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Around the World
  • Bruce Winters
  • Karen Winters
  • Bruce Winters
  • Karen Winters

Around the World

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary ... We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us! Meer informatie
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  • Around the World
    Golden Mount rooftop
    Realistic looking monkSee, Hear, Speak - you know the restVIDEO - see next posting for explanation of night lifeVIDEO - see next posting for explanation of night life

    Bangkok, Thailand - Golden Mount 2 of 4

    1 juni 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 93 °F

    Photos at the top of Golden Mount (see explanation in 1 of 4) and then back into Tuk Tuks to our next destination the Street Food district of town to "eat with the people". After dinner we went for a walk (see the video for a tour of the streets and an explanation of the Birds Nest delicacy at US$8000/pound).Meer informatie

  • Around the World
    Street Food Dinner!
    VERY expensive Bird's Nest!Pharmacy - western medicine on top, eastern medicine on bottomVIDEO - more about flowers in the next postingVIDEO - more about flowers in the next posting

    Bangkok,Thailand-Street Food Feast 3of 4

    1 juni 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 93 °F

    Wongwian Yai area and Chinatown Dinner on the Streets!, Walking and stopping to see the Buddha and Temples that marks the exact center of Chinatown. We also passed Wat Traimit - the Worlds Biggest solid gold Buddha discovered 65 years ago when in the process of moving it a crane dropped it and the plaster/concrete covering broke off. It was discovered that to "protect it from Burmese invaders that rummaged in the area during a siege in the late sukhotjai period", this 12 foot, 5.5 ton Buddha. This 14th Century Buddha, finally revealed in 1954 is worth over $325 million in 18 carat gold.

    Then off again on our Tuk Tuk to the Flower District.    Meer informatie

  • Around the World
    FLOWERS EVERYWHERE - it is about $35 "bhat" to $1
    Temple of DawnKaren said this bug tasted like peanut butter - I will take her word for itRoti - bananas and nutella - MUCH better than bugs!VIDEO - One Night in Bangkok (great 80s song if you don't know it)VIDEO - a snippet of the night life in Bangkok

    Bangkok,Thailand-Flowers,Wat Arun 4 of 4

    1 juni 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 93 °F

    Pak Khlong Talat , Flower Market, Wild KHAOSAN ROAD and Temple of Dawn The 24/7 flower market, where the two sides of the street are covered with flower stores and booths where flower arrangements are being made from fresh flowers. One side of the street are the religious (yellow) flowers and the other side are every other flower you could ever imagine. Yes, beautiful roses were $2 for a dozen and most bouquets were $3-$4 US.

    Don't miss Karen eating BUGS (silkworm pupa) and the video of Khaosan Road where you could buy anything from Bugs, Laughing Gas and "more". We did stop (see video) to have some fabulous roti for dessert.

    We then got to explore Wat Arun (The Temple of the Indian God of Dawn) one of Bangkok's most famous and busiest Temples, but at night when no one else was there! Wat Arun has been a Buddhist Temple since the 16th Century, the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The temple was shown in French maps during the reign of Narai (1656–88). It was quite beautiful at night and the details are incredible (see photos).    Meer informatie

  • Around the World
    VIDEO - under the Kanchanaphisek bridgeView from our table at dinner

    Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand

    2 juni 2023, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 93 °F

    We traveled up the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok. It is the most important waterway in Central Thailand with winding canals covered in floating grocery stores, water taxis, Temples and houses on stilts, flowing 231 miles through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand. When measured from the longest source, which is the origin point of the Nan River in the Luang Prabang Range, the river measures 691 miles. In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya is a major transportation artery for a network of river buses, cross-river ferries, and water taxis ("longtails"). More than 15 boat lines operate on the rivers and canals of the city.

    Due the Chao Phraya River the earliest civilizations in the south east Asia were established, the ancient Mon kingdom and the civilization of Dvaravati from the 7-11th century. The river also played a crucial role in the Lavo kingdom, the Ayodhaya and the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 14th century, which became Thailand. During this time several shortcut canals were constructed to bypass large loops in the river, shortening the trip from the capital city to the sea. The course of the river has since changed to follow many of these canals.

    The river became very significant after the establishment of Bangkok in 1782 on the East bank of Chao Phraya River ensuring protection to Siamese kingdom from the Burmese invasions coming from the West. There are more than a dozen cities are among the most historically significant and densely populated settlements of Thailand due to their access to the waterway.

