Living in Taiwan by Hui Yee

Taiwan —— Fusion of Culture and Civilization

                                                                                   A beautiful Night View in Taipei 101

    I’m a very lucky girl. I gained a chance by representing UPM to go on an exchange program in Taiwan. Although this was a study abroad program, still I am thrilled and my mind was running wild on travel, foods, hot spring and etc. With this opportunity, we went to Taiwan famous tourist spots and visited old street recommend by the locals.There are a lot of amazing sceneries can be found in a few states in Taiwan. Getting in touch with the nature makes me feel relax and comfortable, so mostly I would choose  having the best scenery spot to be my travel destination. People who like to travel in nature, can refer some of the places I recommend here.The map on the left shows the states of Taiwan; Taidong, Yilan, Hualian are famous of natural scenery as for Tainan is my favourite spot— Heritage site. I will be introducing great site view in following post.

    Travelling takes time and money, we tried very hard minding our pocket money in order to cutting down trip’s cost. Learn to thrift is the biggest gain I get in Taiwan Trip. Secondly, living in a full mandarin speaking country for a half year is a special experience throughout my life. 

     Speaking only one language, I can tell it is very interesting and amusing. We were talking nonsense in other language, just like Cantonese, Malay, even in English. We were not afraid of they might understand our English’s conversation, this is because they won't get it. The Taiwanese and Chinese from China  are  amaze of Malaysian Chinese could speak 3 or 4 languages. The days we spent in Taiwan, we studied, visited and experienced will not be forgotten. There are some Places and Event I went through during days in Taiwan. Hope you would like it.

FO GUANG SHAN 佛光山 

Six of us have paid a visit to the largest and the most famous Buddhist holy land in Taiwan.

Routine:

     We took Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit（MRT）depart from Pingtung (屏东) and reached Kaoshiung MRT Station in 30 minutes. After that, we took a taxi in a reasonable price to reach our destination Fo Guang Shan. There are 2 main spot in  it, which is the main temple that covers four main buildings; and a new area call Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center（佛佗纪念馆） used to exhibit Buddhism and Taiwan culture and heritage.

    We went through the whole area for 1 day and it was out of our planning. Firstly, we took a nice group photo at a front gate by using the mirror. While it was a really funny moment, we use more than 15 minutes to capture a photo that satisfied 6 of us. I can still remember the expressions of the visitor and local pedestrian in Fo Guang Shan looking us as a bunch of weirdo. To us, that is a happy self-time crazy moment.

     We walk through a length of side walks under a hot sun,  this is the first building we can find along the road. In order to stop companion's complains, we went in to have a look around and enjoy the cool air that provided. Inside of this building, consist of all kinds of figure of Buddha. Taking pictures is forbidden so I could not show you the interior layouts and stuffs inside of it. I can only tell you, you will be regret if you missed it. It is an art.

Moving on is the famous and largest Buddha Figure in Taiwan.Of course, we cannot miss the chance to take a picture with it! 

Front View of Da Xiong Bao Dian (大雄宝殿）

        The main temple consisted four main building which are made for the devout disciple to carry out their practices. This is the picture of   Da Xiong Bao Dian (大雄宝殿) . Another 3 buildings are Da Bei Dian (大悲殿), Da Zhi Dian (大智殿) and Ji Da Yuan Dian (及大愿殿). Each building built for different motives. Next, I'm thinking you guys are quite boring of seeing these things , I will move on to the next area which is Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center（佛佗纪念馆). There are eight Chinese-styled Pagodas that stand for the Noble Eightfold Path.This is one of the best taken picture showed the layout and position of the Pagoda. 
        Below picture is the main building which  is carry out exhibition of Taiwan's culture and religion introduction. There are a few exhibition were carry out during our visit. There were an exhibition on traditional clothing minorities ethnic in Taiwan.Beside that, it also exhibit historical items founded in Taiwan which related to late century.The whole view is really spectacular, just like the picture showed. You can see there are four Pagoda positioned at both side. The side walk in middle is the famous Buddha Avenue (成佛大道)。One of the Chinese-style Pagoda is a venue which is a place acknowledge and carry out the ceremony of homosexual marriage lawfully.  

