Articles in Taiwan
Moon Festival Trip 003 – Hehuanshan & Cingging Farm
I was eager to hit the road this morning, and after a quick shave and a brushing of the teeth, I was on my way. The morning was beautiful and cool and in no time at all, I was surrounded by gorgeous mountains. The problem is that I take so many pictures, it takes me a long time to cover any distance. I stopped again and again to take pictures. From this point, the scenery is going to get better and better, so I’ll probably end up going slower and slower.
Moon Festival Trip 002 – Nanfangao and the Taroko Gorge
As I suspected, I ended up in a small fishing port on the east coast. It’s a small but bustling place called Nanfangao. I don’t know that it is unique, but it is certainly a type of town that isn’t very common anymore. It feels quite traditional and the people make their living from fishing still.
Moon Festival Trip 001 – Pingling
I’m currently in a mountain tea-growing town called Pinglin. I’ve been here many, many times, but I always like it. It’s the very first place I went to on my first trip out of Taipei many years ago. The town itself is nothing that special, but a beautiful river runs through it, and they built trails all along the river and then up into the mountains.
Keelung Boat Trip
Saturday June 18, 2011
I went for a quick 2-day, 1-night scooter jaunt to Keelung. I took County Road 106 to get to Keelung. This is a beautiful mountain road that passes through the old mining towns of Jingtong, Pingxi, and Shifenliao on the way to Ruifang and the coast. It takes about 2 hours to get from Taipei to Keelung on 106. It would probably …
Taipei Markets and Temples
Saturday March 26, 2011
10:00 a.m. Taipei
I’ve spent the last twenty days in Taipei. I’ve suddenly become more attuned to my surroundings here in Taipei, and I’ve been spending all my time exploring this city. On one weekend, Scott and I walked to another night market. This one was called the Shanhe Night Market. It is in the district (or city) of Sanchong, across the Danshui …
The River and Hsimen Ding in Taipei
Sunday March 6, 2011
10:30 a.m. Taipei
I love weekends. This is the first weekend in a while during which I’ve stayed in Taipei, and I’m enjoying it very much. I was wearing myself out with all the weekend trips. And in truth, there are an endless number of things to do and see in Taipei. I’ve been here a long time, but I’ve experienced very little …
Hsinchu County Scooter Trip 003 – Five Finger Mountain
Monday February 28, 2011
12:30 p.m.
I’m on the road and slowly making my way back to Taipei. I stopped at the Lion’s Head Mountain Visitor Information Center, and here I found a lovely outdoor coffee shop. I have a table in the shade next to a fish pond. A cool breeze is blowing past and pleasant music is playing. I had had some thoughts about doing …
Hsinchu County Scooter Trip 002 – Neiwan Day 2
Sunday February 27 2011
8:00 a.m. Neiwan, Taiwan
I’m back at the same little restaurant in Neiwan as yesterday. It’s not a perfect spot, but it has two key things going for it: it’s open and it serves coffee. As far as I can tell, it is the only place open in the entire town. To be honest, I don’t think it is open for business in …