Category: Taiwan

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Spring has Sprung @ Sanzhi 三芝!

Catherine Lee

Yes, the cherry blossom is finally out, the azaleas too, and the swallows are back and starting nest-building.  The local council has planted 17,000 cherry blossom trees around and about, and after a slow start, yes they’re out.  Even more importantly, the sun is out too, and that improves things considerably! We’ve had a slow start to spring, apparently due to the fact that the cold weather took so long to arrive.  Still, it’s here now, and we’re enjoying every minute of the sunshine ~ so wishing you all a happy spring! Continue reading Spring has Sprung @ Sanzhi 三芝!

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Happy Children’s Day 兒童節 in Laomei Village 石門鄉老梅!

Catherine Lee

Laomei Elementary School 老梅國小 is in Shimen Township on Taiwan’s northern tip, and on a sunny day in spring and summer it’s beautiful.  The rest of the time, sadly it is not. The rain lashes down in buckets, the wind blows in great big gusts, and the children are well-used to spending endless days indoors.   But surprise, surprise, after a very wet weekend, suddenly yesterday was beautiful, the sun was out and it was warm! Laomei Beach is famous for its Algal Reef 老梅綠色石槽, formed from wave-cut volcanic lava and every year covered in bright green algae, especially in … Continue reading Happy Children’s Day 兒童節 in Laomei Village 石門鄉老梅!

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My Kinda Art @ Taichung!

Catherine Lee

Every month off I go to Taichung to do the sermon in the St. James’ Church English Service, usually on the bus or train, and occasionally, just occasionally by High Speed Rail. Saturday was a rare HSR day…. St. James’ Church is right opposite the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and even though I pass along the art museum skywalk every time on my morning exercise, actually I hardly ever go in the museum itself. Sorry about that.  Yes, the museum is all free, but still, y’know, I hardly ever go in. Except this weekend, I happened to notice … Continue reading My Kinda Art @ Taichung!

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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!

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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!

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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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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!