Taichung, Taiwan

Taichung City is a municipality located in center-western Taiwan. Taichung has a population of over 2.7 million people, making it the third largest city on the island after New Taipei City and Kaohsiung. An aboriginal revolt broke out there in 1731 after Chinese officials had moved in and compelled them to provide labor.

The city is now a modern industrial seaport but with many nature attractions and cultural attractions such as temples and a mosque (Taichung Mosque). Pic attached and attributed to Lina Chen El-fatih (https://www.facebook.com/zulfa.elmustfathsyatibi). Other pic @Zikra Yanti (https://www.facebook.com/zikra.yanti)/ All mosque and mosque related pics from Tachung Mosque’s unofficial Facebook Page.

I pinged my friend and Instagram follower @ping.l.y on IG, a Taichung school teacher and selfie specialist (pic attached) who pointed me to the amazing Gaomei Wetlands of Taichung with beautiful sunsets and wind turbines of the Taiwan Power Company. I contacted http://www.gaomei.com.tw and one helpful Vincen said I can use one of the pics suggested by Ping. (pic of wetland attached)

I love my job as the webmaster of MyCen Hotels, as I learn something new every day.

Many hotels in Taichung with reduced room rates found here: http://www.mycen.my/taichung-hotel-deals-finder/

#taichung #taiwan #wetlandands #gaomei #mycenhotels #sunset #japanesecolonialism #nature #travel #mosque #masjidtaichung

Masjid Terapung Puchong

Sun, rain, mist, algae and moss. I have a lot to say about pond scum and our famous “lack of maintenance” culture but I’ll save it for another day or until I visit again. Good thing, the serene and beautiful mosque made it more bearable.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 2500, f8, 1/160 sec.

‪#‎documentaryphotography‬ ‪#landscape #algae #floating #mosque #masjidterapung #puchong #pond #pondscum #‎sonyalpha‬ ‪#‎a7r‬ ‪#‎samyang

Go Off The Beaten Track

In the boat ride to Angkor Wat complex, I was expecting to see the riverine communities with shanty houses on stilts and people fishing outside their homes. All of a sudden, this beautiful white mosque came into view, not long after we left Phnom Penh.

I think it a was at a Khmer Muslim village by the Cham people.

Further up river, I got to see the beautiful biodiversity of rare birds, fishes, amphibious animals and plants. To boot, I was traveling to the world’s greatest temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world, the Angkor Wat.

You will miss all these when you fly direct to Siem Reap as many weekend visitors do. Plan well. The unhealthy obsession with bucket lists is resulting in many people missing many significant and esoteric things, off the beaten path.

Find one of many good hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh at MyCen Hotels http://www.mycen.my/

#mosque #cham #village #khmer #muslim #river #phnomppenh #tonlelesp #siemraap #rtiver #nature #travel #adventure

The Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque

The Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque.

Another very beautiful Johor Bahru landmark is the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque. Constructed in 1892, the architectural design incorporates Victorian elements in line with the Anglophile sentiments of then Johor ruler, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Sultan Abu Bakar. It is truly majestic photographed early in the morning when the sun lights up the minarets elliptically.

Thank you Johorean Sharon Teo for taking me there one morning 3 years ago…

Olympus OM-D, ISO 200, f10, 1/500 sec.

Masjid Kampung Kling

This ancient mosque bears testament to the rich multi-cultural roots of Malacca. Its architecture design incorporates Chinese, Hindu, Indonesian and Malay elements. The minaret resembles a pagoda and there are European Corinthian columns and Moorish arches inside. It was originally built by Indian Muslim traders in 1748.

The landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site is difficult to photograph as it is surrounded by criss-crossing utility cables. Nevertheless; on a gorgeous morning, the mosque stands as glorious as its past.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 200, f11, 1/1000 sec.

#heritage #history #landmark #melaka #malacca #mosque #tbt #masjidkampungkling