Beautiful Taiwan - 漂亮臺灣

Penghu Islands - 澎湖

2006-07-14T20:09:00.000+08:00

This past weekend, I spent 3 days on the beautiful islands of Penghu. Located in the Taiwan Strait, this archipelago consisting of 64 islands is worth a visit! Highlights include: beautiful cliff side ridges that drop down into the multi-coloured waters of the Taiwan Strait; unbeatable & delicious seafood; and breathtaking scenic views. It took me roughly 6 hours to get back home from Penghu on Friday evening! I went via boat from Budai harbour which is in Chiayi County (next county south of Yunlin County where I am). During this past weekend, I must have gone on a total of 5 different boats! Definitely a highlight here is the yummy seafood! It's worth it just to go for that! Ha! Despite the scorching sun & dead heat (what's new in Taiwan?), the trip was still enjoyable!
Douliou City (start) -> By train to Sinying City (Tainan County) = just under an hour
Sinying City -> By bus to Budai harbour (Chiayi County) = just under an hour
Walk to Budai harbour for boat departure = 20 sizzling mins.
By boat from Budai harbour to Penghu (Makung City) Island = 1.5 hrs.

Two Hearts Stone Weir - 雙心石滬

In front of the Tomorrow Star boat: Boarding
from Budai Harbour

Temple

Cheers!

Yummy seafood!

Em & Alicia

Colourful Guanyin Bridge, Makung City, Penghu Island

On the boat en route to Chipei Island

Unbelievably
HOT!
HOT!
HOT!

Chipei Island - biggest island on the northern
Penghu Archipelago

Taking a snooze: falling under the
spell of the robust sun & immense heat!

Sending my love: Writing Home

At the centre fountain in Makung City

We unexpectantly see the Taipei Mayor, Ma Ing-Jeou here who visits to help celebrate
the Penghu Seafood Festival

At our homestay

above left

Waiting @ the Visitor's centre
prior to departure to Chimei Island

Finally on board heading to Chimei Township - ???

We discover that there are some problems with our King Ba Da boat so our trip to Wan An Island is cancelled however we hitch a ride on another boat tagging along with a tour group. We're told by a couple of different people to wait so we do as we are told. Then, we're asked rather hurriedly to follow a man to board a boat. We quickly board the boat....then all of a sudden somone shouts out,

"YEE SOO-YA!

We quickly get off the boat & get onto a different one. Man, as long as these workers know what they're doing & we get to where we're supposed to, it's all cool because I have no idea how there communication & organization network works!?!

Taking in the beauty

Tomb of the 7 Virtuous Beauties

Overlooking sparkling waters

Waiting Husband Reef: See the rock shaped like a pregnant woman? Legend has it that a fisherman went missing at sea and was not able to return to his wife & unborn child. The woman was so overwhelmed with sadness, she jumped to her death. A reef supposedly grew at the place where she made that fateful plunge.

Cliffside rock shaped lionhead

Chimei Island - Located on the southern tip of the
Penghu Archipelago (approx. 1 hr. away from Makung City)

Two Hearts Stone Weir - 雙心石滬
The heart-shaped fishing trap is made of stacked stones.
Openings in the traps allow fish to enter during high tide
but during low tide the openings in the trap
are blocked

En route to Husi Island

Underground bunkers

Exploring small Husi Island

Husi Island harbour

Eating shabu shabu: check out the pile of dishes!

With homestay family

Chingjing Farm 清境農場 - Nantou County

2006-06-25T22:20:00.000+08:00

Guanyinshan - 觀音山, Taipei County

2006-06-19T00:22:00.000+08:00

During my weekend trip to Taipei, my friend, Em & I did a pretty decent hike up Guanyin Mountain. The hike took around 3 hrs. to go up & down. However, the ascent up included a lot of uphill stair climbing. Still, the weather was perfect and I just thank God for all those trees that shaded us from the sun!

Funny photo booth shots..these machines are so hilarious! Why are they so funny? The reason is because you're always doing spur of the moment poses. In one particular pose during these series of shots, I lifted one of my legs up for Emily & perhaps it was too heavy of a load for her that she sort of couldn't hang-on anymore and nearly fell out of the booth! I, on the other hand fell on my butt! Ha! Ha!

Hualien - 花蓮 (Again!)

2006-05-15T17:32:00.000+08:00

This past weekend, a group of us went to Hualien to go whitewater rafting on the Siouguluan River (秀姑巒溪) in
Rueisuei Township (瑞穗鄉), Hualien County

Preparing to board Mandarin Airlines from Taichung Airport
Sara, Erica & Me
Using the napkin to combat the sizzling action!

