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Home » Asia » Taiwan » East Coast Taiwan

East Coast Taiwan

Mangoes: Baby Green Mangoes From Taiwan

April 30, 2019 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Baby Green Mangoes
Baby Green Mangoes

Mangoes: Baby Green Mangoes From Taiwan

Mangoes are a special treat from the tropics.  The Baby Green Mango is special and makes an awesome snack. There are over 1,000 different varieties of Mango and they are all alkaline in the body. They are one of the power foods of the tropics! They are delicious! One cup of mango chunks provides over 76% of the daily vitamin C requirement for the body and is a great immune booster.  It provides 26% of the daily vitamin A requirement. It is a powerful antioxidant and has enzymes that protect the red blood cells. It has both potassium and magnesium, which help to balance out the salt intake in the body. These humble fruits are one of the most important super fruits that come to us from Southeast Asia and India. One of the many delightful varieties is the small Baby Green Mangoes produced in Taiwan.

Baby Green Mangoes were brought to Taiwan by the Dutch in the early 16th century. They quickly became a favorite and are often processed into snacks which the Taiwanese love.  They are also used for juicing, in salads, and soups.   Unripe and extremely sour mangoes are desirable, as most households prepare mango pickles which last for more than a year. Ripe mangoes are also highly valued due to their sweet taste. They are eaten after meals or in the evenings. Mangoes are a favorite dessert in Taiwan. Here are two Taiwan favorites for using small green mangoes.

MANGO PICKLE RECIPE

1: Rinse and wipe the mangoes well with a kitchen towel. chop the mangoes and add them in a bowl.

2: Add (I usually get the spices at the small Indian Market. The English name is first and the Indian name follows.)

  • fenugreek seeds/methi
  • fennel seeds/saunf
  • mustard seeds/sarson (optional)
  • nigella seeds/kalonji
  • salt

3: Coat the mango chunks evenly with the spices in a bowl and cover with cheesecloth. Leave 3-4 days in the sun. If cloudy you may need 5-6 days.

4: When the mango and the spices are well-integrated, put in a clean jar and fill to one inch above the fruit with mustard oil. If you like your pickles spicy, use room temperature. If you prefer milder pickles, heat the oil and then pour over the mango and spices. The mango pickles will keep for up to a year without refrigeration, however, they never last that long.

 

TROPICAL RED LENTIL AND RAW GREEN MANGO SOUP

Ingredients
1.5 cups red lentils
1 raw green mango chopped
1 cup coconut milk ( Most like to use 2 cups)
1 large carrot chopped
2 celery sticks chopped
1/2 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
a small piece of ginger minced
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red cayenne pepper
touch of turmeric
salt to taste
some chopped cilantro to garnish
some coconut flakes to garnish
1-2 tbsp oil
4-5 cups of broth or water

Heat a large pot or dutch oven. Add oil and onions, garlic and ginger. Fry lightly for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Add chopped mangoes, carrots and celery and fry lightly for another minute or two. Add coconut milk, 4-5 cups of  broth or water, turmeric, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper and bring to a boil. Add the lentils. Reduce flame, cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are done. Garnish with some chopped cilantro, coconut flakes and a dash of cayenne pepper. Serve warm. (Recipe comes from  Fly N Cook Vegetarian Soups)

This is a fantastic soup for a cold winter day. Enjoy a touch of the tropic today! It is delicious! Next time you are in Taiwan sample all the many soups, salads, and snacks that begin with the Baby Green Mango. For more ideas on using the mango check out the government mango page at http://www.taiwan.gov.tw/cht/action/mango/eng/mango/mango06.html

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Enjoy Your Baby Green Mangoes Today!

Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Food Travel, Green Island, Hsin-Chu, Taipei, Taitung, Taiwan, World Travel Tagged With: alkaline fruit, antioxidant, Baby Green Mangoes, MANGO PICKLE RECIPE, Mangoes, Super food, TROPICAL RED LENTIL AND RAW GREEN MANGO SOUP

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge Taitung, Taiwan

February 22, 2019 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung, Taiwan

             台湾台東の三仙台ドラゴンブリッジ

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge is a long footbridge connecting the main island of Taiwan with Sanxiantai Island. Sanxiantai means “Platform of the three immortals.” Sanxiantai Island has three extremely large rocks on the island. It is these rocks that have spawned the many legends about three Chinese saints. Lu Dong Bin, the most widely known among the group of deities known as the Eight Immortals is said to have lived during the Tang Dynasty (AD750). Li TieGuai is said to have lived during the Western Zhou period and is best known for his meditation practices. He Xian Gu was said to have lived during the 7th century AD. According to the Taoist legends she encountered the Immortal Lu Dong Bin who gave her a peach and told her, “You shall become an immortal if you eat it”.

三仙台ドラゴンブリッジは、台湾本島と三仙台島を結ぶ長い歩道橋です。 Sanxiantaiは「3つの不滅のプラットフォーム」を意味します。Sanxiantai島には島に3つの非常に大きな岩があります。三人の中国人聖人についての多くの伝説を生み出したのはこれらの岩石です。 8人の不滅として知られている神々のグループの中で最も広く知られている陸洞箱は、唐時代(AD750)の間に住んでいたと言われています。李TieGuaiは、周周西部時代に住んでいたと言われており、彼の瞑想の実践で最もよく知られています。彼は西安区は7世紀に住んでいたと言われていました。道教の伝説によれば、彼女は彼女に桃を与えた不死のLu Dong Binに出会い、「あなたがそれを食べるならあなたは不滅になるであろう」と言った。

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan

Sanxiantai Dragon bridge in Taitung, Taiwan

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge is a beautiful walk of good luck to Sanxiantai Island in Taiwan.

三仙台ドラゴンブリッジは、台湾の三仙台島への美しい散歩道です。

Sanxiantai Island has a very unique shape. The area is best known for its long footbridge that connects the eastern coast of the main Island of Taiwan with the outer Island of Sanxiantai. The Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge was completed in 1987. Before this time the Island of Sanxiantai could only be reached during low tide. Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge has 8 segments that are designed in the shape of waves and resembles a prostrate sea dragon. Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge has become a famous landmark on Taiwan’s East Coast.

三仙台島は非常にユニークな形をしています。この地域は台湾本島の東海岸と外灘の三仙台を結ぶ長い歩道橋で最もよく知られています。三仙台ドラゴンブリッジは1987年に完成しました。この時期以前は、三仙台島は干潮時にしか到達できませんでした。 Sanxiantai Dragon Bridgeには、波の形をした8つのセグメントがあり、前立腺の海の龍に似ています。三仙台龍橋は台湾の東海岸で有名なランドマークとなっています。

sanxiantai dragon bridge island
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area

Sanxiantai Dragon bridge in Taitung, Taiwan

Coral rock and reefs Sanxiantai Island tail in distance

コーラル・ロックとサンゴ礁 Sanxiantai 島の尾の距離

Rugged coral reefs and volcanic rock along the beaches of Taitung County Taiwan
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area

Rugged coral reefs and volcanic rock along the beaches of Taitung County TaiwanScrew pine(Pandanus fascicularis)

の地元の熟した完熟果実その果実は時々ハラ果実として知られています。あなたがこの地域を歩くときの地元の植物。

While at the Scenic Area you might enjoy spending a few minutes at the pebble beach, before walking across this eight-arch bridge. Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge is a healthy walk, so plan on enjoying the beach, upon your arrival, resting up for the rest of your island adventure.

After taking your short rest on the beach of Sanxiantai Island, you can then trek along the many trails of the island. The main trail takes about 2 hours to walk at a moderate walking speed, taking time to sightsee along the way. If you are planning on making this trek, remember to wear proper shoes, not beach flip flops! The many rocks are fascinating and there is a beautiful lighthouse on the other side of the island. Enjoy the many protected areas of rock and native palms that live and flourish on Sanxiantai. And, remember to save a little energy for the walk back across the bridge to the Scenic Area.

風光明媚なエリアにいる間、あなたはこの8アーチ橋を渡って歩く前に、小石のビーチで数分を過ごすのを楽しむかもしれません。 Sanxiantai Dragon Bridgeは健康的な散歩ですので、ご到着時にビーチを楽しんだり、島の冒険の残り時間を休んでください。 Sanxiantai島のビーチで少し休んだ後は、島の多くの遊歩道を散策できます。メイントレイルは中程度の歩行速度で歩くのに約2時間かかり、途中で観光客に時間がかかります。このトレッキングを計画している場合は、ビーチサンダルではなく、適切な靴を履いてください。たくさんの岩が魅力的で、島の反対側には美しい灯台があります。 Sanxiantaiで暮らし、繁栄する、保護された岩石やヤシの木の保護地域をお楽しみください。そして、橋を渡って風光明媚なエリアに戻る散歩のために少しエネルギーを節約することを忘れないでください。

sanxiantai dragon bridge island plants
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area

Local wild Ripe fruit of the Screw pine (Pandanus fascicularis) The fruit is sometimes known as hala fruit. The local plant as you walk through in this area. Screw pine(Pandanus fascicularis)

の地元の熟した完熟果実その果実は時々ハラ果実として知られています。あなたがこの地域を歩くときの地元の植物。

Visiting the unique architecture of this bridge and the area in which it stands provides a culture opportunity. Taiwan does have a strong Chinese culture but with a unique aboriginal culture as well. The combination of ideas and religion are though out this area and the dragon bridge gives us an example of this cultural fusion taking place in Taiwan. Once you get done make sure to head back to the mainland for some wonderful seafood dishes that you can only get in this area.

