Tag: Taiwan History

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Tamsui Treasures!

Catherine Lee

Bright orange U-bikes have arrived in Tamsui, and not just down by the river, but up in northern Tamsui, by the sports centre and Carrefour ~ yippee!  So a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon is riding around on a u-bike, exploring some of the places in Tamsui that are more difficult to get to – and the sports center is a good place to start. Well, it is for me, cos it’s the nearest to Sanzhi! First stop is the Cheng’s Old Residence, which is a traditional old Taiwanese house, around 3 sides of a courtyard, probably built … Continue reading Tamsui Treasures!

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Taipei 4 Teens!

Catherine Lee

Always accept a challenge!  And one of my challenges this week was to take 2 very lovely American teens around Taipei for the afternoon.  They were very interested and very keen to see everything!  Their parents were busy at a conference, so I offered to show them a few sights… First stop was the Changing of the Guard at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, whose days may be numbered, so it’s worth going to see now.  Not for the memorial itself but to see the guards. It’s hot work and they stand there totally not moving for a whole hour while … Continue reading Taipei 4 Teens!

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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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From Taipei by train along the Pingxi Line 平溪線!

Catherine Lee

This is definitely my new favourite thing to do in the Greater Taipei area!  Must-go, must-see, must-ride on that train!  Just look at the kind of view you’ll have! Two weeks ago, the day after Typhoon Nepartak, in a mix of drizzle, rain, torrential rain, and overcast skies, with my 2 lovely visitors from the UK and 4 of our wonderful students, I spent the day on the Pingxi Line, and it was fun!  It was cool after the typhoon, but dull and overcast.  On that day we spent all our time at Shifen 十分, and then went to Jiufen 九份.  But … Continue reading From Taipei by train along the Pingxi Line 平溪線!

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Tamsui 淡水 in June!

Catherine Lee

The best month of the year in Tamsui is definitely June ~ forget yesterday’s torrential rains and focus instead on today’s blue skies, blue sea and all the flowers, and especially at Dr. George L. Mackay‘s old clinic (now museum and coffee shop) and the old church – peeping through the gap in the buildings below. Tamsui is oozing with history, every old building tells a story. And these buildings and the Mackay statue are just a small part, there’s plenty more to see! So do come and visit and check it all out for yourself! Continue reading Tamsui 淡水 in June!

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St. John’s University, Taiwan ~ Annual Celebration!

Catherine Lee

Today is the day!  On this day 49 years ago, April 26, 1967, the Ministry of Education officially notified ‘St. John’s and St. Mary’s Institute of Technology’ SJSMIT, (the original name of St. John’s University, SJU) that they could start to recruit students for their brand new 5-year junior college courses. The school dates its foundation from that day, and many of the original first intake of students are still active in the SJU Alumni Association today. Bishop James C. L. Wong was the first Chinese Bishop of Taiwan (from 1965-70) and his vision was to establish a successor institution … Continue reading St. John’s University, Taiwan ~ Annual Celebration!