After solemn launch ceremony on June 25th, the “Si Mangavang Visit”canoe and its crew of Tao warriors today set off across the black current (Kuroshio ) and arrived safety at Shangwu fishing harbor in Taidong County as planned. The “visit to Taiwan across the Black current” activity was jointly organized by the Ministry of the Interior, Council for Cultural Affairs, Council of Indigenous Peoples, Council for Economic Planning & Development, and the Construction & Planning Agency, and is being jointly implemented by Taidong County Government, Orchid Island Township Office and the Marine National Park Headquarters.

The Marine National Park Headquarters said that the “Si Mangavang Visit” was tested for a few days before setting out and, even though the ocean area near southeast Taiwan was affected by the unstable air current caused by a passing typhoon and had thunderstorms and heavy rains, the Tao warriors are not afraid of wind and rain and it was decided to stick to the planned departure time; the crew assembled at Kaiyuan harbor, Orchid Island, at June 28 at 4pm, to wait for the official departure time. At 4am the next morning, June 29, the Tao warriors paddled their canoe out of the harbor heading for mainland Taiwan.

The sea conditions gradually improved, lifting the spirits of the already highly-motivated crew higher and they moved across the black current towards Taiwan at an impressive average speed of six knots. They arrived at Shangwu Fishing Harbor at 12.30pm, a full three hours earlier than planned, where they received a warm welcome from local people.

Just before arriving at Shangwu, as a mark of respect for the members of the Paiwan tribe from Dawu who had come to greet them, the crew changed into traditional Tao warrior dress of loincloths. After arrival, Jiang Duo-li the Township Chief of Orchid Island presented a carved Orchid Island canoe to the Township Chief of Dawu Township, Zhao Shi-zong, who presented Jiang with a Paiwan belt in return. The first stage on the long journey of the “Si Mangavang Visit” to visit faraway friends was a success.