この橋のユニークな建築物やそれが建っている地域を訪れることは文化の機会を提供します。台湾は強い中国文化を持っていますが、独自の先住民文化も持っています。アイデアと宗教の組み合わせはこの分野ではありませんが、ドラゴンブリッジは台湾で行われているこの文化的融合の例です。あなたが終わったら、あなただけがこの地域で得ることができるいくつかの素晴らしいシーフード料理のために本土に戻っていることを確認してください。

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area Food

taiwan food dish
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area Food

Eat Special Aboriginal Meals close by

先住民の特別食を間近で食べる

Hot and Spicy Chili Crab
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area Food

Hot and Spicy Chili Crab

ホットスパイシーチリクラブ

The area is also full of stories, and Sanxiantai is rich in strong ecological heritage and is the best habitat for local maritime birds. There are rock herons between that inhabit the area in the summer with many opportunities to spot them in the morning.

There is plenty of fish in the nearby waters that are abundant within this area. Local seafood on shore always has a fresh catch and vendors are ready to fix you a local flavored meal. It is also a famous fishing ground and protected fishery for the Taiwan fishing enthusiasts. “Coastal plants such as Lintou, Baishuimu, and Bindoudou can be found around on the island. They are important research areas for studying coastal plant ecology, and the area is listed as a nature reserve. From the southern tip of the island to the waters of Keiji, there are beautiful coral reefs with tropical fish, and Taiwan’s endemic species “Taiwan silk coral” that live under the sea. Sanxiantai is a beautiful location along the Huadong coastline and a great place to relax and to enjoy nature.” (1. 台東觀光旅遊網)

この地域は物語でいっぱいです、そして、Sanxiantaiは強い生態学的遺産に富んでいて、そして地元の海の鳥のための最高の生息地です。夏の間はその地域に生息するロックヘロンが目にする機会が多くあります。この地域に豊富にある近くの水域にはたくさんの魚がいます。岸辺の地元の魚介類は常に新鮮な獲物があり、仕入先はあなたに地元の風味のある食事を提供する準備ができています。台湾の釣り愛好家のための有名な漁場であり保護された漁場でもあります。 「島内にはLintou、Baishuimu、Bindoudouなどの沿岸植物があります。これらは沿岸植物の生態を研究するための重要な研究地域であり、この地域は自然保護区として指定されています。島の南端から水域まで京成には、熱帯魚のいる美しいサンゴ礁と、海の下に生息する台湾固有種の「台湾シルクサンゴ」があります。 (1.台東觀光旅遊網)

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area Fishing

taiwan fish market
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area Fishing

 Local fish and fisherman (Tuna)

地元の魚と漁師 (マグロ)

Local Native Folklore

地元先住民の民俗

As per the information from over at Kuriositas, we have the local folklore, and can better understand why the bridge was even created. Kuriositas
の上からの情報によると、我々は地元の民間伝承を持っていて、そして橋がなぜ作られさえしたかをよりよく理解することができます。

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area 

dragon bridge island folklore
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan

“Sansiantai is, as you might imagine, is saturated in folklore. The three enormous rocks making up the island’s most conspicuous feature long ago gave rise to a native myth that three of China’s Eight Immortals once chose the island for a place to rest.  Even the name of the island translates to the Terrace of the Three Immortals. Lu, Tung-pin, Iron Crutch Li, and He, Xian-gu were the names of these great sages.  After they had taken their rest they left three footprints.  These are the three massive rocks dominate the small uninhabited island. The island was once connected by a neck of land to the rest of Taiwan but over the millennia this wore away” (2 Kuriositas)

「あなたが想像するように、Sansiantaiは民間伝承で飽和しています。ずっと前に島の最も顕著な特徴を構成する3つの巨大な岩は中国の8つのImmortalsのうちの3つが休む場所のために一度島を選んだというネイティブの神話を引き起こしました。島の名前は三不滅隊のテラスと言い換えられます、呂、桐pin、鉄の松葉李、そして彼、西安区はこれらの偉大な賢人の名前で、彼らが休んだ後、彼らは3つの足跡を残しました。この島はかつて台湾の他の地域と首を結ぶところでつながっていましたが、これは千年の間かけ離れたものでした」(2 Kuriositas)

dragon bridge island far side
Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung Taiwan Area

Mountains in the bay.

湾の山々。

I hope to see you soon at the Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge. Please check out our web site for other articles on the eastern coast of Taiwan.

Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung, Taiwan 

References:

  1. 台東觀光旅遊網 . “三仙台風景區.” 台東観光サイト, tour.taitung.gov.tw/zh-tw/attraction/details/333.
  2. Kuriositas. “Sansiantai: Dragon Bridge to the Island of the Three Immortals.” Kuriositas, www.kuriositas.com/2013/06/sansiantai-dragon-bridge-to-island-of.html.

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Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Taitung, Taiwan, Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: 7th century AD, East Coast Taiwan, He Xian Gu, Li TieGuai, Lu Dong Bin, Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge, sanxiantai dragon bridge in taitung, Taitung, Taiwan, Tang Dynasty, Taoist legends, Western Zhou period

Jhaorih Hot Springs Taiwan 温泉台湾

January 28, 2019 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

Jhaorih Hot Springs

Jhaorih Hot SpringsJhaorih

ホットスプリングス

Jhaorih Hot Springs, a rare sea-water hot springs, melts away the stress. Fed by the sea, and warmed by volcanic lava, Jhaorith Hot Springs is a rare treat! Green Island’s active volcanoes keep the water at a warm 70-90 degrees. Only three places worldwide can you enjoy a saltwater hot springs. Kyushu Island in Japan has an amazing salt water springs! Like Jhaorith Hot Springs, it is a place of serenity and peace.  At Jhaorih, you can soak by the light of the moon! Stargaze while basking in the healing waters. Engage in the sunset! Let the healing waters roll over you, as you listen to the sound of the waves. What harmony and tranquility are found in these medicinal waters. What a perfect way to end a perfect day!

珍しい海水の温泉である Jhaorih 温泉は、ストレスを溶かしてしまいます。海によって供給され、火山溶岩によって温め、Jhaorith 温泉は珍しい御馳走です!緑の島の活動的な火山は暖かい70-90 度で水を保ちます。海水の温泉を楽しむことができるのは、世界の3つの場所だけです。日本の九州には素晴らしい塩水泉があります!Jhaorith 温泉のように、静寂と安らぎの場所です。 Jhaorih では、月の光に浸ることができます!癒しの水を浴びながらスターゲイズ。日没に従事!あなたは波の音に耳を傾けるように癒しの水は、あなたの上にロールバックしてみましょう。どのような調和と静けさは、これらの薬用水で発見されています。完璧な一日を終わらせるための完璧な方法!

This natural hot springs at Jhaorih is a well-known curative alkaline carbonate spring. In times past, the Paiwan tribe made it a popular outdoor bathing location. What could be better than a perfect bath to begin your day? The water is colorless and has a slight sulfur smell. It does wonders for the skin and leaves the hair shiny and healthy. Today, Jhaorih Hot Springs has three natural pools to indulge your senses. A Spa pool is warm to those tender muscles in the morning. Relax by the sea! Listen to the crashing of the surf! Enjoy the sun rising over the distant mountains. Immerse yourself in the warm healing waters of Jhaorih Hot Springs. What a magnificent start to a new day!

Jhaorih の天然温泉は、よく知られているアルカリ性炭酸塩泉です。昔、表現の部族は、人気のある屋外の入浴場所にしました。あなたの一日を始めるために完璧なお風呂よりも良いことができますか?水は無色で、わずかな硫黄臭があります。それは肌のための驚異を行い、光沢のある健康的な髪を残します。今日、Jhaorih 温泉には3つの天然プールがあり、五感を満喫することができます。スパプールは、朝のそれらの柔らかい筋肉に暖かいです。海でリラックス!サーフのクラッシュに耳を傾けます!遠い山々に昇る太陽をお楽しみください。Jhaorih 温泉の温かい癒しの水に浸ってください。新しい日に何と壮大なスタート!

A Fountain Of Youth

青春の泉

Jhaorih Hot Springs, like its Sicilian equivalent, is well-known for its rejuvenating effects. Begin your day with a leisurely soak in natural pools of mineral water. Add a timely massage for a total immersion into relaxation. Let the calm and tranquil natural waters flow over your mind. All this, while watching beautiful sunrises and splendid sunsets. Take time to let Jhaorih rejuvenate your total body, heal your mind, and give peace to the inner you.

Jhaorih 温泉は、そのシチリアの同等のような, その若返り効果のためによく知られています.ミネラルウォーターの天然プールでのんびりと一日を始めましょう。リラクゼーションに完全な浸漬のためのタイムリーなマッサージを追加します。穏やかで静かな自然の水があなたの心の上に流れるようにしてください。このすべては、美しい日の出と素晴らしい夕日を見ながら。Jhaorih があなたの全身を活性化し、あなたの心を癒す、あなたの内側に平和を与えるために時間をかけてください。

Taiwanese Secret

台湾の秘密

The splendor of Jhaorih Hot Springs is a Taiwanese secret. For a few NT, you can soak for an hour or all day. Feel free to stay as long as you desire. Truly, this is one of the natural wonders of Green Island. The results of spending a day at Jhaorih Hot Springs can be long-lived. The skin can find healing. The mind can be transformed! The body yearns to be rejuvenated. Jhaorih warmly welcomes you! Devote a day to wellness and health. Relax every muscle. Enjoy the ancient therapeutic properties of these thermal springs. Let the healing waters flow! As an added attraction, enjoy the natural beauty all around you. Green Island is sparsely settled and has few commercial endeavors. Enjoy the peace that is beyond your wildest dreams. Let the gushing water immerse your mind and body! Let the healing begin…..at Jhaorih Hot Springs!

