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Day 1 in Kaohsiung: Tiger and Dragon Pagodas, a Giant Gold Buddha and a one way ticket out of a ghost town
Enter from the Dragon’s mouth and exit from the Tiger’s. Oh, you can even see their behinds on the way out. Later that day head to a Buddha Museum to learn all about his life. You even have a space to sit cross-legged and contemplate your life (or his). Finish your day at the 70…
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Day 2 in Tainan: a city of ghosts
The local bus looked like a tour bus from the 1950s that was picking up customers that had been dead for a long time. It confused the heck out of me. You even need to pay with the exact change. No one seems to know how much that is. How lovely. When we finally get…
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Day 1 in Tainan: a high speed train to a has-been town
Tainan is like a woman who was once incredibly beautiful but has let herself go. She isn’t ugly, but she’s like a fading movie star whose shimmer has lost its lustre. Her skin no longer glows not because she’s been abandoned; but because she no longer cares with her upkeep. Everyone remembers and knows her…
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Day 2 in Taipei: a famous fortune teller, mystery street food and an unforgettable memorial hall
Taipei. Oh, Taipei. What a sensory experience. The food. Oh, the food. It really is everywhere. People here know how to eat. They work hard and relish life’s pleasures. The temples. The history. The monuments. The superstitions. The traditional. The avant-garde. Taiwan has it all.
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Day 1 in Taipei: an ancient museum, a modern tower and an elephant mountain?
I woke up to a landscape that was neither old nor new. That was neither ancient nor modern. I’m not quite sure how to describe Taipei – except that it reminds me so much of the Singapore of my childhood. Shophouses. Tall buildings. The MRT. The sound of Mandarin, Hokkien, English and Tagalog at the…
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Tokyo to Taipei: a hard-earned holiday
The current President of Taiwan is Tsai Ing-wen: an unmarried *gasp* woman. With a population of 23.5 million, Taiwan is one of the four Asian Tigers: along with Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore. Before the 17th century, Taiwan was mostly inhabited by Taiwanese Aboriginals. All that changed when the Spanish and Dutch colonies opened…
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Top 5 Things to do in Japan: stuff only the locals know about
The holidays are almost here. Have no doubt – I’m more excited about the winter vacation than my students. Oh yes. Remember when we were kids and our elders used to say things like ‘One Day You’ll Understand’? They were right. I finally do understand. I’m escaping the daily grind and going overseas (yay!) for…
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I Cook to Please
Singaporean food in Tokyo.
Twinn Swan 