TAIWAN

TAIWAN-KAOHSIUNG-TAINAN

Joyfully, I received an invitation to cover an assignment themed “Taiwan International Orchid Show 2009”, held at Kaohsiung.

This is my first time to Taiwan, and the second time is in January 2018.

Without hesitation, I agreed to accept the invitation from Ipoh Orchid Society (IOS), for a 6D5N stay in Kaohsiung/Tainan, Taiwan.

The reason for this trip was to participate in the Orchid Show, by bringing along Malaysian orchids to showcase it in Taiwan. Besides, the orchid show would be a good start to promote Malaysian orchids to the world.

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE

On Day 1 – 2 - we were busy helping the IOS organisor to put up a landscape attached with Malaysian orchids, created for the orchid show.

We as participants were also invited for a Welcome Banquet Dinner on March 5 followed with the Opening Ceremony on March 6 at the exhibition site.

MALAYSIA LANDSCAPE

Taiwan Orchid Industry – the country is acclaimed as the best producer of orchids in the world. Gifted with rich biological resources, the country is reputed as the Kingdom of Orchids. Taiwan occupies a pivotal position in the world of orchids, accounting 70% of the total value of Taiwan's horticultural exports around the world.

The Phalaenopsis orchid has a highly competitive edge in terms of tissue culture, seeding propagation, breeding, environmental control in green houses.

The orchid show itself had attracted 200,000 visitors which included 3000 foreign floral buyers.

IOS MEMBERS SHOWCASING MALAYSIA LANDSCAPE

On Day 3 – we participated in the Nursery Tour, where we have a 'greet & meet' session with the nurseries owners and exchange views on agricultural products. There is a welcoming fruit tasting session for tourists and a chance to taste the many fruits in Taiwan. Kaohsiung is named “An extensive land of bounty”, which covers the Central Mountain Ranges, Jade Mountain and Mt Ali.  

NURSERY TOUR

 

On Day 4 – we booked a van to take us for a one-day detour accompanied by a tour guide Christ, who guided us to the popular tourist destination in Tainan City.

Tainan City existed in the 17^th century, is located in center southwest of Taiwan. It is the oldest city in Taiwan. I fall in love with Tainan as there is something 'historical' about this city. 

CHIHKAN TOWER

Firstly, we stopped over at the Chihkan Tower (the former Fort Provintia) is the landmark of Tainan and its most famous historic site. In 1653 the Dutch built Fort Provintia in this area, and the Chinese named it Tower of Savages or Tower of Re-haired Barbarians, and finally Chihkan Tower is its official name today.

Crammed with various kinds of steles, stone horses, weight lifting rocks, stone weights and nine stone tortoises carrying royal stele carved in both Chinese and Manchurian, the courtyard looks more like an outdoor museum.

ANPING OLD FORT

REMAINS OF RUINS LEFT BEHIND BY DUTCH

Next, we journeyed to the Anping Old Fort was built in the early 17^th century, when the European seafarers came to Asia to trade and develop colonial outposts. In 1624, the Dutch occupied Anping and took 10 years to build a fort named Fort Zeelandia. After 1661, Koxinga drived out Dutch and lived here, it was then named Fort Monarch, Anping Castle and Taiwan castle. The Japanese rebuilt it and named it Anping Old Fort. The only Dutch remains are the ruins of a semicircular bulwark and a section of the outer fort's brick wall, the root of an old banyan tree on the wall remains as a witness to the fort's history.

ANPING TREE HOUSE

Nearby, we made a visit to the Anping Tree House which is now covered with aerial roots and branches of banyan trees wrapped around the building, combined with soil, red brick and partial concrete wall it creates a 'wonderful sight', which I adorned. The building was originally the warehouse of Tait & Co and later it operated as an office during the Japanese Occupation of the Japan Salt Company. After World War II, the salt industry declines, and this area was abandoned.

OLD PORT

FOREIGN MERCHANT HOUSE

A walk across the tree house, one can view the Foreign Merchant House built in 1867, by British traders established the Tait & Co merchant house in Anping, to handle tea exports, and the firm's insurance and banking businesses. This is the only remaining merchant house of British traders in Anping, which is now used as the Taiwan Development Historical sculpture Exhibition Hall.

