Life is all about travel. Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets. Adventure can remind you to explore new horizons, and step out of your comfort zone
Do you love park? Are you interesting with garden? I am going to introduce you about the destination of the Kings Park. Kings park is based in Perth Australia where you can view the beautiful city of Perth and it is one of the best tourist attractions in Western Australia. It is the largest and most beautiful inner city parks. It is rich in Aboriginal and European history, contemporary culture and it offers innovative design, displays and services. Kings Park has an international reputation for scientific research, leading horticulture, conservation as well as the public education.
Kings Park is home to the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, which displays over 3,000 species of the State’s unique flora. Two thirds of the 400 hectare park is protected as bushland and provides a haven for native biological diversity.
Meeting of two rivers which is name called Swan rivers and Canning rivers 🙂
It is a place where you will enjoy sweeping views of the Swan and Canning Rivers which is shown the picture above, the city skyline and the Darling Ranges to the east. Bushland walk trails, immaculate gardens and parklands and a variety of children’s discovery play areas can all be found in Kings Park. The Visitor Information Centre, free daily guided walks, Aspects of Kings Park gallery shop, cafes and public transport are easily accessible.
Botanic Garden
Western Australian Botanic Garden
Kings Park and Botanic Garden celebrates the unique and diverse plant life of Western Australia and it is part of the worldwide network of botanic gardens committed to plant conservation. The original vision for Perth Park, later Kings Park, was of a European style garden with lawns, shady trees and flower beds. Recognition of the climatic differences and the low nutrient soil changed this vision.
In October 1965, the 17 hectare Western Australian Botanic Garden was opened; an everchanging, living research centre that focuses on the conservation of Western Australia’s flora and displays some of the State’s most diverse and spectacular plant groups.
When you visit the kings park, there is a very beautiful Botanic Garden in the kings Park. If you are interested in learning the local aboriginal plants then you should walking around the botanic garden.
While walking around the botanic garden, you will see quite lot of this garden sign to tell you more details about the name of the garden such as the picture shown on the left side which is name garden called Dwellingup mallee. You will see the tallest tree which is called Boab tree as well. It is very interesting.
When I visited the botanic garden in the park, I find the boab tree is very interesting. One of the tour guide from the park, share us about the Boab tree. The story of the Giant Boab is called ‘Gija Jumulu’ captured world-wide media coverage during July 2008 as it journeyed over 3,200 kilometres, from Warmun in WA’s Kimberley region, to Kings Park in Perth.
Never before had a mature tree of this nature been transported across such a distance on the land. The iconic tree is estimated to be 750 years old, weighs 36 tonnes and stretches 14 metres high and eight metres wide (branch span). It is trunk measures 2.5 metres in diameter.
Glass bridge 😀
Take a walk in the treetops on the Glass Bridge which they name called Lotterywest Federation Walkway and enjoy unsurpassed views of the Swan River and Perth City.
Beautiful view from the glass bridge in the park
An impressive feat of engineering and architecture, the Glass Bridge is strong sculptural quality bonds with its landscape, with the rusted steel and powerful forms of the colossal pylons having an affinity with the large tree trunks surrounding them.
My perfect background 😂
As the land beneath the walkway starts to drop away into a valley and my journey leads me higher, I get a new perspective which enriches my appreciation of nature’s beauty.
From a bird’s eye view, I find myself marvelling a new at zamia cycads and balgas or grass trees, it is because I suddenly see the perfect pattern of their radial symmetry. Up in the forest canopy, I was at the one with the blossoms of marri, karri, tingle and jarrah, the intricate little cones of sheoak and dozens of native birds.
Just north of the Two Rivers Lookout near the Forrest roundabout, the Glass Bridge begins at ground level but I am soon swept aloft as I approach the apex – a spectacular arched bridge with a maximum height of 16 metres and glass walls which allow uninterrupted views to the forest floor. At the highest point, do take a moment to absorb the panorama of the Swan and Canning Rivers.
I still remember that i did jumping on the bridge and my friend was screaming because the bridge is very shaky as i was jumping. It is very good experience with walking on the bridge. The bridge is a walkway to get to the DNA towers.
