‘LIFE OF TAIWAN’ WEBSITE LAUNCHES
‘LIFE OF TAIWAN’ WEBSITE LAUNCHES
Dane’efu is excited about the launch
On February 24, Taiwanese people around the world celebrated when Ang Lee, who was born in Taiwan 58 years ago, won a second Best Director Oscar, this time for Life of Pi.
Now, on May 7, 2013, comes a new website introducing the scenery, cultures, history and cuisines of Taiwan. Life of Taiwan (http://www.lifeoftaiwan.com) has more than 150 pages of information about the East Asian island.
Tuntex Skytower (85 Tower), Kaohsiung, Taiwan
“International arrivals have been growing for the past decade, and we think Taiwan’s tourism industry will enjoy a big lift thanks to the success of Life of Pi, which was made right here in Taiwan” said Mark Sinclair, founder and CEO of Formosa Services, the Taiwan-based startup behind Life of Taiwan.
“We’re providing high-end tailor made tours targeting professionals and their families. There is no safer place to travel than Taiwan and as everyone who has been here knows, the Taiwanese are a very special people.”
The website covers everything from Taiwan’s aboriginal tribes and their festivals to the island’s diverse and vibrant religious culture. Gourmands can read about Taiwan’s tastiest foods, while outdoors types will discover that Taiwan has more than enough mountains, rivers and dive sites to keep them busy, plus hot springs where tired muscles can be soaked at the end of a tiring day. And if they’re not already aware of Taiwan’s treasures, birdwatchers and other kinds of ecotourist will find the website’s description of Taiwan’s spectacular natural diversity engrossing.
Chihsi plaque bearers. Kai Lung Temple, Jung Shan Road, Tainan City, Taiwan
The website is gorgeously illustrated with photos taken by Michelin and Asian Geographic photographer Rich J. Matheson. Rich specializes in images of religious events and Taiwan’s aboriginal groups; his work can be seen at http://www.thetaiwanphotographer.com
The text was written by Steven Crook, author of three books about the island – Keeping Up With The War God (2001), Dos and Don’ts in Taiwan (2010) and Taiwan: The Bradt Travel Guide (2010). Steven is currently updating his Bradt guide for publication in spring 2014. Links to many of his published articles can be found at http://crooksteven.blogspot.com
These Aboriginal women have just heard the news
For further information feel free to contact us on contact@lifeoftaiwan.com or call +886 6 2088173.
Interview with Reality Abroad — Part Two
Taiwan Aboriginal Dance
I was interviewed by Alan for Reality Abroad, a travel website aimed at helping travelers see a country from an insiders viewpoint. He asks questions about Taiwan and photography. Here is part two. The podcast can be listened to or downloaded at Images of Taiwan-Reality Abroad.
Taiwanese Aboriginal Tribes
Seediq Aboriginal tribe costume, Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park, Sandimen, Pingtung County, Taiwan
The following photographs of all fourteen Taiwan Aboriginal tribes were taken at the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park in (more…)
Tea Field, Alishan
Tea field at high noon
Every Chinese New Year my wife and her family take a trip up to Alishan to visit her mother’s side of the family. Alas’ father was a Bunong from Taoyuan, Kaohsiung and, after his first wife died without bearing any children, he trekked up to Alishan to find a new wife. Near what is now Le Ye ( 樂野), he found a 14 year old Chou tribeswoman who he brought back to Namasia, married and had 11 children with. Now there are few remaining relatives from her generation but we still visit her younger brother’s partner who lives near these tea fields. I try to photograph the tea most years but it is usually high noon when we are there and the tea leaves specular highlights are uncontrollable. I don’t mind specular highlights blowing out, but when a whole field blows out it becomes objectionable. I did an HDR shot this year which controlled the highlights to a useable level. (more…)
Liuchongsi Pingpu Night Sacrifice
A wangyi performs a libation on the sacrificial pig during the Liuchongsi Night Sacrifice in Tainan.
Xiaolin Pingpu Night Sacrifice
Half my life in Taiwan!
