Sanzhi 三芝 is blooming – currently full of fields of lotus flowers… And if you’re up really early, you’ll get to see the flowering dragon fruits (pitahaya), which bloom overnight and wilt when the sun comes up. The flowers are huge, and attract bees… Taiwan’s countryside is looking great at this time of the year ~ come and visit and see it all for yourselves! Continue reading Sanzhi 三芝 in Bloom!
It’s Dragon Boat Festival weekend, so we have 2 extra days off – yippee! So far I’ve spent 2 days up on the Yang-Ming Shan Mountains above Taipei doing the East-West Traverse (Chinese version is here), a 25 km route, which I did in 2 halves – it takes in 10 peaks in total. Each of the 10 peaks has a marker post with a Chinese character on the top, and using a pencil, you make like a brass rubbing in a special book. Together the characters spell out the phrase ‘陽明山東西大縱走活動’ meaning ‘Yang-Ming Shan East-West Vertical Traverse Activity’. So there … Continue reading ‘陽明山東西大縱走活動’ ‘Yang-Ming Shan East-West Vertical Traverse’ 2017!
Former President Lee Teng-Hui‘s childhood home is located right here in Sanzhi. Always attracts many visitors. But last September, half the roof fell in after several days of very heavy rains. Well, a third of the roof to be more exact. The left third. Still not repaired. Multiple owners, all relatives, and as someone told me, everybody’s business has become nobody’s business. But every spring, the front is filled with pots of lilies. In flower now. Looking very beautiful! “If thou of fortune be bereft, and in thy store there be but left two loaves, sell one, and with the dole, buy … Continue reading Lily Season @ President Lee Teng-Hui’s Old Home
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!
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!
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!
Day 22 #simplify #簡單化 Monday December 19 ‘A simpler lifestyle can be a way to share with those who have less and a way of returning to them what is usurped by unjust social and economic structures. Assuming a stance of under-consumption can be a provocative invitation to others into a conversation about affluence, poverty and social justice’. 簡單的生活模式，可做為一種「分享」，與那些收入低、財產少的人分享；也可以當作「歸還」的方式，把不公平的社經結構所造成的「侵佔所得」歸還遭到剝削的族群。採取低消費的姿態，會是一種有力的邀約，激發他人談論攸關貧富以及社會正義的問題。 Beautiful Advent flowers at St. James’ Church, Taichung (台灣聖公會聖雅各堂) Continue reading Advent Word, Day 22 ‘simplify’
Yes there’s a whole patch of mini sunflowers growing on a corner of the road out in the middle of nowhere here in Sanzhi 三芝 and they look spectacular. On this dull day, they really brighten up the place! I just love sunflowers! Continue reading Mini Sunflowers in Sanzhi!
There’s red everywhere! Flame trees (delonix regia) were first imported to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era, and have been named Tainan City’s official tree. It’s flame tree flowering season ~ this is the one outside Advent Church, and even on a dull day, they still look amazing! I just LOVE red! Continue reading Flame Tree Season in Taiwan!
Catherine Lee 