked the shorter the bushes, and the stronger the wind blew. James had told me earlier that the lake might be dried out, but we decided to keep exploring the place nonetheless. A short moment afterwards, we did find the lake – without any water there was only a dried lake bed.

But excitement can be created even out of the most unlikely situation. We decided to go down the steep rugged pathway to the lake, and walked on the lake bed. It was such a weird sensation to walk on the fluffy and soft earth covered in dried moss with cracks on the ground, hoping for water to fill them in.

Rough and Rugged

Rough and Rugged

18

The Northwestern Coast Viewed from Near the Lighthouse

The Dried Small Lake

The Dried Small Lake

20

Moon Peach Blossoms

Heading back to our scooter, I revved up the engine and continued circumnavigating the island. Orchid Island is most well-known for its strange rock formations. Crocodile Rock, Beauty Rock, Hen Rock, Two Lions Rock and Dragon’s Head Rock are some of the most imaginatively-named rocks on the coast of the island, albeit with little resemblance to the real objects. After the trip to Orchid Island and my previous trip to Xingping in Southern China,  I came to the conclusion that the Chinese do have some of the most evocative ways of naming geographical features.

As we arrived at the northern coast, we were overwhelmed by the strong gust from the Pacific Ocean. I had to slow down the scooter to keep the balance as it was the strongest wind I have ever felt while riding a two-wheeled vehicle. Along the northern coast, the sheer beauty and mystery of the island constantly blew my mind away. One particular mountain stood like a giant wall at the end of one long straight stretch of the ring road, before it bends to the left circling the volcanic fortress. There were moments when upon seeing something new our mind would associate that to a strange thing from our memories. This time the mountain reminded me of a scene from Eragon, one of the most captivating fantasy books I have ever read by far.

Around lunchtime we arrived at Dongching Bay on the eastern coast of the island. We picked a small yet cozy restaurant where a white cat, a black dog, and the soothing sound of a ukulele would accompany us during the lunch. “All of the ingredients were grown on the island” claimed the owner who was also the cook. The supposedly ‘extra spicy’ fried rice that I had was anything but spicy at all, thanks to all of the super spicy food I have at home.

“Does he look like a local?” James asked the lady about my physical appearance. Locals always found it amusing to discover how physically similar Indonesians are with the Tao.

“His eyes look like ours” the lady replied.

“Ayoy! Meikunan!” We thanked the owner and bid her farewell before continuing the exploration of the island with full stomachs, only to later discover the bleak side of this paradise.

08

Riding through the Hills, Literally

09

On the Scenic Road

10

Goats on A Giant Rock

11

A Scene out of A Fantasy Movie

12

“The Beauty Rock”

13

The Eastern Coast

14

Small Orchid Island Seen from Its Big Sister

15

A Panoramic View from the Weather Station

16

Cutting through the Dense Forests

17

The Mantou Rock, After the Chinese Steamed Bun

21

Our Beloved Ride

22

Sunset, the Western Coast

Posted by

Based in Jakarta, always curious about the world, always fascinated by ancient temples, easily pleased by food.

57 thoughts on “Orchid Island: Taiwan’s Tropical Paradise”

  1. James says:

    Reading this brought back a lot of wonderful memories Bama, I’m really glad you could join me for this trip to Orchid Island. Who knows how I would have gotten around the island without your expert driving/scootering skills! It’s interesting to see how our cameras captured the same scenes quite differently… I especially love your sunset shot. 🙂

    Like

    • Bama says:

      And I’m really glad you suggested this island at the first place. Without the scooter you only have one choice to go around the island: by that small bus. 🙂 Or well, you have two choices actually, based on the description in one guidebook on how ‘small’ the island is, you can also walk. 🙂 Thanks James!

      Like

  2. alexander sriewijono says:

    Akokay mas!
    Exploring the island by riding a scooter looks really nice, enjoying the beautiful landscape and the wind at the same time.
    But the “best” part for me reading your post is definitely the 19-seated Dornier 228. Deja vu. Back to 1991, Wamena to Agats – Irian Jaya, with 2 propellers off, while we were still in the air. 🙂
    But I bet you had a nice time at that time.
    Nice article Mase, as always.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Akokay! 🙂
      I remember how surprised I was when you told me about that plane experience in Irian back in 1991. Now that was one of a kind trip!
      Ayoy!

      Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Nina! Orchid Island was one of the most memorable islands I’ve ever visited.

