Back to reality

Struggling with thesis again. Not an easy process and too long. Suddenly I start to appreciate library in Taiwan or library in Vienna where I found so many unique books. To everyone, who has to write thesis – good luck. As I was told in Chinese “加油” means - add oil :D

Traveling in Asia part two

I had a great possibility to study in Taiwan – I love Taiwan, it’s a beautiful island. In the first part about “traveling in Asia” I described Philippines. It’s a nice country, but there are so many weaknesses, that tourists do not want to see. Of course, regular tourists go there to lie down on a beach or do island hopping. That’s why in my previous “traveling in Asia” part, I put some photographs presenting the poverty in Philippines. Everyone knows how stunning beach and palms look like, but no one knows “the real” country. So I was quite disappointed by not having the possibility so see Manila or Cebu not only from inside of the taxi – it was just too dangerous.

Anyway, my second big journey took place in Hong Kong – heart of Asia and cradle of Cantonese culture. Where centuries-long heritage mixes with the modernity… The country is relatively small – divided into three parts. First one is Hong Kong Island – land of skyscrapers, companies and busy people. Second one, Kawloon (and third one – The New Territiries) represents majority of the cultural side of Hong Kong. Of course right after taking MTR or a boar-train from modern part to Kawloon, we reach Tsim Sha Tsui, so everything is also shinny, huge, I could say massive – it’s the place where we will find Peninsula hotel or clock tower right in front of Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Walk along, and you’ll see stars avenue – at eight p.m., when still walking along the avenue, stop for 5 minutes –  the view from the Victoria harbor is even more interesting, because of the lasers show.

I am not a skyscrapers lover (but of course I went to the Peak to have a view on all “modern HK”) so the thing that amazed me the most was “The Big Buddha Statue”. Unfortunately the Po Lin monastery was closed, but the view on the statue and the nature which surrounded me was unforgettable. I took gondola to reach the place – it’s on the top of the mountain, so I could enjoy the beauty of the green land and see. One thing that surprised me afterward was that all museums in Hong Kong are closed on Tuesday, not on Monday. Luckily I made it to go to some of those put on my list the day before. I am a museum lover, so for me three museums was not enough – I will definitely go back to HK one day. Actually what I think, 5 days in HK is not enough, especially if you plan to go to Macau somewhere in the middle of your trip – I could not make it to Macau. Anyway, I still want to go to HK and see The HK Heritage Discovery Centre or the HK museum of History. Too many places in such a small territory, no time…

If someone is going to visit HK, go to the webpage I checked. It was really helpful, even my friend who has been living in Hong Kong for a year was surprised by new possible places to see.

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/ 

 

Modern part

Symbol of HK

Cultural part of HK

Big come back to Poland

After my semester had ended up in Taiwan, I came back. So after 26 hours of flight-change-flight-change-flight I finally stoop at Balices’ Airport. My first impression was “jeez, it’s so cold in here” it was about 20 Celsius, while I got used to 35… Way too cold. And to be honest, I was hit with the cultural shock. Weird, cause I am Slavic, born in Ukraine, living in Poland – so this is the first reality I know or… I knew. People are louder, faster and here nobody is watching me entering the café and kindly asks 您好，您要中文還是英文菜單 ？(Hello, would you like Chinese or English menu?). And when you either say “English one” or do this “I don’t understand” face with mildly open mouth – the waiter/waitress brings English version.

Everything is different now. Air is different, not humid at all, trees are different and food. Food is what I miss. I miss sticky rice with lamb and potato leaves. I miss seafood. I miss guava, my favorite fruit ever. Well, so far I have jet lag and wake up at 5 a.m. every day – which is good, I guess. I need to get used to my new-old reality and keep my magnificent memories. 

Exploring Taiwan – still

And still I have’s been everywhere I wanted. When I go back here in a future I’ll finally go exploring Southern Taiwan. My latest trips took places in Sanyi 三義, Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 and Pingxi 平溪. So why all those places are unique?

Sanyi is famous for wood carving but not only. During the Japanese colonization the mountain was pure and bare. Japanese build the first railways there and what is more this “coal train” is still being in use but of course only for tourists. It’s a great adventure to go there. Be careful, cause the train is harmful for your health – take a mask with you, otherwise you’ll start to suffocate. Before Japanese build the tracks (of course they did it to be able to shift the wood), along all mountain only 6 families lived that time. Nowadays the city is still small and beautiful. Many families earn through selling wooden sculptures, local food, or honey.

Pingxi is a lovely mountain city, with stunning landscapes. To get there, you must take a train – only one path goes that direction but before you get to Pingxi you can take off at Cats City – city where you can find many fat, laze cats – they are tourist attraction, so everyone feeds them. Then when you get to Pingxi you’ll be amazed with the beauty of this place. But why is it special? Because it is the only city in Taiwan, where you are allowed to set off lanterns. Not only during the lanterns festival, but every day, when you wish. Making your own lantern, writing your wishes and then send it in the air and watch it flies away. It is magic, especially with your friends, spouse of family, it’s just magic…

The last and my favorite place so far – Sun Moon Lake. The lake is huge, so if your hotel is on the other side than you arrived you have ti take a boat – great feeling. And when you finally reach the other side, you can try aboriginal food – extremely tasty. Especially spicy tofu. The nature is of course stunning – and the air is so fresh. But be carefull, this is the epicenter for the earthquake.

Sanyi

Sun Moon Lake

Sanyi

Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake

Pingxi

Pingxi

Cats city

Sanyi

beatelnut palm

Bittersweet goodbyes

The end of exchange is very sad, especially if you are the last one who is leaving. Well this time I am the one who stays till the end. I will miss everyone and I’ll keep the memories, but the worst thing is that we will not see each other every day, or have a lunch together, go to the city center and so on… Well it’s sad but it was so worth to do exchanges and have all this experience :D

If I had a chance to do one more exchange I would definitely do it. Unfortunately this is my last year of university, so what I can do is to enjoy Taiwan alone. Even going to the gym or to the library is not fun anymore, that is why I hate goodbyes. But still the feeling of extreme happiness will remain all your life.