- My lovely Bunun Wife, Alas, on our land in Namasia
I came to Taiwan via Australia, Indonesia (overland from East Timor to Jakarta by cargo ship, Pelni, little boats, Bemos and hitch-hiking), Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and then Taipei for a week, before settling in Tainan. I spent my 20th birthday riding out to some little village in the county with BJ, then got hopped up on betel nut and beer at night. Today I spent a quiet 40th birthday in Tainan. I wouldn’t have guessed I would still be here with two lovely children and a beautiful wife twenty years later, but I am glad I am!
Tainan Plains Aborigine Night Ceremony
Yes, this could easily be misunderstood. An explanation of this venerable Plains Aboriginal Ceremony held in Tainan is forthcoming.
Xiang Zhu (向竹) Magic Bamboo Totem
- Wulipu, Jiaxian District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Xiang Zhu 向竹 or “Magic Bamboo” — a Plains Aborigine totem. At the Siaolin Plains Aborigine Night Ceremony I was told the seven rungs of straw attached to the bamboo represent the steps to heaven. I had previously heard they represent the seven sisters worshiped as Taizu 太祖, a Plains Aboriginal Goddess.
Tree Tomato
- Tree Tomato, Organic farming, Alishan Township,Chia Yi County, Taiwan
Shot this tree tomato a long time ago on an organic farming trip. Don’t know what it is called in English, I just translated directly from Chinese. Looks very much like a normal tomato inside.
Lonely Planet, Taiwan
Aboriginal band 'Kaka" playing in Dulan. Published in Lonely Planet Taiwan Guide.
I recently received a thank you copy of Lonely Planet from Robert. The photo of the guitar player on page ten is mine but was mistakenly credited to Robert Kelly (the author). Robert, a great photographer as well as writer, (more…)
Taiwan Folktales
Folktales Cover
My photo was used on the cover of this kindle book. It was taken at a Bunun Malatangia Festival at the Maya Elementary School (now buried) in Namasia. I helped edit the book before publication and had a great time reading the wonderful folktales that Fred Lobb has been translating over the past thirty years. An enjoyable read and definitely worth the $6.99 price tag.
In-Laws
Alas and Abas ©Rich Matheson. My wife and her twin sister in Chou tribal clothing at her younger sister’s wedding in Mexico.
photo of an old photo. My wife’s Chou tribe mother with her mother in Namasia. (more…)
Aboriginal Food – Unity Magazine
The March April issue of Uni Air’s magazine has an article about Aboriginal food using ten of my photos.
Banana heart on my land in Namasia.
(more…)
Lighting Workshop at Spotlight Studios
I attended an awesome lighting workshop at Spotlight Studio in Taichung a while back and have been trying to find some time to write about it and post some of the pics. The workshop was run by Henry Westheim, an accomplished professional photographer in Taiwan, a great speaker and a man who has a wealth of knowledge about everything to do with photography. More importantly, he is one of those people who is willing to share everything he knows, replete with his colorful New York interjections to make it more interesting. (more…)
Bradt Catalogue
Here is a link to my photo used on the Bradt Catalogue for July-December. She is a lovely and photogenic Bunun woman from Mingtzu (Nangisalu) now living in the Da Ai housing complex in Shan Lin.
Looks like there are some great titles here, especially some of the wildlife ones. And of course Steven Crook’s Taiwan Guide.
Taiwan Guidebook
Pre-order Steve’s new book from Amazon!
(The cover shot is mine of the Hla’alua (Southern Tsou subgroup) chief in Namasia.)
On the subject of books: A great resource for Taiwan Books
Pictures of Mingtzu, Mingchuan and Mingshen after Typhoon Morakot
I finally made it up to Namasia on Sunday and Monday with Richard from Barking Deer Tours. We were expecting to stay longer but (more…)
Mala-ta-ngia: Bunun Coming of Age Festival 布農打耳祭
Here is an article about the Bunun Tribe’s coming of age ceremony that was originally published here.
A Bunun man from Taipei
This year I didn’t publish an article on the festival so all the pictures are new.