The whole walkway is about 620 metres long, with the aerial section being 222 metres including the 52 metre bridge. It is accessible by wheelchair, although people with manual mobility devices may need assistance on the arch.
Artworks within the walkway include designs by the Nyoongar, the local Indigenous people. After spanning Mount Eliza Scarp the walkway descends to an amphitheatre where traditional performances are held during the Kings Park Festival. This performance area is named called Beedawong – the Nyoongar word for a celebration or meeting place.
Walking to the DNA Tower will pass by here
While walking pass through the glass bridge, you will walk pass this lane. It is a very beautiful plant surround there and you will see the water garden when you walk upto the DNA Towers.
DNA TOWERS
The beautiful of the DNA Towers
The DNA Tower is reffered from the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double-helix molecule, which is found in all cells and control the development of life.
It is the highest viewing point in Kings Park with spectacular views throughout the climb. On a clear day you may even be able to see the Indian Ocean. DNA Towers is for you to have a view this beautiful City of Perth from the top. You could see the both rivers which is Swan and Canning rivers from the top. It is quite tiring to walk up but it is worth to do it because it is very beautiful view from the top of this towers.
The paving and wall surrounding the DNA Tower was constructed using stones from 11 towns and 80 shires within the Western Australia. The original design included a shallow reflecting pond at the base of the tower. It was replaced with Karratha stone paving in 2001 to enhance visitor safety.
The DNA Tower is located at the Forrest Drive end of the Broadwalk Vista. It is an easy 1.5 km walk from May Drive Parkland and the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
How beautiful is this viewing from the Kings Park
Apart from these things to do, what else is there to explore and discover in Kings Park? Most of the tourist visiting kings park for the DNA Towers, viewing the beautiful of the city, glass bridge, the botanic garden, Art Gallery as well as learning the local aboriginal cultures. Local people usually going to the Kings Park for BBQ with their family and friends, especially on the weekend. Kings park is also able to host for the couple to have a wedding activities such as wedding dinner. It is a very good background for the couples to have some nice photoshoot in the Kings Park.
Ultimately, Kings Park is very good for the education as well. Some school and the university always taking their student for a field trip to Kings Park to discover before giving them some activities to do which is pretty fun.
I do highly recommeded to go for a view if you are travelling to the Kings Park. It is one of the top destination in Perth Australia.
Stay tune on my next blog 🙂
If you have any concern and question, please don’t feel hesitate to contact me. I will help by giving you some travel advice. Make sure you are not traveling now due to the COVID-19 but for you to visit after this virus ended.
Cijin Island is a very small island in Kaohsiung Taiwan. Kaohsiung is belong to the Southern area in Taiwan. It is just 15 minutes ferry ride outside the famous Kaohsiung Harbour to the Cijin Island. Although it is a very small Island, this island has become a favorited destination for those people whoever had visiting the city. The island is famous not just only for historical and cultural sites, but also for the fresh seafood around the night market. It really is perfect for any type of travelers; no matter if you are visiting for a hiking trip, sightseeing, cycling, photography etc. Cijin Island has something special for everyone.
Cijin Island is one of those destinations that always has visitors and it is the best tourists attractions in Taiwan, it is because there is so much trip to do in the island. Those who love a good hike usually make their way to the famous Cijin Lighthouse that is located on top of the hills. The hike is not difficult and it is easy to navigate around the trails, so it is very suitable for many people. Cycling around the island is also a preferred activity in Cijin Island; some of the best places that can be explored include the Cijin Windpower Park and the Cijin Seashore Park. Exploring an island is not completely without a dip in the water, and because the water in Cijin is quite warm, many love to relax while soaking their feet or taking a swim by the beach. Lastly, it is also important to try some seafood in the port area of Cijin since it is known to be very fresh.
Which Month and what season of the year will be the best for visit
There is four seasons in Taiwan. They are Winter, Autumn, Spring and Summer. Taiwan season is totally opposite with Australia seasons. For example, When Australia is on Winter, Taiwan is on the Summer season. Many people are wondering that which season would be the best visit Cijin Island. In my personal experience, the best time to visit Cijin Island would be between September and February of the years. That would be when the summer about to end. It is because Summer is the season of raining which is not able to explore much on the island while raining so it is very best to visit between September and February which was Autumn, Winter and Spring season. I am not recommended to visit between June and August as the weather is too heat with raining. You may wondering that why Winter would be good to visit. Well, Kaohsiung won’t be freezing during the winter. It is totally different with Taipei City.