CONFUCIOUS TEMPLE MAIN HALL

Day 5 – our adventurous spirit advanced us to take a cab to the Confucious Temple (1665) built by Chen Yong Hua in an effort to revive scholastic and attract learned scholars, here. It is educational to take a walk around the temple's vicinity, take photographs with the Confucious Statue, Manners Entrance, Pagoda, Shrine of Confucious Ancestors and Worship Tables, among others.

CONFUCIOUS STATUE

Another 'must see' is the Ma Chui Temple – dedicated to worshiping the Seafarer Gods and Taoist deity, which is popular among tourists, daily.

MA CHUI TEMPLE

Day 6      –        DEPARTURE

MARCH 3 – 8, 2009

POSING WITH HOTEL STAFF

KOREA

SEOUL

The popularity of Korea started with the movie “Winter Sonata” screened over in local television. Viewers are infatuated with the good looking movie stars that had influence tourists to visit the “Winter Sonata Seoul Location", highlighting Korea Star Picture Shop, Whoam Catholic Church. Joong Ang High School and the street of Korean Star.

As for me, I am not that crazy over the Korea movie stars, it was the promotional price of RM980, that attracts me to Seoul, way back in 2006.

I then followed the 6D5N tour to Seoul-Suwon-Everland, to understand why are the present generation so crazy over Korean stars, during the 2000s. 

SEOUL - HERE I COME!!

Seoul has a colorful past and the walk us through the places of history coupled with grand buildings hinting to us that Korea is a country with a tale to tell. The must visit heritage places namely Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Deoksugung Palace, Namsangoi Hanok Village and the Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Military Operation.

Seoul is a “shopping paradise” – as we were provided a chance to visit a number of shopping areas 'part by part' throughout our holiday.

It is also a country popular with plastic surgery - where every girl or boy had in their life time undergo beauty surgery to improve the weak areas of the face and body.

DAY 1

A nature day – we took the Woimido Seagulls Watching Ship – to watch the numerous seagulls flying across one's head, rather friendly with human, while watching the beautiful scenery offered, here.

WOIMIDO SEAGULLS WATCHING TRIP

Afternoon, walk through the 100-year-old Chinatown, and saw some churches and local delights sold here. The people living in Chinatown are the third generation from Shang Tung Province – a total of 15,000 families. 

CHINATOWN

We also visited the Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Millitary Operation. Here, the Incheon Landing Operation was executed and turned the Korean War in favor of the allies. In 1984, Incheon citizens put their all out effort into constructing the Memorial Hall in Incheon to honor those who sacrificed their lives to preserve the democracy and freedom of the Peninsula in its imminent situation due to the invasion of the communist forces in 1950 under the banner of United Nations. Here, visitors can understand more about Korean war – via the exhibition room, video and panels, uniforms of the ROK Army and the North Korean People's Army. At the outdoor area there are – landing crafts (F86F Saber Jet, North Korean Anti-Aircraft gun, other heavy weaponry), Freedom Tower , Water Mill and a park.

MEMORIAL HALL FOR INCHEON LANDING OPERATION

Shopping is a must in Seoul – where we get to visit in 'parts' places like Cheonggyecheong Street and Insadong.

CHEONGGYECHEONG STREET

Insadong is famous for souvenirs – similar with our Petaling Street, in Kuala Lumpur.

SUWON HWASEONG FORTRESS

The first heritage place we visited is the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress – is an 18^th century fortress which is the official fortress of Suwon-Si, Gyeonggido, from the later day of Jaseon Period (1392-1910) is now the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. It was built by King Jeongjio (1170-1800) as an act of loyalty towards his father who was murdered and he wanted to strengthen the authority of his monarchy which was weakened by factional hostility. The fortress was equipped with defense facilities like posts, observation towers, battlements, secret gates and arrow-launching platforms. The fortress took 700,000 man to work on, completed in 1796.

SUWON HWASEONG FORTRESS

DAY 2

In the morning – it is time for some 'fun', we visited the fascinating Everland Theme Park which is one of the top 7 theme park in the world, and the largest in Korea, with about 10 million people visited the park weekly. What delights me is the park showcased five them areas along with more than 50 different kind of attractions full of high octave thrills and fun. Everland, carries a park and resort concept – featuring an 'all in one' first class entertainment including a Safari, amusement rides, Magic Land, European Adventure, Global Fair, American Adventure and Zoo Topia. There are Disneyland characters such as Micky Mouse and Mindy, welcoming visitors at the entrance. 

