Penghu Island Fireworks Festival

澎湖是位於台灣本島西南方，是個擁有九十幾個島嶼所組成的美麗群島，這裡是人們享受海洋、沙灘及日光浴的渡假聖地。每年的澎湖花火節，是澎湖最熱鬧的時候，今年舉辦第八年，但卻我是頭一回參加，雖然天候不佳，但能夠親身參與其中，也是很開心的一件事。

Located in the south-west Taiwan, Penghu islands are composed of more than 90 small islands. This area is a paradise to enjoy sun, beach, and sun bathing. The most famous activity on the island is the Fireworks Festival. This year was the 8th annual event, but my first time to participate. Although the weather was not too good, just being part of it could make me very exciting.

花火節的施放地點是在馬公觀音亭的西瀛虹橋。煙火秀是八點半舉行，但七點多遊客就開始朝著觀音亭廣場前進，遠遠的已看到不少人坐在堤岸邊了。

The Fireworks conducted on the Xiyinghong Bridge, Magong Guanyin Pavilion. It started at 8:30 at night; however, people started to move into the Guanyin Pavilion square around 7:00 pm. I saw lots of people sitting by the embankment.

等了一個多小時，終於等到了這一刻，當天空燃起第一道煙火時，四周的尖叫聲與快門聲就沒停過，大夥興奮的「哇～」個不停。雖然手持拍攝的效果不佳，但我還是忍不住的狂按快門。

Finally, the exciting moment came after an hour wait. When the first firework went up, people could not stop screaming and shooting with their cameras. Although I did not have the tripod and the handheld shooting images might not turn out good, I still could not stop shooting.

煙火秀長達十五分鐘，但施放約2/3且正精彩時，雨又開始飄了起來，而且越下越大。我趕緊收起相機準備躲雨去，但煙火實在太美了，我只好冒著相機受潮的危險再搶拍了幾張，然後欣賞到整個煙火秀結束，才匆匆逃離。

The fireworks lasted for 15 minutes. After 2/3 of the show, it started to drizzle and rain. I had to put away my camera; however, the show was just too pretty for me not to take more photos, therefore, I went back to shoot more. After the whole show finished, I started to run!

到澎湖肯定要到沙灘走走，澎湖有名的沙灘是在吉貝島，那裡也是最多遊客聚集的地方，但這回我並沒有前往吉貝，而是在馬公島（澎湖本島）的南邊－山水沙灘停留。

Come to Penghu, the beach is a must-visit place. Jibei Island is the most famous and crowded area. I did not go there this time, but stayed in the south shore of Magong Island (Main Island) - Shanshui Beach.

山水沙灘原本是當地人的私房景點，因海邊堤防旁開了一間「衝浪俱樂部」，除提供衝浪板租借外還有衝浪教學，讓這裡慢慢成了衝浪愛好者的聚集地，遊客也開始在這裡停留。

Sahanshui Beach was a private own scenic spot. Because the “Surf Club” opened near the beach, more visitors have come here to surf. “Surf Club” has the surf board rental services, and also provides surfing lessons. Sahanshui Beach has become a surfers’ gathering place.

Greg是英國籍的澳州人，原是雜誌專業攝影師及特約衝浪記者，因緣際會來到澎湖，因酷愛衝浪而結識阿泉，「衝浪俱樂部」就是他們兩人開設的。

Greg is an Australian British. He was a magazine professional photographer and a surfing reporter. Because of the fate and surfing passion, he got to know Aquan and opened the “Surf Club” business together.

即然都來到這裡了，當然也要來體驗一下衝浪。同行的友人一一換好衣服、選好衝浪板後，便正式展開衝浪學習課程教學。

Of course we had to learn how to surf since we were here. Friends all changed, selected their boards, and started the surfing lesson.

學員下水前，教練先示範一次正確的動作。

Before entering the water, trainer demonstrated the correct positions.

接著，就是一對一個別衝浪體驗。

Then, it was a one-on- one surfing lesson.

當然，對初學者來說，摔倒肯定是一定會的囉！

Of course the beginners would definitely fall into the water!

到澎湖，當然不能錯過海鮮大餐！在澎湖停留時間，我可是狂吃海鮮，因為食材新鮮，所以每一道都相當鮮美好吃。除了海鮮外，鮮甜幼嫩的澎湖絲瓜也是必嚐的一道佳餚之一！

Don’t miss the seafood in Penghu. I was eating lots of fresh seafood while I was there. They were all yummy. Beside the seafood, baby fresh sweet Penghu squash is a must- eat dish too!

「金瓜炒米粉」可以說是一般海鮮餐廳的招牌菜，香甜的金瓜、Q中帶勁的米粉，再配上鮮甜的蝦仁或花枝拌炒，好吃的讓人一碗接一碗。

“Squash Fried Rice Noodle” is the specialty dish in the seafood restaurant. The sweet squash, rice noodles, stir fry with dry small shrimp or octopus; they were just too good to pass the second.

澎湖可玩可看的很多，我再慢慢介紹給大家哦～

More interesting places and things of Penghu would be shared with you all later on.~ Read More