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Jiadong to Kaoshuing.

We faced some trouble finding a hotel last night that wasn’t a pay-by-the-hour Lurve Motel (exceptionally popular around here). Luckily, the comedy value of these venues prevented the search fatigue becoming a nuisance. We stayed in Donggang and went to Dapeng Bay, chilling there a while by a lagoon. After further difficulties locating a beach (I know, how hard can that be when you’re on the ocean’s edge?), we sunbathed foreigner-style amongst fully clothed fisherman with hats and umbrellas and back to front jackets and gloves. Neil cooled his pistons in the warm sea and we enjoyed the koch.

Starting back in Jiadong at 4.00 it was still hot but quickly cooled as evening came. We expect a friend named Mattus today. He is making a weekend bus trip from Taipei, and we hope he will bring tales of the city. In other tales, Neil had a dream that he was prevented from finishing his marathon by midnight (the last two kilometres of which were up and down a flight of stairs) due to being intertwined amongst a rioting pack of Spurs and Arsenal fans. When football and marathons meet in dreams…

A long bridge crosses a river that leads into Kaoshiung. Approaching the other side, the lights are bright as neon stars and the city appears to be brand new, super-modern and amongst the best in the world. It’s not until one nears the end of the bridge that it becomes clear that this is no city, but some strange, shining plant or refinery, so vast and sparkly thoughts of Star wars come to mind. Much later on, we find Kaoshiung. Matt arrives with a motorbike that he has rented and drives admirably well for someone who was a little fearful having somehow managed to ‘donut’ a stranger’s motorbike back when he was fourteen. We see a heron in the road and later on a frog hops by.

Neil is running fast today. The celebrated new arrival, and the thought of a visit to a British-style pub, a catalyst for a quick finish. It seems illogical, but as Neil progresses it’s as though his body adapts to the rigours and, now injury free for some days, he has few complaints. His energy levels are high instead of on the decrease. His pistons are stronger rather than weaker. Each kilometre he travels seems to speed him up rather than slow him down. Finishing in the city, we are all impressed by the wide, tree-lined streets, modern feel and aesthetic architecture of Kaoshiung, and quickly find a hotel.

Straight back out the door, we head to The Pig and Whistle to enjoy a pint or two of Taiwan Beer and some proper pub food (I think the menu offered the Big Pig Burger. I don’t know if that refers to what’s being eaten or the person who is eating it).

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