Locus Map Pro and My Maps

Google has created a new world of mapping, My Maps is such. Using My Maps I have created a vast numbers of camp area and POI around the island Taiwan. 

However for travelers using My Maps can be expensive as it requires Mobile Data Coverage. Hence I am currently using Locus Map Pro version, there is a free version but since it does a better job compare to my Garmin which I sold it away, it was a worthwhile investment for the Pro version. I am a mapping addict!! 

Locus Map has been highly rated in Google Play Store. Anyone who needs offline maps, Locus Map is the way to go. There are tons of offline Worldwide Maps (see link below) otherwise you can download from their Pro version to your smartphone directly. 

Apple iOS, many might felt that is the best Smartphone but to serious travelers it is just a good camera phone, their mapping still have not taken shape. Android smartphones are the choice for travelers especially you have developers like Locus Map, accessible to offline Maps. You can track, navigate, check your speed, elevation etc. 

So how do I use My Maps and Locus Map? Create your POI (point of interest) on My Maps. Download the KML files to Dropbox, from there using Locus Map Dropbox add-on and you have it on Locus Map, simple as that.

Downloaded Locus Map POI

This info was created on My Maps, still can be viewed in Locus Map

More World Maps on OpenAndroMaps

Nantou Sky Bridge 天空之橋

Google Map

Completed and open to the public back in Jul 2012, the Nantou Sky Bridge is around 204 metres in length and currently is the longest suspension bridge. We decided to detour our route back home and see for ourself how this bridge had cause a sensation to many.

When we arrived at location, frustration started to gather as there is no public car park, instead there were many private car parks which we needed to pay NT50. Ended up paying a NT100 car park fee. Advise, take the first car park you see.

Meinong Lei Cha 美濃擂茶

from left to right, Taiwanese, Swedish, Japanese and Chinese DIY Lei Cha

Lei Cha history goes back to the 3 Kingdom. During the warring states, General Zhang Fei of Liu Bei forces noticed his troops was very weary and asked his practitioner to prescribe some medication. The practitioner came up with a powdery mixed of ginger, rice and tea with hot water which was later given to Zhangfeis' troops. Immediately his troops was vitalised. There were many versions to Lei Cha history. It could be dated back to the Shang or Zhou Dynasty 4000 years ago, thus it makes Lei Cha as the most traditional medicinal tea. More importantly the tea mixed does come with certain remedy for illness or for vitality. 

興達港 Xing Da Port Seafood Mart

Located in Kaohsiung, it takes about an hour to get here from Kaohsiung City. Opens only in the evening, it host a varieties of seafood. The fresh seafood here are very reasonably priced and value for money. There are also rows of finger food to try out.   

Google Map

Road to Hunter School

東港 Donggang Fishery Port

Been returning to this port to get fresh seafood supply. Most of the time when we were there, we were not able to see the Tuna auction because we were there for the wet market which only begins around 4pm and by then the auction center would have ended. 


So the last time we went there early before noon and managed to get a glimpse of  the Tuna auction in action 

It was a great experience to see how the auction was done and at the same time how they would sliced up the Tuna, packed and shipped out. 

Over at the wet market which begins around 4pm, you will find varieties of seafood and Sashimi stalls. You can buy these fresh seafood and there are cooked stalls which can prepare the dishes to your preference however you will need to pay them for their cooking effort.

Google Map

Festival

Bluefin Tuna Sashimi NT700

Come every May, there is a Bluefin Tuna  Festival where Bluefin Tuna are said to have the best meat during this time in their migration passing by Taiwan. Over the years of over-fishing had cause a decline in Bluefin Tuna's population and the government have set a quota. 

Bluefin Tuna are said the premium of all fishes, highly praised and priced for its quality.

Boat Burning Festival which only occurs very 3 years and the next will be Autumn 2012. This festival will ran for 8 days and various offering are made to a Tang Dynasty Scholar Wen Wang-yeh who was said to have watched over the Southern waters.

澎湖 Penghu Islands Bikepacking

Trip: 17 April 2009 to 24 April 2009
(7 days)
Location: Penghu Islands, Taiwan
Total biking distance: 320Km






7 days bikepacking trip around Penghu   and some of the islands.  Below is a map of our routes taken around the islands with photo logs. View Larger Map





View Larger Map

佳樂水風景區 Jialeshui Scenic Area

A tour along the coast to view at various rock formations, you can bike, hike or just take one of their so call coach. 

My kids first visited Jialeshui was back in 2006. On 19 Jun 2010, I took them a different route, a short hike to have a bird's eye view of the whole area. Do note this short trail can be dangerous.