A Hsiaolin Pingpu Tribeswoman
by Rich Matheson
Taiwan has twelve remaining aboriginal groups of which the Bunun tribe ranks number four. Mala-ta-ngia or “shoot the ear festival” is the Bunun tribe’s largest and most important ceremony of the year. Similar to Chou tribes well known Mayasafi, it is a coming of age ceremony that focuses on hunting. (more…)
Refugee Camps, Namasia, Holy Mt Zion and Roads.
Namasia Township villagers are now being housed in two barracks. Ming Tzu, the worst hit, is with Taoyuan County villagers in Yanchao and Ming Chuan and Ming Shen villagers are in Jiuchu (九曲) in Da Shu Township.
We were in Jiuchu today. Simple, clean(except the toilets), and comfortable. The buildings are certainly built a lot better than their tin houses(for the most part) in the village. People were happy and well fed. Even the public announcements were in Bunun language just like in the village and I can imagine it could be disconcerting to the military personnel being unable to understand. (more…)
Hsiaolin Slide and Morakot Links
Here are some more posts and pictures from Dave’s Landslide blog:
http://daveslandslideblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/hsiaolin-landslide-slope-before-failure.html
The comparison photos really show the extent of the damage.
And some aerial photos:
http://daveslandslideblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-images-of-shialin-landslide-in.html
An interesting article by Tainaner Matt Gibson of his experiences during Typhoon Morakot.
And Richard from Barking Deer keeps us updated on the hiking trails in the area.
While I’m busy linking, here is Steven Crooks fact filled article and on his Bradt travel guide book page some lovely photos by Craig Ferguson
And finally a site I always go to for very thorough, but very green politics; Micheal Turton’s View from Taiwan. Scroll down for insight into the Dalai Lama’s visit and Morakot.
As for Namasia, lots of people have driven out of the mountains now. They say the road is rough, that is probably an understatement as these people are used to rough roads. Only little blue truck access. I was planning to be on the road by now but another typhoon is on it’s way and you don’t want to be on any mountain roads in heavy rain, much less ‘rough’ ones.
The Road to Namasia
Here is some info from Department of Roads dated 8/30, followed by a loose translation:
台21線(甲仙~小林~民生，長約35.7公里)目前由甲仙(237K)可經替代道路方式行駛至小林地區(224K)，小林以北道路遭土石淹沒及沖毀，無 法確定道路位置，正評估是否依原路線或另尋替代道路搶通。另有關民生(那瑪夏鄉)聯外道路部分，規劃由民生村附近之青山產業道路~鄉道嘉129-1線(嘉 義、高雄縣政府刻正搶修中，預計9月7日搶通)~嘉129線~台3線轉往嘉義大埔地區。另民權(那瑪夏鄉)聯外道路部分，規劃由鄉道南179-1線~平坑 產業道路~雙連堀~民權為替代道路，目前高雄縣政府已搶通至雙連堀，預計98年9月6日搶通至民權。
About Hwy 21 from Jiashen to Namasia.
They can get to Hsiaolin but north of Hsiaolin is buried too badly to find the road. Discussing whether to continue using this route or find another route.
To Namasia(Ming Shen) the plan is to go in via Chashan(Chingshan farming road, 129-1 to Chashan then 129 to Provincial 3 at Dapu, Tsengwen reservoir). They say they are working hard to open the road by Sept. 7th.
To Namasia’s MingChuan they are opening a road from Tainan’s county road 179 (I mistakenly wrote 178 yesterday)-Guanshan, up to the ridge (an area called Shuang Lian Chu) where, rather than dropping down to Holy Mt Zion, a new road is being made that will follow an old road to Labinia and then presumably they will drive through the river to Ming Chuan.
I added my own interpretation at the end, but we just got a call and that road is already open, Monday 31st. The site above says they will try to have it open by September 6th.
The villagers were working from their side. The Americans flew in diggers for them.
Lots of other stuff going on. Especially the fate of Ming Tzu. Ming Tsu is now too dangerous to live in and they need to figure out where to live.
Liefintaiwan 