Please note that during the summer seasons, the ocean wave is pretty strong due to the weather
Introduction of the Cijin Lighthouse
Lighthouse
According to the photo taken above, it is taken from the Lighthouse in the Cijin Island. Aside from the scenery, Cijin is also famous for its historical sites, including the Cijin Lighthouse and the Cijin Fort. In 1883, British engineers built the Cijin Lighthouse, which was used for the military during their conflicts with France. The lighthouse went through several reconstructions during the Japanese colonisation, and it is now open to the public. The Cijin Fort is also a historical site in the island that must be on the itinerary. The fort was originally built in 1720 and has witnessed quite a lot during its time. Since it was destroyed in the war, the fort was reconstructed in 1991 and is now one of the most famous attractions in Cijin Island that offers a magnificent 360 view.
The History of Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell Monument in the Cijin
Basically James Laidlaw Maxwell Senior Chinese name called 馬雅各 and he was born on 18 March 1836 in Scotland. March 1921 was the first Presbyterian Missionary to Formosa (Qing-era Taiwan). He served with the English Presbyterian Mission.
Maxwell studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and completed his degree in year 1858 with a graduation thesis of The Chemistry and Physiology of the Spleen. He worked in London at Brompton Hospital and at the Birmingham General Hospital. He was an elder in the Broad Street Presbyterian Church before being sent to Taiwan by the Presbyterian Church of England (now within the United Reformed Church) in 1864. He donated a small printing press to the church which was later used to print the Taiwan Church News.
On 16 June 1865, at the urging of missionaries H.L. Mackenzie and Carstairs Douglas, he established the first Presbyterian church in Taiwan, this date now celebrated by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan as its anniversary. First of his mission centred in the then-capital Taiwan Fu (now Tainan city); in 1868 he moved near Cijin and now part of Kaohsiung where his work place, both medical and missionary, became more welcomed. In early 1872 he advised Canadian Presbyterian missionary pioneer George Leslie Mackay to start his work in northern Taiwan, near Tamsui.
He married with Mary Anne Goodall who died on January 1918 of Handsworth on 7 April 1868 in HongKong. They had two sons, John Preston and James Laidlaw Jnr, both of whom later also became medical missionaries. He retired in London in 1885 where he formed and became the first secretary of the Medical Missionary Association. He and his sons oversaw the construction of Sin-Lau Hospital in Tainan, the first western-style hospital in Taiwan. The younger J. L. Maxwell served in the Tainan hospital from 1900 to 1923, during Taiwan’s Japanese Era.
How to travel down to the Cijin Island
How to travel down to the Cijin Island? Well, this would be depending on where will you be coming down from. Firstly, getting to the Cijin Island from Kaohsiung City is very easy. Just take the MRT orange line and get off at Sizihwan MRT Station. From there, just head to the harbour and take Cijin Ferry; instructions from the MRT station to the harbour are available around the streets and it will take about 10 minutes to get there on foot. The cost to the Cijin Ferry is roughly NT$15 (approximately 0.50 USD) and the journey is around 15 minutes. Travelers can take a bike on the ferry so if you prefer to rent a bike in Sizihwan, so it wouldn’t be an issue.
But if you are drive, you wouldn’t need to worry about the ferry and you can explore much more surround the island by car.
For instances, when traveling to Kaohsiung, do saving a day for Cijin Island is a definitely a no-brainer. This island offers varieties of activities and sights for many types of travelers, starting from hiking, cycling, sightseeing, to eating. How can anyone say not to that? So, if you are planning to travel in Taiwan and looking for something to do in Kaohsiung, be sure to take a day trip to Cijin Island. You won’t feel regret to visit as it is worth of travelling. #vacation#dream#summer#Cijinisland
Hope you enjoy your vacation when you get there one day. Stay tuned for my next post 🙂
TravelQueen4ever 旅遊的璐 