Asian Diver vol 12.5 feb/mar 2004 兩篇來自台灣的報導

wreck storm Taiwan's Orchid Island p.38 ∼ p.43
	ORCHID COUNTRY Journey to an island time forgot, but which divers shouldn't By Perry Kuo Shi-Wen Orchid Island is a tiny speck of land made entirely of volcanic rock, and surrounded by rugged coastlines. Located 65km off Taiwan's southeast coast, it is considered one of Taiwan's best diving destinations with lush, healthy coral reefs, tropical warm waters and visibility exceeding 30m. But a trip to this diverse island reveals there's more to it than just spectacular diving... Cultural Affair There are, 2000 Ya-Mai people ( one of Taiwan's nine aboriginal tribes ) distributed over six villages, on just 46 sq km of land. Only one village has managed to retain its traditional underground house - a "basement" type dwelling built with only its roof visible at ground level; for the rest of the islanders, government sponsored concrete cubes have replaced the peeking roof landscape. Until some 30 years ago, the Ya-Mai people have been Taiwan's most reclusive tribe. Self sufficient through agriculture and fishing, they have had very little contact with the outside world, with the exception of Canadian missionaries who arrived in Orchid Island in 1949. Volcanic rock formations emerge along the main 60 km highway leading to the six villages. These rocks come in the shape of crocodiles, tanks, shapely ladies, fat chickens, twin lions, frogs, turtles, dragons and an elephant's nose. Divine Diving Of course, it's the underwater delights that bring many tourists from the mainland. Wrecks, walls, crevices, reefs and drift diving opportunities abound off Orchid Island's varied coastline. With myriad dive itineraries to choose from, and a profusion of both hard and soft coralsy country is truly a divine experience.   Here are some recommended dive sites: Airport Rock Located in front of the island's airport between the villages of Yehyu and Yujen, a rock protrudes above the surface accompanied by two underwater boulders found at a depth of 15 and 35 metres. Between the boulders is a breathtaking swim-through filled with giant sea fans and fish life. Visibility here easily exceeds 30m. Shipwreck Sunk by a typhoon some 20 years ago, this 200m-cargo ship found its permanent abode along the western shore at 25 - 35m. The wreck is found in there parts, with the first filled to the brim with colourful soft and fan corals. There is a giant tuna, cod and some jacks taking permanent residence here. Two dives are necessary to fully explore the beauty and majesty of this large wreck. Kai-Yuan Harbour There are two dive sites in the depths of the harbour - Garden Eel Lair and Small Blue Hole. The former is a 15 - 25m sandy bottom site with a bountiful " plantation " of sand eels. Small Blue Hole, as its name suggests, is a tiny crevice with three openings, overflowing with mature sea fans attached along a small wall. Four Tunnels Close to the southern tip of the western shore, this is a good place for drift diving. Unpredictable up and down currents make this dive a thrilling, high adrenaline ride for the more experienced divers.
Colourful soft corals adorn the Shipwreck, a 200m cargo ship which sank some 20 years ago
a picturesque, aerial view of Kai-Yuan harbor, from the lone lighthouse
a breathtaking swim-through, filled with a virtual forest of fans, is the highlight at Airport Rock
gorgonian sea fans and luscious soft corals cover the entire superstructure of the wreck
while the wreck's stern is overgrown with a profusion of vibrant soft corals that bloom when the current picks up
the wreck's "ribs" don't look so bare, festooned with bright sea fans, sponges and corals soft coral trees sprout from the deck 30m+ visibility is the "norm" on any of Orchid Island's fabulous sites more soft corals on the wreck's stern divers amidst a sea of sea fans at the Small Blue Hole in Kai-Yuan Harbour a diver is framed by the wreck's empty window a small sea fan blocks the porthole, and a view outside the wreck

mailbag p.14

Eggs Over Easy While searching for commensal shrimps on a dive in Long Dong Wang Park, northeast of Taiwan, I stumbled on an odd occurrence. My buddy Lin was trying to position the shrimps for the perfect shot when suddenly, an uninvited guest showed up. A strange-looking feather-like object had landed right beside the anemone I had framed. I have the impression that featherworms had two branches extending from a hard tube made of calcium deposits. But this worm didn't look anything like a typical specimen - its branches had been separated.   Totally engrossed in a new subject, I noticed something emerging from the tube " Maybe these are suspended ocean particles or " snow " , I thought; but the objects looked much too smooth and regularly shaped. So I carefully planned the shot, keeping in mind that this might be the only chance I'd get if the worm retracted upon the sudden flash of light. And as I suspected, after that first shot I spent the rest of my air waiting in vain.   When the slides were developed, I realised I'd struck gold! The strange particles turned out to be the eggs of the featherworm. I thought I should share my joy with my fellow Asian divers. Douglas Chen, Taiwan