Taiwan - Kaohsuing 2014 Video

Taiwan - Taitung 2014 Video

Taiwan - Kinmen 2014 Video

Taiwan - Meilong 2014-10-27

We  started our day at 6:00 am.  We rode the bicycles borrowed from the B & B we stayed.  We went around Meilong, passed many farm fields, and saw many different birds.  Such a beautiful morning.

Tonight, we will stay in Pao-Lai Hot Spring Resort to enjoy my favorite activity - soaking in hot spring.

Taiwan - Meilong 2014-10-26

We got up about 5:00 am and attended early morning class in Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) at 5:45 am. 

Before we left Fo Guang Shan, we visited Buddha Memorial Center (佛陀紀念館). The center purportedly houses one of the tooth relics of Gautama Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist faith. The construction of the center began in 2008, and the complex was opened to the public in December 2011.

We left Fo Guang Shan and drove to Meilong(美濃).  Meilong is a place still keeps its tradition Hakka culture. Meilong is associated with the paper umbrella; the Meilong paper umbrella has become an outstanding feature of Meilong. The paper umbrella has become a local symbol of the handicrafts in Meilong.

Afternoon, we rode the bicycles borrowed from B&B we stayed in Meilong (美濃).  We rode by the vegetables fields, traditional Hakka houses, and park.  We stopped at a tradition tea house for Hakka Lei cha (客家擂茶).

Hakka Lei cha is a traditional Hakka Pounded tea. Lei cha is very traditional among Hakkas in Mainland China, especially Southern China.  Pounded tea consists of a mix of tea leaves and herbs that are ground or pounded together with various roasted nuts, seeds, grains, and flavorings. 

Taiwan - Kaohsiung 2014-10-25

The Kaoping River Rail Bridge (高屏溪大橋) Constructed Wetland, which was commissioned in 2004. This multi-function wetland has been designed for the purposes of wastewater treatment, wildlife habitat, recreation, and education.

The headquarters of Fo Guang Shan (佛光山), located in Kaohsiung (高雄), is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.

Friend and I stayed at Fo Guang Shan for the night.  Around 5:45 pm, we waited outside main cafeteria for dinner.  Then all the people who waited outside went in togetger.  I think there were hundreds. everyone started eating at the same time and no talking.  It was a very interesting experience.

Next moring, we attended a early moring class at 5:45 am.  Then we again experienced hundreds of people eating at the same time after the thinksgiving prayer.

Taiwan - Taitung 2014-10-24

Taitung (臺東)has beautiful coastline.

The east coast shoreline of Taitung stretches 170 kilometers from the mouth of the Hualien River (花蓮河) in the north to Little Yeliu (小野柳) in the south. 

The geological structure here is made up of whitish-gray volcanic tuff. A wide variety of coastal vegetation and sea lives make this an excellent place to observe the coastal and marine ecology.

Taiwan - Chishang 2014-10-23

Chishang Township (池上鄉) is a very famous place in Taiwan due to the high quality of the rice grown there.

The history of Chishang started in 1895-1945 when the Japanese occupied Taiwan, discovered that the climate, soil and water conditions in this area were perfect for growing a variety of crops. The Japanese tried to grow sugarcane, pineapple, and eventually rice.

There are two rice harvests per year in this township: in late June or early July, and in the fall in early November.

Today, near harvest time, the fields are at their most beautiful, filled with long golden spikes of rice.

Taiwan - Kinmen 2014-10-17

We stayed in a beautiful B&B called 水調歌頭。 The place was a Chinese two layer traditional house ( 二進階) .  My friend and I loved to stay the place by ourselves enjoying the comfortable  weatherour,  quiet, and peace time in the garden.

Life is beautiful in Kinmen!