Today is Tomb Sweeping day in Taiwan and China. Well actually, it isn't traditionally today, traditionally its next week, but as with so many other celebrations in Asia the infrastructure can't cope with the masses of people and now the government has officially extended the day over two additional weekends to relieve some of the pressure. Tomb Sweeping day isn't an activity many visitors to Taiwan would get the opportunity to partake in, not having relatives with tombs in the country which they can attend. Therefore I was really honoured to be invited by me friend Cynthia's parents to join them on a visit to her father's parent's tomb on the outside of the city. I wasn't really sure what to expect but the whole event was really peaceful and nice, its the one day of ... read more

Here are some pictures from a visit Cynthia and I made to Toroko National Park in eastern Taiwan. We were really lucky and had gorgeous weather for the day, and the scenery, as you can see from the photos, was stunning. There was one section of a walk we did where there were falling rocks so we had to wear helmets, although from the size of some of the boulders already fallen into the path I don't think a helmet would have helped us much! ... read more

This week I had a really good few days with Cynthia and Jasmin, two of my class mates from the Cardiff Uni MA programme back in 2005. We stayed at Jasmin's house in Yilan county and between the two of them they gave me a real introduction to Taiwanese culture - especially the food which they assure me is the most important element! We visited areas around the county and walked amongst Taiwan's gorgeous semi-tropical vegetation and along the wild pacific coastline. We also went fishing for shrimps at an al-in-one style fishing-catching-cooking-eating-karaoke (random, yes) place full of families, dating couples and friends having fun. We failed at catching many shrimp, in fact we only caught two, but a man who had been watching us with pity kindly gave us his catch so we had plenty ... read more

Although I only spent three days in Hong Kong I was able to see a lot of the centre and also quite a bit of the countryside which makes up the majority of 'Hong Kong'. I was fortunate enough to get a room at a hostel on Hong Kong island so getting around was pretty easy - when I arrived the hostel only had one bed left! My first day was primarily spent getting out of China and into Hong Kong, not at all an easy process. Getting into Hong Kong was a breeze, it was getting out of China which was difficult. I have never been scrutinised before EXITING a country before! They checked everything, what souvenirs I was taking back with me, whether I had plans to return in the near future, where I ... read more

A feast for the eyes and for the stomach, Longji (Dragon's Backbone) rice terraces are both absolutely stunning and absolutely essential in a country that needs at least 135 million metric tonnes of rice a year. Rice is the most important crop in China and the country is the world's largest rice producer. China grows two main varieties of rice and that grown in the south, at Dragon's Backbone rice terraces, is of indica variety. The Chinese have eaten rice since ancient times, and it is the main staple food for over 65% of the population. At this time of year the rice terraces are in flower and therefore while you don't see as many rows covered in water and glistening in the sun, you do see miles of gorgeous colour-filled terraces, as the rice flowers ... read more