Qimei, Penghu, Nov 2017

November 24, 2017

This is my second visit to Qimei, one of the islands of Penghu. Rarely will I visit a place twice in a row (just been there last year); there's just so many places to visit and so little time and $$$ to do so.

So why Qimei? It's remote, with only one post office, one Seven Eleven, no shopping malls, one petrol station that only opens during the day and a long winding road that goes around the island. No traffic light, there's no need for one. But this is why I fall in love with Qimei! Its unspoilt charm and beauty make it the perfect place to chill!

Now Qimei is not always that quiet. During summer, this island is a popular lures for surfers.

November is quiet. Not much visitors, not even the locals.. except for a few crazy us.

Once again we checked into this little B&B Homestay called 鶵鳥藝文空間

I've attended a B&W Photography workshop here last year. But this year I am simply back to chill.

It's like coming back to visit an old friend. The host, Xiao Pei, is very friendly and accommodating. And the extra bonus is to have a great chef as partner! We were well fed!

Now I said quiet and remote.. but this is probably so before our group arrived. With 7 very energetic kids, ranging from 9 to 17 years old, we definitely stormed the place and gave her cats some stressful and traumatic moments.

Thankfully, she had plenty of activities to keep the kiddos entertained and I don't mean with electronic devices! The kids get to design and print their own Tshirts, weave friendship bracelets, make bubble teas & pearls from scratch and roll their own sushi!

Ferry terminal where you purchased and board. Non Penghu residents can only purchased after the locals got theirs. And each of us are only allowed to purchase 4 tickets at one time. So be sure to queue early for your tickets as there is only one sail per day. And don't forget your passport for identification. It's NT$440 each. School concession available and children under 12 pays half price.

                            南海之星

Luggage towed by scooter "trailer".. we walked....

It's a 20 mins walk to the homestay. Nice scenery along the way.

Weaving friendship bracelet

Prep for Tshirt printing

Printed!

Sushi

Cauliflower ripe for harvestiing

On the job training with farming

Where the legends begin.. Qimei, literally means seven beauties. Legend has it that 7 maidens were doing laundry besides a well when they were attacked by Japanese pirates. Unwilling to submit themselves to the humiliation of being raped, they jumped into the well and killed themselves. Local residents filled up the well and left it as a tomb. Afterwhich 7 trees sprouted from the well, hence the name 七美

Looks closely, this formation resembles a pregnant lady lying down. Another legend here - This pregnant lady was waiting for her husband to return. Wait until turns to rock! Can you spot the hump?