Back to Matsu

Beihai Tunnel. Nangan Island

The seven accessible islands of the wonderful Matsu archipelago are described in detail on pages 121-173.

In my experience, it’s rarely a good idea to return to place a second time, especially if the first visit was memorable. An ongoing project, however meant I needed to go back to one of my favorite corners of Taiwan, the Matsu islands mid October, but this time I needn’t have worried. Despite less than pleasent weather, a long overnight journey out there from Keelung, sitting in the restaurant on the Taima ferry, and an equally long, bunkless trip back, after our flight was cancelled due to ‘bad’ weather, the return visit proved to be just as wonderful. Matsu is one of those rare places, I realize more than ever, that manage to hit visitors right between the eyes. The natural beauty, the sense of isolation, it’s extraordinary military history, and the unique (for Taiwan) culture are all so potent here that you’d have to be an utter lost cause not to be moved by it. It certainly moves me in a way that neither Kinmen or Penghu ever will. No point in going into details here, the basics are all in my last series of blogs about the islands. Just be sure to go and take a trip there sometime. For me it’s a truly special place,