    Although there are over 50 bridges crossing this river, the major bridges that cross in Bangkok are: the Rama VI railroad bridge; Phra Pin-klao near the Grand Palace; Rama VIII, a single tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge; Rama IX, a semi-symmetric cable-stayed bridge; and Mega Bridge, on the Industrial Ring Road. A new bridge running parallel to Rama IX Bridge across the Chao Phraya will be finished in 2024. It was strange to go under a bridge that only went out over the water halfway from both sides and did NOT yet meet in the middle.

    The principal tributaries of the Chao Phraya River are the Pa Sak River, the Sakae Krang River, the Nan River (and the Yom River), the Ping River (and the Wang River), and the Tha Chin River. Each of these tributaries (and the Chao Phraya itself) is extended by minor tributaries referred to as "khwae". All of the tributaries, including the lesser khwae, form an extensive tree-like pattern, with branches flowing through every province in central and northern Thailand (none of the tributaries of the Chao Phraya extend beyond the nation's borders.)    Meer informatie

  • Around the World
    Haircut on the street?Year of the RabbitWhich way?Tour? We stopped at the drop off to be greeted by more than a dozen tour guidesVIDEO - way to townLion Symbol of the cityStay at the 007 hotel - note all signs in Chinese tooooLook who is and isn't investing nowEveryone bikes with all their belongings in tow...interesting ideaRainy peacockVIDEO

    Sihanoukville, Cambodia

    3 juni 2023, Cambodja ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    We visited Sihanoukville, Cambodia and with only 1.5 % of 18 million Cambodians living here, we did not get a representative view of the Country. Sihanoukville is a province in southwest Cambodia known for its beaches and the mangrove jungles of Ream National Park and is set around Cambodia’s only large deep-water port since 1950 on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Thailand.

    The port was the last place to be evacuated by the US Army, only days before Khmer Rouge guerrillas took control of the government in April 1975. The events surrounding the taking of the US container ship SS Mayaguez and its crew and the subsequent 2 day fighting and rescue operation by US Marines happened off the coast of Sihanoukville. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979 and the subsequent opening of the economy, the port of Sihanoukville resumed its importance in the development and recovery of the country. Cambodia which once the center Khmer Empire is now a very small player on the world stage and remains a rural society with not much changed.

    The area WAS growing rapidly and then fast forward to the 2019 ban on online and arcade gambling, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese capital quickly withdrew from the city. Since 2019 and the abrupt end of Sihanoukville’s multi-billion dollar boom of hotels, casinos and condos (under pressure from Beijing to curb criminality and corruption) when gambling ended. The city now has 1,155 unfinished buildings, according to official figures. Chinese developers are working for beneficial tax and lease arrangements with landowners but from the articles I read on the corrupt landowners, this is unlikely to happen.

    Our visit here was not fulfilling for anyone we spoke with on the ship. The people here were very aggressive for sales and money from the little bit of tourism they get but there was nothing to see or do here. City sites were minimal, water and beach activities by those they try to do them were poorly organized and did provide any enjoyment.

    We went for a bus ride to mall as well as another bus ride to town/market and to a beach (Independence, Sokha, Ochheuteal) and after looking out the window, did not even get off at any of these places. We did see a few sites from the bus like the Golden Lion monument (see photo) and the Wat Krom Buddhist pagoda.

    We wish we had a better experience at this port and in general in Cambodia since we had never been here and there is much history with Vietnam, Cambodia and the US but currently there is a weak outlook for US relations as well as tourism.    Meer informatie

  • Around the World
    Rice fieldsRICERIce paste for Breakfast....yumIt's doneFish sauce!The proof is in the "pudding"VIDEO - they only make it this way in the countrysideWater buffalo!VIDEO - working the landRice paper wrappersSofas, Motor bikes and Bikes !Watch out for old men and any women

    Nha Trang, Vietnam - 1 of 3

    5 juni 2023, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 88 °F

    Nha Trang is a resort city in South Vietnam known for its modern hotels, beaches, and restaurants. Historically, the city was known as Kauthara and was under rule of the Kingdom of Champa for 13 centuries. We remember being here and being so surprised at how different it is from most of Vietnam. Last time we went to a pagoda, a Temple and an orphanage. The most beautiful street of Nha Trang is Tran Phu Street along the seaside, which people call “the Pacific Coast Highway” of Vietnam. In addition, with the world’s longest cable car to Hòn Tre Island and Vinpearl, there are resorts and amusement parks there (they call it Vietnam's Sentosa or Disney). With a population of 550,000, in an area of only 97 square miles it is a very busy city. Nha Trang is knows as a key destination for many Vietnamese and Russian tourists (many military personnel from Russia have settled here too).

