"Orchid Island (Lanyu)" a Lan Yu Travel Page by kenmerk

I dunno why, but due to situations beyond my control, I haven't made it out to Orchid Island till now... (I've been thinking about this trip on and off for about 7 years now....)

The island has a small volcanic formation, and is situated about 60 kilometers off the southeast coast of Taiwan, and is home to the Yami tribe of Taiwanese aboriginals .

Due to its relatively remote location, it has probably the best preserved of the local Taiwanese aboriginal cultures. Symbols of the tribe include their distinctly decorative canoes, traditional underground houses, and the local cuisine, which consists mostly of Taro roots, and fish fish fish...

The scenery here is quite striking, with numerous rock formations, and quite a jagged coastline that juts out of the Pacific Ocean.... The best way to tour about is to rent a scooter and circle the perimeter road around the island... Just be ready to dodge the many goats, chickens and pigs that will invariably cross your path here....

But for me the real attraction was the quality diving that is available here. The water is gin clear with shipwrecks, drop-offs, walls, sea snakes, and quite healthy coral growth to be had.

Your typical day here will be the rooster wake up call at about 6 AM, then a couple dives with the sea snakes. Wait till late afternoon to hop on the scooter, and fight the local goat population for that prime sunset viewing spot, and finally seafood dinner capped off with some firewater with the locals... (if there is more to life, then I don't know about it...)

Quite a place, I'm already scheming about how to get out of work for another long weekend to get back down here....