新年快乐

I went and visited the Chen family (my adopted Taiwanese family) during Chinese new year and we went on quite an adventure together.

Hissing gears, tweedling whistles, stampedes of foot steps, dizzying chatter, and rockabilly jazz swirled through the air when I arrived at the bustling Tai Nan train-station. James picked me up and he took me on a tour through the old district of Tai Nan with his girlfriend Mia. Stopping here and there, I tried a variety of slimy food and fruit drinks famous to that part of town. When we dropped anchor at his house it was time for the banquets start. I ate so much food that night and the following days to come I thought I was going to burst at any second. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner ever meal was a feast. Latter that night we went to a local Taoist temple for the new years eve ceremonies and party. Thundering beats of the biggest drum I have ever seen accompanied dances of every kind. My favorite dance was the dragon dance. The dancers contorted and twirled the puppet dragon making it come alive as it chased the purple orb of power.

The next day we made our way to Tai Tong. What was supposed to be a 4 hour trip turned into an all day snail ride though the worst traffic I have ever been in. If it wasn't stop and go traffic we never went over 20 miles per hour. Even though the traffic was horrible I didn't mind it too much because every second was a new sight for me. Vast mountain jungle on one side and the endless blue pacific ocean on the other.

The next morning it was business as usual, lots of food and traveling. Unhurried we made our way up to Baxian caves. Okay, so when I hear the word caves I think of a network of cold dark tunnels winding under the mountain, these caves were nothing more than small pits in the rock surface. Other than the amazing view from up top the mountain overlooking the valley I thought I was going to be rather disappointed in the trip not under the mountain until our way down. A monkey came scurrying up the  mountain side in search for food. In a state of excited panic I fumbled though my camera bag and attached my long distance lens to my camera. Exhilarated by moment I took picture after picture engraving every shot in my memory following the monkey up the cliff side until it disappeared into the dense jungle.

Late that night we went to a lantern festival in Tai Tong. Lights twinkled in the air with the rising and falling of each lit lantern. People gathered from all around to enjoy each others good company and laughs.  I really wish I had a tripod though because I could have taken so many more good shots in the dark.

My last day in Tai Tong we up and down the east coast of Taiwan enjoying the time to be lazy, savor the surroundings and as usual I ate a lot of food.

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Hot Pot and Temple Trip

This past week has been interesting. Hot Pot with a friend from church, accidentally forgetting about an extra class that was on my schedule, getting flayed open for no good reason, and finishing Avatar the Last Airbender. Full of all sorts of twists and turns but all for the better... or at least I hope. This Saturday I went to the temple in Taipei, it has been a while sine I've been. It was good to go and feel the peace that is there. 

While I was in Taipei I tried out my 55-210 m lens. It brought out a completely new dimension to my camera that I was really happy with. Stepping into someones world, suspending time with in a snap, but being in the hinterland unnoticed. I was able to leave moments undisturbed and that was something I wouldn't have normally been able to do.

This coming week is Chinese New Year and I hopefully be heading down to Tai Nan, Tai Don, and Tai Pei. A lot of Tais I know but each are on completely different parts of the Island. I am excited to go to each of the different parts of Taiwan and take pictures while I'm out and about. Also I will be striking one of the places off my list: Baxian caves!

Also a special thanks to Korrin for donating to my Patreon account. I will be sending out a wax sealed letter to you.

 

 

P.S. Happy Valentines Day. One more down ... Hopeful for next year, fingers crossed.