View Google Map

後壁湖潛泳 Houbihu Snorkel

 18 Jun 2010

Google Map

Located in Kenting 南灣 South Bay just beside the Nuclear Power Plant, there are few shops by the beach offering rented wet suits, life jackets with snorkels for NT200. The activities are free and easy so there is no instructor or guide. Just beside those shops, there are toilets available however you will need to pay, otherwise just ask the shop you rented the gears from and use the water to wash down.

Best time to go is during Summer when the heat is on and the water will be clearer. Do not expect much marine life.

港仔大沙漠 Kangzi Great Desert

1 Apr 2010

While driving from Kenting to SyuHai, I decided to take a detour to Kangzi Great Desert and have some fun with my 4WD turtle. 

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area 阿里山國家風景區

4 Sep 2006
Day 1, we drove to Alishan for some leisure hikes and to watch early sunrise over Yushan from ZuShan. 
2 days was required for this activity. 


The first day afternoon we stopped over at Fen Chu Hu, spent some time around the village, by evening we drove up to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area to spend a night and catch the early morning train to Zushan. 


Below link have information on transport to Alishan
National Forest Recreation Area Website

小琉球 Xiaoliuqiu

Google Map

31May 2008 morning, our family decided to take a day trip to Xiaoliuqiu. We took a launch from Kaohsiung 真愛碼頭 Ferry Terminal at 9am and arrived Xiaoluiqiu around 1030am. The boat trip was pretty fast and there is even Karaoke onboard. 

I am not sure if the ferries still operate from Kaohsiung otherwise you will need to head down to Donggang. This was recent biking trip.

There were 8 of us on this trip so getting round the island with a hired van was much more easier. We only travel the eastern part of the island all the way to the southern tip and turn back. Overall the trip was Ok but I thought cycling round the island would be more fun.

山中天 Shan Zhong Tian

There is so much to learn about Aboriginal culture in Taiwan. So last week my partner's brother made an arrangement for us to visit his Hakka friend, Hsu Wen Min who is married to a Rukai Head Chief's daughter. 

Located at 三地門 Sandimen, Pingtung on the junction towards Wutai.  山中天 is a restaurant and homestay but what makes this place interesting is the collection art work and history. Somehow on this day I learnt a fair bit about Aboriginal history. 

布洛灣遊憩區 Bulouwan Recreation Area

 3 Apr 2010

Located around Taroko Gorge, this is an aboriginal recreation area with arts, culture and history.

AliShan Cherry Blossom

Last Visited 12 Mar 2010
photo album

The last time I was in Alishan park was 4 years ago with my kids. This time I am up there with family to view the cherry blossom (sakura). After the long hike around the area, we decided to take the forbidden road back to our vehicle. 

Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 MTB

6 Feb 2009

This is the third time I have been to Sun Moon Lake but this time was different, we decided to bike around Sun Moon Lake.

Accommodation - Youth Centre
Room - 7/10 bedding was comfortable with wooden flooring
Food - 6/10 dinner was nothing great, breakfast was good.
Service - 7/10 no room service but the counter was helpful.
Room for 4 package would cost around NTD3100 included bikes (Giant Boulder), dinner and breakfast

Activity - 20km biking around the lake.
Resource - Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area

Xitou Forest Recreation Park 溪頭森林遊樂區

7 Feb 2009

南投縣鹿谷鄉森林巷9號(臺大實驗林溪頭營林區)
Tel: (049)261-2580

Camping Fee: NT500 per ground (More info)

Google Map

Website
Camping Charges

Features: Hiking and Forest Education

Indeed is a recreation park, basically you just walk and walk and view the nature. Most of the path have been paved so kids and elderly could just do it. We did not camp but stayed in the hostel instead.

Accommodation - Youth Centre
Room - 7/10 wooden flooring no beds but bedding provided
Food - 6/10 nothing fantastic
Service - 6/10 no room service but counter was helpful
Room package of 8 included dinner and breakfast cost around NTD3500

Activity - 20km of so call "Hiking".

白沙灣 Baisha Wan

1 Feb 2010

N21 56.074 E120 43.010

Nice lovely long beach, I need some campers actually camp on this beach, there are few shower points available but you will need to pay. This beach is much quieter compare to Kenting's other beaches. 

Lingsia Cave 靈霞洞

Google Map
Tri-Mountian NSA, Hsinchu County

Last visited: 30 July 2009

Located in Lion's Head Mountain Scenic Area, the hike was unexpected as the road was mainly tar road. We could actually drive up but we are not sure if it is allowed. So on a hot summer day we decided to hike.

Shuilian Cave 水簾洞

Tri-Mountain NSA, Hsinchu County
Fee: free for all
Google Map
Last visited: 30 Jul 2009

Situated in Miaoli County, near to Lion's Heads Mountain 獅頭山 Visitor Center. It is the largest natural grotto in Lion's Head Mountain. The hike takes about half hour.