Author: Catherine Lee

Taiwan13 Comments

Alishan 阿里山 2017 ~ Sakura Cherry Blossom is out!

Catherine Lee

And looking spectacular!  If you have any free time in the next few weeks, you just must make time to go to Alishan and see the cherry blossom, it’s stunning! I went yesterday.  It’s only a week before the official Cherry Blossom Festival is due to start, but most of the flowers are fully out – and so was the sun, perfect! Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most famous scenic spots, and for visitors from overseas, it is one of the must-see places.  Best to do things leisurely and stay there overnight, but if that’s not possible, go on the … Continue reading Alishan 阿里山 2017 ~ Sakura Cherry Blossom is out!

Taiwan2 Comments

Cherry Blossom Time @ 萬大發電廠, Nantou!

Catherine Lee

Yes, it’s that time of the year, and up in the mountains of Taiwan, the cherry blossom is out ~ and looking stunning! Yesterday afternoon, after the St. James’ Church Sunday services and lunch, our good friend, Ruby took us up to the area around the Wanda Power Plant, in Renai Township, Nantou, about 2 hours drive from Taichung City – to see the cherry blossom.  Beautiful! The azaleas were looking great too. The power plant and the housing for the workers were built by the Japanese during colonial times ~ the houses still stand, and some are in use. … Continue reading Cherry Blossom Time @ 萬大發電廠, Nantou!

Taiwan2 Comments

Happy Year of the Rooster ~ Taiwan’s Lantern Festival 2017 @ Yunlin!

Catherine Lee

A few photos from Taiwan’s Lantern Festival, held over the last 8 days or so in Yunlin ~ me and my good friend Ah-Guan went on Saturday night! What a masterpiece of organization by the local government ~ with a steady stream of free coaches transporting thousands of us from Douliu Train Station to the main site at Huwei, with a special designated lane on the main road so the hundreds of coaches had a clear run.  Police, workers and volunteers by the thousand to keep us all on the straight and narrow.  And free food and all sorts of … Continue reading Happy Year of the Rooster ~ Taiwan’s Lantern Festival 2017 @ Yunlin!

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‘Silence’ 沈默 opens in Taiwan – must go, must see!

Catherine Lee

Harrowing, compelling, gruesome, powerful, emotional, brilliant ~ all these and more….. The movie ‘Silence’ 沈默 opened yesterday throughout Taiwan ~ definitely a Must-See ~ and all filmed in Taiwan, the scenery is superb – though recognizing familiar sites adds to the rawness and intensity of it all. And there’s plenty of inspiration and food for thought for everyone following the readings in preparation for this Sunday’s sermon on loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you….. almost ironic that it should open this weekend in view of the sermon topic on Sunday.  That’s why I’m off to St. … Continue reading ‘Silence’ 沈默 opens in Taiwan – must go, must see!

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Only at Night ~ Sanzhi’s New Bridge!

Catherine Lee

Yes, we have a new bridge at Sanzhi 三芝 over the Balien River, opened at the end of December.  The bridge goes nowhere other than to a field over the river – and if you only come in the day, you’ll be wondering why we need a new bridge to nowhere.  But come at night, and it is beautiful ~ all those lights change colour – I love it! Come and visit – but not in the day of course, and be careful not to fall in the river in the dark taking photos ha ha! Continue reading Only at Night ~ Sanzhi’s New Bridge!

St. John's University, Taiwan2 Comments

A Bright Future Ahead?!

Catherine Lee

Yes, a bright future ahead for St. John’s University!  Only a few months ago, this Mechanical Engineering Building was grey.  Yes, grey, grey, grey.  All of it.  And on a grey day, like most winter days, it was miserable.  So it is a wonderful surprise on today’s first sunny day for a while to see this beautiful newly-painted building in all its glory.  Isn’t it gorgeous?! So yes, a bright future ahead, in every possible way! Continue reading A Bright Future Ahead?!