    This visit to Nha Trang, we thought it would be interesting to do a “rural life tour” of the area and get away from the hotels of “downtown Nha Trang” (funny, huh?). First we went to a farm and local village out of town to see how people lived and we also went to a pagoda in the countryside. We saw the homes and properties and the types of neighborhoods in these areas ... and their water buffalos. On the way, we saw miles and miles of rice paddies. We visited a 100 year old home, shrine where we were served tea and fruit in a beautiful outdoor setting.

    We then visited a Temple that was “local” but had no religion … very interesting. Next, we went to a place where we watched floor and table mats being made of bamboo. Interestingly, we had purchased mats 5 years ago with the same pattern but could not determine it these patterns meant something special. We went to a beautiful village pagoda and watched as monks prayed their very repetitious mantra and prayer, almost trance like meditation. We saw a little boy practicing his meditation “with his parents” and learning when and how to bow. We watched as rice meals were made from rice paster and got to taste it. We went to another home to see how rice paper for spring rolls are made. The simple wheel with a technique to roll on the rice out of the oven was very hot and a tedious process of making the rice paper and drying it out.

    Lastly, on the way back, as everyone stopped to shop, the two of us, searched out a Vietnamese coffee shop (not too hard to find since there are more here than Starbucks in the US…really) and we had a great cup of coffee!    Meer informatie

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  • Around the World
    24

    Starting tonight, we will be busy!

    7 juni 2023, South China Sea ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    We begin 14 STRAIGHT DAYS of ports in the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan

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  • Around the World
    Lovely welcome with very nice necklaces for everyone!
    VIDEO - WELCOME and GOODBYEMarcos and Aquino at top, arts buildings and church on the bottomVIDEO - Flowers, Pigs & CemeteriesFlower MarketPigs? A delicacy?SARI SARI shops - walk-up window, but not walk-in accessBITUKA - Pork Intestines? Yes, we ate itChinese CemeteryTop - well taken care of mausoleum; Bottom - abandon grave with Chinese and Spanish writingJepneyMany options of transportationLunch at the Diamond HotelBeautiful setting for lunchOver the top lunchMochi, Green Tea and Sweet Potato Ice Cream

    Manila, Philippines - 1 of 3

    8 juni 2023, Filippijnen ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    MA-BU-HAY - "Life be with You" Greeting used.

    Philippines, named to honor King Philip II of Spain in 1543, is a nation of 7,107 islands (2,000 inhabited) with a total area of 111,830 square miles. The population is 109 million (15+ million in Manila). Luzon (in the North) is the largest island with one-third of the land and half the population. The Philippines are 1,152 miles long and 688 miles wide, with no land boundaries. The official languages are Filipino (also known as Tagalog) and the country has 80 dialects … but mostly people speak English.

    Manila, the National Capital, on the island of Luzon, is called the “Pearl of the Orient”, with the heart, mind, and spirit of the Philippines. It was founded in the 16th Century by Spanish conquistadors as a “Spanish only” island who built a walled city (Intramuros) to control and develop to be like Spain and bring Catholicism (while the Chinese still lived outside the city). Spanish in Philippines were successful at building a very successful spice trade route to Acapulco (if you have ever been to the Fuerte San Diego by the port in Acapulco) and it became a UNESCO world heritage route (yes, they are not all sites).

    The Spanish-American War of 1898 and the defeat of the Spanish led the Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo to declare independence from Spain. The US declared itself protector of Philippines by Admiral Dewey in the Battle of Manila Bay after which the US took control. After the Philippine-American War in 1902, the Philippines became an American territory with (President to-be) William Taft serving as the first governor. The islands were given commonwealth status in 1933 (with independence expected after 12 years) but the Japanese invaded the Philippines early in 1942 and ruled until 1944. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, in order to stop more mass killings, American soldiers agreed to withdraw from Manila, and General Douglas MacArthur declared Manila an open city. Unfortunately, Japanese continued bombing the city and Manila was finally recaptured by American and Philippine troops and independence for the Philippines was declared on July 4, 1946.

    Ferdinand Marcos governed from 1965-1986, Corazon Aquino ran against him in 1986 and although Marcos claimed victory, it was “questionable” and the "People Power” declared Aquino president. U.S. military forces withdrew in 1991 and Fidel Ramos served from 1991-1998 (and Joseph Estrada was elected in 1999, but later impeached). Marcos died in Hawaii but Imelda Marcos (and her shoes - in a museum) is still alive at 90. Their son is now President of the Philippines. Independence and Nationalism was and still remains most important and the mantra for these islands.

    On our way to the Chinese Cemetery, we stopped at La Loma for Lechon. The district of La Loma in Quezon City has been famous for the home of Metro Manila's lechonan, roasted suckling pig, one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines. The slowly-roasted suckling pig is usually stuffed with lemongrass, tamarind, garlic, onions, and chives, and is then roasted on a large bamboo spit over an open fire. Manila is known for this district where pigs are cooked in a special way making them a unique delicacy for locals and a city-wide stable (see photos).