For more information, please click on this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Memorial_Center. 

I am a Devout Buddhist

Am I look awesome in a whole view of  Buddha Avenue

The night view in this valley is very magnificent.

         The spot lights that shoot on the surface of the building turns out a mysterious and an elegant atmosphere. It looks like we are in Egypt temple, viewing the enormous creation of . The coming of night had urged the six of us stop what we are doing, and look for accommodation.  Luckily, we met a Buddhist nun who kindly help us to contact the lodging owner to let us stay overnight. Everything is going smoothly, except we cannot find foods to eat during 7pm to 8pm. Therefore, the first night in Fo Guang Shan, instant noodle from Seven- Eleven is our only choice. Anyway, we still enjoying the day spend in Temple. The next day coming made us thrilled, we can't wait to pack our stuff and leave Fo Guang Shan head to Kaoshiung tourist spot. We took a  rich vege meal in a restaurant situated beside the lodging. After that, we left Fo Guang Shan by shuttle bus of Kaoshiung heading to the next destination as planned. 

Juan Cun Village (眷村之旅）

     The next destination is a heritage site. It combines the culture and history of Taiwanese.There was a story that made this village become famous among locals and the tourist. There is an art University near the village, the students are protesting the village that will be reconstruct in future for business use. The villagers are forced to leave their home by state government.They do not have choice but just leaving their precious home and memories into history. The students has a very strong affection for the village, they do not want to see their memories to be ruined and buried in history, Therefore, their abilities are bring  into play by drawing lots of painting to attract people's attention. 

      As Time goes by, cute and creative painting, drawings, pictures and designs can be seen on building's wall in this village.As a result, it became famous among locals and tourist, although this is an effective way to gain publicity, but still the project of reconstruction of this village still on going. We are very lucky to have a chance to see the effort of these student, you won't believe this is a village when its come to your eyes. It looks like a free-style painting exhibition that would shock you off. 

Juan Cun ‘s Alley

      When we stepped in, we are truly admire these students creativity and their consistency. We took a lot of pictures to keep it as a souvenir. We never know this village will be destroy in any minute,so we really have fun there. Haha, we have a photo shooting event when we spotted an interesting painting. There are a variety of creation that would inspired your imagination, just like the picture below. They are not only using brush and colours, common materials in daily life such as tin,doll ,badminton racket, even mirror are being used to make the wall look interesting. Aren't this fascinating? 

A Creative Tin Wall  and Colourful Flower Painting

A combination of  various material results an interesting creation.

The centre of the village still have

 one neighbourhood running a grocery store

business. An uncle selling  special “blowing bubble” to people. We get attracted by the crowd and

get to be experience it by ourself.think that 

can be consider one of the attraction in this village.  

We saw a tourist blew out a large bubble that can 

fit in her head. I thought there might be some skills

or tricks needed to blow a big bubble like this. 

That uncle show us the pictures of his customer with bubbles. He kept persuading us to try his product,

 be confident to quality of this bubble. We use one and a half hour to complete this task. At last, 

we decided to have a try and the result amazed us. 

LOOK AT THAT, IS IT AMAZING!

Go to category of Photo, and click on Hui Yee then it will show you more pictures on this trip..

A Big Bubble That Could Fit In A Person.

     We have a nice day with the people we met in Juan Cun Village（眷村）。It was a new and interesting experience day we have while visiting Kaoshiung, The trip ends here, there were a few places

we went during this trip, but I have to pick out some to share with you. I could not waste your time to see my nagging Blog, Right ? On the way back, we have plan us another trip , but first we have to go back to Pingtung University prepare ourself for  a new study week。

 Check out my next trip!

Regards
Hui Yee