Drying Veggies

During the Chinese New Year, my family and I visited Guanxi, a small town in Hsinchu County. There are several Hakka villages in this area, and Guanxi is one of them. Hakka folks are good at drying veggies and making preserved food. We saw a lot of sun drying vegetables outside and even some on a bridge.

Beauty of Himeji Castle

I took this photo when I visited Himeji Castle in Japan last November. It's amazing to see how a largest wooden-built castle in Japan has been preserved well over more than 700 years. Although I was not able to visit the main structure because of its undergoing restoration, having a walk in the garden and appreciating the beauty of the castle from outside was a very enjoyable visit.

竹蓮寺-Hsinchu Zhu Lian Temple

Zhu Lian Temple is one of the famous historical temples in Hsinchu. Many locals as well as my family go there to worship the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin, regularly. My mother does it twice a month as her important ritual. I often accompany her to visit it no matter I am a believer or not. This place has been a piece of my memory since my childhood.

鶯歌-Yingge

Yingge is a small town near Taipei. It's famous for producing porcelain and ceramics. Since my last visit 15 years ago, this place has changed quite a lot and has become a popular tourist spot. In the winter, it's nice to walk on its streets through the warm sunlight and enjoy the beauty of ceramic art.