The Journaling of Olsen 368

There’s not much room to pass in places but we make it down in one place and take the scenic route through to the coast. Anna has a headache and sleeps through the scenic area which is also winding and in the rain. After breakfast in the reception/dining area with our hosts and two other couples and a long chat with them about fruit and all manner of subjects we head south. From a cursory glance at the map the vast majority are concentrated on the west side of the island. The east side appears to be mainly forested hills and mountains. Still on the east side of the island we pass by or through Yilin, Luodong and Hualien all seemingly significant cities.
The tower’s elevators reach speeds of 60km, are extremely smooth and transport us from earth to heaven in 37 seconds. Set speed records in those days, probably now snail’s pace. The hotel was first established in 1952 as Chiang Kai-shek felt Taipei had no proper hotels for hosting foreign 池上伴手禮 dignitaries. The main building was completed in 1973 on the grounds of the former Taipei Grand Shrine, though it underwent major renovations after a fire in 1995. This is a landmark hotel, a bit garish but the rooms are immaculate, large and the whole place has a royal feel about it.

Eva air is the best of taiwan airlines but nothing special. The flag carrier of Taiwan, China airlines, is best avoided in my opinion. We travel on into the Yangmingshan National Park through winding roads gradually ascending until we reach the park’s Visitor Centre. It appears that the Centre is primarily there to give guidance to people hiking and there are many trails within the park and up the mountain. But the officers were also very helpful in directing us on to our next spot and the Centre has a wide range of exhibits on the history of the park and area, wildlife and volcanic activity. The National Park is famous for its cherry blossoms, hot springs, sulfur deposits, fumaroles, venomous snakes, and hiking trails, including Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano at 1120m, Seven Star Mountain.
Book your travel package to Taipei with Direct Flights today. Park City Hotel-Hualien Vacation is located in Hualien City center, it takes just 10 minutes to drive to railway station. “Park City Hotel” is a brand stands for a brand new type of metropolitan hotel and contains 96 rooms, Park Café & Lounge, business center, gym, and self-service laundry room. With modern simplicity design and color usage, we bring the spirit of “nature”, “cozy”, “vivid”, and “handy” into this brand. Along with “a little extra don’t cost extras” motto, we provide you the best quality of services, and make us become the best choice of our segment in the same area.

However, there is also a community that don’t, where do we fit in? My aesthetic for example is largely influenced not only by my culture but ‘how’ my culture has adapted into New Zealand society. My past collections are far from traditional Cook Island costumes but large portions are inspired. If I were to describe a look from one of my many collections it would be contemporary.
For those looking to go to sun moon lake, if you dont want to stay at the lake itself, I can recommend staying at nearby Puli. There are lots of convenient cheap buses between Puli and the lake. I took the train to Taichung, then hired a car and went to Qingjing farm, stayed overnight and then drove to Sun Moon Lake. You can easily drive to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung station. Alternatively you could take a train to Taichung and take a bus to Sun Moon Lake. Ideally somewhere with easy access to major attractions and night markets, but not too busy/crowded.
Watching this unseen enemy inspire people to risk their lives to save others. Watching people laugh and make jokes about a crazy way of life that has been forced upon us. And as an artist, I have been watching myself respond to it.

Today’s highlight is a visit to the Presidential Building and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Explore the National Palace Museum which has the world's largest Chinese art and painting collection, and then proceed to the traditional Martyrs' Shrine. Continue on to a traditional local Chinese Temple, and then on to a Taiwanese Handicraft Centre, where you can purchase Taiwanese souvenirs. This afternoon, visit Danshui - a laidback waterfront town on the northern part of Taipei city. One of the main settlements for the Spanish in the 1600s, and settled by the Japanese during World War II, this is a town lled with history and unique 1900s architecture and infrastructure.
Most recently I have been painting murals around my hometown of Papakura. The most recent being a floral piece that was painted on the Kiwibank wall in the township. The murals I create alter the appearance of the blank walls I paint and add vibrancy and enhance connectivity for the community. By engaging with Papakura Business Association and local shop owners we are working collectively to help beautify Papakura town centre. My current projects involve painting Montrose Electrical Boxes for Auckland Transport and walls for public art projects.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, your Tour Director will take you to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom, where William was educated and inspired to become one of the world’s greatest playwrights. Afterwards, enjoy this pretty Elizabethan town at your own pace. Then, take a drive into the Cotswold Hills and through picturesque villages and idyllic rolling English landscapes. Today’s final highlight is a walking tour through Oxford to see the colleges where Britain’s elite receives its outstanding education.
Tamshui/Danshuei is a pretty easy day trip using the MRT from Taipei and I recommend a walk along the riverfront as well as a visit to the restaurants on Old Street — the food is cooked using fresh ingredients. There are also a couple of old forts that are worth visiting as tourist attractions. You could also take a boat ride to get a different perspective of the city from the riverfront to Fisherman's Wharf. I believe the boat operators take the easy card but when I was there they preferred if you bought a ticket. We reach Taitung mid-afternoon, wait half an hour for the room and have a later afternoon snooze.
Continuing on, we will drive to Taitung via Southern Link Highway. Breakfast at hotel, then we will drive to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery, the most famous Buddhist sacred place of southern Taiwan. Continuing on, we will drive to Kaohsiung City, which is the second largest city of Taiwan. The tour will take you to Former British Consulate, Love River and Lio Ho Night Market. "Every night the night market merchants come out to make a living, smile and laugh as they tend to the needs of their customers," gushed a Taiwanese critic who now lives in North America. "Night markets are a special part of the local night life," says Parng.

"Compared to night clubs, a night market is a very family oriented affair." "If a tourist only has a few days in say, Taipei, they can't physically go to all the special local restaurants," says Tao. "But with night markets, they can stroll down the food section and sample a little of everything. Basically, they can eat and taste the local food culture at one spot."
I am of Samoan descent and was born in Grey Lynn in the mid-sixties. In my early twenties I had an opportunity to live in Samoa for three years. I was extremely excited to live on the land where my mother and her parents had come from before they settled in New Zealand. I got to walk on the paths they walked and dipped in the same Piula pool where my mother had once soaked as a child; culturally that entire experience was unforgettable as well as remarkable. I’m proud as pineapple pie to be a part of this amazing “Postcards Unlocked” project which is nothing short of brilliant, especially during such a time of disquiet and change.