Enjoying dinner at the nightmarket beside the lovely beachfront

Yikes! Stinky
Tofu!

Cheers!

Enjoying a drink under the moonlight

>

Beach Park/Nightmarket
I remember seeing the glow of the moonlight
reflect off the water & recall how tranquil that
moment was!

Enjoying dinner at an Italian
Restaurant

Green Tea w/
Heiniken Beer!

Chilling in our hostel room

Check out those lobster thighs on Sara & Erica!

Liyu Lake

Steinbeck Sisters outside our hostel

En route to Rueisuei
~2 hrs. south of Hualien City

Getting ready to gear up

Holly's special
visor hat!

Whitewater rafting on
Siouguluan River

Look at those shorts! Can you
tell the foreigners from the locals? Ha!

In our protective gear
Check out the classic boxing "helmet"

Ready to hit the rapids!

As we paddled on the Siouguluan River, I couldn't
help but soak in the peacefulness & breathtaking scenery. So serene,
so beautiful..so awesome...

Moigee! Moigee!

Tasty soft treats!

Taking a picture with the founder

Going home...leaving Hualien Airport...

Kinmen Island - 金門

2006-04-25T13:04:00.000+08:00

Going aboard Uni Air

Approaching Kinmen Island

It has been said that Kinmen is a 'garden built upon a fortress. Indeed, Kinmen is a beautiful island which seems laid back, peaceful, very green & luscious. Kinmen is made up of 15 islands & islets at the junction of the mouth of the Chiulung River & Xiamen of mainland China. The largest islands are Kinmen & Liehyu (aka Little Kinmen). These are the only two islands open to tourism. 3 islets are controlled by mainland China, the other 12 by Taiwan. Kinmen is divided into districts: Kincheng, Kinhu, Kinning, Kinsha, & Liehyu.

A Glance of Kinmen Island...

Street Mural

Beautiful Ceiba Tree

Gorgeous Flower

Climbing Mt Taiwu, 253 m

Taiwu Mountain

Hiking up the scenic mountain

Soph & Erica

Erica, Em & Me - Hiking up Mt Taiwu

Fried Dumplings/Egg with Clams

Enjoying dinner

Playing Scrabble & Having Yummy Fruit Tea

Creepy...Underground Tunnel

Chris, Denise & Erica @ dinner

Bowling Fun!

Foreign Crew in Kinmen!

I got over 100 in 9 frames!

Cultural Center

Kinmen National Park

Old Mofan St.

Checking out the beautiful beach

Using tissue paper to line the dirty helmet.
Funny eh?

Chris locked her keys in the scooter!

Bomb Shelter

Fightback Position!

WARNING: Dangerous Mines!

Taroko National Park - 太魯閣國家公園

2006-02-17T07:42:00.000+08:00

Taroko Gorge 太魯閣

15 km north of Hualien • Taiwan's top tourist attraction • Park covers over 120,000 hectares w/ mountain peaks rising to 3700m. Valleys, ravines & waterfalls caused by the Liwu River cutting through the park.

Interesting note:

The gorge was created through an elevation gain that rises from sea level to 3740m, fostering a range of ecological zones, from tropical to alpine.

Mode of transport:
Rented Scooter • Hualien to
Taroko = approx. 1 hr.

Tunnels of Nine Turns • twisting road of tunnels
blasted through sheer marble cliffs • during construction many workers
were killed

Take a look at the sheer magnitude of the canyon!

Marble-walled canyons

Giant sized cliffs w/ lush vegetation
& cliffs

Scenic Wonderland

Taroko Gorge

Hualien - 花蓮

2006-02-17T07:26:00.000+08:00

En route to Taroko National Park

Chihsingtan

3 km north of Hualien On this day, the wind was incredibly strong.
• waters are too rough to swim one can admire the high waves & its soothing sounds

Catching a snooze

Enjoying the East coast scenery from the train

Rice fields

Mountains

The East Coast defines natural beauty

Taitung County - 台東縣

2006-02-16T23:19:00.000+08:00

Platform of the Three Immortals

The Arched Bridges

• A series of arched bridges span the shallow water off the coastline leading to a small island. The weather on the east coast can often be described as moody. At one point, it can be sunny and then the next, it could be severely overcast and cloudy! This precise condition was what we encountered on our way to The Platform of the Three Immortals. The bus trip north of Taitung City took roughly 2 hrs. On the bus, the weather was picture perfect - sunny & comfortably cool. Once we got there, it was overcast and quite dark. Rain started spitting from the sky. We went & admired the arched bridge & took photos by the waters edge. We walked across the bridge & enjoyed a coastline walk on the island at the other side.

