Category: Taiwan

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The end of Autumn!

Catherine Lee

Yes, the temps are falling, winter is coming – arriving more or less today that is, with the arrival of a cold front from China – the first of the winter season.  There’s a very cold wind out there and we’re all wrapped up in our winter woollies! But still, the banana trees are not fazed….. Almost 2 weeks ago, we were on a boat coming back from Matsu – but seeing the waves on the sea today makes me very glad we are not on that boat today ha ha! Happy Winter everyone! Continue reading The end of Autumn!

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Tamsui Sports Centre ~ Very Near, Very New and Very Very Nice!

Catherine Lee

Yes, about a year ago, the brand new Tamsui Sports Centre, TSSC 新北市淡水國民運動中心 (Chinese website here), opened up in the northern area of Tamsui 淡水, just 10 minutes down the road from St. John’s University.  It’s a booming part of town – the new town area, surrounded by dozens and dozens of brand new high-rise apartment buildings, new elementary school and government offices, and even a Carrefour Supermarket with restaurants attached; and all on the main bus route from SJU to Tamsui…. And most importantly it has a 50m swimming pool at B1 Level, which is open for public swimming from 6:00am to … Continue reading Tamsui Sports Centre ~ Very Near, Very New and Very Very Nice!

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Farewelling our lovely Bangalore friends!

Catherine Lee

A wonderful visit from my good Bangalore friends  ~ Harrison, Nancy and Allen ~ on Saturday.  They came specially from Taichung to say goodbye! Earlier this year on Pentecost Sunday, June 24, we celebrated their older son, Kelvin being confirmed at St. James’ Church, Taichung, and also said goodbye to him as he left to start his university studies in their home country of India (see that blog post here).  And it sounds like he’s having a great time! Now the whole family is leaving Taiwan, Harrison being sent to work at the HQ of their company in the USA, … Continue reading Farewelling our lovely Bangalore friends!

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Mt. Keelung基隆山, Jinguashi金瓜石 POW Camp and Jiufen九份

Catherine Lee

An Indian Summer (or in Chinese, known as an Autumn Tiger!) ~ Yippee! Yes, a whole 3 days so far of temps up to 32°C, with blue skies, blue seas and butterflies ~ time to get the sunglasses, sun cream and sun hats back out, YES! And if there’s one place in Taiwan where a fine day is rare, it’s the N.E coast and the mountains above Keelung.  I was up there 2 months ago to climb Teapot Mountain 茶壺山 and Banpingshan 半平山(check out that blog post here) and at the time, thought that if there’s ever a fine day again, that’s … Continue reading Mt. Keelung基隆山, Jinguashi金瓜石 POW Camp and Jiufen九份

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Taiwan Elections ~ coming soon!

Catherine Lee

Taiwan is gearing up for presidential and legislative elections on January 16, 2016, so the next few months promises to be a very lively time indeed.  Campaigning is in full swing. Loud speaker vans roam the streets, campaign billboards are up all over.  One thing’s for sure, Taiwan elections are never boring and never quiet! Freedom of Speech is of course a greatly valued right in any democratic society, and Taiwan people make the most of it.  This was the scene on the footbridge in central Taipei yesterday, looking towards the Control Yuan ~ one man with a loudhailer letting … Continue reading Taiwan Elections ~ coming soon!

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Halloween party ends in exorcism for 12 students – Taipei Times

Catherine Lee

Pray for Taiwan…. After hosting a haunted-house party for Halloween on Thursday, a dozen students from Tainan’s Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science experienced acute discomfort that some attributed to possession by malicious spirits, and the students were subsequently rushed to a nearby temple to undergo a mass exorcism. Source: Halloween party ends in exorcism for 12 students – Taipei Times Continue reading Halloween party ends in exorcism for 12 students – Taipei Times

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Humming round Taipei in a Humvee?

Catherine Lee

Most Thursdays off I go to the diocesan office in Taipei ~ and en route there or back I often find myself passing by some of Taipei’s more famous buildings. Yesterday afternoon took me past the Sheraton Hotel, strategically located right in the middle of the area housing many of the main government ministry buildings – so also centrally located to observe all protests, demonstrations, occupations and of course VIP events. Turned out that yesterday the hub of activity around the Sheraton Hotel was for the visit of President Ma Ying-Jeou.  Outside was parked a super-shiny silver Humvee.  Kinda unexpected … Continue reading Humming round Taipei in a Humvee?