雨都風情 / Rainy City Charm

提到海港的話，我的第一印象是來自於國中時地理考試死背的北基隆南高雄，長大之後，據我實地考察後的感想，雖然它們都是知名的港口都市，但是基隆總是陰雨綿綿，高雄卻是一年四季暖熱如夏，非常鮮明的對比，基隆也有個別稱，雨都，因為基隆地處北部沿海地區，受東北季風和太平洋季風的影響，氣候多變，降雨頻繁，但是也帶給了基隆這個城市，獨特的魅力。

對於基隆，是我有認識住基隆的朋友後，才有機會去拜訪幾次，不是每次去基隆時都會下雨，但是天空晴朗的機會，真的較少，我較有印象的和平島，是學生時代某次聯誼時的目的地，好像也是某位住在基隆的同學，提議要去看看的，很久以後，我才知道和平島在歷史上，是大航海時期西班牙佔領北台灣期間，聖薩爾瓦多城的所在地，後來西班牙和荷蘭爭奪台灣島統治權時，落敗，從此，退出了歷史的舞台，所以，基隆的發展可能早在西班牙佔領時，不過，這些過往，早就塵封在歷史了。

現在人們提到基隆的話，應該首先想到基隆廟口夜市，畢竟民以食為天，夜市內的特色小吃，早就名聞各地了，加上基隆是兩大海港之一，各式的海鮮又新鮮又便宜，是來到這裡的外客，絕對要嚐試的，我來到基隆時，總是會順路繞到海洋廣場看看，三面環海的海洋廣場，不但可以看到各式船隻進港，也可看到老鷹盤旋在海港上空，只要在這裡便可一覽基隆港的全貌，還可以遙看正濱漁港的色彩屋，和虎仔山頭的「KEELUNG」字樣的地標，它通常是民眾搭乘大眾交通工具前來基隆時，所看到的第一個地點，也是郵輪乘客抵達台灣基隆時，所看到的第一站。

至於，基隆東岸廣場，最近因為前後任基隆市長互相質疑，讓人們開始認識它了，因為前一陣子，天天會出現在新聞上，對我而言，就是一個較為現代化的商場，較為整潔明亮，進駐的多是知名品牌餐廳或商店等，在基隆還是世界第七大貨櫃港的60年代，基隆因為繁忙的港口盛極一時，雖然基隆還是那個曾經坐擁迷人風情的雨都，但是正在努力融合現代時尚新路線，結合新舊意象，重現繁華熱鬧的雨都風情。

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When it comes to ports, my first memory harks back to my middle school days, reciting "North Keelung, South Kaohsiung" for geography exams. As I grew older and actually visited these cities, I noticed a stark contrast. While Keelung is often referred to as the "Rainy City" with its frequent rainfall due to its location along the northern coastal area, influenced by the northeast and Pacific monsoons, Kaohsiung basks in warmth and sunshine year-round.

Thanks to friends who live in Keelung, I've had the chance to visit a few times. While it doesn't rain every time, clear skies are a rarity. One place that stands out in my memory is Peace Island, where I once went for a school gathering. It wasn't until much later that I learned about its historical significance as the location of San Salvador City during the Spanish occupation of northern Taiwan. But now, when people mention Keelung, the first thing that comes to mind is the Keelung Miaokou Night Market. After all, food is a big deal here, and the market's signature snacks are famous nationwide. Plus, being one of Taiwan's major ports, Keelung offers a wide variety of fresh and affordable seafood that visitors must try.

Whenever I visit Keelung, I always make a stop at the Maritime Plaza. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, it offers a panoramic view of Keelung Port, where you can watch ships coming and going and even spot eagles soaring overhead. It's the perfect spot to take in the essence of Keelung. And let's not forget the Rainbow Bridge and the "KEELUNG" sign on Tiger Head Mountain, which are often the first landmarks people see when they arrive in Keelung by public transportation or cruise ships.

As for the East Harbor Plaza, it gained some attention recently due to disputes between former and current mayors. To me, it's just a modern shopping mall, clean and bright, with well-known brand restaurants and shops. In the 1960s, Keelung was booming as the world's seventh-largest container port. Although it's still the rainy city with its unique charm, it's also striving to embrace modernity and combine old and new to revive its bustling atmosphere.

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