Once we were finished our 40 min. stroll, we decided to head back. By then, the rain was starting to trickle. As we made our way back to the mainland, it began to pour! We used an umbrella that we had but that poor thing started busting because it couldn't bear the oncoming strength of the wind. Within a short time from walking out of the area to the bus stop, we were wet right to the bone! I began feeling the "squeak squeak" from the water in my socks & shoes. I think we had missed the bus back to the city so we were forced to wait at the bus stop...By now, it was downpouring. We stood outside a convenience
shack while waiting for the bus. Several cars stopped by the roadside to buy various things. A minivan stopped & a gentleman started talking to us. He seemed to feel sorry for two stranded girls being stuck in the middle of nowhere in the midst of heavy rain. He asked when the next bus was. His wife went into the shack. Anyhow, he ended up offering to bring us to the Cheng Gong bus stop which was really kind of him! Despite being drenched in wet clothes, I was thankful that we got a ride. While we waited for our bus, we headed to a restaurant to eat a dinner box. We had offered to give some money for the ride but he declined to accept it. The compassion and kindness of others is something that I'm always thankful for!

Kaohsiung City 高雄市

2006-02-16T23:14:00.000+08:00

Han Holiday Trip: Kaohsiung, Taitung & Hualien

Love River

Kaohsiung City

Outside train station

Morning java in hand

Nightviews by the Love River

Busy Liu He Nightmarket

CKS Memorial Hall - 中正紀念堂 Lantern Lights

2006-02-16T21:01:00.000+08:00

Nearing the Lantern Festival - February 2006

For a lovely collection of photos from the lantern lights display, please click on the link below.
Photos are courtesy of Yu-Mei Li

CKS Memorial Hall - Lantern Lights

Remembering 921 Earthquake

2006-02-13T01:37:00.000+08:00

• Front entrance to earthquake museum - Taichung County

• Images of Taiwan's Earthquake Museum

• School buildings toppled by the magnitude of the earthquake

• Track uplifted by the power of the quake

Hsing Se - 新社 Taichung County 台中縣

2006-02-13T01:36:00.000+08:00

Taiwan Mushrooms
Fungus Farms - Hsin Se Township, Taichung County
(04) 2582-2665

Howgu Mushroom Farm

Mushroom Farm
Soup with various mushrooms
(my fav. = king oyster mushroom!)

Deep fried shitake mushrooms

Danshui Township- 淡水鎮

2006-02-13T01:34:00.000+08:00

Danshui, Taipei County - Night photos by the riverside

Pinglin Township 坪林

2006-02-13T01:33:00.000+08:00

Small rural township located in south-eastern Taipei County
Home to the world's largest tea museum
-famously known for its Bao Chung tea
-clear swimmable rivers
-steep emerald mountains that rise up like volcanoes
Looking out towards the mountain from inside the tea museum complex

Outside the tea museum

Near the pedestrian bridge

Bali - 八里 Bike Path

2006-02-13T01:32:00.000+08:00

Sat. Feb. 11/06 - Bali Township, Taipei County
The weather was perfect and the bike path followed the
picturesque & gorgeous Danshui River.
In total, the bike stroll was a 10 k ride.

Busy boats bringing in people from Danshui

Enjoying the view across the river to Danshui

Going along the bike path

East Coast

2006-02-13T01:31:00.000+08:00

Taroko Gorge, Taroko National Park, Hualien County

Bella Green Island 綠島!

2005-11-01T19:09:00.000+08:00

KUANYIN CAVE - underground cavern with a stalagmite in a red cape. Legend has it that during the Qing dynasty, a fisherman lost his way at sea & a fiery red light came down from the sky & led him to safety in the cave. The fisherman believed the light to be that of the goddess Kuanyin and the stalagmite in the cape to resemble the form of the goddess.
-designated a sacred spot on the island where people from all over Taiwan come to pay their respects.

Scenic gems of Green Island...

Group photo in the former judiciary court area of
Green Island Prison

Sleeping Beauty Rock - look closely & use your imagination & you may just see a figure resembling a sleeping woman!

Snorkelling
Hsiao Changcheng - a rock the some feel resembles the Great Wall in China but of course not to such magnitude!

