Green Island-Prisons

Green Island has been known as an isolated place for prisons and penal colonies. In the past, the government jailed many political prisoners there. Some of the prisons have become museums and are open to the public.

Green Island-People

The population at Green Island is less than four thousand, but the streets are full of tourists riding motorbikes, especially in the summer. Most visitors are from the mainland of Taiwan. They go there for its beautiful nature and for diving in the spectacular underwater to see coral reefs and colorful tropical fish.

Green Island-Views

Green Island is an small island in Pacific Ocean, near the the southeastern coast of Taiwan. We went to Taitung and then took an one-hour boat ride to reach the island. I went there more than twenty years ago, when the island was very isolated but beautiful with its wild nature.

 I saw a dramatic change that has been made there during my recent visit . The scenery of the coast is still beautiful, but a lot of views are blocked by numerous commercial structures. The damage to its natural beauty, brought by the tourism development, is over the price that we have to pay. 

Lost & Found

My dear friend, Faris, has been with me since 2010. From escaping from a war in Syria to Jordan and then going through the complicated process of immigration for animals to Taiwan, we have built a profound and strong bond between us. When he disappeared from our house ten days ago, I was very upset about losing him. I searched for him on streets and parks and posted lost cat posters throughout the neighborhood. 

After knowing some tips from the Internet about the search of a missing cat, I went out to the streets before the midnight and called his name. Luckily, I just walked a block from home and heard his meow meow response behind a bush. Then he came out and showed his joy of seeing me by waging his tail. He lost some weight from not having food for six days. I was very happy to see him alive and uninjured even though he is a trouble maker. Nothing is more precious than being able to hug my sweetheart again. Welcome home, my dear.

Street Performers

After I paid a visit in the city of Panchiao, which is a part of the big Taipei area, I saw many white tents and street performers on the plaza in front of Panchiao train station. Later I realized that those street performers were gathering there in order to apply for permits which will allow them to perform in the public legally in the city.

Nanliao-南寮 1

Nanliao is the region of Hsinchu's sea port. The annual dragon boat contest was just held here. I had not seen this festival contest for many years because of living abroad. This year I didn't want to miss it, so I visited this place with my family. It was a beautiful day, and the outing was wonderful and enjoyable.

This sea port has been developed into a tourist spot. Many restaurants and portable coffee shops have been open here. We walked around in the port area to see the changes that have been made over the years.

Yuanji Dance-元極舞

My mother joins a group of local folks doing Yuanji Dance every morning at a park in our neighborhood. This dance is a mixture of martial arts, physical therapy, meditation, dance and qigong exercise. She has been doing this for many years.

A week ago, the dance-goers gathered at 18- Peak Mountain in Hsinchu and did some performances to promote and celebrate the benefits of doing Yuanji Dance. My sisters and I brought our mother to participate in this event.