Weekend Trip...

This weekend just gone, I spent in TaiChung on the central west coast. I had seen a couple of travel shows about TaiChung that showed the artistic side of Taiwan so decided to go and see it myself.

The photo to the right is the greenhouse conservatory exhibition. You may be able to see the giant butterfly to the left of the entrance. The first of many artworks scattered around the city.

After entering the conservatory, it was just like a small rain forest. In the centre there was a big waterfall that would be hear all around the conservatory.












The tree to the right, I was told that they call this tree a bomb tree because of what it looks like.











Just inside the entrance, they had this little display. It took a while to get a decent photo as there was a queue with parents and their children.











They even had a small aquarium with some really large fish in. I hadn't seen these type of fish before. There also was something like an eel but it was about the size of a shark.










Also in this area, and I am not sure why, they had frogs everywhere. The only live frog related display I saw was a tank but the frogs were so small and hiding so I couldn't get any photos.

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Then visited a place that did paper cut outs similar to what I did at the Senior Citizens Centre. The photo to the right is a chess board believe it or not. Very clever.








Then I had lunch where these cute little creatures greed customers at the front door.











After lunch I wondered around the many parks they had around and most of them were filled with artwork similar to photo to the right.

Then after spending the afternoon walking around, I got a quick drink before heading back.

Taichung is a really beautiful place and should a job opportunity come up there, I could easily move there.

Till next time, haveagoodone...

A different type of Chinese class

Today, my Chinese class was a little different. Usually, my class consists of new words, sentence patterns, grammar and a lot of conversation I don't understand. However, today my class went on a field trip.

Close by there is a Senior Citizens centre and they had invited all the foreign students to participate in a paper cutting class. This class was in anticipation of Chinese New Year on 3rd February 2011.

The first character I created means "Spring". This character may also be hung upside down. Apparently the reason is that spring has almost arrived and spring brings new growth and fortunes.

Personally, I think the characters are confusing enough the right way up; so I'll keep my right way up.





The next character is actually two joined together. The meaning is lucky goat. If you look closely, you can maybe see the floppy ears in the middle??? Well maybe not. This character also involved having a border around the outside. It was a little more challenging that the first one.


As for it's meaning, I am not really sure why a goat is lucky, but someone decided it be so; so it is.


When I thought it was starting to get difficult, the next character was taken up a few notches.

As you can see from the picture to the right, it is three dimensional.

The red paper had to be folded like if I was making a hat. Then the template placed over it and cut very carefully.

This character is the same as the first one, that means spring.


To the right is a picture of the captured audience.

Oh, by the way, I think that this may make the local news. My Mexican classmate, who happens to be considered handsome by many Taiwanese girls, was interviewed by three different reporters. How he had time to finish his cutting, I am not sure....

I think all that attended had fun; well I know I did anyway.

Till next time, haveagoodone...

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to all!

Last night I decided to break with my tradition of going to bed at my normal time (I am not a night owl) and went out to watch fireworks in Kaohsiung.

One of the major firework shows was at a place called Dream Mall. I had heard from the media and a language exchange that this is one of the better places to see the new year in. Not only do they have the fireworks, but also lots of concerts and stalls to entertain while waiting for midnight to arrive.

I had arrived about 10:30pm and things were already in full swing judging by all the people and scooters everywhere. I should mention that this photo only captured a small area of whole area. The whole event area went for almost a kilometre in each direction.

One thing I did notice was that the environment appeared very friendly despite so many people of all ages coming along. I remember from my days living in Christchurch that groups would form quickly and then the aggression would soon follow. However, none of that in Taiwan.

At many spots around the complex had these really big screens set up that showed what was going on the main stage along with the sound. I think it was a good idea to spread the people around rather than congregate in one place. The advertisement under the screen is for one of Taiwan's local non-government banks. This bank is called E-San Bank and it named after Taiwan's highest mountain (Jade Mountain).



In addition to the entertainment that was going on, Dream Mall also had the rows of night markets stalls that lined the streets. I think this is an essential element of Taiwanese social function; that being have night market stalls set up with Taiwan's delicacies usually consisting of BBQ squid, Sugar Cane juice, and lots of other things that I can only guess at.




Then at the strike of midnight, the fireworks when off. I had heard that the fireworks were to go for exactly 610 seconds. It was a very good show.

After the fireworks show, I along with about ten thousand people headed to the MRT station to catch the train home. Initially, I was a bit worried being a place with so many people converging on a small place. But the Taiwanese officials handled the situation very well and I ended up getting home is about fifteen minutes without waiting to long to enter the station, or board the train. I did have visions of Melbourne's crowded trains after a few cancellations; tighter than being in a sardine can. But Taiwan demonstrated their forward planning ability and proved how well orgainsed they are.

The video here is the last three or four sections before midnight.



Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Till next time, haveagoodone...