On our way home: Outside Taitung Train Station (Betty, Me, Evita, & Taz)

Green Island Prisons

2005-10-24T23:26:00.000+08:00

GREEN ISLAND (30 km east of Taitung County - East Coast)
The boat ride over to Green Island was just over an hour long. My journey there was treacherous! I thought that my life was going to be over & that I was going to die! Honestly! The events leading up to that moment on the boat in the midst of a pool of sweat included: 7 sleepless hours on the train from Taipei City to Taitung train station. In addition to an empty stomach, I already felt sort of sick & wanting to throw up. The air conditioning on the boat was turned on so high...Tack on the fact that the waves were massively high causing the boat to sway up & down! I kept wanting to hurl a bunch of who knows what but what could come out was only clear liquid...In retrospect, after getting over the feeling of just passing out, it was quite humourous to hear an orchestra of "puking" sounds where people were gaging "in sync" trying to puke out there discomfort! The boat ride back was terrifically fine though as I stood outside on deck.....go figure...
Highlights:
-tiny volcanic island
-snorkeling & diving are major attractions
-saltwater hot springs
-gorgeous scenic views
-home to Taiwan's infamous Green Island Lodge prison used during Taiwan's White Terror, where political prisoners were to suffer. In addition, there are Occupational Skills Training Centre and the Green Island Prison.

Green Island - 10/22

2005-10-24T21:27:00.000+08:00

cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2497/1692/320/high%26windy.jpg" border="0" alt="" />
src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2497/1692/320/CIMG4898.jpg" border="0" alt="" />
src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2497/1692/320/CIMG48701.JPG" border="0" alt="" />
src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2497/1692/320/CIMG4904.jpg" border="0" alt="" />
src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2497/1692/320/CIMG4908.jpg" border="0" alt="" />
In Taitung County (eastern Taiwan), you can discover Green Island...home to pristine blue, green water, gorgeous mountains and amazing people!

Tainan 台南 - 10/10 Long Weekend

2005-10-10T20:11:00.000+08:00

TAINAN CITY - Western Taiwan
Highlights:
-oldest city w/ some of the oldest streets in Taiwan
-Chikan Towers
these two areas were two key battlegrounds between Dutch & Taiwanese fighters.
Anping Old District
-Fort Anping, aka Fort Zeelandia
-remains of early 17th century when western colonialism was came to the coasts of China...

CHY SHU GATE - Built in 1662 - side gate was opened to improve access from the south

OLD ANPING DISTRICT - walking & shopping in the busy streets...

Beautiful Taiwan! 漂亮台灣

2005-10-07T17:24:00.000+08:00

11/12/05 NIGHTVIEW from the
Chinese Culture University, YANGMINSHAN

GREEN ISLAND, 30km east of Taitung County - Oct. '05

YANGMINGSHAN
NATIONAL PARK, Taipei County
Gorgeous park with a lot of hiking trails, waterfalls, hotspring & fabulous views! It's located about
25 mins. outside Taipei City.

MEI LI HUA (aka Myanmar) - Entertainment Park in Taipei City. The ferris wheel is
a little freaky for people who are challenged with heights like me but you can see gorgeous nightviews of
the city from high up! You can catch a free bus there from the Chien Tan MRT station.

Beautiful Taiwan - 漂亮臺灣

Penghu Islands - 澎湖

Two Hearts Stone Weir - 雙心石滬

In front of the Tomorrow Star boat: Boarding from Budai Harbour

Temple

Cheers!

Yummy seafood!

Em & Alicia

Colourful Guanyin Bridge, Makung City, Penghu Island

On the boat en route to Chipei Island

Unbelievably HOT! HOT!HOT!

Chipei Island - biggest island on the northern Penghu Archipelago

Taking a snooze: falling under the spell of the robust sun & immense heat!

Sending my love: Writing Home

At the centre fountain in Makung City

We unexpectantly see the Taipei Mayor, Ma Ing-Jeou here who visits to help celebrate the Penghu Seafood Festival

At our homestay

above left

Waiting @ the Visitor's centre prior to departure to Chimei Island

Finally on board heading to Chimei Township - ???

"YEE SOO-YA!

We quickly get off the boat & get onto a different one. Man, as long as these workers know what they're doing & we get to where we're supposed to, it's all cool because I have no idea how there communication & organization network works!?!

