Christmas in Kaohsiung (part two)

Sorry for my tardiness for posting the second part of Christmas in Kaohsiung.

On the night before Christmas, there was another concert that was held in front of the local department store. Unlike the concert on the previous weekend, this one had many different things going on. The concert was sponsored by Heineken, and as a result their branding was everywhere.

One of the novel things was a machine that created floating foam pictures. The sky was littered with all of these and it looked like snow, but it was floating up rather than falling to the ground. The star shown in the video was just one of many images with the main one being a "H" for the sponsor.


Another attraction that was being showcased was the Heineken sub zero degree experience. The advertising on Taiwan TV at the moment for the sponsor is a beer with an Antarctic Experience. I didn't go through but from what I saw from the signs out front, it is a stimulation of walking in Antartic, including minus 30 degree temperatures. By comparison, this would make the weather in Christchurch similar to that found in the tropics. Those who dared to enter were required to wear special silver themo jackets. Peeping in through the entrance, it did look very impressive.



At the other end of the department store and arena plaza was a mini carnival. This had many stalls with food and rides for the young children. It was good to see that someone (although I don't think it was part of Heineken) catered for younger crowd. I didn't spend too much time there because most of the food sold there I don't eat.




Towering above us was the department store and their colourful Christmas lighting display that was continually changing. The lighting display has been proudly showning all of December. Each time that the Doctor and I go out for a walk, we also see this and reminded what time of the year it is.










Now to the real entertainment. From about 7:00pm to 8:00pm, there was a DJ playing his music mega-mixes. The first one that went on for about 15 minutes was Michael Jackson's songs. If I recall correctly, I think all of the songs were from the West. It reminded of why my hearing is not at its best; as a result of visiting a few night clubs in my younger days when the music is way too loud. I think it has a vibration that pulses through your body similar to that of thunder produced by Mother Nature.

When the main entertainment started, the first act was a combination of acrobats and dancers. How they stay on their bouncing stilts I don't know.


The second act as a singer duo. To my constant surprise, they sang English songs. The first song they sang was I will Follow Him similar to what was sung in the movie Sister Act. The second song they sang was Can't Take My Eyes Off You. The final song they sang was in Chinese. From the actions, it was all about an Heineken beer bottle where they ended up both drinking from the same bottle through two straws. One funny thing that happened was the girl suffered a costume failure. The head piece she was wearing started to fall apart from the first song and got worst as they progressed from there. Like a true champion, she didn't let it affect her and I believe she even made a joke about it.


The third act reminded me a little of the Beatles from the sixties. Again they sang English and Chinese songs. Initially I was a bit worried because they started to hook up more speakers than what was already there with the stage. I expected to be blown away literally. However it wasn't that bad; but the girl on the right didn't have a working mic for the first song.


After these three acts, it was over an hour's worth of entertainment and overall very enjoyable. Again Kaohsiung has surprised me with their talent, embracing of Christmas and sing so much in English.

I have uploaded all of my Pictures that I took on that night, feel free to click on the link (Christmas Eve in Kaohsiung) and have a look.

I think is it for now. Till next time, haveagoodone...

Christmas in Kaohsiung

Over the last week, I have been a little surprised at the Christmas Festivities that have been performed in my little area of the world. I live very close to Kaohsiung Arena and a newly built Japanese Department store called Hanshin. This small area provides an excellent public area to host such events.

The weekend before Christmas, one of the local Radio stations called KISS Radio sponsored a concert that went for a couple of hours. Admittedly I don't know the name of the artists who performed, or the songs they were singing but it was good to be soak up the atmosphere.

The KISS Radio concert consisted of five acts ranging in different styles. The first act was more like an American rap band. The band consisted of two guys who sang a rap style and the girl sang more rock n roll style to contrast. There also was a forth band member who acted as the DJ in the background. They sang, I think, three songs that were quite lively.


The next act was a lady singer called "Olivia". She sang two songs in English (that was a surprise). The first song was True Colors that was first sung by Cyndia Lauper. The second song was All out of Love by Air Supply. The third song that Olivia sang was in Chinese, so unfortunately I cannot recall any further details of it apart that is was good to listen to.


The third act was a tiny Taiwanese girl. She sang and spoken entirely in Mandarin so I all I can say is that it is all Chinese to me. The songs that she sang were soft romantic style songs. A lot of the songs popular in Taiwan seem to be along this genre.




The next act to perform was a young guy who had a style all his own. Again, he spoke and sang in Mandarin. I really must learn more Mandarin. Regardless he say well and was very entertaining. I think his style was different from what I heard before. At the moment, I cannot describe it so I'll try and upload a video (that is below).


The last act was a girl and she seemed really popular; really that isn't surprising as the best is usually last. She sang songs that were a dance pop style and the romantic style as well.

All in all, I would say that it was enjoyable and very kind of KISS radio to provide a free concert.

Details about the concert that I saw last night, I'll post later today after I have sorted my photos and videos out.

Anyway, till next time, haveagoodone...