EVERLAND THEME PARK

 

The other beauty – the miniature replica buildings of St Sophia Istanbul (Turkey), St Marco Cathedral of Venice (Italy), Taj Mahal (India) and Pantheon Close (Classic Renaissance).

GARDEN OF MICKEY & MINDY

Be amazed to find an animal called "liger" ( a cross breed between a lion and a tiger), and also other animals like double humpback camels, elephants, zebra and Asian ponies.

LIGER

 

By afternoon – we visited another historical place called Namsangoi Hanok Village – is a popular place to experience the lifestyle of traditional Korean – in a village – visitors are encouraged to explore the historical Korean houses, browse traditional crafts and try hands at the ancient games demonstrated, here.

NAMSANGOI HANOK VILLAGE

On our second day, we continue our shopping spree at Apgujeongdong and Dongdaemun Market.

Apgujeongdong is a shopping are for 'branded goods' and it is nicknamed the Fashion Street of Korea.

NAMSSANGOI HANOK VILLAGE

Dongdaemun Market, is located near Great East Gate, is Korea's largest wholesale shopping district with 26 shopping malls, 30,000 specialty shops and 50,000 manufacturers. Items sold here are silks, clothes, sport wear, plumbing and electrical supplies, toys and office supplies. 

7-LUCK CASINO

By evening, a visit was made to 7-Luck casino to test your luck, is located at Millennium Seoul Hilton.

DAY 3

A trip to Korea will not be complete without visiting the Kimchi Making House, to get a hands on the making of kim chi dish.

D-I-Y KIM CHI

Here, visitors get an opportunity to dress up in a Korean Traditional costume for a photography session. I really love the Korean costume, one of my favorite Asian costume.

LOVE MY KOREAN COSTUME!!

Deok Su Gong Palace is the final historical place we visited, which showcases 13 heritage buildings of various Korean and western structure, it a palace famous for its elegant stone-wall road and the building 'Jeonggwanheon' had a secret passageway to Russian Emissary.

The palace was originally the home of King Seongjong's elder brother, Prince Woldsandaegun (1445-1488). However, after all palaces in Hanyang (Seoul) had been burned down during Japanese Invasion of 1592, Deoksugung was used as a temporary palace. Gwanghaegun succeeded Seongjo as the King in 1592 and named it Gyeongungung in 1611. Deoksugung was used as a royal palace for 7 years until 1615.

DEUSUGONG PALACE

The rest of the day, were spent on a brief visit to the National Ginseng Shop followed with Amethyst Factory and Ubiquitous Dream Hall (Futuristic Product).

UBIQUITOURS DREAM HALL

We end our tour at Myeongdong Shopping Area – a middle class shopping area – where one can find the popular High Ice Cream, clothing and souvenir.

MYEONGDONG SHOPPING AREA

DAY 4 - DEPARTURE

JULY 23 – 27, 2006

SINGAPORE 3

LION CITY SHOWS ITS APPRECIATION

JOURNALISTS were treated to a “Uniquely Singapore Media Privilege” program organised by the Singapore Tourism Board, recently.

It was the board's gesture of thanking the Press for its support as well as providing the opportunity to visit the Lion City.

The Press members who took part in a three days tow nights program had a chance to experience a tour of the city in a short span of time.

VISITORS POSING WITH SINGAPORE MERLION

On the first day, they viewed interesting places with great photo opportunities onboard the Hippo Tours double-decker which took them through four trails – the city Tour, Heritage Tour, Sentosa and Moonlight Adventure.

On the City Tour, they covered places like Orchard Road, Raffles Landing Site, Botanic Garden and The Esplanade while the Heritage Tour took them to Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, the historic Civic District and the famous Merlion statue.

Chinatown is the original site where Chinese immigrants lived. It is near other cultural places like Jamae (Chulia) Mosque (1830) and the Sri Mariamman Temple (the oldest Indian temple).

J W MARRIOT HOTEL, KL

Upon reaching Raffles City, the journalists had a breathtaking view of Singapore's high-rise buildings and posed with the Mama and Baby Merlion statues.

The visitors could not resist the temptation of shopping on the second day at Orchard Road and Bugis Street where there were Christmas bargains galore.

