People crowded at the harbor last Saturday before Typhoon Haikui made landfall in Taiwan. Travelers patiently lined up and waited to board ferries with their dried goods in tow, preparing for the approach of the tropical storm.
Ferry operators normally suspend services out of safety concerns whenever a typhoon approaches. Routes to and from Pingtung’s Donggang and Xiao Liuqiu have been suspended since last Thursday due to the effects of Typhoon Saola and Haikui to the surrounding waters. Of the six days that the ferry was not in operation, locals and travelers have been stranded for the five of them.
Businesses are also feeling the effects of the service suspension. Normally a haven for tourists, streets and scenic spots in Xiao Liuqiu remain empty, with B&Bs also reporting a number of cancellations.
With the departure of Typhoon Haikui, ferry operators have finally announced that services will resume tomorrow. Locals and travelers can now breathe a sigh of relief and return to their normal way of life.