Taking in the beauty

Tomb of the 7 Virtuous Beauties

Overlooking sparkling waters

Cliffside rock shaped lionhead

Chimei Island - Located on the southern tip of thePenghu Archipelago (approx. 1 hr. away from Makung City)

Two Hearts Stone Weir - 雙心石滬The heart-shaped fishing trap is made of stacked stones. Openings in the traps allow fish to enter during high tide but during low tide the openings in the trap are blocked

En route to Husi Island

Underground bunkers

Exploring small Husi Island

Husi Island harbour

Eating shabu shabu: check out the pile of dishes!

With homestay family

Chingjing Farm 清境農場 - Nantou County

Guanyinshan - 觀音山, Taipei County

Hualien - 花蓮 (Again!)

Yikes! Stinky Tofu!

Cheers!

Enjoying a drink under the moonlight

Green Tea w/ Heiniken Beer!

Chilling in our hostel room

Check out those lobster thighs on Sara & Erica!

Liyu Lake

Steinbeck Sisters outside our hostel

En route to Rueisuei~2 hrs. south of Hualien City

Getting ready to gear up

Holly's specialvisor hat!

Whitewater rafting on Siouguluan River

Look at those shorts! Can youtell the foreigners from the locals? Ha!

In our protective gearCheck out the classic boxing "helmet"

Ready to hit the rapids!

As we paddled on the Siouguluan River, I couldn't help but soak in the peacefulness & breathtaking scenery. So serene, so beautiful..so awesome...

Moigee! Moigee!

Tasty soft treats!

Taking a picture with the founder

Kinmen Island - 金門

Going aboard Uni Air

Approaching Kinmen Island

A Glance of Kinmen Island...

Climbing Mt Taiwu, 253 m

Taiwu Mountain

Hiking up the scenic mountain

Soph & Erica

Erica, Em & Me - Hiking up Mt Taiwu

Fried Dumplings/Egg with Clams

Playing Scrabble & Having Yummy Fruit Tea

Creepy...Underground Tunnel

Chris, Denise & Erica @ dinner

Bowling Fun!

Foreign Crew in Kinmen!

I got over 100 in 9 frames!

Cultural Center

Kinmen National Park

Old Mofan St.

Checking out the beautiful beach

Using tissue paper to line the dirty helmet. Funny eh?

Chris locked her keys in the scooter!

Bomb Shelter

Fightback Position!

In front of the Tomorrow Star boat: Boarding
from Budai Harbour

Unbelievably
HOT!
HOT!
HOT!

Chipei Island - biggest island on the northern
Penghu Archipelago

Taking a snooze: falling under the
spell of the robust sun & immense heat!

We unexpectantly see the Taipei Mayor, Ma Ing-Jeou here who visits to help celebrate
the Penghu Seafood Festival

Waiting @ the Visitor's centre
prior to departure to Chimei Island

Chimei Island - Located on the southern tip of the
Penghu Archipelago (approx. 1 hr. away from Makung City)

Two Hearts Stone Weir - 雙心石滬
The heart-shaped fishing trap is made of stacked stones.
Openings in the traps allow fish to enter during high tide
but during low tide the openings in the trap
are blocked

Yikes! Stinky
Tofu!

Green Tea w/
Heiniken Beer!

En route to Rueisuei
~2 hrs. south of Hualien City

Holly's special
visor hat!

Whitewater rafting on
Siouguluan River

Look at those shorts! Can you
tell the foreigners from the locals? Ha!

In our protective gear
Check out the classic boxing "helmet"

As we paddled on the Siouguluan River, I couldn't
help but soak in the peacefulness & breathtaking scenery. So serene,
so beautiful..so awesome...

Using tissue paper to line the dirty helmet.
Funny eh?

Mode of transport:
Rented Scooter • Hualien to
Taroko = approx. 1 hr.

Tunnels of Nine Turns • twisting road of tunnels
blasted through sheer marble cliffs • during construction many workers
were killed

Giant sized cliffs w/ lush vegetation
& cliffs

3 km north of Hualien On this day, the wind was incredibly strong.
• waters are too rough to swim one can admire the high waves & its soothing sounds

MEI LI HUA (aka Myanmar) - Entertainment Park in Taipei City. The ferris wheel is
a little freaky for people who are challenged with heights like me but you can see gorgeous nightviews of
the city from high up! You can catch a free bus there from the Chien Tan MRT station.

TZUSHR TEMPLE (Zushi Miao), Sansia, Taipei County
Highlights:
-originally built in 1769
-rebuilt 3x
-traditonal carvings, painting, & temple relief