The last day saw journalists visit Sentosa's latest attractions like Sentosa Luge, 4D Magix Theatre and the remix Musical Fountain.

Now is the season for a “Magical Christmas in the tropics” for those who plan to visit the island.

THIS STORY WAS PUBLISHED IN NEW STRAITS TIMES LIFE & TIMES PAGE - ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006

THE STORY IS NOMINATED AS FINALISTS FOR TOURISM MEDIA AWARDS 2007 ORGANISED BY THE SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD

AWARD - 2D1N STAY IN JW MARRIOT KL, TO ATTEND THE MEDIA AWARDS NITE ON 21 JUNE 2007

LOST WORLD OF TAMBUN FIRST MAN-MADE MARMOSET ISLAND

 FIRST MAN-MADE MARMOSET ISLAND BY RECYCLED ITEMS

IPOH: The state will now have its first man-made Marmoset Island held at Lost World of Tambun (LWOT), here.

It is believed to be the first man-made Marmoset Island in the world on wetland.

The event was organised by LWOT, in collaboration with the Sunway University.

THE MAN-MADE MARMOSET ISLAND

The island is created by using 100% recycled items such as styrofoam pieces, plastic bottles and any plastic items that can float.

It took eight workers to create the 80-square-metre island, in a period of three months, taking into account of construction work and experiment of the project.

The entire island is made-up of 5,000 kilogram of waste, costing a sum of RM90,000, to complete the task.

FROM LEFT - S. RAMESH, TRICIA HO AND NURUL NUZAIRI SHOWCASING THE MODEL OF THE MAN-MADE MARMOSET ISLAND 

LWOT general manager Nurul Nuzairi Mohd Azahari said that the launching of the Marmoset Island was in conjunction of Earth Hour which falls on March 30.

“In taking part in the Earth Hour, we want to show our support for climate change and also aligning our practices with the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and to educate the people on the importance of reducing waste in this planet.

“For a start, we have only four female marmosets living in this island, and we hope to exchange for one male marmoset from Taiping Zoo, Malacca Zoo or Zoo Negara, in the future for breeding purposes,” he said.

Also present were Sunway Theme Park assistant general manager S. Ramesh and the Sunway Youth for Sustainable Development president Tricia Ho.

Background of marmoset – originally they lived in southwest Brazil in coastal regions. Live in a variety of forest types either tropical and subtropical forest.

Black-eared marmoset highly social and live in groups, spending most of day foraging and grooming. They feed on fruit, seeds, flowers, insects and spiders.

LAUNCHING OF THE MARMOSET ISLAND - SHOWCASING THE TINY MARMOSET ENTERING THE ISLAND VIA A TREE TRUNK

SINGAPORE 2

HERITAGE SINGAPORE

Cosmopolitan Singapore is not at completely modern – there is still a touch of heritage tucked away in areas of the island. Many said that Singapore is more western in nature than Asian.

My interest of getting to know whether there is much heritage site still existing in Singapore – made me participated in a one day tour – with a map on hand to the places which may have 'some' heritage value left, in this island.

ALL THINGS HERITAGE SOLD IN SINGAPORE

To start off the heritage trail – I visited the Chinatown, Little India, Peranakan Areas and Kampung Glam.

CHINATOWN

CHINATOWN - started when Sir Stamford Raffles who allocated the south of Singapore River to the Chinese community in 1928, and this attracted southern China immigrants to reside here. During its early days, Chinatown relied on bullock carts' water (Niu Che Shui) – shop houses were small and cramped, and streets became common area for families to use. Today, Chinatown is lighted up accompanied with the Chinese oriented architecture buildings – selling souvenir and food stuff. Old practices like fortune tellers, feng shui masters, peddlers, herbalists, buskers and opera singers contributed to the lively Chinatown.

LITTLE INDIA

LITTLE INDIA - was actually a plantation of betel leaves, rice and sugar cane cultivated by the Chinese immigrants in the early 19^th century. The 1840s saw a thriving cattle trade and businesses like sesame oil production and pineapple preservation powered by cattle-driven transport. The Indians handled most of the activities and their community expanded – today, Little India is a heritage place for the Indians to shop, worship, display of cultural dances and ritual practices in the temple.

SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Here, stands the oldest Hindu temple called Sri Mariamman Temple (1930) constructed in 1827 – provides shelter for Indians immigrants. This is the only Hindu temple where the priests were vested with authority to solemnise marriages. The temple attracted devotees who turned to the God for healing. 

MASJID JAMAE

MASJID JAMAE

Masjid Jamae or Masjid Chulia is Singapore's oldest mosque and a prominent landmark in Chinatown since the 1820s. Built in 1826, the mosque was the first of three mosques in Chinatown erected by the Chulias, who were Tamil Muslims from the Coromandel coast of Southern India. It has an eclectic architectural style, borrowing elements from East and West. Masjid Jamae was gazetted as a national monument in 1974.

BUSSORAH MALL

KAMPUNG GLAM - is a Malay Village whereby its name derive from a Gelam Tree which one grew in this area. At that time, Sir Raffles' arrived in 1819, the village had already existed at the mouth of Rochor River. In 1822, Raffles drew up the first city plan to contain the growing immigrants and the area was allocated to the Bugis, Arabs, Javanese, Boyanese and Muslim merchants. It then became the seat of the Malay Royalty in Singapore. The beauty of Kampung Glam – is the rows of shop houses showing ornate style with green color windows and doors, held at Kandahar Street, compared to normal shop houses and low squat proportions, at Pahang Street. Other historical places are – Sultan Palace, Arabic School, Pondok Java and the streets of Arab, Baghdad and Haji Lane.

SULTAN MOSQUE

The majestic Sultan Mosque is located near the friendly Bussorah Mall, located at Muscat Street. It was named after Sultan Hussain Shah in 1975 – designated a national monument.  

KAMPONG GLAM PALACE

Kampong Glam Palace is a former Malay palace in Singapore - located near Sultan Mosque - the palace and compounds were refurbished into the Malay Heritage Centre in 2004. The palace is gazetted as national monument on August 6, 2015

KAMPONG GLAM HERITAGE SHOP HOUSE

THE PERANAKAN – are descendants of the early Chinese community who settled in the Malay Archipelago from the 17^th century – rich blend of the Chinese and Malay cultures with some influence of the Portugal, Dutch, British, Thai and Indonesia.

 

THE PERANAKAN HOUSES AT JOO CHIAT

If one is fascinated with buildings, do take a stroll at Emerald Hill, Tanjong Pagar and Joo Chiat – showcases an eclectic mix of architectural details and ornaments influence from East and West, the corinthian columns and Mediterranean looking windows and shutters justaposed with Chinese tiles, and plaster work with Chinese symbols.

I chose to walk along Joo Chiat (Koon Seng Road) – for my Peranakan Experience trail – drop by – Katong Antique House, Peranakan Museum, Rumah Bebe and Kim Choo Kueh Chang.

PERANAKAN MUSEUM

 A detour of the miniature Peranakan Museum is an eye opener to learn more about the Peranakan dressings, lifestyle via a collection of costume, embroidery, porcelain, furniture and silverware. The uniqueness here, is the Straits Chinese Baba beadwork of embroidery slippers and frames, found here.

KATONG ANTIQUE HOUSE

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Katong Antique House is filled with every type of traditional Peranakan costumes, crockery and furniture which was guided by a 4^th generation of Baba Peranakan descendant, to detour the gallery.

Rumah Bebe is another place runs by the Singapore's renowned Peranakan bead work specialist Bebe Seet. Here, there is a large display of Peranakan dresses – baju panjang (long tunic), sarong, jewellery, accessories (hairpins, bracelets, brooches, belts and anklets and kasut manek.

WRITER SHOWING OFF THE BAK CHANG AT KIN CHOO KUEH CHANG

Another worth visiting is the Kin Choo Kueh Chang – see the makings of the nonya dumplings for sale, here.

Finally, stop by the Merlion Statue – at the waterfront park - the Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore, depicted as a mythical ceature with a lion's head and the body of a fish. The stature used to represent both the city state and its people in sports teams, advertising, branding, tourism and a national personification.

THE MERLION

 In conclusion, to say Singapore is all cosmopolitan – in certain degree is not right – if one will to further explore some of the heritage places – it's values do exists – but one must preserve its roots – for the younger generation.

02-08, NOV 2006/OCT 19-23, 2007/DEC 2008/JULY 2018