Jhaorih 温泉の素晴らしさは台湾の秘密です。いくつかの NT のために、あなたは1時間または終日のために浸すことができます。あなたが望む限り滞在して自由に感じます。本当に、これは緑の島の自然の驚異の一つです。Jhaorih の温泉で1日を過ごした結果は、長生きすることができます。皮膚は治癒を見つけることができます。心を変えることができます!体は慕うとして元気を取り戻した。Jhaorih 暖かくあなたを歓迎します!ウェルネスと健康に一日を捧げる。すべての筋肉をリラックス。これらの温泉の古代の治療特性をお楽しみください。癒しの水が流れてみましょう!追加アトラクションとして、あなたの周りの自然の美しさをお楽しみください。グリーン島はまばらに定住し、商業的な努力はほとんどありません。あなたの想像を超えた平和をお楽しみください。湧出水はあなたの心と体を浸してみましょう!癒しの begin…..at Jhaorih 温泉を満喫しよう!

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Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Green Island, Taiwan, Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: Jhaorih Hot Springs, salt water hot springs, Taiwan, Taiwan's east-coast

Taiwan Monkeys Of The Formosa Rock Monkey Family

September 2, 2018 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

taiwan monkeysTaiwan Monkeys Having Lunch In The Garden

The Taiwan monkeys of Taiwan are situated off the coast of mainland China, is a small island nation that is part of the Republic of China. Taiwan, rich in wildlife and flora, has many amazing animals and spectacular flowers. One of these magnificent animals is the Formosan Rock Monkey, also called the Formosan Rock Macaques. These cute and mischievous monkeys are the only monkey native to Taiwan. These cute little monkeys, love trees, but they are not a major part of their environment. What they do love are tropical forests, temperate forests, and bamboo forests. On occasion, you will even find them living in the vast grasslands. Though they are excellent climbers, more than not, they prefer to stay on the forest floor. Though they are found all over the island, they are not seen as often near the coastal beaches. Since many keep building near the beaches, they are going deeper into the forests.

The Formosan Rock Monkeys are omnivores, so they eat many different plants, fruits, seeds, leaves, and small animals and insects. This monkey, in the above picture, is enjoying a rich banana for his lunch. Since they are comfortable around people, they often visit farms and consume a dinner rich in the crops of the planted fields. They love foraging for food among the fields at harvest time, though this can bring conflict with the farmers. On occasion it gets them killed, but they are protected by law as a disappearing species.

taiwan monkeysPlayful Baby Formosan Rock Monkey Testing Out The Vines

Though trees and vines are not a necessity for the Formosan Rock Monkey, these babies love to play in all the vines found in the jungle forest. Have you ever seen a young monkey that did not want to swing? This little fella is no exception, as he is swinging and playing with the vines found in his native forest playground in the mountains of Southern Taiwan.

taiwan monkeysFormosan Rock Money With Large Cheek Pouches

If you have ever watched a chipmunk foraging for nuts and acorns, you will notice that they have huge pouches in their cheeks. Just like their little friend, the chipmunk, the Formosan Rock Monkey gathers the seeds, fruit, leaves, and other goodies he finds in the forest and carries them home in his special shopping bag, his cheek pouches. How convenient to have a built in a shopping bag that allows them to hoard their food and carry it home for a later time. The Formosan Rock Monkey, like the ant, prepares well for the future and the family.

taiwan monkeysClose up Of The Facial Features Of The Formosan Rock Money

The Formosan Rock Monkey is considered a medium-sized monkey that in winter has a beautiful dark grey to brown coat. During the warmer days of summer, his coat changes to olive or brown color. The different color changes help them to blend in with the foliage of the plants in the jungle. In the above photo, you will notice the salmon pink face. They have no hair on the face at all. Naturally, you can see the large cheek pouches that he carries his bounty after a profitable foraging session. The Formosan Rock Monkey is very resourceful!

taiwan monkeysJuvenal Taiwan monkeys Love To Play

Formosan Rock Monkeys live in troops ranging from eight members to forty-five members. Juvenal Male Monkeys usually strike out on their own sometime after the fifth year. Until that time of maturity arrives, they will grow, learn and have a swinging good time. Each troop will have one alpha male, but it may have older males that live on the edge of troop life. Female monkeys often stay in the same troop that they were born into, but low-status female members sometimes branch off and form a totally new troop. These new troops are usually quite a bit smaller, with less than 10 members. This is a way of building status and importance for very low-status females.

The Juvenal female members of the troop usually begin breeding sometime after the fourth or fifth year. The breeding season begins in late fall, generally in November and lasts till early January. The mother carries her young around 165 days, giving birth sometime around April to June. Younger females have a single birth usually every couple of years, whereas older females often give birth each year. The mothers will continue to nurse their babies for around one year, during which she is also the primary caregiver of the newest member of the family. The Juvenal monkeys are pretty much independent once they reach two years of age.  However, the males often stay with the troop until close to five years. Female Juvenal Formosan Rock Monkeys may stay close to their mothers for their whole lifetime, retaining strong bonds.

taiwan monkeysQuite Content In His Perch In The Trees

The world of the Formosan Rock Monkey is quite protected and we see their numbers growing as they live without threat from poachers, researchers, and those wanting to use them for medical purposes. Even the pet industry had to be curtailed. This has been a major success story for Taiwan and a model for the world. But not all of the Taiwanese are part of their fan club. These monkeys are excellent foragers and often forge in the fields of farmers, carrying off their bounty in those chubby cheek pouches. As we can see, what is a success story for one group, is not for another.

Another problem that had come up with the increase in their numbers,  is that people were feeding them. This often led to the monkeys bothering people to get food, a trait that was not desirable. Thus, in the last few years, people have been asked to not feed the monkeys, but to enjoy their amusing behavior and amazing personality. No other animal can entertain any better, or hold the interest of a crowd any longer, than these amazing Taiwan natives to the Southern Mountains. These monkeys are smart, and when human behavior changed around them, they also made changes, no longer going after everyone to get food. This is just another of the success stories of Taiwan.

taiwan monkeysFormosan Rock Monkey Observing The World Around Him

This older monkey almost appears to be deep in thought. Is he planning his daily routine, or just languishing in the thoughts of his intelligent mind? Whatever the case, you almost want to offer him a penny for his thoughts.

This magnificent creature mainly lives in the Southwestern and Northeastern parts of the mountainous regions of the island. In times past, when the island had fewer inhabitants, he also enjoyed the coastal areas.  Now he spends his days in the mountains sharing his range with other inhabits like Bluetail Senegal and the American Bullfrog. What beautiful chores the American Bullfrogs can share. It must be amazing to share space with such a wonderful singer.

taiwan monkeysLiving The Good Life At Shoushan Nature Park In Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung, Taiwan is a city found in the South of the Island of Taiwan. Though many consider Taipei to be Taiwan’s grandest city, Kaohsiung is a major rival. If you enjoy hiking, geological and ecological sites, cultural history, and a laid back environment, then Kaohsiung should be a part of any Taiwan adventure. One of the most amazing sites is Shoushan, which is a part of Monkey Mountain. This is the first National Nature Park in Taiwan and it is the site of major hiking opportunities on Monkey Mountain, including an exciting visit to a tea station, and of course, there is Monkey Paradise.

Near the entrance to the Zoo are the trail heads to three of the best trails on the mountain. The middle trail is generally considered to be the best for those who may not have time to explore all three. As you climb the mountain you will see several ancient Banyan trees and also begin to get marvelous vistas of Kaohsiung and finally you will arrive at a Monkey station. All along the trail, you will find these ancient Banyan trees hanging onto the limestone cliffs. The rocky cliffs themselves are a source of beauty and enjoyment. Going a little farther and you will begin to see the only native monkey in Taiwan, the Formosan Rock Monkey. It is good to keep all food supplies hidden, and do not feed the monkeys. The monkeys have absolutely no fear of humans that they see hiking the trails, and should be treated with great respect.

taiwan monkeysWater Carrier Climbing To The Top Of Monkey Mountain

The climb up to the top of Monkey Mountain is steep and takes around an hour for a seasoned hiker. Can you imagine the job of bringing water to the tea and monkey stations? Just think, any water that is consumed by the humans or the monkeys needs to be carried up the same trail that you have been hiking. It is a beautiful and steep climb, but well worth the effort.  It really makes you think and appreciate the water that is used at the above stations.

taiwan monkeysShoushan Nature Park In Kaohsiung Home of the Taiwan Monkeys

Shoushan Nature Park in Kaohsiung is a dense Secondary Forest. Even though it is a forest that has been harvested once, signs of major disruption are no longer seen. Since this forest regrowth was not due to natural disasters of any kind, the dead trees lie on the forest floor providing major nutrients and major protection from soil erosion. This is what is the major plus with a secondary forest over a forest devastated by fire, wind, water, etc. This forest is lush, thick, and very green.

Among the many trees that provide for the needs of the Formosan Rock Monkey are the Dendrocnide Meyeniana Tree, also referred to as the Lipa Tree. While this may be a special tree for monkeys, it often causes rashes for people who happen to rub against it. The Chinese have an interesting name for this native tree that is not too friendly to humans. They call it the “dog bitten fruit.” This is the English translation of the not too favorable Chinese name. This tree, loved by monkeys and hated by humans, is native to Taiwan and is mostly found in the secondary forests of the Island of Taiwan. Regardless of how it affects humans, the monkeys often run and play in this tree found in the Shoushan Nature Park.

Another of the major trees of the overstory in Shoushan Nature Park is the Paper Mulberry Tree. This tree is native throughout Asia and also was brought over to the United States. It is considered to be important in Asia and the Islands of the Pacific Ocean for food, medicine, and even fiber. In China, they use it to make paper, and Japan uses the inner bark to make the famous Washi Paper.

In some of the Islands of the Pacific, the Paper Mulberry is used for ceremonial clothing. Many countries make furniture and cooking utensils from its wood. All over the world, wherever it grows, the edible leaves are cooked and the fruits are delicious. The Formosan Rock Money loves the seeds, bark, fruit, and leaves of the Paper Mulberry Tree. What a delicacy they provide for this monkey native to Taiwan.

