Taiwan – Tainan; 2 Days Trip on History (2)

September 30, 2014 by Just A Simple Guy

Hi there!! If you have followed me on my previous posting. I am posting my trip to Tainan City, Southern Taiwan which is the oldest city in the country. It has left behind a very complex history but I will not dwell into that as I will not bore my reader with history lesson. =P

Back to the train.This is shot in the train… a long4 1/2 hr journey from Hsinchu by the normal train. If I recall correctly, there were about 25 stops before reaching Tainan.

Yup.. you could see that I was getting bored here. Taking weird shots. HAHA!!

The view. The railway tracks is near the coast. So you could see lot of wind turbine along the way.

… lots of open fields where farmers plating their crops. So, if you like to see the view of the country side, you could take this normal train and enjoy the slow ride.

One of the stops along the way before arriving in Tainan.

Ok… let’s skip and head to Tainan.

My first stop was to Chikan Tower or also known as Fort Provintia. It is among the most important historic sites in Tainan City as well as all of Taiwan and not to mention, also one of the prettiest.

Below is the map of the Chikan tower and it’s compound. Yup… it is right in the heart of Tainan city surrounded by the newer buildings.

View from the entrance to the tower. You can see the stone slabs which is the turtle monument.

Old quarters which is turn into souvenir shops.

Like what you read and see? Well, dun stop. Follow me on my next posting to see more of Tainan through my ‘íphone 4s’ lense. =)

Taiwan; Hsinchu Night Market (1)

September 1, 2014 by Just A Simple Guy

Hi hi!! Welcome back. This is my next series of travel and the location in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

I will just cover the night market here in Hsinchu (which I always drop by if I am in Hsinchu). This night market isn’t the biggest or the best but it still has the local food that you can choose to eat or try. The locals come here with their family to enjoy a good meal and also have a short walk about. Oh.. before I forget, this night market only opens on Tuesday and Thursday and it is located behind the railway station.

Walking from my hotel, I had to pass the underground walkway as on the above, are the railway tracks.

After coming up, you will see the night market just a stone throw away where night market were set up on an open car park.

Wow… look those colourful waffles.

Lots of food to choose from… mmm what’s nice here?

or here?

Fried giant squids anyone?

… and for the kids and big kids, time for some fun.

Lots of games stall which you can pick and choose to play.

and here’s another one.

Lovely isn’t it? Well… More pictures coming. Stay tune!

Taiwan – Trip to PingXi train line (5)

May 14, 2013 by Just A Simple Guy

Heading to the Shifen waterfall was an easy walk but because it was raining early, it was really a humid day. I was sweating all the way there. It took me about 30min walk from Shifen town to the waterfall.

Upon reaching the place, I had to pay a small entrance fee. A short walk from the entrance, I reached at the top of the falls.

Walking down the steps… and I reached the bottom of the waterfall.

From the place where I was standing, I could feel the shower from the waterfall.

Another shot of the waterfall.

After spending a while and enjoying the brief ‘shower’ , I headed back the town.

Nice old structure that caught my eyes.

A shot of the railway tracks merging.

Taiwan – Trip to PingXi train line (4)

May 13, 2013 by Just A Simple Guy

From Huotong to Shifen, it took about 15 to 20 min train ride. The train ride was beautiful; cutting thought the hills, green trees and a beautiful waterfall before you to reached Shifen. When arrived at Shifen, I was surprised to see the stalls so close the tracks. You will understand when you see the pictures below.

This is the photo from the station and the paths to the Shifen town where the stalls are literally on both side of the tracks.

Me walking on the tracks. You could see lots of people

Shifen is famous for the sky lantern. You can see lots of stalls selling the lanterns from deco size where some could even glow at night to the big ones which you can write messages on four side of the lantern and then release it.

People releasing the sky lanterns.

… up up and away.

I continued walking along to the town and headed to the Shifen Waterfall. It was a nice and easy walk and along the way, I had to cross the railway tracks.

A beautiful shot of the railway tracks.

A bridge near the Shifen Waterfall with the hill at the background.

More to come……

Taiwan – Trip to PingXi train line (2)

May 4, 2013 by Just A Simple Guy

Still in Huotong. It is a small town formerly a mining town but now is a cat town; a town filled with cats.

Below is a row of food souvenir shops which were next to the railway station. The food looks good but I did not stop to grab anything.

.. a miniature display of the old mining area of Houtong.

The ruins of the coal processing plant and the bridge used to carry the coal down from the mine in the nearby hillsides.

Cat homes which can be seen all around the town for the cats.

On the bridge where the railway track to the hillside.

This is one of the old mines which was closed and made to a tourist area.

More to come. Stay tune!

Taipei…. A snapshot from my viewfinder (1)

December 21, 2012 by Just A Simple Guy

Here is snapshot of my visit to Taipei a few years ago where I had a chance to go around the city with my faithful camera. It wasn’t a nice clear sunny day but a wet, gloomy one. Nevertheless, I managed to get most out of it. I let you be the judge of that. Enjoy the pictures.

Taipei Railway Station