While most students are happy to get a typhoon holiday, students from Xiaoliuqiu have experienced a longer than usual time off from school this time around. Students have not been able to go to school for a week due to the storms, and have only started to attend class today with the resumption of ferry services.
Ferry operators suspend services out of safety concerns whenever a typhoon approaches. Routes to and from Pingtung’s Donggang and Xiaoliuqiu have been suspended since Saturday due to the effects of Typhoon Saola and Haikui.
With ferries back in operation, boats carrying people and goods have been running non-stop since early this morning. The disruption in ferry services has caused a shortage of daily necessities in Xiaoliuqiu. Replenishing supplies has become a top priority, with fresh produce taking up the most space in cargo decks. Boxes of produce and goods have been lined up at the port, waiting to be loaded to the next available shipment.
As life goes back to normal for locals in Xiaoliuqiu Island, most of them would most likely say, it’s a-boat time!