Another major member of this secondary forest is the Banyan Tree. The Banyan Tree is noted for often starting life in a hole or crack or another tree. The Banyan Tree is commonly known as a Fig Tree and the Taiwanese Formosan Rock Monkeys love it’s nice ripe fruit.

taiwan monkeysShoushan Nature Park On Monkey Mountain

The secondary growth on all of Monkey Mountain is lush and heavily forested. The forest is blessed with a wide range of coniferous and hardwoods, as well as large selections of shrubs. This temperate forest also has areas of native bamboo, with other areas of less thick shrubs. There are also plenty of areas of clearings with native plants forming a ground cover, all this is perfect for a ground-loving species.

taiwan monkeysThe Formosan Rock Monkey Living On Monkey Mountain

Shoushan Nature Park is the “backyard of the city of Kaohsiung” and the beginning of a Southern Taiwan Adventure. Exciting cliffs, spectacular rocks, magnificent caves, and geological wonders, are all part of this unique and fascinating natural park, with it’s coniferous and hardwoods blended in. This is a monkey paradise! If you have a love of nature, hiking, and enjoy discovering unique places in nature, then this is the perfect adventure for you. Come join the fun on Monkey Mountain.

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taiwan monkeys

Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Taiwan, travel channel, travel the world, Travel Tips Tagged With: Banyan Tree, China, Dendrocnide Meyeniana, Formosan Rock Macaques, Formosan Rock Monkey, Kaohsiung, Lipa Tree, Monkey Mountain, Paper Mulberry, Shoushan Nature Park, Southern Taiwan, Taiwan, taiwan monkeys, Washi Paper

The Tasty Snacks of Taiwan

March 11, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

The Tasty Snacks of Taiwan

             Tasty Snacks of Taiwan

The tasty snacks of Taiwan is one of the most important things you can do on any Taiwan adventure. There are so many, that for sure you can eat your way around the island. Taiwanese snacks are usually simple and easy to do. Their use of spices make the flavor extremely appetizing. In Taiwan, the philosophy is “to eat small and  to eat often.” You will find these small eats on street coroners and in the open markets. In Taipei, you will find more than 20 streets dedicated to these small tasty snacks.

Deep Fried Squid On A Stick

Such is the case with these deep-fried squid. Deep fried squid on a stick are amazingly delicious. They are so crunchy and good. Usually the smaller squid are used for this snack, often referred to as Calamari. The squid is washed , patted dry with a paper towel, and cut in rings.  Then take one egg white and beat it. Add the Calamari and coat all the squid evenly. Next take a couple of cups of sweet potato flour(add sea salt, pepper, and chili powder if desired.) Dip each of the squid in the sweet potato flour. Drop in a pan of hot oil. As they come out hot, you can insert a stick if desired, or simply serve on a plate with a dipping sauce.

One of my favorite dipping sauces from Taiwan is so simple to make.  Take lots of garlic, ginger, and chili peppers (cut very small) and lightly fry  in a small amount of fresh peanut oil. Add balsamic vinegar and soy sauce to taste after the garlic, ginger, and chili peppers are done.

Such a simple snack to make and so delicious.

The Tasty Snacks of Taiwan

                      Fresh Off The Grill

Smoky Grilled Cuttlefish

The aroma of the fresh cuttlefish grilling floats through the night markets of Taiwan. It is irresistible, drawing you in to the source. Such is the smell of fresh cuttlefish on the open grills. Tantalizing your senses while you search for the source of this smokey aroma.  This snack is mouth-watering, tasty, and delicious.

One of the many places for getting grilled cuttlefish is Cijin Island. Cijin is just across the bay from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. You will find this tiny island extremely colorful and bustling with activity. Everyone does seem to be on a mission. There are many different snacks being sold. Everywhere you look there is food. Tasty snacks are being sold in the markets and on the street. The highlight of Cijin Island is the  fish.  There is every type of fish imaginable.

As you wander the side streets, the aroma of the fresh cuttlefish is unmistakable. It fills the air until you make your way to the correct street coroner. Anything with cuttlefish is amazing. Taiwan gets a lot of fresh fish and cuttlefish is a major catch.  With grill stations everywhere on this island,  cuttlefish can be found in every market. This is especially true of the south. A smoky aroma and cuttlefish with dark grill marks are everywhere.

During winter, the markets have a thick cuttlefish soup. The Taiwanese cook this soup with many herbs. The soup is delicious and has many of the local vegetables. One of the many blessings of this small island is the abundance of vegetables. Everything seems to grow in Taiwan. When it is cold in Taiwan, you will see this soup side by side with the grilled cuttlefish. What a delight on a cold and windy day.

Tofu

           You Love It Or You Hate It

Taiwan’s Famous Stinky Tofu

The rule in Taiwan for stinky tofu…..the smellier the better! Stinky Tofu is found throughout the streets of China, but in Taiwan, it is everywhere. This is one of the most popular fermented snacks on the island. It assaults your sense of smell, but is so pleasing to the stomach. Stinky tofu is either hated or loved. There is no in-between!

This very odorous snack is a national obsession in Taiwan! Stinky tofu is prepared by soaking freshly made tofu in a brine made of fermented milk, fermented meat or fermented vegetables. It is not uncommon for a family to have a secret recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation. Recipes are usually kept very close to the heart. They are rarely divulged. Making the best stinky tofu can be a Taiwanese obsession. Just when you are sure you have found the best, you will taste another that surpasses the last. If you love Stinky Tofu, you will never get enough!

Snacks

          Snacks At The Lantern Festival

In Taiwan tomatoes are at all the markets on sticks. They are served as a sweet or light dessert.   Tomatoes are often poached in sugar. You will often see them on the top of cakes.  At festivals and street markets these delicious sweet cherry tomatoes are on skewers. You will see slices of plum and tomato that have been dipped in a toffee. Tomatoes and strawberries are often side by side at the market. These candied tomatoes are one of many of the sumptuous snacks in Taiwan.

Surprisingly, as it may seem, there is a large variety of sausages on this little island. You can find them on sticks and with ropes of bread wound around them. You will see them in a bun and on fried bread. There are many types of fried breads and pancakes. Fried bread is one of many island specialties. If you like seafood, there is seafood tempura and shrimp tempura. There are many different types of fish. They are fried and sold on a stick. There is also something called stewed offal that seemed to be extremely popular. Another favorite of the locals is called “coffin bread.” There are always way too many snacks to try them all. These last two always seemed to have really long lines.

Coffin bread is perhaps the most fun. Though the name is a little strange, it is a unique and treat. It’s actually nothing more than a slice of thick toast with a delicious stuffing of mushrooms,vegetables or minced chicken. A square is cut from the middle of this crunchy toast. It is then lifted off as a lid to the coffin. This lid then sits on the top of the sumptuous filling. What a fun and totally unique little eat.

Another little eat is the Bitter Melon. It is a special variety and is almost white in color, rather than the green of most varieties. Neither is it as bitter as the green variety. Be sure and stop by and get a tall mug of honey and bitter melon juice. This is an amazing thirst quencher on a hot day. Mixed with the honey, it is even tastier than the plain bitter melon.

If you are looking for an exotic treat, check out the piles of ripe custard apples. These freshly picked fruits are in almost every market when in season. If you have never eaten a fresh one, then treat yourself. The ones that we get in countries where they are not grown are shipped green. They do not taste anything like a vine ripened custard apple. Custard apples do not travel well, so they can only be shipped when green. These little treats do not come cheap, but are worth every penny.

One of the kings of the little eats are meatballs on a stick. These little meatballs are filled with many seasonings and are a delight to the taste buds.  These slightly chewy Glutinous Taiwanese Meatballs when prepared by a skilled Taiwanese cook, are delicious. Nothing compares to these chewy little eats on a stick. Taste and see for yourself, just how delightful they can be.

Our final Taiwan classic is the Oyster Omelette. This classic dish begins with a batter made from sweet potato starch. This is placed at the bottom of the pan and a beaten egg is cracked over the top. Then over all this are oysters and vegetables of many kinds. A thick pink starchy sauce is poured over the top and it is then baked. This is one of the favorite of all the little eats. The lines are always long for these delicious Taiwanese treats.

all day snacking

                The Country Of “Little Eats”

One of Taiwan’s most interesting treasures is her “little eats.” The Taiwanese rarely eat 3 large meals in a day. Instead they eat several very small meals. These little snacks are referred to as “little eats.” You can go almost anywhere on the island or to any festival and you will see these small flavorful snacks for sale. At any market you will find hundreds of these unique Taiwanese snacks. What a unique heritage! How can you resist such delicious little snacks? They are at the markets, on the street corners, and at the festivals. They are everywhere you go. Rarely can people just pass them by. The smells are tantalizing! This is a land of “little eats.”

 

 

Are you ready to go? Are you hungry for a food adventure around The Island of Taiwan? Anytime is a good time to make your way around this exciting island. So pack your backpack and get ready for the adventure of a life time. An adventure of “little eats” is waiting!

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Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Food Travel, Green Island, Hsin-Chu, Taipei, Taitung, Taiwan, Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: "Little Eats", Cijin Island Taiwan, Deep fried Squid, Dried Cuttlefish, Island of Taiwan, Smokey Grilled Cuttlefish, Snack your way through Taiwan, Stinky Tofu, Taiwan, Taiwan's snack culture

Raw Sugar Cane Juice In Taiwan

February 16, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Raw Sugar Can Juice

         Healthy Wonder Food In Taiwan

Sugar Cane is a member of the grass family. Lots of greens grow wild throughout the earth. We call them herbs. Many of these herbs are eaten in many parts of the world. Lambs quarter and dandelion greens are common weeds in many areas. In other parts of the world they are  a delicacy. In one place it is a weed to begotten rid of. And yet, it can be a great addition to your salad. Such is the story of the humble Dandelion Green. This is the history of most herbs. In the wrong place, a herb is called a weed. Is it still good to eat? Yes it is! Grass is not eaten because it has a very high fiber content. It has stalks that are very stiff. It lacks the tender leaves. But if you want to add it to a blender, and then strain off the remaining fiber, it can be eaten and it is healthy. It is a perfect addition to your morning smoothie. So what about Sugar Cane? Is raw sugar cane healthy?

