Basically if you think about transportation in Taiwan, it is mopeds (scooter). I also got a chance to ride. This wonderful experience togather with friends Jane and Melody.
Sometimes ride was a little bit scary, so I just closed my eyes and filmed. Now you and me can enjoy night time views from comfortable chair infront of computer.
Video: looks from the road
Image: what I have been told that should not leave Kaohsiung without sampling this desert!
Next day round the island tour continues to Tainan.
In video, I am taking Kaohsiung metro. Offical name is Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT).
I already liked Taipei metro, but Kaohsiung metro was even better.
Video: Taking Kaohsiung metro and street view
Image: Inside Kaohsiung metro station
Image: person who eats in Kaohsiung metro will cry
Here some other photos from city:
Image: This is tallest building in city
While walking around town I came upon this very unusual sight – dog in a cage. Dog was actually crying and sound was not bearable. I did not film, because I could not watch it afterwards. It seems that poor animal can feel its fate. Then how about other people living in this area, can they bear this heartbreaking sound all day ?
Maybe here I have to explain how to pray in Taoist temple. This is what I did with the advice from friends and temple employees. First, person who goes into temple should have some kind of wish or question to the God. It seems that people don’t go to temple just to pray or organize thoughts as we do in church, for example.
When in temple I bought golden money – it is a set of yellow papers of different sizes, eatable crackers and incense sticks. It cost 100 Taiwan dollars for the set. Then I followed these simple steps, which are used to get answer to question or prayer: 1. At the beginning, set of golden papers and everything is placed in front of main altar – there is big table in front of it – in the picture see A.
2. Now it’s time to burn incense sticks - totally fifteen. Need to light them so that all are emitting smoke (not burning) and then back to altar, have to get on the knees on the red mat and bend three times, while holding incense sticks in front. 3. Now should place incense sticks in various pots around the main altar and in two smaller altars. At the rear pot stick three sticks, three - in the pot on the table, three - in small altar to the right, three - in small alter to the left and finally – three- in the very small alter below central altar. It might depend from temple to temple, so it is good to ask somebody before doing this. 4. Then should pray again while holding two red wooden pieces, which are in the shape of moon. 5. It’s time to get some feedback – have to throw two red pieces in front on the ground. If they land on the opposite sides it’s time to proceed again. 6. There will be pot full with sticks with numbers – in picture see B, from which have to choose one stick and place on the table in front of altar 7. Now need to throw two moon shapes again. If they fall on the opposite sides two times it means that God says that number on the stick is right. If moon shapes fell on the same side, need to pick another stick with number and start over again from point number 6. 8. Now after everything is done, time to get answer to question or prayers – the main reason why person came to temple. There will be shelves with many numbers, need to pick paper from that shelf with corresponds to number on the stick. Then paper is given to a professional working at the temple to explain person’s question. 9. I listened carefully explanation. Even I didn’t understand Chinese; I appeared interested and listening carefully. 10. After official part is over, it is time to burn golden papers. Golden paper set which was left on altar at point 1 is taken and need to pray again while holding all set in front while being on knees on red mat. 11. Then should to go out to oven and burn all set. First should start with big papers and next proceed to smaller ones and then very small ones. 12. At the end, eat crackers and it’s done!
Video: it is not connected with above, but you can see burning of money there
Since I am also a beginner in Chinese culture, description might not be very exhaustive, but at least it is good to provide some information for the internet.
Next temple is really great - it looks like dragon. Can walk inside and it goes up and down. There are interesting pictures on the walls.
On the dragon - statue of Goddess - Kuan Yin. She is also known as Goddess of Mercy and worshiped in Buddhist world. In Japanese, Goddess is called Kannon or Kannon-sama to be more polite.
I just crossed street from Taoist temple and got into Buddhist world.
Image: look on the dragon from Chi Ming Tang
In the video you can see turtles and figures of storks. Both symbolize longevity in Chinese folklore.
Other: While seeing dragons in Taoist temples one thing puzzles me the most - if dragons really existed ? If so why no traces or remains in fossil form could be found ? If they did not existed – what gave inspiration for ancient people ? Nothing can really be created “out of the blue”.