    The 133 acre Chinese Cemetery was built in the 19th Century for the non-Catholic Chinese that the Spanish would not allow in their areas. We learned about the National right to be buried and saw graves and mausoleums that were in a range of conditions (mostly “luxurious”) from generations that had/had not renewed their leases. The leases for 25 years can cost over $1 million. In death as in life, Manila’s rich Chinese like to live large, some of the mausoleums were complete with air-conditioning and toilets. The cemetery has a poorer section with regular-sized tombs and mausoleums too. Strange experience.

    As we drove through the city to get a better feel for how people live here, we drove through the flower market where every day many people get their beautiful fresh flowers. We passed some “sari sari” translates from Tagalog to “whatever” and is used to describe small stores that sell everything from candy to skewers.

    Of course, driving in some of the wealthier areas, we saw high end shopping in Makati (upscale area), Oritgas (business district), and Fort Pnifacio (army headquarters), many of which have gated communities and wealth. We also got to experience the high poverty areas, showing once again the extreme variance between those with so little in a city that has so much. We had reservations at a beautiful hotel for an incredible lunch like no brunch/lunch we had ever seen.    Meer informatie

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  • Around the World
    VIDEOVIDEO

    Manila, Philippines - 2 of 3

    8 juni 2023, Filippijnen ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    We were totally overwhelmed by the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Unexpectantly, this cemetery reminded us of Arlington as it is a beautifully laid out 152 acres aligned in 11 plots in a circle with the marked graves of 17,206 Americans. In front of a chapel are 2 hemicycles carved with the seals of all of the American states and 25 mosaic maps that show American armed force leadership in the Pacific, China, India and Burma. Within the hemicycles are stones inscribed with the 36,286 names of those missing in action.

    The entire Cemetery, memorial and museum is done with such respect to those Americans that lost their lives in conflicts and wars to defend the Philippines.

    Twenty-nine Medal of Honor recipients are buried or memorialized at the Manila cemetery. Also honored are the five Sullivan Brothers, who perished in 1942 and A. Peter Dewey (1916–1945), an OSS officer killed in Saigon shortly after World War II ended and the first in the Vietnam conflict.

    As an aside, here is the story of the five Sullivan brothers who were World War II sailor brothers of Irish American descent from Waterloo, Iowa, serving together on the light cruiser USS Juneau, were all killed in action during and shortly after its sinking around November 13, 1942. As a result, the US put in place the Sole Survivor Policy to protect members of a family from the draft during peacetime, or from hazardous duty or other circumstances, if they have already lost family members to military service. It exempted the sole surviving son of a family where one or more sons or daughters had been killed in action, died in the line of duty, or subsequently died of injuries or disease incurred while in military service, from being drafted either in peacetime or wartime. In 1971, during the Vietnam War, Congress amended the law to remove the restriction on surviving sons being drafted during periods of war or national emergency declared by Congress. Any son, not just a sole surviving son, was exempt from being drafted in peacetime if their father, brother, or sister had been killed in action or died in the line of duty prior to December 31, 1959, or died subsequent to that date as a result of injuries or disease incurred while in service. Sons were also exempt from being drafted in peacetime if a father, brother, or sister was in a prisoner of war or missing in action status. The sole surviving son was permitted to apply for voluntary induction into the military, however.

    A very moving experience!    Meer informatie

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  • Around the World
    VIDEOVIDEO

    Manila, Philippines - 3 of 3

    8 juni 2023, Filippijnen ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    Our visit to Rizal Park, provided our tour guide with the setting to tell us some of the story of Dr Jose Rizal (1861-96), a National hero. Son of a Filipino father and a Chinese mother, he went to University of St. Thomas in Manila and post graduate work at the University of Madrid in 1882. In 1886, he studied medicine at the University of Heidelberg and wrote his classic novel Noli me Tangere, which condemned the Catholic Church in the Philippines for its promotion of Spanish colonialism making him a target. In 1892 he created the Liga Filipina, a political group that called for peace change for the islands. He was exiled to the island of Mindanao for 4 years where he secretly worked with others on Filipino independence, although he quickly denounced the movement when it became violent and revolutionary.

    Apart from being known as an expert in the field of medicine, a poet, and an essayist, Rizal exhibited other amazing talents. He knew how to paint, sketch, and make sculptures and was conversant in 22 languages. Aside from poetry and creative writing, Rizal had varying degrees of expertise in architecture, sociology, anthropology, fencing, martial arts, and economics to name a few.

    Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government, but in a peaceful and progressive manner. For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And through his writings, he exposed the corruption and wrongdoings of government officials as well as the Spanish friars. While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials to the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his essays and editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom, specifically for the Filipino people. As part of his reforms, he even called for the inclusion of the Philippines to become a province of Spain. But, among his best works, two novels stood out from the rest – Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed). In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time, now considered his literary masterpieces, are said to have indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution.

    Even though he was not a supporter of violent revolution, Rizal was executed for his anti-colonial views was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion and sentenced to death by firing squad. Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell .. now famous and studied in all schools.

    After his death, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. Following the revolution, Rizal was made a saint by many religious cults and was supported by US for his non-violent stance. And with the assistance of the United States, the Philippines declared its independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.

    The people recognize his advocacy to achieve liberty through peaceful means rather than violent revolution. In honor of Rizal, memorials and statues are in many cities in the World. In Rizal Park, a monument which contains a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal, an obelisk, and a stone base said to contain his remains. The monument stands near the place where he fell during his execution in Luneta. a graphic set of statues of him and his executioners. We also visited Fort Santiago, where he was imprisoned before his death, which is now a museum dedicated to his work. We found learning about this key figure in Philippines history was fascinating and between that and what we learned at the cemetery/museum about the American involvement in the wars here, it gave us a real feel for this country's history and character.

    Our last visit of the day was San Augustin Church. In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period to be designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines and named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.    Meer informatie

  • Around the World
    Docking
    Town of Cabugao welcomes usFriendly PeopleVIDEO - arrivalGARLIC GALORE!We arrivedPick a color!STARTING POINT up the hillGetting readyNot at all comfortableWe are offffffVIDEO

    Ilocos (Salomague), Philippines - 1 of 4

    9 juni 2023, Filippijnen ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    Overnight, we went about 300 miles to the Port of Salomague, the more northern part of the Ilocos region of the Philippines, still in the Northwest coast of Luzon Island. Some people went from this port to Vigan, a 16th Century Spanish town but we decided it was time for a little adventure. This area is known for its beaches but we went further North to Paoay known as a Jumping-off Point for their Sand Dunes.

    We drove for an hour through some very interesting areas, some with beautiful homes and places we could live (if we were going to live in the Philippines). We got to Suba Paoay Sand Dune Adventures and after visiting their “comfort area”, picked out our 4x4 (that took a while to find one we all wanted with the right seat configuration, color and was in one piece).

    This was an exciting place to enjoy 4x4 riding and sand boarding while getting a beautiful view of China Sea. It was quite “exhilarating” with some incredible dunes that not only went up and down but where we drove on the sides and on the edges, quite close to where we could have stumbled down the dune. It was a great adventure with a breathtaking view of pine trees, sand formations along with a thrilling roller coaster ride down the bumpy trails.

    Sand Dunes are hills made up of loose sands often occurring due to the wind and water flow. Strategically located near the Suba Beach, the sand dunes of Paoay have different heights, shapes, and sizes and are not static forms as they change depending on the strength and direction of the prevailing wind coming from the West Philippine Sea.

    Karen would tell you it was quite scream-worthy at times, in particular when we were standing up and riding in the back of the jeep down some of these steep dunes.

    As for the sandboarding, this was a “new” activity and sport for me. From someone who never snow skied or snow boarded, this was pretty thrilling (although it did remind me a bit of sledding down Connecticut hills in the winter, in and out of a car). By the way, this is the site of Himala sa Buhanginan Annual Festival where there is an avant-garde art installation and interactive sculptures each year (see photos for some of the sculptures still there).

    After that adventure it was time for a little Church time … although some of us felt we should have gone to pray BEFORE the dunes ride. We visited the Saint Augustine Church (known as the Paoay Church) which is a Catholic Church in Paoay built out of stones, shells and egg whites. It was completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building (see photos). It is declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993.

    After we relaxed here for an hour we had a calm bus ride back South to the ship.    Meer informatie

  • Around the World
    Kaohsiung Pop Music Center
    on the roadVIDEOFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum2Main shrine3 Buddhas - Medicine (L), Saha World Today (M), Infinite light (R)7200 buddhas in the pagoda3 simple rulesLargest seated buddha in SE AsiaTHOUSANDS (somewhere around 250,000 on the property)VIDEO

    Kaohsiung, Taiwan - Overview 1 of 3

    10 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Taiwan is the origination point for so many products we use every day and as was very evident by the size of the Kaoshiung container port where we docked. WOW, the containers went on and on. Taiwan is also known for producing more than 95% of the semiconductors used today in computers in the world. Therefore, many people work in that industry and Taiwan has a high GNP compared to all its neighbors in Asia.