                       Raw Sugar Cane Juice

Raw Sugar Cane Juice is a healthy wonder food. This amazing wonder food is loaded with health benefits in its raw form. Cane Juice is alkaline to the body. It is a medical fact that most diseases are not able to thrive in a body  that is alkaline. This is why Sugar Cane Juice when prepared and used raw, can be healing to our bodies. Raw Sugar Cane Juice is another of the wonder foods of Taiwan.

There are many findings that suggest that it is a key factor in lowering  cholesterol. It seems to have affected both the LDL and the triglycerides.  Scientists are just beginning to research this magnificent superfood from Taiwan. As is often the case, Raw Sugar Cane Juice has been used for many years in Taiwan and by the Chinese.

A favorite way to serve the sugar cane is with ginger and lemon juice. I am not sure where the origin of this recipe is. I first learned to make this in Hawaii. You can cut the sugar cane small and many juicers will take it. Some powerful juicer blenders can also handle it. My blender will handle the cane well. I add the cane, ginger, lemon, and water. Then you can blend on low and then med and then high. Then I strain into the glass of ice. I have also used a mallet. I cut the pieces small and remove the outside. and then pound the cane with  about 1/2 to 3/4 inch ginger that is peeled and cut small. Then add the juice of a lemon.Then I pound till I have all the juice from the cane and ginger. I Add water as needed.  I then strain and pour the juice over ice. I like to garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Hawaii is very multicultural state, so everything gets mixed up there. Regardless of its beginnings, it is a delicious drink. There are many different ways to make Raw Sugar Cane Juice, this is just one of the many. One thing is for sure, it arrived from Asia, as many of the extraordinary foods of Hawaii do. There is a huge Asian influence on these islands.

Raw Sugar Cane Juice in Taiwan is awesome and delicious. There seems to be several different ways to make it, depending on which part of the country you are. So while traveling the island, sample several. You will soon find your own favorite recipe.

      Other Healthy Juices From Taiwan

Mangos

            Sweet Baby Green Mango Ice

These baby green mangos are so delicious to taste. They are much sweeter than the larger mangoes. These Taiwan jewels almost melt in your mouth. They must be the sweetest mangoes in the world. These trees are dwarf and rarely grow more than 7 feet. This makes them the perfect height to be able to reach these superfruits. These baby mangoes are another wonder of Taiwan.

                                  Mango Ice

Taiwan is famous for their juicey fruit that is served over a bed of ice. These Sweet Baby Green Mangoes are crushed and mixed with shaved ice. This is then made into a large mound in your bowl. Then more fresh mango is added on top of the ice.  This is the perfect fresh drink on a hot island day.

You will find this Mango Ice served all over the island. They are usually quite large and hard to eat at one setting. They keep well in the freezer and you can go back in a few hours and finish.

Taiwan Mangoes may be one of the kings of all fruits on the island. They are an important super fruit. A mango ice each day may keep the doctor at bay.  These little fruits are believed by many to fight cancer, help keep the body alkaline, and help you feel full. Since they only have a few calories they can aid in weight loss. Many doctors believe they help to regulate blood sugar and ward off diabetes. The Taiwanese believe they help to keep your digestion working correctly. Many Asians believe that they clean your skin. For sure they make the perfect superfood snack. While in Taiwan be sure to eat several. They are another one of the wonder foods of Taiwan.

Papaya

Papaya…Another Wonder Of Taiwan

The papaya is another wonder fruit of Taiwan. Eat a half of a papaya to give  you all the vitamin C you will need for the next two days. Now that is awesome! It also contains about 20% of the needed fiber for the day. This same half of a papaya will also give you about 14% of your daily needs of vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, and copper. You can enjoy the whole half and know that it will have less than 120 calories on the average.

You can also add the seeds to your juices and smoothies to help prevent and rid the body of parasites according to Chinese Medicine.

This fruit is just another one of the superfruits  grown in Taiwan. It is healthy and delicious. You can make many different juices and juice blends. Here is a favorite tropical juice for a hot day.

                                    Papaya/Pineapple Juice

(Taken from Martha Steward’s Collection)

INGREDIENTS

  • 5 sprigs fresh mint
  • 1 pineapple, peeled and cut into pieces
  • 1 medium papaya, peeled and seeded (You can keep the seeds to add to other juices)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Press all ingredients through a juice extractor into a measuring cup. Stir to combine before serving.

    Dragon Fruit

                 The Amazing Dragon Fruit

The Dragon fruit is an exotic fruit with a red leathery outside.  This delicious fruit  grows on several types of cactus. The most common color of the inside fruit is white with tiny black seeds which you eat. There is also one that has a  yellow skin with tiny black seeds. The hardest to find is the magenta colored fruit with tiny black seeds. They are the tastiest of all these delicious fruits. They are also the hardest to find.

Many Asian doctors believe the fruit is able to lower cholesterol, boost your immune system, prevent some types of  cancer and even help prevent and cure heart disease, Western medicine has not done any real research on this tropical fruit, as it is rarely seen outside of places like Southern California, Arizona, Florida and Hawaii. It is so rare that it usually quite expensive even in those places. They can usually be found only in Asian Markets. The average cost in Florida for one small fruit is around 6-7 dollars. Asian Markets usually have them when in season for the area.

As with all fruits, there are many juice combinations that you can do. Dragon fruit is also used in salads, sorbet, and ice cream. When using the yellow fruit, many people add a little lemon or lime to bring out the more subtle flavor. Here is one of the best sorbet recipes I have found.

                      Dragon Fruit Sorbet

(Taken from: www.sugarlaws.com)

INGREDIENTS
2 dragon fruits
3/4 c. cold water
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp sugar

DIRECTIONS
Cut the dragon fruit in half. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Reserve the halves for serving, if desired. Freeze the halves until you are ready to fill them.

Place the pulp of the dragon fruit in your food processor along with the water, lemon juice and sugar. Pulse until smooth. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen. Spoon the sorbet into the frozen halves, or freeze the sorbet until ready to serve.

Makes about 2 cups of sorbet.

                            Taiwan Superfruits

When exploring the Island of Taiwan, one of the greatest adventures will be the food. The constant source of fruit is a health wonder. Each fruit has its own special area of excellence. Taiwan is the king of superfruits. You will see them everywhere. The morning markets are piled high with the latest fruits in season. There are so many that it is hard to choose which one to try. Juice stands are everywhere. You will see them at the morning market, on the streets, and at the evening markets. I have also just seen them in front of a home, where they had been freshly made. This is a fruit lovers heaven.

While traveling the island take time to try as many fruits and vegetables as you can. All the foods of this Island Nation that I personally have tried have been delicious. I can eat at the market daily. Everything is fresh and they do not add a lot of things that do not belong in the food. If you order fruit juices at the markets, you will get fresh juices.

So make this the year for a superfruit adventure. You can easily eat your way around the Island and back again.

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Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Food Travel, Green Island, Hsin-Chu, Taipei, Taitung, Taiwan, Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: Dragon Fruit, Dragon Fruit Sorbet, Mango, Mango Ice, Papaya, Papaya and Pineapple Juice, pineapple, Raw Sugar Cane, Raw Sugar Cane Juice, Superfruits, Sweet Baby Green Mangoes, Taiwan

Kaohsiung Lantern Festival

February 15, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Koahsiung Lantern Festival

It’s Party Time In Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung Lantern Festival welcomes The Year Of The Red Fire Monkey. The streets are ablaze with lanterns, both big and small. The city has taken to the streets, as the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival gets into full swing. The Year of The Red Fire Monkey has arrived. It is party time in Taiwan! Come and join us……Let’s  celebrate!

The Red Fire Monkey is the ninth animal on the Lunar Chinese Calendar. The calendar has 12 animals and repeats its cycle every 12 years. Every 12 years we can celebrate the Year Of The Monkey. The New Year has been in full celebration this whole last week. Now we climax an amazing week of celebration with the Lantern Festival.

In Chinese Astrology every year is associated with one of the animal signs and one of five elements. The possible elements are gold, wood, fire, earth, and water. The year 2016 is the first time since 1956 that the Chinese have celebrated the Red Fire Monkey. The Chinese consider this monkey to be  ambitious, and adventurous, but he is also said to get quite irritable. This Element/Animal  sign combination occur every 60 years.

Even though the monkey arrives every 12 years, the accompanying Element sign changes each 12 years for five different monkey cycles. Each monkey is thought to be a little different. Those who believe in this calendar system, believe that the sign you are born under effects, who you are, what you will be like, and how you will grow up. If you are born in the Year of The Red Fire Money, it is believed that you will be an ambitious person who likes adventure. You are also thought to get quite irritable at times.

Twelve years ago, The Year of The Wood Monkey was celebrated. People born under the sign of the Wood Monkey are thought to be always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to others. These people are thought to be compassionate, with a strong self-esteem, but they can be quit stubborn at times. The last two years of the Wood Monkey were 2004 and 1944.

Twenty-four years ago they celebrated the year of the Water Monkey. He was celebrated the last two times in the years 1992 and 1932. This monkey is thought to be smart, very quick-witted, and very fond of being the center of attention. He is thought to be very haughty and naughty.

Thirty-six years ago they celebrated the year of the Gold Monkey. The last two times it was celebrated were in the years of 1980 and 1920. He is thought to be smart, extremely quick-witted, and more than a little confident. He can also be very  irritable and extremely stubborn.

The last monkey is the Earth monkey. He was last celebrated 48 years ago. His last two celebrations were in the years of 1968 and 1908. This monkey sign is thought to be very frank, optimistic, and fearless.

So as you see how the Year of the Red Fire Monkey is celebrated. This gives you a little idea of what they believe and why they celebrate the way they do. The New Year Celebration is the most important celebration of the year. Many people have this complete celebration off from work, so that they can celebrate with their families in the towns were they came from. Often times this is the only time that the complete family comes together all year. This is a time when special foods take the limelight, children have gotten their money envelopes, and the family has partied together all week. Now they go to the closest city and celebrate the climax of these last few days with the Lantern Festival. This is the time to celebrate!Love

Love Above The World

Love Above The World is another one of the unique lanterns at the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival. Hundreds of unique and spectacular lanterns fly high in the sky during this Festival. This one is all about love and is one of the highlighted lanterns of the Kaohsiung Festival. The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is alive with color and music. Magic is in the air. This is the happiest time of the year! Dancing is in the streets. Children and adults have taken to the streets to observe this amazing celebration. The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is one of the largest in Taiwan. However, there are festivals big and small. There are lantern festivals throughout Taiwan, as this island welcomes The Year of the Red Fire Monkey.

The Year of the Monkey will be exciting! This is a year to shake things up! Try things a new way or make drastic changes. Monkey’s have enthusiast energy. Have you ever just watched a group of monkeys on the edge of the jungle?  When uncertain events are rewarded with treats, they will do anything. Even the most ambitious projects are sure to succeed. Monkeys make sure there is enough action and ideas to keep everyone busy. In a Monkey year, the Chinese like to just make things up as they happen. Just be careful, some monkeys will take all your peanuts, and give you a handful of empty shells.

Monkeys are fantastic and fun to be around. Watch them at any zoo.  They are playful, creative, and bring a bubbly energy that only these playful creatures  can provide. The Chinese believe that children born in Monkey years will be strong leaders. Much like their best friend, the Dragon, no one can tell them what to do. Have you ever seen a monkey get embarrassed?  They feel free to express themselves anywhere they may be.Dragon

 The Illuminated Chinese Lantern

Another fun type of lantern are the modern illuminated Chinese lanterns. They are tall and bright. You can see them above the crowd. Every festival has many dragons. Especially in a monkey year, it is good to see their best friend, the dragon. You will see tall dragons and long dragons. Some will be illuminated with many embedded lights and others will be plain. These modern illuminated lanterns are often larger than the others and taller. Notice the huge dragon in the photo. He is created in the traditional way, using Chinese ideas and ways, but with hundreds of tiny LED lights. Notice how bright the orange, the red, and the green are in this modern-day dragon. Kaohsiung Lantern Festival along the Love River in Taiwan

Floating Down The Love River

At the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival , even the Love River is alive with color. These modern illuminated lanterns take on a new twist on the Love River. What a climax to this years celebration. Every street and every store, humble homes and rich homes,  and even the romantic and beautiful Love River are covered with lanterns of every kind.

This is the time of the year when all of Asia welcomes The New Year. Kaohsiung welcomes the Year of the Red Fire Monkey with dances and light shows on the Love River. Color is everywhere.  There are Water Dances and magnificent Light Displays. The displays on the Love River  are out of this world.

What fun is in the streets! Laughter and joy fill the air! Children of all ages rejoice and are happy! New Years is a time of family celebration. Families enjoy being together, and eating the many festival foods. It is the time of the year to welcome with excitement the coming year of the Red Fire Monkey. It is a time filled with hope for wealth, good luck,  prosperity and good health. This is the hope of the New Year. It is a special time for all the people of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It is time to celebrate. All of Asia welcomes the New Year at this time.Jumping for Joy

At The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival

Jumping for Joy in the streets of Kaohsiung at the Lantern Festival. Happiness is everywhere. Smiles are seen on every face. The young adults are excited and leap for joy. There is dancing in the streets. Flowers of every kind and color are everywhere. You will see lantern flowers and real flowers. There will be every type of dance and exhibit you can think of.

You only have to look at the faces of these young women to see how happy they are to be there. They are excited as they welcome in this New Year. It is a year of expectancy, a year of hope. In the New Year the Taiwanese look forward to all that the next year will bring. They delight in the time they have spent with their families. They have sang songs and danced. They have eaten special Taiwanese delicacies. Now as the Lantern festival comes to a close, their happiness continues throughout the year. Business men and women return to their jobs in the cities. Students return to their schools. Villages quiet down and return to normal. Farmers and fisherman return to work. They are confident that this New Year, The Year of The Red Fire Monkey will bring them happiness and luck. They are confident that wealth and prosperity will be at their gates. This will be a good year filled with good health and a good life.

As Taiwan celebrates, so the Explore Traveler Team wishes each one a happy and prosperous New Year. We wish all our friends throughout Asia wealth, happiness, and good health in the coming year. If you have never celebrated the New Year in Taiwan, there is plenty of time to plan.  This is a good time to add it to next year’s bucket list.

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Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Green Island, Hong Kong, Hsin-Chu, Taipei, Taitung, Taiwan, World Travel Tagged With: Chinese New Year, Kaohsiung City Taiwan, Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, Love River, Taiwan, The Year Of The Red Fire Monkey

Peaceful Moments In Taiwan

February 13, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Peaceful moments On the island of Taiwan

Peaceful Moments In Taiwan

Begin your journey of peace in the small quaint village of Xingtian.  The pleasant mist makes it a location of quiet and peace. A place where you will see humble monks doing their shopping on a peaceful day. It is a village of quiet moments. Hectic moments may surround it, but this small village is a symbol of tranquility. The village is located within the city of Kaohsiung in the Southern area of Taiwan. It is an area of beauty! It is here on Xingtian Road we visit our first peaceful moments at Fo Guang Shan.

Gate to Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung

Fo Guang Shan Gate in Kaohsiung

As we approach the gate to the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Xingtian District of Kaohsiung, Taiwan,  we continue on in our journey of peace. Once you enter the gates of the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, you have left behind the quiet stir of village life. The business of Kaohsiung is just but a memory. The city life is gone. Welcome to Fo Guang Shan.

Fo Guang Shan Monastery is one of the monasteries of the International Chinese Buddhist Religious Movement. The International Chinese Buddhist Movement is the fastest growing religious movement in Taiwan. It is growing rapidly throughout the world. Come inside the gates. Walk with the monks through a day of simplicity, meditation, and prayer. Enjoy the tranquility, peaceful moments, and the magnificent countryside. Loose yourself from all the stress of a busy week in a world of technology. Relax in a park-like setting. Feel the stress melt away in this amazing landscape.However you choose to enjoy Fo Guang Shan, there is peace and healing in the natural world that surrounds it. It is a simple and beautiful environment. It is one where you can meditate, think, or pray. Even those who follow other paths of religion, find it a place of relaxation for the weary soul.

Fo Guana

Fo Guang Shan

The magnificent and beautiful scenery surrounding the Fo Guang Shan Monastery makes you sure that you have arrived in secluded heaven. The monks and center volunteers are kind. They are approachable and respectful. With such an exquisite environment you can feel at home no matter what your religious beliefs.

Many painters come here to paint. Here in nature, they find the inspiration they need to complete their projects. Writers come here to write, as they too can create in this quiet natural monastery. Many artists complete and exhibit their artwork in the main gallery. What a delight it is to see paintings that were completed on site by many different artists. Poets often write amazing works while in residence here. No matter what you came to do, you will find the opportunity to complete the task at hand. This is a world of meditation and prayer with few outside distractions.

Those who come to worship the Buddha are able to experience the deep inner peace needed. They are able to experience the compassionate heart of the  Venerable Master while spending time at the Buddha Memorial Center. Many Chinese come from around the world to find the balance between their heart and their soul. This is a major part of Humanistic Buddhism. Among those who came to worship the Buddha, many come desiring an opportunity to venerate him as well. Many of the flock come from all over the world to spend time in meditation and prayer to this Buddha.

You will find many pagodas where you can study if that was what you came to do. One pagoda has a complete bookstore. There are books in many languages. There are reading tables. You can buy a book and find a pleasant place to read or study. There are pagodas that give much of the history of Humanistic Buddhism. For those who came to learn, they will find many opportunities.

Those visiting often leave in awe at the amount of preparation that goes into receiving so many people from so many countries each day. You experience a genuine sincerity and welcome from each Buddhist Monk, lay Buddhist, and the countless volunteers. This monastery runs like a well-oiled machine from early morning till early evening.

Many professional photographers come here to photograph the monastery and the Buddhists that call it home. Many leave examples of their beautiful photos in the gallery. They are showcased next to the paintings that are also on exhibit.

There are  Eight Pagodas on both sides of the Great Path to Buddhaland. They are built-in the Chinese pagoda style and give a brief introduction to the monastery and grounds. These pagodas symbolize the spread of Buddhism from India to China. Here in the pagodas you can rest and have a perfect cup of tea.

The Six Perfection Pagoda give an introduction to the amazing one-stroke calligraphy of the Venerable Master. There are videos of general introduction, as well as teaching videos. You can come away with your own one-stroke calligraphy painting. For those who have an interest in this art-style of calligraphy, there are many opportunities to learn.

Next, you will come across the Five Harmonies Pagoda. It is a house of joy and celebration. On a perfect day, you may experience a Buddhist wedding taking place under the blessing of the Buddha. Many celebrations of the family happen here. Wedding anniversaries, engagements, baby blessings, and other important family events take place under the blessing of the Buddha.

There is also a Museum on the Life of the Buddha. Here you can trace the steps of the Buddha while on earth. Next, you will see the Golden Buddha Shrine and then come into the court of the Big Buddha. There is also a Jade Buddha Shrine, and a Museum of the Buddhist Underground Palace. This exhibit is extraordinary.

You will also see the Twin Pavilions on site. The architecture of the pavilions is amazing. They are very simple and tastefully done. You will then come to the Avalokitesvara Shine. For Buddhists, this is a very special shrine and often they spend much time here.

 

Those who choose to spend 2 days will enjoy the simple and clean accommodations of the Fo Guang Shan dormitories. The Fo Guang Shan Monastery is vegetarian. Whether you are vegetarian or not, you will find the food delicious and ample. If you have never explored the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, it is worth spending time touring the facility. I would also suggest you might enjoy having lunch or dinner with the monks.

Seashore Park

Seashore Park in Taitung, Taiwan

One of the most peaceful parks in Taiwan can be found in Taitung, Taiwan. Seashore Park has amazing beaches, rivers, and paved paths with which to relax. Here you can take in some of the most beautiful landscapes on the island. There are many bike paths close to the beach which twist and turn, going up and down. This is a very romantic park and the perfect place for couples to spend time together. There are many areas for the family, including special places for the children. This will provide the perfect get-a-way for the whole family.

A perfect day begins at the Paposogan Walkway or Bamboo Walkway in English. This unique walkway has the most interesting workmanship. Many just like to sit close by and contemplate how this spectacular cane walkway was built. Couples like to come here at night to just walk hand in hand. There are many small lights in the cane that make this a very romantic place to spend time together. Many find it a perfect location to pop the question. Sometimes you will see an outdoor wedding taking place. For sure, you will experience another one of Taiwan’s peaceful moments.

Adjacent to Seashore Park is Forest Park. There you will find acres of untouched beautiful natural woods. The canopy of trees sways slightly, as the ocean breezes blow. You will find the beauty and essence of nature in this magnificent forest. Locals like to call this park “Black Forest” because of the hundreds of Beefwood Trees that grow here. There are many paved walking paths throughout the forest. In the center of the park is a peaceful lake. Lake Pipa is fed by an all natural spring. There is a nice viewing platform for viewing this peaceful and serene lake. You will also find a day-use cabin and a boardwalk which goes around the lake. If you are needing to rest and relax from a busy work week, this is the perfect place to spend a few peaceful moments.

Taitungs Rift Valley

Taitung East Rift Valley

Endless Sky, Green Fields, and Coastal Mountains are what you will see at the Taitung East Rift Valley in Taiwan’s east coastal mountains. These bountiful mountains conceal many different Aboriginal cultures, the Hakka, and the mainland Chinese. These diverse cultures have lived in harmony and peace for hundreds of years. In the village of Yuli, you will find The Tobacco House Barn Village. Take a few moments to read and learn about the history of raising tobacco in this area, as well as the methods that work the best.

Each summer the Amis Tribe hosts a harvest festival. The Amis are very musical and have many events that spotlight all the different native instruments, as well as the fantastic tribal dances. This is a festival that you will not want to miss. There are many places where you can taste the amazing foods of the Amis during the festival. There are also restaurants that feature the local Amis Cuisine. The food is different but excellent. They make use of many of the local greens that grow in the forest as well as a beautiful native flower to the area. A night with the Amis is an unforgettable experience.

The lake in Yunshan Shui is extraordinary at any time of the year. It is beautiful as it takes on many of the colors of the mountain that are behind it. Near-by Lake Liyu is a gorgeous mountain lake. Many people come here to linger and enjoy nature at it’s best. This is one of the most peaceful places on the island. The lakes and the streams that feed them are crystal clear. It is from this, that the village of Mukumugi gets its name. This is where many of the Taroko Tribe have lived for years.

If traveling the East Rift Valley in the summertime, the area around the village of Chikeshan is like a sea of orange daylilies. It is a spectacular sight to behold. This area in the summer becomes one of the most colorful areas on the East Coast of Taiwan. With the deep green jungle forest as a background, it is exquisite. It is a favorite place for locals and travelers spending time in the area. While in the valley, be sure to end your perfect day by watching the sunset at nearby Liushidan Shan.

For those adventurers that desire something a little beyond the ordinary, there is an incredible and exciting rafting trip on the Xiuguluan River. If you love whitewater rafting and are an experienced rafter, then you will find this a thrilling and exciting experience. It is a memory that will stay with you for a lifetime.

If you seek outdoor adventure, Taiwan’s many unique and fascinating adventures are waiting. Taiwan has many outdoor explorations that will allow you to meet and mingle with others who enjoy outdoor adventure. There is paragliding, rock climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. For those who enjoy the water, there are many kayak and canoe trips down both slow and fast rivers. Even the less athletic will enjoy the many bays and river cruises found throughout the island. Whatever you enjoy, it is waiting in Taiwan.

The beauty and peace of the East River Valley and the Coastal Mountain Range is amazing. It is beyond words. If you love the outdoors, desire solitude and tranquility,  then this is the area for you. The mountains are spectacular! The sunsets are alluring. The valley is an astonishing array of colors throughout the summer. The greens are greener. The blues bluer. This is one of the most spectacular parts of Taiwan.

There is also a scenic train ride into the area that stops at all of the homestays and hostels. Whatever you choose to explore, you will not be disappointed. Taiwan is a land of beauty, peace, and tranquility. If you have never been to Taiwan, this would be a perfect year to plan that next adventure. Now, is a perfect time, to make those travel plans.

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Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: Aboriginal Tribes, Amis Harvest Festival, Amis Tribe, Avalokitesvara Shrine, Bamboo Walkway, Big Buddha, Buddha Memorial Center, canoeing, Chikeshan, East Coast of Taiwan, East Rift Valley, East Rift Valley in Taiwan, Eight Pagodas, Five Harmonies Pagoda, Fo Guang Shan, Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Forest Park, Golden Buddha Shrine, Great Path to Buddhaland, Hakka, Jade Buddhist Shrine, Kayaking, Koahsiung, Lake Liyu, Liushidan shan, Mainland Chinese, mountain biking, Mukumugi Village, Museum of the Buddhist Underground Palace, Paposogan Bamboo Walkway, paragliding, rock climbing, Sea Shore Park, Taitung, Taiwan, Taiwan Coastal Mountain Range, Taroko Tribe, Twin Pavillions, Xiuguluan River, Xsingtian

A Fruit Tree Journey Through Taiwan

February 12, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Fresh fruit

Season Of Sweet Baby Green Mangoes

Taiwan is a Taiwanese fruit lover’s paradise. This is an island of plentiful fresh fruit in season. Taiwan grows extraordinary and delicious fruits. These are some of the best in the world. Taiwan has a rich volcanic soil which is a farmers delight. The island is also so small, that all produce travel

There is always ms for short distances. The Taiwanese are privileged to enjoy some of the best bananas, and melons of all kinds. Here you can enjoy guavas and mangoes that are fresh in their season.more than enough fresh fruit in the Morning Market for all those who desire. Picked fresh off the tree, it left for the market just a few hours earlier. Everything is ready to eat and fresh. The most amazing thing you will see is bin after bin of fresh fruits and vegetables. Even the large supermarkets have fresh produce that the farmers brought early in the morning. This island is indeed a fruit lover’s paradise.

One of the many amazing fruits growing in this fruit lover’s paradise is the Baby Green Mangoes. These are so sweet to taste, they almost melt in your mouth. They are perhaps one of the sweetest mangoes in the world. Taiwan is famous for their juicy fruit that is served over a bed of ice. This island delicacy is a giant mound of frozen mango and ice covered with fresh mango. This is the perfect fresh drink on a hot tropical day. If you are guests at an island ceremony, it is not unusual to see a huge oversized mound of shaved ice with the fresh mango over the top. The Taiwanese love their frozen mango specialty. It is an island delight!

persimmons

Fresh Persimmons

Fresh persimmons abound throughout the island. There are ample of this fresh fruit for all. There is nothing like a bowl of fresh persimmons for breakfast. Persimmon juice is fantastic. However, it is not the fresh persimmons that Taiwan is best known for, but the dried. The area of Hsinpu, with its many hills and very dry weather, together with a strong wind that arrives each fall, makes this area the dried persimmon capital of Taiwan. They have many persimmon trees and a super suitable condition for making dried persimmons naturally. The wind and the sun make this a perfect art of love.

bitter melon

What Is This Warty Strange Fruit?

Bitter Melon is a tropical and subtropical fruit. It is grown for it’s very bitter but edible and valuable fruit. This strange fruit has a very warty exterior and is oblong in shape, much like a cucumber. It is about the same size of a very large cucumber. It is perhaps the world’s most bitter tasting fruit. Regardless of its taste, it is often combined with other foods and is widely desired on the island and mainland China. Only in recent years, are other countries starting to discover the many benefits of this strange fruit.

Bitter Melon is an excellent weight-loss fruit. It is a major ingredient in many commercial weight loss products. With so many desiring to lose the added pounds, why not learn the art of cooking with this island powerhouse?

In Chinese Medicine, Bitter Melon has been used for centuries in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. It is favored throughout China for it’s a natural way to lower blood sugar levels. While not much research has been done in Western Countries, it is a safe fruit to use in your cooking.

A favorite way to use this amazing fruit is in stews, soups, and stir-fry dishes of many kinds. It also pairs nicely with curry, peanuts, and coconut. This is a basic curry recipe using coconut and bitter melon. I also like to add some raw peanuts:

 

Bitter Melon and Coconut Curry

Bitter gourd – 1 medium gourd

Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp

Dry red chillies – 2 (you can use more or less)

Curry leaves -1 sprig(Find in Asian or Indian Markets)

Onion – 1 medium sliced

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tsp

Chili powder – 3/4 tsp (Use hot or mild, according to taste)

Green Chilies–2 (Use hot or mild)

Tomato– 1 chopped

Coconut — 1 Cup

Plain Yogurt–1 Tablespoon

Coconut Oil–2 Tablespoons

Salt to taste

Cut the bitter gourd lengthwise, remove the seeds, wash and slice them.  Apply salt and yogurt and keep aside for 15 minutes.  Heat oil in a pan and fry the bitter gourd pieces till golden brown.  In the same oil, simmer mustard seeds and cumin seeds.  Add dry red chillies and curry leaves.  Then add onions and saute till they turn pink.  Now add the spice powders and saute for a minute.  Add tomatoes and green chillies.  Saute till oil separates.  Now add coconut milk and fried bitter gourd pieces.   Mix well and heat through.  Add more salt if needed.  Switch off the flame before it boils. Serve over rice and sprinkle raw peanuts on top if desired.

