Kenting, Taiwans Resort Town

View Photos (1) Image © 2005 Ieuan Dolby

A one-street thoroughfare nestling precariously on the Southern Coast of Taiwan that partially succeeds in international imitation of a holiday destination whilst struggling with local life and happenings. Without the typical mass influx of pale-faced westerners armed with beach balls and suntan lotion the town has a more relaxed atmosphere than its western counterparts. Japanese and mainland Chinese blend in with the locals leaving the odd taller and whiter foreigner to stand out for attention.

A Kentucky Fried Chicken shop heralds the start of the main drag followed in rapid succession by a myriad of souvenir shops, live fish restaurants and western styled bars that sell anything from Thai food to Guinness Beer, although the all-popular steak and noodles missed the boat!

Looking inwards the back drop of green rolling hills lead steeply upwards, to the pinnacle dark rock that stands like a protector of the town beneath. Across the road the sea; the blue azure of the Pacific Ocean, all the way to the horizon and beyond! Two small beaches nestling in natural coves cater to a haphazard world of high speed water sports and families seeking the sun, but endless fights for space break out as umbrella stand renters claim the beach as theirs!

Along the main street little and tall guesthouses, desperately in need of a coat of paint, struggle valiantly to survive against the larger and imposing resort complexes on the outskirts. The guest houses give cheaper rooms, a place to stay in the center of the quiet action; the resorts giving safety and peacefulness that is only a minute?s walk from the town. The little street comes to life in the evening when those sheltering from the days sun become braver, hotels empty and the street fills up. Mopeds get rented; the adventurous take the bicycle and the rest just walk aimlessly from end to end, many often surprised at how quickly all can be seen but ready to see it again.

Kenting: a little home away from home for many a frustrated, overworked and harried Taiwanese businessman and his family. A place for families to be together as at home they are too busy with living and earning money for that sort of thing. A good escape from the noise and pollution of big city life; a romantic getaway for couples to escape the watchful eye; certainly a place to find the sea the fresh air and normalcy! It is not a Bali or Acapulco, nor the Canary Islands or the Caribbean, but it has charm in its simplicity, character in its smallness. It is a lay by on the motorway of Taiwanese life!

Shame they built that nuclear power station so close!

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Published on 4/2/05