Da Xi Taiwan for Skywatch Friday

 

The place is renown for Tofu. 

Linking Skywatch Friday

Toucheng Old Street Facade for Sign2

 

This is an abandoned old street left from Japanese occupation era. 

The words on both sides of the entrance say

Exploding crackers get rid of old wax

Cherry Blossoms in the cold bring the spring 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

This is linking Sign2

Nan Zhuang Old Street Railway for Sunday Best

 

The place has Japanese buildings left behind since the occupation in the 50s. 

It is also good to catch up with Joel today. Good friends are like old wine. The older the better.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

HeHuan Mountain for Skywatch Friday

 

Love the clouds

Mount Hehuan is a 3,416-metre-high mountain in Central Taiwan. The peak lies on the border of Nantou and Hualien counties and is located within Taroko National Park. Hehuanshan is a popular destination in central Taiwan.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

linking Skywatch Friday

Suao Port for Water H2O Thrusday

 

Suao port is where Dad used to take me to do his fishing. You can see the oily water surface in the dock

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 

This is linking H2O Thursday

Mazu Shrine Birthday celebration for Sign2

 

Mazu is the patron deity of fishermen, and her birthday on the 23rd day of the third lunar month (it falls in April or May) is celebrated each year with frenetic explosions of colorful activity.

The sign says 1065th Birthday celebration. 

It is situated at an entrance of a night market

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Bagua Buddha Statue for Treasure Tuesday

 

I was lucky to see no crowd in the spot. The rain actually stopped for the moment. That was a moment I realised I was meant to take the shot.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Long Teng Broken Bridge for Sunday Best

 

There is an interesting story about the town of Longteng that is revealing of the superstitious beliefs that local people once held. When the first settlers started to cultivate land in the area, they believed that Liyu Lake, located nearby, was inhabited by a carp spirit which brought hardship to the people. In order to overcome this evil spirit they planted yuteng (a poisonous plant) in the Longteng Mountain area. At the same time they gave the mountain in the east the name Guandao Mountain (lit. Guan Sword Mountain) hoping that the Sword Mountain would cut the Yuteng Rattan. In this way, they hoped to poison the evil carp spirit. The ploy must have been effective, for people no longer believe that the evil carp spirit harms the people of Longteng. In the morning of April 24, 1935 a strong earthquake hit central Taiwan. lts epicenter was near Mt. Guandao, and many buildings in the Sanyi district were destroyed. A reminder of this earthquake remains in the ruins of the arched bridge over Long River. It can be seen from the railway line between Sanyi and Houli.

The ruins of Longteng Bridge join Chengxing (Shengxing) Station as one of the top-two visitor attractions on the Jiushan tour route. This historic span is notable attraction both for its simple beauty and as a memorial to the two major earthquakes that severed the bridge twice at the fifth northernmost pier, including damages caused by the 921 Earthquake in September 21, 1999.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Golden Waterfall Taiwan for Water H2O Thursday

 

This waterfall was adjacent to a highway. Not exactly hard to take a snap. 

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Wufengqi Waterfall (五峰旗瀑布262, Yilan County, Jiaoxi Township) - first stage for Treasure Tuesday

 

I arrive this place in the rain. Really muddy to walk the trails. So I did not continue hiking to stage 2-4 of the waterfalls. I did this without a tripod. Steady hand for 1.7 seconds.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Lanterns in Taiwan for Sunday Best

 

It is literally raining everyday here. Including the same forecast for the next fortnight. Apart from the same usual public service inefficiency, I would take walks and long trips snapping street scenes.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Hua Lien Beach View for Water H2O Thursday

 

Hualien is the meeting point of the Central Cross-Island Highway, Suao-Hualien Highway, and highways leading south to Taitung.

Hualien County is home to several world-class scenic attractions. In 1590, Portuguese sailors passed by the eastern coast of Taiwan and were so moved by the grandeur of what they saw that they named this land "Formosa," the beautiful island. Since that time, the majestic views of Hualien have come to represent Taiwan.

Formerly known as Qilai, Hualien's current name derives from the phrase "huilan" (eddying water), a reference to the swirling currents of the Hualien River where it meets the sea.

Hualien is Taiwan's biggest county, with an area of about 4,628 square kilometers and a population of 350,000. The county borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and is hemmed in by the Central Range to the west. With its towering peaks, azure skies, vast seas, scenic valleys, cultural diversity, and friendly kindhearted people, Hualien has become one of Taiwan's first-choice travel destinations for local and international visitors alike.

There are some 200 after quakes after the initial one 1 month ago. I am not planning to go anywhere near the location now.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Going to another province for 2 days. No access to Wifi. 

The cool shopfront from Taipei Central District for Sign2

 

This shop only opens at night. It is designed for people who takes acids I guess. Effects are more pronounced for drug users.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sign2

Tamshui Taiwan Dock for Skywatch Friday

 

The water was actually clean in contrast to my childhood memory. 

Tamsui Old Street is divided into the inner and outer side. The outer street is the golden anchor walkway of Tamsui river coast, while the inner side is a traditional old street lined with bustling shops. There are faithfully traditional pastry shops, groceries and stores selling trendy outfits and toys. The popular foods in the area include A Gei, fish ball, fried fish crackers, traditionally baked cake, Granny’s iron eggs, etc. are all must try goodies. In the evening, the beautiful scenery of the sun setting below the ocean horizon can be seen along the golden anchor walkway.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Monkey for Saturday Critter

 

This is an old photo. Dad used to keep all sorts of animals in the house including 8 monkeys. I even got scratches causing abscesses by these hungry monkeys caught in the wilderness in Taiwan.

Linking Saturday Critter and Face OFF

Middle Taiwan for Skywatch Friday

Sky Watch at Middle Taiwan 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Taipei street signs for Sign2

 

Sign overload everywhere in Taipei street

Linking Sign2

Cat family in tea room outside a cafe for Mural Monday

 

This is a mural I would have forgotten in the hard drive if I was not searching for a mural to post on this event

Outside a cafe in Taipei Taiwan

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Taipei mural for Mural Monday

 

Melbourne is cold too. Despite me paying the bill, mum's frugal approach to simple life means no heating at all (I spent 20k AUD on the 26 sheets of solar panel and a battery too). She even developed chilblains in her feet. The generation. 

My trip to Cape Woolamai did not happen as the gale was up to 40 knots. The weekend weather was not fitting for me to go into the nature at all. Plus mum and brother were nagging me to stay home boy instead. So I ended up trying the best winning 2023 pie in Australia - I will show later on.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Taipei Mural in Ximengding for Mural Monday

 

It looks very odd. It feels Bolognese sauce gone wrong in human brains. 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday