I don’t remember exactly how it started, but apart from my penchant for ancient sites, now I also have a soft spot for urban renewal projects. These are initiatives and programs aimed at revitalizing dilapidated parts of a city to make them more lively, more […]
All posts filed under: East
When Night Falls in Kaohsiung
During the day, the oppressive heat and humidity of the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung can be a real challenge for those who are not used to them. However, when the sun goes down, not only do temperatures drop to a more bearable level, but […]
A Silent Witness of Kaohsiung’s Upheavals
Imagine having a front-row seat to a spectacle that lasts not merely for a few hours, but for centuries. The southern tip of a hill that guards the northern side of the narrow entrance to Takao Harbor (in present-day Kaohsiung) had always been a prime […]
Cijin Island: Kaohsiung’s Natural Protector
Imagine a city by the sea, prone to the occasionally destructive forces of nature, be it strong gusts or crushing waves. Now picture a small island separating the city from the ocean, providing a natural barrier from the same elements, as if it was a […]
A Sunny Winter’s Day in Tung Lung Chau
It’s that time of the year again when I’m anticipating my annual winter holiday in Hong Kong, a tradition that only resumed in 2023 after a three-year pandemic-induced hiatus. To me, what makes Hong Kong such an endlessly attractive place is the wide variety of […]
Anping: Where Modern Taiwan Began
When a country is named after a place, you know the latter must have played a significant role in the nation’s history, and is expectedly well worth a visit. On a sandy peninsula once called Tayouan in the southwestern corner of Taiwan (in what is […]
Tainan: Taiwan’s Oldest City
When James and I were planning our trip to Kaohsiung, I was fixated on making a mental list of interesting places to see in this southern Taiwanese city. However, he was very insistent on visiting Tainan as well, some 50 km north of Kaohsiung. I […]
West Kowloon: Hong Kong’s Soft Power Push
Hong Kong has always been a place where new buildings and skyscrapers are constantly added to the skyline. However, it is now in the middle of a major construction boom, even for Hong Kong standards. Currently, at least two megaprojects are taking shape in Kowloon, […]
Kaohsiung’s Artistic Trio
One of the things true global cities have in common is the presence of world-class cultural institutions where people from different corners of the globe converge to share their stories and ideas, discuss important issues, and collaborate on various works, among other things. This, undoubtedly, […]
A Cultural Oasis that Keeps on Giving
When I was little, I was taught at school that humans have three primary needs: food, clothing, and shelter. Only when all of them have been fulfilled can we pursue the rest of what we desire. However, decades later I learned that we also have […]
Winding Down in Peng Chau
The boat glides through the relatively calm waters of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour at a constant speed heading to the west. Screens onboard are playing videos to keep passengers entertained, or at least that’s what I think I see. I’m not paying attention to any […]
The Revival of a Waterfront
Jakarta is hot and humid all year round, but I wasn’t prepared for what Kaohsiung had in store in late September and early October. When James and I were walking along its harbor on a sunny day, I kept thinking of how sweltering this part […]
What an Amazing World! 