Visiting Baisha is one of the best ways to ensure a tropical experience while on the island of Taiwan complete with aquatic adventure activities, hammocks for lazy afternoons, fresh coconut water to keep you super hydrated and coconut tree lined walkways. To make sure that your trip is just as lovely as mine I have a few words of caution to impart upon you.
1. Check the weather before you come.
While this authors experience, swinging in a hammock beneath two coconut trees, was absolutely blissful I wouldn’t want to be stuck in my $14 (US) 2-person tent during a typhoon like the one that had passed two days earlier.Just days after typhoon Saola came through the water that was briefly murky, uninviting and reminiscent of chocolate milk quickly transformed back to its refreshing aqua blue color.The waves ripple like velvet and explode gently upon the fine sand.
- Things to remember:
If you decide to camp here bring your mosquito repellant, flip flops, a hobby (like an interesting book so that you can stay occupied while tanning), a towel, sunscreen, hat and hand washing soap. If you are camping in a tent and not an RV, you will need a sleeping mat to put under your sleeping bag unless you are used to sleeping on bricks.
- Bring your flat irons--electricity IS available!
Taiwan uses the same type of plug as the U.S.A. If you have appliance with a different kind of plug, you will need an adapter and converter to use the power outlets.
- Transportation
If you planned on touring the island by scooter, or moped, keep in mind that some foreigners including those from the U.S. are not allowed to rent them. You still have options however. Travelers from the U.S. are able to rent a car, and in some areas such as Kenting electric bicycles are available for rent. They look identical to scooters but run on battery power instead of gasoline.
5. Drugs are widely available--kind of.
When you see a local person with their mouth stuffed while they are just sitting around and their teeth are stained red, and they smell a little bit like cancer they are chewing a stimulant known as betel nut. It is legal, and it is everywhere. These little darlings are produced by a sinister, magical palm tree which seeks to make as many people addicted to it as possible. Try it at your own risk, but keep an air sickness bag handy.
Just as a side note, there was a woman from Italy who was covered in mosquito bites from neck to foot and she was wearing a DEET mosquito repellent.I was very surprised by this because mosquitoes love to attack me, but only two were able to penetrate the OFF mosquito repellent I purchased from Wal-Mart prior to my week long trip.Come prepared!
Finally, the U.S. government did issue a warning that travelers to many beaches in Taiwan should wear sandals as animal contamination to the sand may be harmful to human health.This may not apply to Baisha as it is off the beaten path, but there were many dogs there and it is worth noting.
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