Travel/POI: Kaohsiung - Love River, Restaurants (愛河, 餐館), Taiwan

The Love River originates in Bagualiao, Renwu District, Kaohsiung City. It was likely called "Salt Creek" during the Dutch colonial period and "Sulphur Water" during the Qing Dynasty. In 1895, during the Japanese colonial period, the river was dredged and converted into a canal, playing an important role in transportation at the time. It was originally called "Dagou Chuan" and later renamed "Kaohsiung River."

The origin of the name "Love River" dates back to 1948, when a "Love River Cruise House" was located along the Kaohsiung River. After a typhoon damaged the signboard, only the words "Love River" remained. Shortly afterward, a couple tragically jumped into the river for love. A reporter captured a photo of the damaged signboard, and the image was widely circulated in newspapers. As a result, the name "Love River" became popularized. The river was later referred to as the "Renai River," but in 1992, the name "Love River" was officially reinstated.

Today, it is a major tourist attraction in Kaohsiung. At the end of April 2023, clusters of orange-red Poinciana flowers lined the river, enhancing its romantic atmosphere.

We walked along the Love River and saw some adorable dolls at the Kaohsiung Film Archive. In front of the 40-year-old, soon-to-be-demolished Kaohsiung Ambassador Hotel, we saw a leaping dragon sculpture. We also strolled through the Avenue of Stars, looking at lithographs of celebrities’ names and handprints, recognizing only a few of them.

On our way to the Love River, we passed by the Holy Rosary Cathedral, the oldest Catholic church in Taiwan, founded in 1859.

愛河發源於高雄市仁武區八卦寮，在荷治時期可能叫作「鹽溪」，清代時曾有「硫磺水」之稱。到了1895年日治時期加以疏濬成為運河，扮演著當時交通運輸的重要角色，才正式稱為「打狗川」，後來改稱為「高雄川」。

1949 年時高雄市政府將其名改為「高雄河」。而「愛河」這個名稱的由來，是 1948 年高雄川河畔有一家「愛河遊船所」，在颱風過後招牌損壞，只剩下「愛河」二字，之後不久又發生了情侶跳河殉情的事件，採訪記者拍攝照片時將招牌上的愛河二字入鏡，經報紙的傳播，使愛河的名稱開始流行。之後又有「仁愛河」之稱，直到 1992 年才正式恢復「愛河」之名。

如今，這裡是高雄重要的旅遊景點，2023 年 4 月底，一簇簇橙紅色的鳳凰木花在河邊盛開，更增添了浪漫的氣息。

我們沿著愛河一路走來，在高雄電影館看到了一些可愛的娃娃。在即將拆除、已有40年歷史的高雄國賓大飯店前，我們看到了一座鰲躍龍翔雕塑。我們也穿過星光大道上，欣賞著刻有名人名字和手印的石版，但認得的只屈指可數。

在前往愛河的途中，我們經過了玫瑰聖母主教座堂，這是台灣最古老的天主教堂，建於 1859 年。

Flashback 回顧

In August 2021, I had to return to Taiwan. At that time, due to COVID-19, Taiwan had a 14-day quarantine policy in place. Fortunately, I stayed in a quarantine hotel next to the Love River, and I was able to relieve my boredom by enjoying the beautiful view of the river every day. The night view was especially stunning. Whenever I woke up in the middle of the night, I could look out the window and see the river illuminated in the darkness.

2021 年 8 月，我不得不返回台灣。當時，由於新冠疫情，台灣實施 14 天的隔離政策。幸運的是，我住在愛河旁的一家防疫旅館，每天都能欣賞美麗的河景來打發無聊的時光，解解悶。夜景尤其令人驚嘆。每當我半夜醒來，透過窗外，就能看到夜幕中燈火通明的河水。

Food 吃

Bread is the staff of life. Eating is very important for people like us who love food. Sometimes we just eat and gobble without thinking about taking pictures. I’d like to introduce you to a few places where we both ate and took photos.

民以食為天, "吃"對我們這種愛吃的人來說，是一件很重要的事。有時我們只顧著吃，狼吞虎嚥後都忘了排照。在此介紹幾家有拍照留念的。

老新台菜十全店 (Old & New Taiwanese Cuisine Shiquan Branch), 高雄市三民區十全三路265號 (Tel: 07 311 8099) 。是非常知名的無菜單料理台菜餐廳，並榮獲美國新聞網CNN和米其林必比登推薦。(It is a very famous no-menu Taiwanese restaurant and has been recommended by CNN and the Michelin Bibendum.)

大溝頂虱目魚米粉湯, 高雄市鹽埕區新樂街198-38號 (Tel: 07 521 4919)。銅板美食，專賣幾款魚肚產品, 鹽埕人的古早味早餐。 (Specializing in several kinds of fish maw products. Traditional breakfast place.)