Month: June 2017

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

The 101

The 101

Taipei’s iconic Taipei 101 landmark was officially classified as the world’s tallest skyscraper when completed in 2004, and remained such until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2009. Was tough finding a decent pic as the standalone solitary tower is hard to photograph in front of a bright sky. It is still the tallest and largest ‘green’ (environmentally responsible) building in the world.

It was not only the first building in the world to break the half-kilometer mark in height, but also the world’s tallest building at one time. It used to have the fastest elevator or lift in the world, traveling at 60.6 km/h and transporting passengers from the 5th to 89th floor in 37 seconds. In 2016, the title for the fastest elevator was given to one in Shanghai Tower. Info from Wikipedia.

I remember 張進金 – Zhang Jin Jin, a Taipeh resident and fellow photography enthusiast, posting some gorgeous pics of he tower with fireworks shooting out on New Year’s Eve 2017.

I contacted him to obtain permission to feature his pic.Of course, there is much more to see in Taiwan with its unique history and geographical location. Hope to look at some other provinces and cities in the Island of Taiwan soon.

Book a room in Taipei at special discounted rates here:

http://www.mycen.my/taipeh-hotel-deals-finder/

#taiwan #roc #iireworks #fujian #china #island #travel #mycenhotels​

Additional comment by journalist Rian Maelzer: “I interviewed the architect and the master developer. One key feature is its ability to withstand the frequent typhoons that batter the island as well as the possibility of earthquakes. It has a sort of giant pendulum counterbalance at the top of the building to offset the sway. Taipei 101’s design is inspired by bamboo.”

Fat Cat Of The Village Grocer at the Leper Colony

Colony In The Valley – Part 9.

After lunch, I went to get a stick of ice cream at a local grocery shop.

The kedai runcit was known as the provision shop to the English doctors and nurses during its heydays.

Today, it is the village grocer in the true sense of the word. A meeting point for villagers.

I call the lady grocer Leng Lui, like how her Chinese customers call her. Malay, Indian and Indonesian customers call her Ah Moi.

The lady declined to be photographed, so her fat cat will represent her.

She has 10 cats, all rescued as abandoned kittens. I asked her if the cats are spayed, neutered and vaccinated. She said every one of them are and it cost her a fortune.

She also feeds the other stray cats and dogs which she also gave names. How to not like her?

She’s naggy and motherly. Tough and street smart. Can lift two cooking gas cylinders and has a tattoo on one breast, bits of the ink showing teasingly.

I asked jokingly if I can see the full tattoo and she gave me an uncharacteristically coy answer; “My mother won’t allow that” she said softly. Lol.

When I picked a lime ice cream, she said you shouldn’t eat sour stuff if your tummy is empty. I mention that I was at a Taoist temple earlier and couldn’t get any info as not a single soul was around.

Leng Lui seemed startled and concerned.

She: OMG! You are very brave.

Me: Why?

She: No one wanders alone in the deserted parts here!

Me: I usually work alone. Why?

She: You are lucky you didn’t get robbed! Recently two female reporters from Taiwan had all their camera gear stolen at knife point.

Me: Who are the robbers?

She told me the answer and it fits into the bigger scheme of things. Derelict houses attract all kinds of uninvited tenants, including criminals and drug-dependent occupiers.

To be continued.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 640, f4, 1/250 sec.

#streetphotography #groceryshop #grocer #leprosarium #cat #sungaibuloh #village #documentaryphotography #colony #settlement #sonyalpha #a7r #zeiss #tvssblc

A Heartwarming And Heartbreaking Moment

As I was at Sup Hussin the other day,and while waiting for the breaking of fast, I saw something heartwarming. I saw a mamak (Indian Muslim) employee or maybe the boss himself feeding homeless cats with kibbles from a biscuit tin.

It can be more than altruism though. Hungry, homeless cats might beg by nudging the feet of customers and irritate or scare some people.

It was heartening and heartbreaking at the same time, for me. The scene triggered some sadness for me. I used to feed some random stray street cats from a biscuit tin previously too. I can no longer feed them because buying of pet food is so expensive and I have 5 other hungry cats at home to feed too.

I can’t work after my discharge from hospital and my revenue is down to a trickle. I worry about the nameless, faceless and homeless cats everyday.

I can look for them and continue feeding again if someone kind or generous can donate some kibbles or a little money by PayPal to tvsmith@gmail.com

Thank you in advance. Thank you, mamak for feeding the hungry strays, not with scraps but with real pet food. I will proudly patronize your shop more whenever I can.

#suphusin #cats #cat #homelesscats #straycars #animalwelfare #mamak #soup #hussinsup #animallover

Goat Soup For The Soul

I was writing about the quaint mosque in Setapak the other day and an IG follower reminded me of the famous sup kambing and popia basah (soft skinned spring rolls) shop found behind the mosque. A non-Muslim friend and I decided to go look at Pasar Ramadan bazaars today. I suggested we go to the sup shop to celebrate the first buka puasa or the first breaking of fast this year.

My bowl of sup kambing (front) and my friend’s sup ayam at the rear of the pic. Sliced loaf of Roti Banggali bread was served (chargeable). I ordered a plate of plain white rice to go with the spicy and fragrant soup.

Am thankful for the simple, affordable yet delicious meal. Grateful for my friend’s flexibility. Honoured to be able to celebrate the first day of Ramadan with a like-minded and good friend. Another wonderful news today. Feeling blessed. Was looking for the teacher who stayed next to the mosque and he called me today and we spoke again after a few decades! That will be a story for another day!

Restoran Hussin Sup & Popia Jalan Pahang is tricky to navigate to if you are unfamiliar with the area. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

#supayam #supkambing #hussinsup #mamaksoup #setapak #mosque #bukapuasa #ramadan #mamak