    All of Taiwan is 14,000 square miles and with a population of 24 million people. Kaohsiung, a crowded city, is only 1,100 square miles but has a population of over 3 million people. It is surrounded by the East China Sea (north), the Pacific (east), Taiwan Strait (west), and South Island Sea.

    Taiwan and China split in 1949 (except for the time Japan occupied Taiwan) following a civil war that ended with the ruling Communist Party in control of the mainland. The island has never been part of the People’s Republic of China, but Beijing says it must unite with the mainland. The democratic island faces increasing military threats from China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be retaken by force if necessary.

    Just today (6/10), Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said the self-ruled island would work to improve its rescue and defense capabilities with new technologies (as practiced today in helicopter maneuvers over the Sea), adding that strengthening Taiwan through border security is key to maintaining peace. “The safer Taiwan is, the safer the world is,” she said.

    In trying to win diplomatic allies, China has just established relations with Honduras from Taiwan (embassy to open in Beijing tomorrow). Taiwan, called the Republic of China, in addition to the mainland, also has jurisdiction over 22 islands in the Taiwan group and 64 islands to the west, the Pescadores. Other claims include Matsu and Quemoy off of China and a group of islands that are claimed by Japan, Paracels claimed by China and the Spratly Islands claimed by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. What a difficult place with these looming borders always in debate and changing.

    Freedom of Religion is very important here and is in their Constitution! There were 15,175 religious buildings in Taiwan, 12,279 temples dedicated to Taoism (70%) and Buddhism (15%) and Christian Churches (15%). There more than 33,000 places for people to worship (2+ per square mile) making it the most dense religious country in Asia.    Meer informatie

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  • Around the World
    The Great Buddha- with 480 buddhas around him
    1Veggie lunch & an earthquake to shake up everyoneVIDEO - Entrance with Buddha and 500 arhatsFu guang Big Buddha (the head is 3 stories high)Our calligraphy500 carved in one piece of wood from camphor treeThousand armsReclining Jade BuddhaTOOTH!!!!VIDEO

    Kaohsiung, Taiwan - BUDDHAS 2 of 3

    10 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Kaohsiung with its 2 million people, has very recently become a city with modern conveniences, transportation, parks and beautiful museums and galleries. At the same time some of the older districts (Zuoying, Yancheng and Cijin) still have historic sights. Japanese domination here from 1895 - 1945 brought a lot of opium but also modernization to trading and the ports. It once again became a busy port in the 1970s.

    The Kaohsiung Incident of 1979, was a crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations that occurred when there was a rise in the middle class and Taiwanese citizens were becoming weary of mainland authority, and were eager for a more democratic society. The event turned into a series of political protests that led to public trials and arrests. It is considered a turning point for pro-democracy groups.

    Fo Guang Shan is an international Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist organization and monastic order based in Taiwan that practices Humanistic Buddhism, placing an emphasis on integrating Buddhist practices into everyday life and shifting the focus of ritual from the dead to the living. We visited the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, the largest Buddhist monastery, overlooking the Kaoping River, in Taiwan, built in 1967.

    The building of the Main Shrine of the Great Buddha began in 1975. It is 36 meters high and the largest in S.E. Asia. It is surrounded by 480 Buddhas and has its right hand facing up, giving light for those in a dark world, and left hand lowered for receiving people and leading them to the pure land. Under the Buddha is the land of a thousand Buddhas.

    The entire area includes is 813,570 square meters inside and has 14,800 Buddhas! In front of the Shrine is the World’s two tallest pagodas, each one is 9 meters high with 72 layers and 7,200 Buddhas. The Buddhist Bell is largest in Taiwan and is made of pure beaten copper, weighs 3.8 metric tons and took 2 years to cast.

    In addition, at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum we many of the 250,000 buddhas located here:

    - Buddha Relic- one of the 3 Tooth Sariras in the World which is placed in the ultimate center of honor above the jade Buddha. It is quite revered and prayed to buy visitors from all over.

    - Fu Guang Big Buddha - is the highest point and a Buddha that is so large that it’s head is 3 stories high and its eye is as big as an entire floor of a building. It can be seen forever.