(Basic recipe taken from saltandspice.org with my modifications and notes.)

Another way that is just catching on is adding it to your morning smoothies. Many things have even more nutrition when used in their raw state. Here is an excellent way to use it in your morning smoothie:

Bitter Melon Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

  • ½ – 1 small bitter melon
  • ¼ pineapple
  • 1 pear
  • 2 celery sticks
  • 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Wash all produce well.
  2. Remove the skin from the pineapple.
  3. Cut the bitter melon in half longways, scoop out the seeds and white flesh with a spoon and juice the outer green of the bitter melon.
  4. All all produce through juicer and enjoy!

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Bitter melon – cucumber, grapefruit, winter melon
  • Pineapple – apple, green melon
  • Pear – apple, orange
  • Celery – cucumber, zucchini, chard (silverbeet)
  • Lemon – grapefruit, lime

Servings: 1

 (This recipe is found on the website: REBOOTWITHJOE.COM)
Olives

Taiwan’s Preserved Olives

Another unique delicacy is Taiwan’s preserved olives. These olives are candied. They are a very sweet and spicy dried fruit. Very fragrant and delicious! There is also a red spicy olive that tastes nothing like an olive. This candied olive has a crispy crunchy texture to it. It is slightly sweet with a mild spice flavor. The plain olive cannot be found here with these salty and sweet Taiwanese Delicacies.

There are many different Olive Trees grown in Taiwan. Some are best used fresh and others canned. Still, others can be dried for use in standard recipes latter. What is notable about the olives that are used for candied olives, is that any variety can be used.

The best way to do candied olives at home is to place 1 cup any kind of olive in 2 cups water. Bring the olives to a boil and cook 2 minutes and then strain. Repeat 6 times with fresh water each time. For the 7th time use 1 quart of water and 2 cups of sugar. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Let the olives remain in the syrup overnight. In the morning, drain and roll each olive in sugar and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in a sunny spot on the table to dry. (If you have a gas oven, you can dry in the oven. The pilot light is the perfect temperature.) They are finished when dry and crispy.

This is the perfect treat for a cold winter’s night in front of the fireplace. If you think outside the box, there are many Asian treats that you can make in your home. And of course, on your next trip to Taiwan, be sure to taste their candied fruit. The olives are the best!Dragon Fruit

Taiwan’s Superfruits

The Longan and Dragon Fruit has been used for thousands of years for good health throughout Asia. Today, the world over, we call them Super-fruits! What has been used throughout Asia for centuries is just now coming to the attention of Westerners. There is a whole world of fruits out there that most people have never heard of. Here are a couple of favorites.

Longan is a fruit that is slightly smaller than a Lychee. It has a brown skin which is smoother than the skin of the Lychee. The Logan and Lychee taste quite similar to one another. The Longan tastes wonderful and has been used for a tonic fruit for centuries in Asia. This delightful fruit when peeled is white. It has been considered an anti-aging fruit in Chinese Medicine for centuries. They also used it for various sexual disorders. Longan fruit has been used successfully by the Chinese for thousands of years medically. This small fruit contains a wealth of powerful antioxidants. It is also very low in calories. Many Taiwanese consider this the perfect fruit. When traveling in the countryside, you will often see several of these trees around their small country homes. The Longan Fruit is one of today’s superfruits!

Another one of the incredible superfruits of Taiwan is the Dragon Fruit. It is red on the outside with little horns all around. The most common color of the inside fruit is white with tiny black edible seeds. These are extremely good, but wait till you taste the yellow fruit with black seeds. Just when you think that this tasty fruit can get no better, you will taste a magenta one with the same black seeds. This is the king of the three different varieties. It is also the hardest to find.

These spectacular cactuses have a most amazing flower that mysteriously only blooms at night. If you can catch a glimpse with your flashlight, you will find them to be very beautiful. The bloom opens in the night and dies at the break of day.

A perfect breakfast plate in Taiwan may have a Dragon Fruit, a large Pomegranate, a green Orange, and a huge Persimmon. Taiwan is indeed the Kingdom of Fruit. As a tropical country, all the tropical fruits grow beautifully there. The center of the island has mountains that are near 4,000 feet, making it perfect for fruits that also grow in more temperate zones. There is nowhere else that has so many different types of fruit trees thriving naturally. Taiwan is a land of Superfruits. The Dragon Fruit is just another of the many fruits that grow and thrive on this small island.

Papaya

The Papaya Tree

Our fruit tree journey cannot end without highlighting the Papaya Tree. Though there are so many more fruits that grow and thrive on the Island of  Taiwan, the Papaya is a superstar. The Papaya Tree is perhaps one of the world’s favorite fruit trees.

The Taiwanese Papaya is actually a dwarf variety that grows to only around 7 feet or a little more. This is in comparison to the non-dwarf varieties that tour over the others, at around 15 feet.  This papaya is red with the black edible seeds. The scent of this papaya is heavenly. This papaya is well liked by farmers, as it is easier to pick the fruit. There is less chance of crop damage when the fruit is lower to the ground. The Red Lady Papaya is a fast grower and a mega producer. When planted from seed, it will usually produce the second year.

These sweet and delicious fruits of the Red Lady Papaya Tree are smaller than the fruits from the larger trees. They also have a stronger fragrance and are sweeter to taste. They are giving Taiwan a higher yield, as they fruit more often. They are another one of the superfruits of Taiwan.

Our fruit tree journey through Taiwan has been amazing. There are very few places in the world where you can indulge yourself with so many different superfruits at the same time. Taiwan is indeed a fruit lover’s paradise.

So what is on your breakfast plate? I think small papaya, some fresh dates, a few figs, and a green orange sounds great. There is nothing like starting the day with a plate of garden fresh fruit. Some freshly baked bread with freshly made butter and tea will complete this perfect island treat.

Are you ready for a Taiwan fruit adventure? Anytime, is a good time, to begin your superfruit journey.

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Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Food Travel, Green Island, Hsin-Chu, Taipei, Taiwan, Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: Baby Green Mangoes, Bitter Melon, Candied olives, Dragon Fruit Cactus, Dragon Fruit Cactus Flower, Fruit trees of Taiwan, Kingdom of Fruit, Longan Fruit, Papaya Tree, Persimmons, Taiwan, Taiwan Journey, Taiwanese, Taiwanese Dried Persimmons

Happy Chinese New Year! 中国新年快乐

February 9, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Happy Chinese New Year! 中国新年快乐

Happy Chinese New Year! 中国新年快乐

The Explore Traveler Team would like to wish all our friends in Taiwan, throughout Asia, and the world over a Happy Chinese New Year! 中国新年快乐 Asians all over the world welcome, The Year of the Red Fire Monkey.

Grab the bananas and let’s celebrate. The Year of the Fire Red Monkey has arrived. This is the longest festival of the Asian world. Sometimes called the Spring Festival, it begins this year on February 8th, 2016 and lasts for 15 days. This marks the beginning of the Spring Planting time. Depending on where you live, this is the time when the earth begins to thaw and seeds are ready to be put in the ground.

As we welcome in the Year of the Red Fire Monkey, we look forward to a prosperous and good year. The year 4714 has arrived. Come and let’s celebrate. Friends and family will visit. Special holiday foods are prepared. The long dreary winter season has ended. Spring has arrived. This is a time of new beginnings.

The New Year’s festivities begin on New Year’s Eve. Homes have been cleaned, businesses are spotless. This is a special time when everyone leaves their urban homes and returns to their family homes in the country.  This amazing festival that will  continue for fifteen days. This is a time to reunite with friends and family. Together they will welcome in the Year of the Fire Red Monkey. More Asians  travel home on New Years than any other time in the year.  Millions of people the world over will make their way home. This is a time when friends and families come together. It is a time that families unite and together they welcome in the New Year.sweet start

Taiwanese Are Off To A Sweet Start

No celebration is complete without the sweet tantalizing candies. The children are ecstatic as they have been waiting and watching. Anticipation is in the air! This is a time they have been waiting for. The Year of the Fire Red Monkey has finally arrived. Taiwan is alive with activity! Come and let us celebrate!Year of the Red Fire Monkey

Red is the color of choice, both for decorations and clothes. Red is believed to keep away the many evil spirits. Everywhere you go, you will see red paper lanterns and people will be dressed in their best red finery. The children and the young adults will receive red envelopes filled with money. There is not a child that does not wait with delight as they are given out. New Years has arrived. It is time to celebrate!  

Like all the festivals of Asia, food is at the center of the celebration. There are many traditional foods that symbolize different things.  You will see long uncut noodles on every table. These noodles represent a long life. Whole chickens in the center symbolize family togetherness. Wealth and prosperity are symbolized by dumplings that look like an ancient Chinese dollar. Even the traditional spring-roll resemble gold. Everything that is done has a meaning!

So as the Asian world is celebrating this week, the Explore Traveler Team wishes you a Happy and Prosperous New Year! We join you in welcoming, The Year Of The Red Fire Monkey!

https://www.exploretraveler.com

 

Filed Under: Asia, East Coast Taiwan, Green Island, Hsin-Chu, Taipei, Taitung, Taiwan, Travel Tips, World Travel Tagged With: Chinese New Year 2016, The Year of the Fire Red Monkey

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