In anticipation of Christmas

In anticipation of Christmas in just under a week's time, Kaohsiung seems to have taken up the spirit (in a commercialised sense). Most of the shops I walk past have Christmas trees and decorations on display. The local department store beside the arena has Christmas trees everywhere. One of the better ones is near the entrance to the food court. You may notice next to the tree that there is a small stand with things pinned to it. What I think it is that people can write a Christmas wish (for themselves or for some else) and pin it on the stand. What happens to them afterwards, I am not sure. I suspect it is like sending a message into the Universe and good fortune will come back.

On the tree itself, you may also see a sign like a big key. I presume that this is sponsor of the Christmas tree, but can you make out the detail in it? If not, I have taken another photo just below. Surprise it is from Australia! There is a store inside the department store that sells gold imported from the Perth Mint in Western Australia. Speaking of Australian products, Australian Beef is also proudly highlight with many restaurants as American Beef is considered to be inferior or not safe. Taiwan has only recently lifted a ban on American Beef and the media has gone crazy analysing this.

Anyway, back to the Christmas tree, actually I was lucky to get a photo with no one standing beside it. Usually there is a queue of people waiting to have the their photo taken beside the tree.

Inside the department store, I sneakily took a few photos. The photo on my right is literally deck the halls with bows of holly. But I didn't see anybody kissing under them. I think they were too busy shopping...

The other photo to the left shows another Christmas tree just before the main department store. This tree is also in the same theme to make a wish and place it on the tree. I don't recall seeing this theme of making a wish and pinning it to a tree in Australia or New Zealand. Personally I think it seems a good idea, particularly if you make a wish for someone else and not one's self. Like sending good energy out into the Universe.

The last photo in this post that I have is of the preparations for a concert that is to be held tonight. The riggers are working very hard to complete the stage and surrounding displays for a 7:00pm start tonight. I hope to have some stories and photos from it for my next posting.

The sponsor, I think, is a radio station called Kiss Radio. I did see a web site but unfortunately I cannot find it.

Anyway till next time, haveagoodone...

Another mouth to feed...

Last week, the Doctor and I had an unexpected visitor. This visitor arrived totally uninvited and not in a conventional way, plus this visitor has a taste for organic vegetables. The Doctor and I normally buy organic vegetables anyway so this isn't too much of a big deal; but this visitor only eats a certain type of organic vegetable - usually something leafy.

Our visitor has been eating constantly over the last week and has now more than doubled in size. Who would have guessed that such a small visitor could eat so much and grow so quickly? And, not only has our visitor grown in size but has changed colour as well. When we first met, our visitor was green and now has turned a dark (almost black) colour.

Now you may be wondering who our visitor is, well it is a caterpillar that we found in the leafy organic vegetables we had bought the week before. After visiting the butterfly enclosure on our way to Sun Moon Lake I mentioned earlier, the Doctor has decided to grown his own butterfly. I just hope that this caterpillar will grow into a butterfly rather than a moth...

Anyway, considering the transformation that it has undergone over the last week, it must be ready to cocoon soon. I had taken a picture this afternoon and will keep you updated as it transforms further.

Till next time, haveagoodone...

A trip to Sun Moon Lake

Last weekend, the Doctor and I travelled to central Taiwan. The trip was initially triggered by the Doctor having to visit a past University student and conduct a survey. However, we decided to stay a couple of days and see the local sights.

The first stop was a small town called Jiji. After catching the newest High Speed train that travelled close to 300 kms per hour from Kaohsiung to Taichung, we then caught a more modest train to JiJi. The second train was quite different and felt like I had stepped back in time.

The outside was painted very colourful and the inside looked like it was last decorated in the 1960's. You could even sit up front right beside the train driver and see his view. Then after arriving at JiJi station, we had to cross train tracks to get from the platform to the exit gate.

After stepping outside the station, it was clear that this small town takes their railway station very seriously. They had a monument, LED panel outdoor screen and big signs showing that you were in fact at JiJi station.
Some of the other attractions we visited were Confucius' Temple and special species centre. The special species centre had a Butterfly enclosure, an area for injured wild birds and a statue of Taiwan Bear family. It also had an Army memorial park that we visited on our last day; so more pictures later on.

Also in JiJi we hired a motorised scooter that we used for the weekend. I can confidently say that after a weekend riding on the back of a scooter, I am glad that I use public transport for the majority of my travel around Taiwan.

On the first night, we stayed a bed and breakfast in Shui Li and then make our way to Sun Moon Lake. On the way, we stopped at a place that has a moving walk way. I think what it actually was a swamp land with a planked walkway designed to sway with the underlying water. The place claimed that it was one of only two in the world where the earth moved when walked on.

After arriving at Sun Moon Lake, we battled with all the other tourists. It certainly has become a very popular spot for people to visit. The township we stayed at had a small maze of streets that was similar to a bit market. There were many food vendors on the street, but the Doctor and I ended up having most of our meals at 7-Eleven. Unfortunately the street vendors who cater to those who don't eat meat were few are far between. There was one stall that had a Chicken wrap that looked really nice, but after watching the food preparer handle the money with the same glove as handling the food, I decided to pass.

After one night at the Sun Moon Lake, we headed back to JiJi. That small town that was so quiet on Friday had become very busy on Sunday. Anyway, we stopped at the Army Museum Park.


After wandering around the rather busy JiJi township again, we caught the mountain train and high speed train back to home again.

All in all, it was a good weekend but glad to be back home.

Till next time, haveagoodone...