After 18 Days of Wind and Waves, Austronesian Canoe 'Eye of the Ocean' Reaches Tamsui from Taitung

According to the Central News Agency, the Austronesian canoe 'Mata No Riyal' (Eye of the Ocean) departed from Taitung on May 6. After enduring 18 days of wind, rain, and strong currents over a 161-nautical-mile journey, it arrived at the Tamsui Yacht Wharf in New Taipei City. Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling visited Tamsui to cheer on the crew and announce the '2026 Taitung Expo,' which will be held from July 3 to August 20. The vessel is the first in the country to combine the wisdom of the Chamorro people of Guam, the Amis and Tao tribes of Taiwan, and Palau. The boat uses no iron nails, relying instead on wooden pegs and rattan weaving techniques. The crew navigated without GPS, relying solely on stars and ocean currents.