THE ‘REAL’ SPRING SCREAM
There is only one Spring Scream, though this weekend there will be many raves and concerts in the Kenting area. The original Spring Scream (春天吶喊) is the one held at Oluanpi Lighthouse National Park (鵝鑾鼻燈塔國家公園).
THE SPRING SCREAM IPHONE APP
Graphic: Taipei Times
Spring Scream has a free app for the iPhone (sorry Android users, you’re out of luck) that keeps festivalgoers updated on the latest news, announcements and schedule changes. The app has an interactive map of the festival grounds, in which users can tap on the stages to see the schedule of bands. In addition to serving as an overall festival guide with a map to the park and links to all participating bands’ YouTube videos, the app also has a “schedule maker,” which lets you keep track of the bands you want to see at the festival. The Spring Scream app also works on the iPod touch, but bear in mind you won’t be able to get news updates, as Wi-Fi connectivity won’t be available at the event.
GETTING THERE
For chartered buses to Spring Scream from Taipei, check www.kitravel.com.tw/servlet/springscream.bus. Other bus companies run regular services to Kenting via Kaohsiung. Contact them directly or through Taipei Bus Station (www.taipeibus.com.tw, or by calling (02) 7733-5888).
The fastest, if not the most economical, way to go is to take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (www.thsrc.com.tw, tel: (02) 6626-8000) to Kaohsiung’s Zuoying Station (高鐵左營車站) and then share a taxi or minivan to the Spring Scream site at Oluanpi Lighthouse National Park (鵝鑾鼻燈塔國家公園). If you are in a full minivan, the cost is about NT$450 per person. The Taiwan Railway Administration (www.railway.gov.tw/en/index/index.aspx, tel: (02) 2381-5226) also offers train services to Kaohsiung from Taipei. Buses run from Kaohsiung to Kenting from both Kaohsiung Train and Zuoying stations. Make your bookings as soon as possible.
From Kenting, there is a free shuttle bus (look for a sign that reads “Spring Scream — Fast and Furious 5 Shuttle Bus”) that leaves from the Howard Beach Resort (墾丁福華渡假飯店). Shuttles go directly to the Spring Scream site, and run every 20 minutes from 3pm to 1am. Be aware that delays are likely during peak hours.
As this is a holiday weekend, expect heavy traffic. The short trip to Oluanpi from Hengchun (恆春) can take more than three hours. Spring Scream organizers recommend an alternative route: Start east of Hengchun and pass along Ciaotou Road (橋頭路, Route 200) and Jiao Highway (佳鵝公路). See the “traffic” section of the festival’s Web site for a map. Traveling in the wee hours may help.
ACCOMMODATION
Camping at the Spring Scream site is available for multi-day pass holders and performers only. The fee is NT$1,000 for a 9m2 area starting from today until Tuesday. The campsite has bathrooms and hot showers. Other campsites are located alongside the road between Kending and Oluanpi and charge around NT$100 to NT$200 per person per night.
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