This temple was really big and judging by Gods worshiped there probably the most important. Chi Ming Tang means Temple of Enlightment. Sign in English at the entrance was very welcoming to see inside.
There are four floors in the temple. First is at the hight of outside oven, second floor has front altars (which you can see in video at the begining), third floor is semifloor between fourth and second, and has small inner yard with fountain and dragons. Forth floor is the main floor.
Video: follow me inside Chi-Ming-Tang
I did some research and will try to explain what can be seen in this temple.
On the wall of inside yard, statues of God of Thunder Lei Kung and his helper Tien Mu. God of Thunder is easy to recognize – he holds hammer and chisel. His assistant has mirrors and is creating lightning flashes during thunderstorm.
In the video, you can see dragons and fountain itself from this inside yard.
Image: God of Thunder and his assistant, right to left
Here I have to explain that in Taoism, both heaven Gods and canonized important historical persons are worshiped.
These historical persons could be for instance commanders of armies who won important battles, persons who had supernatural capabilities during their life time, scholars who made important contribution to religion and literature etc. Most of the Gods are from this category.
Image: dragons and pearl, above fountain
Next, I am going into a big hall on topmost - forth floor to see statues of more important Gods, who can give people happiness, wealth, health, success etc. These Gods are worshiped. Statues of most important Gods are located in the center.
Image: look inside upper floor
On the altar are small yellow plates with the name of God, statue represent.
Image: Statues of Shui Kuan (God of Water), Tien Kuan (God of Heaven) and Ti Kuan (God of Earth)
These three Gods have their own function - Shui Kuan averts evil, Tien Kuan gives happiness and Ti Kuan grants remission of sins.
Image: God's statue inside temple - Tai Shang Lao Jun
Upper part has decorative doors. On the doors drawings of Four Heaven Kings . They hold items or talismans, which allowed them to concur their enemies in the past, for example, mandolin – changed direction of wind, sword - caused tornado etc. As Four Heaven Kings are drawn on the doors, they can act as protectors of devine Gods.
Image: Kind holding mandolin - represents direction of East
Image: another King
Image: altar on the side
Image: drawing on the side of upper hall. I tend to think that picture on the right is for God of Examinations - Kuei Hsing
Other: Image: drawing on temple wall - this picture is typical - scholar and assistant enjoying tea under beautiful scenery
Image: Flowers outside temple
Image: oven outside of temple to burn golden money
Today I am ready to experience some Chinese culture and I am heading to see temples. There is area near Lotus pond, where many temples are located. I could only manage to visit six of them. Every temple is different and need at least a day to explore this area.
Image: Dragon Tiger Tower - front look
First temple or pagoda is Dragon Tiger Tower. Pictures of these two pagodas usually can be seen in tourist brochures about Kaohsiung. When approaching temple have to fight off post card sellers.
Video: sights inside and outside Dragon Tiger Tower
Have to enter dragon and come out from tiger. Inside is donation box - after giving donation can receive small card with picture of pagodas, which is nice memory.
There were no other tourists inside pagodas. So, I was rushing to enjoy it in silence (yeah, major tourist attraction in Kaohsiung was just for me). See pictures and views from pagodas in the video.
I am in Kaohsiung, which is second biggest city and located on the Southwest side of Taiwan. City is in tropical belt so it’s warm all year round. Tourist guide said that there is a sixth-largest container harbor in the world and 35% of population is able to communicate in English.
Image: Love river during night
Love river promenade is the place where most tourists and locals hang around. I took a boat ride, which you can see in video. Beautiful sight and warm summer night made me overly melancholic.
Video: some sights in Kaohsiung. City is really trendy and modern. It has many things to see and enjoy
Other places shown on video are Urban square and shopping district. There is also pachinko as in Japan with sign pachinko in Japanese.
Image: Pachinko
As this was furthest point of my trip, I bought a telephone card and called home from public phone located right on the street. Distance is probably over 9000 km, but quality was superb – it was like talking in the same room. I still keep this telephone card as souvenir of high quality telecommunications.
Pictures are uploaded to Flickr photo sharing server. To enlarge picture, please left click it and new window in flickr will open. Look for ALL SIZES button and left click again for a larger picture.
I hope seeing pictures and videos will make you to travel more and see far places. Please feel free to comment or just say hi!
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