A Quiet Memorial

A lonesome Liberty Square, seen from the steps of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. One man savoring the sight.

There Was a Dragonfly in Maokong

And I took a photo of it.

It was nice seeing the wildlife thrive outside of the city. Outside of any city, really. I enjoyed getting away from the noise. The traffic, the people, the commotion. All of these merge into a loud and continuous white noise. I don’t realize how displeasing it is until I’m away from it, when I’m in the woods and I realize that I just feel…better. I feel free.

In the tranquility of Maokong, there was a dragonfly. And amidst the soft rustling of the wind through the trees, there was only the sound of my breath. And then my shutter. Nothing else.

Taiwanese Stinging Ants

During my trek into the depths of Taroko National Park, I ran into some intimidating ants. Figuratively, not literally…thankfully! These ants build their nests around sturdy tree branches, suspended several feet above the ground. Some are almost head level, making a surprise encounter all the more surprising!

When disturbed, the ants quickly swarm and surround the outside of the nest to protect it from any offenders. Their stingers are held proud, thrust into the air, daring anyone or anything to disturb the nest again. At the same time, a slew ants begin dropping out of the gaping main entrance at the bottom of the nest to launch a second line of defense — one in trees around the nest and one on the ground in the leaves.

The moral of the story is: Ants are cool! When they’re on your face…

Nature, Man, Sky, and Land

A crossing of lights, natural and artificial.

A meeting of the soft and the hard.

An intersection of nature and man, of sky and land.

Jiufen Cat

Cats are quite popular in the area of Jiufen, living on the mountainside with the people. Here you can even find a large store dedicated to all things cat, located beyond a small pink hallway off of the steep main steps. You won’t miss the ancient pictograms adorning the walls of the passage, portraying the long lost, lethal art of kitty kung fu.

This Jiufen cat was spotted sitting on a box, tending to business of the utmost importance. Skillfully blessing its fists, it was preparing them for the battle ahead. The others will pay for their misgivings; come nightfall, there would be BLOOD.

Solitude

We have the word “loneliness” to express the pain of being alone.

And we have the word “solitude” to express the glory of being alone.

Scooter Cat

Nearing the end of my travels in Taiwan, I spent a day relaxing in Jiufen, a place known for its winding mountainside alleyways and relaxing traditional teahouses.

At the end of the night, people were clearing the market, heading to the bus stop to catch the next ride home. On my way, I ran into Scooter Cat, who graciously accepted a few pets. It was a nice kitty, all balled up atop this scooter’s seat.

Why were you there, Scooter Cat, on that scooter! There were many other cats and many other scooters in Jiufen, but only this scooter cat on only this scooter seat. Perhaps it had an unspoken bond with its owner, an unbreakable connection that transcended barriers between species. Perhaps it was love that compelled it to keep its owner’s seat warm and comfy for the chilly morning ahead…

Tea in Tainan

Nothing like a good rest inside the 慢慢鳩 Dove Tail Cuisine cafe on Tainan’s historic Shennong Street. The cafe had a rustic, yet modern feel. Brick adorned the walls, accented with brightly colored ceramic displays. Wooden shelves and tables were distributed throughout, crafted from their very own woodworking shop in back.

Whether taking a break from travel or work, a relaxing stop at a local cafe always picks me up. Each cafe offers its own charm and personality to take in while I sip, sip, and sip away…

Red Temple of the South

Visiting 台灣孔廟, an old Confucian temple in Tainan. The faded, uneven colors gave it a unique sense of age and wisdom.

Spaceship

One of the tallest in the world. 509 meters up and into the clouds, the spacecraft is ready for launch.