    - Thousand Armed Thousand eyed Avalokitesvara Statue -you need to see it to believe it

    - Reclining Buddha- is an impressive Buddha shrine made entirely of white jade

    - The Golden Buddha in the main hall and is the highest seated Buddha in S.E. Asia. It represents harmony between the different traditions from Thailand made for the Supreme Patriarchs 90th birthday

    - The Sulta illustrations on both sides of Jade buddha were made in China totally out of jade stones

    - Buddha and 500 arhats at vulture peak- this sculpture made from one piece of camphor wood represents the 5 sravakas who have reached the age of requiring no more learning

    - Big Bell – is made in Chinese, Korean and Japanese styles with 52,000 characters of the diamond sultra, bell verse and a four line buddha light verse

    - Seated Bodhisattva-with a top knot gazing at the reflection of the moon on the water symbolizing that form is emptiness

    - Great compassion Mantra Caisson

    It is impossible to describe the dedication, attention to detail and beauty and investment in making this sacred place a unique and spiritual place.    Meer informatie

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    2
    VIDEOVIDEO223CONFUCIUS2QIMING Court

    Kaohsiung, Taiwan - Confucius 3 of 3

    10 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    We also visited a Confucian Temple in Taiwan. Confucius was born in 552 BC and died at 73. He was a philosopher and spent his life teach everyone believing everyone could/should learn based upon his natural ability. This was the first official Confucious Temple, built in the Period of the Koxinga at a time in the Quing Dynasty where every town had to build a school and a Temple. During the time of Japanese rule, it was used for many things until it was reclaimed by the Republic of China. We saw this Temple, built in 1684, as well as another Temple here that was built here in 1974 and is 6000 square meters and along the Lotus Lake. Some of the instruments used in ceremonies are Bianqing and Te Zhong bells. The style here replicates the Temple in Cyufu Shandong, a Palace in Northern China.

    The worship rites to Confucius are the Shidian ritual held twice a year including 9/28, Confucius’ birthday.

    There are many similarities and differences between Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism but they all focus on a meaningful and fulfilling life. Confucianism focuses on societal rules and moral values, whereas Taoism focuses on simplicity and living happily while in tune with nature and Buddhism reiterates the ideas of suffering, impermanence of material items, and reincarnation while stressing the idea of the life beyond.

    The difference between ignorance and enlightenment is in realization of the present moment!    Meer informatie

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    Kaohsiung, TAIWAN- EARTH TREMOR

    10 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    YES, it was a special day with our visit to the incredible artistry, details and seemingly over the top number of The Buddhas we saw (there will be separate posts on them) BUT the STARTLING part of the day was the EARTHQUAKE during lunch!

    The epicenter was 29 miles from the port but only 6 miles from where we were. A magnitude of 4.7 on the richter scale. Everyone and everything is good ... no damage and no tsunami.    Meer informatie

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    Port of Keelung
    Modern city of TaipeiStatue of the Spiritual Fortress outside the Fraternity Camp of the Ministry of National Defense ofVIDEOLiberty Square main gate (paifang) traditional archVolunteers practicing for ceremonyNational Concert HallChiang Kai-Shek (CKS) MemorialNational TheaterRan up the stairsCKS Statue - ready for changing of the guardPlaza is good luck - engagements and graduationVIDEO

    Taipei, Taiwan - LIBERTY SQUARE 1 of 2

    11 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 81 °F

    Taiwan with a population of 24 million, is a country with a strong Chinese cultural background that is very traditional (family oriented) but also is a country that in many ways is still trying to find itself (see our writeup on Kaohsiung, Taiwan for background).

    Although social classes do not exist in the traditional sense it does through education distinctions, making up the various “classes” – beginning with scholars, peasants, workers, merchants and then soldiers (except when at war when they are elevated).

    Sun Yat-Sen was a revolutionary and believed that China should be a republic run by the people and become a modern competitive nation (and look at where we are today). He is honored with a memorial at the entrance of the National Palace Museum but “the credit” for modern Taiwan is given to Chiang Kai-Shek.

    After Sun Yat-Sen’s death in 1925, the Nationalist Party, with political maneuvering and a coup d’etat in China by Chiang Kai-Shek, allowed him to take over and in 1926, his army began. He was a military leader who believed in a strong central government. After the long 8-year war (1937-45) with Japan, Taiwan was returned to China after 50 years of Japanese occupation. Civil war recommenced in 1946; by 1949 Chiang had lost continental China to the communists, and the People’s Republic of China was established. Unfortunately, China Communists, backed by the Soviet Union, to help escalate their rebellion by 1949, caused the mainland to be overrun and Chiang’s conservative seat of government was moved to Taiwan. Chiang moved to Taiwan with the remnants of his Nationalist forces. Chiang reformed the ranks of the once-corrupt Nationalist Party, and with the help of American aid he succeeded in the next two decades in setting Taiwan on the road to modern economic development.

