The annual whale-watching season near Gueishan Island officially opened yesterday, with hundreds of tourists and foreign media workers packing onto boats to get a glimpse of whales and dolphins off Taiwan’s northeastern coast.
In addition to attracting numerous local tourists, the launch of the 2008 Gueishan Island Whale Watching campaign also attracted more than 100 tourists from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany and the US.
The tourists, including reporters and camera crews from three Japanese media outlets, set off from Ilan’s Wushih port in the morning and cruised around Gueishan Island — located about 10km off the coast of Ilan County — to watch whales.
PHOTO: CNA
Their ships then docked at the volcanic islet, known literally as “Turtle Mountain Island” because of its resemblance to a turtle, giving visitors a chance to explore the island’s well-preserved environment.
Officials from the Northeast and Ilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration — one of the sponsors of the activity – said the Gueishan Island area is one of the areas around Taiwan with the richest populations of cetaceans, with some 17 species appearing on a regular basis.
Most of the 17 species — including bottlenose dolphins and false killer whales — appear in waters near the Gueishan Island between April and September, the officials said.
They said tourists are welcome to land on Gueishan Island during the spring to enjoy its rich flora in the island’s southernmost section, where wild flowers, cultivated flowers and other natural botanical species are now flourishing around a small lake there.
A former military base, Gueishan used to be closed to civilians and remained so until 2001, when the government designated it as a tourist spot.
With a strict quota system in place limiting the number of tourists allowed to visit the island, advance registration is required to travel there.
Gueishan Island, which is known as an “ecological park on the sea,” is also known as a paradise for underwater geological exploration.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
RSS