      Like

  4. BuddhistTravels says:

    Beautiful. I love the blue and green contrasts of the ocean and mountains. Going to have to add Orchid Island to my bucket list!

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Orchid Island is only famous among Taiwanese. Most foreigners are completely unaware of this island. You need to go there when you visit Taiwan! 🙂

      Like

  7. Traveling Solemates says:

    Hi Bama, those rock formations are breathtaking! What a lovely island to scoot around. Love the color of the water and your flower shots. Sounds like you and James had a really great time. -Marisol

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Marisol! They really are! I can’t recall visiting any place like that before. The next time I come to NYC I will surely drop you a message. 🙂

      Like

  8. Madhu says:

    A beautiful account of your trip Bama. And stunning photos. That sunset is National geographic worthy 🙂 Hope I can see all of this is person someday.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Madhu! What a nice encouragement! 🙂 If you go to Taiwan one day make sure to visit this tiny island. It took a convenient 30-minute flight from Taitung, the major city on the Taiwan mainland.

      Like

      • Madhu says:

        I shall Bama. But looks like we’ll have to brush up our bike riding skills before then 😀

        Like

      • Bama says:

        Riding a scooter is much easier than you think Madhu, especially when it’s an automatic one. 🙂 I have a friend who doesn’t know how to ride a bicycle but he rides an automatic scooter pretty well.

        Like

  9. robintheblog says:

    It reminds me a bit of Pulau Samosir Bam! The green scenic hills, and the scooter.
    And I’m a bit surprised to find out that it’s not James’ eyes that look similar with locals but yours. Probably that’s why people are sometimes mistaken you for being Chinese (though I still find it difficult to process).
    Anyway, what are the don’ts? You didn’t mention any here.
    Orchid Island seems like one fine pretty secluded and untouched island that worth exploring.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      That’s exactly what I felt when I rode the scooter around the island. Remember how we also took the scooter when we were in Samosir? About the local people, they don’t look Chinese at all, in fact they look like Filipinos or Indonesians. That explains why they thought that I’m a local. One of the don’ts is about staying at a respectful distance from the canoes, as I mentioned in my other post.

      Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Filip! It really was a magnificent island. The indigenous culture makes the island even more enchanting.

      Like

  13. DatsMaStyle says:

    Hi,
    We have a new weekly feature on our blog showcasing the blogs we are currently reading and love. This week are highlighting your blog and three others. We are asking if you could please read the article, like it and share it with your followers. We would appreciate it. You can check it out here: http://datsmastyle.me/2013/05/16/4-blogs-we-are-loving-this-week-from-culture-to-family/. The article goes live on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. EST.

    Thank you and great blog.

    Like

  18. Marilyn Albright says:

    The combination of your superb photos (the Moon Peach blossoms are so delicate and lovely) and descriptive writing almost make me feel like I was there on the trip! I wonder why the dried small lake is dry? Maybe James will learn to drive the scooter next time! Excellent post.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Marilyn! Your words always encourage me to write with my heart. 🙂 I have plenty of stories in the pipeline but I’ve been extremely busy for the last two weeks. Once things have got back to normal again, you can expect more stories in this blog. 🙂 There’s water in the lake only during rainy season, but there’s also a larger lake in the south which we didn’t go.

      Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Sartenada! Orchid Island is one of those less-known paradises. Go there before everyone else does. 🙂

      Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Shirley! Orchid Island is indeed a beautifully unique island, unlike anything I’ve seen before.

      Like

  23. Tammy says:

    Such a beautiful place–I really just want to be in that water right now. Great job with those pictures!
    (wherefeetmeetplanet.com)

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Tammy! Orchid Island was really one of the best places that I’ve ever been. If only the weather was not so cold, I might have jumped into the water. 🙂

      Like

  24. Pingback: Lombok Beaches Part 1: Changing Faces | What an Amazing World!

  26. alexis says:

    i was there in June and reading about this brought back memories! Would love to be back!

    Like

  27. darwinontherocks says:

    Oh wow, the island looks amazing ! It looks really wild and untouched. I love the little moon peach blossom and the sunset looks pretty amazing. Do they have cars over there or they just use scooters ?

    Like

    • Bama says:

      I saw a few cars on the island, but most people rode scooters, including me. It was so peaceful there.

      Like

      • Bama says:

        I think most, if not all, scooters on the island were the ones with automatic transmission. So if you can ride a bicycle, you should be able to learn how to ride a scooter in no time.

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.