    In 1955 the United States signed an agreement with Chiang’s Nationalist government on Taiwan guaranteeing its defense. Of course, from 1972 -1979 US relations with Taiwan were not good because of good relations with China. After that time, unofficial relations between the 2 countries improved consistently as reliance on each other’s exports grew. In recent years, the US has been strengthening this support of Taiwan.

    After Chiang's death, in the 1980s and 1990s moved to increase native Taiwanese representation in the government and loosen the many authoritarian controls of the early era of ROC control in Taiwan, paving way for the democratization process.

    Chiang was a very complicated leader and his politics and alliances often looked like Capitalism, Fascism, Communism or some hybrid version that worked in each circumstance. He was conservative but at the same time supported modernization policies in science, advanced technology, education for all and women’s rights.

    After the period of Japanese occupation, the country has tried to eliminate most of the Japanese culture that was here and make it more tradition Chinese backed by the Constitution which supports and funds cultural work.

    The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, as well as the Concert Hall and National Theater at Liberty Square began in 1976 after his death. The memorial hall is white with a blue roof, representing the dominant colors in the ROC flag; while the emblem of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) adorns the vaulted ceiling. A bronze statue of Chiang looks west symbolically to the Presidential Office Building and mainland China. The front plaza of the hall is also a major venue for democratic assemblies of all types.

    It was quite an impressive 2.5 million square foot plaza and it was obvious that people come here to celebrate all different important occasions. We learned a lot about its history and that of Chiang Kai-Shek while visiting this austere and important Liberty Plaza and while we spent a long time watching the importance of their changing of the guard ceremony and listening to people’s conversations and respect for the history that led to their freedom.    Meer informatie

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    VIDEOSun Yat-SenNational Palace MuseumVIDEO - Museum producing ceramicsIncredible piece of artwork

    Taipei, Taiwan- Memorial & Museum 2 of 2

    11 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 81 °F

    Note; See Liberty Square 1 of 2 posting for discussion of Changing of the Guard and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial at Liberty Square.

    Our visit to the National Palace Museum (built in 1965) provided an incredible view of many of the 700,000 “acquisitions” that Chiang Kai-Shek brought with him from China to Taiwan as the possessions of the people of Taiwan. There are collections here that date back 8,000 years of Chinese history including Chinese art, calligraphy, lacquerware, treasures, jade, porcelain, and embroidery.Meer informatie

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    VIDEO - off to evening adventureVIDEO - LANTERNSStanding on active train tracks - luckily the train had just passed by

    Taipei,Taiwan Evening LATERNS- 1 of 3

    11 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 81 °F

    The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival has been held since 1999 and is an important highlight in Taiwan as it has long been used for people to make prayers and wishes. During the Lantern Festival, March each year, lanterns, with wishes on them, cover the entire sky of Pingxi. Local Taiwanese and foreign visitors experience this unique cultural activity of lantern launching all year round.

    What fun: We took a bus to Shifen, purchased a lantern, painted on our Wish/Prayer, went to the tracks and let it fly from the train tracks that used to carry coal to the area (yes, the train still runs and we needed to check the schedule before lighting our lantern on the tracks).

    We wrote two of our prayers on two sides (RED: Health and Peace, YELLOW: Money and Wealth) and our Israeli friends Eli and Orna wrote on the other two sides. We walked it over to the tracks, the “lantern lighter” person prepped our lantern and lit it and then we took a deep breath and let it go up in the sky over the mountains!    Meer informatie

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    Dumplings of every variety
    VIDEO - MarketVIDEO - Market continued

    Taipei-Keelung, Taiwan Eve MARKET-2 of 3

    11 juni 2023, Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 81 °F

    Keelung Night Market is one of a kind. We have seen open air markets everywhere but this one required a guided tour since it was so unique in the products, foods, services and games we saw for sale. The funniest part was that everywhere we went, up and down all the streets, we ran into friends from the ship trying every cuisine and looking for everything from deodorant (me) and luggage for those few extra things collected (definitely not us).

    Street vendors were selling food and drink of every variety. Some classic foods include: skewered meats/fish, tempura, sandwiches, chicken rolls, butter crab, thick bean-sprout soup, fresh seafood, pork knuckle, and many soups including braised eel soup. Some were products that are only sold here, like ding bian cuo (a Taiwanese specialty from Keelung made of thin pieces of rice flour batter cooked in a soup containing meat and seafood), unique rice and bean dishes, strange seafood, and great desserts and bubble ices. One unique characteristic of Keelung Night Market “snacks” (they looked like meals to us) is that vendors cook and present all of their dishes clearly in front of customers, each dish with its own flavor and history.

    After a guided tour of the marketplace, we went out on our own and roamed around as we checked out the people, the food and the activities. See the photos and videos. What a fun evening!    Meer informatie

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