JIUFEN – A Mountain Jewel in Taiwan

View of the coast from Jiufen, Taiwan
View of the coast from Jiufen, Taiwan

Last month we spent several days in Taiwan, sightseeing, shopping and taking care of a couple of important errands.

Most of our stay was spent in Taipei, but we did manage a day trip to the historic mining town of Jiufen, now a popular tourist destination in the mountains northeast of Taipei.

With scenic panoramic views, dozens of curious shops and galleries, and more eateries than any two people could sample in a month, the picturesque village provided a fascinating getaway from the urban bustle of Taipei.

Here are some of the colorful sights from our daylong adventure.

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Galungan-Kuningan: A feast for the eyes in Bali

Penjors line the street in Bali Indonesia
Penjors line the street in Bali Indonesia during the Galungan-Kuningan holiday

BALI, INDONESIA – Galungan gets underway this week here in Bali.

A major holiday celebrated by Balinese Hindu people, Galungan marks the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness). It’s a time when the spirits of the ancestors return to the Earth and are present among the living.

The ancestral spirits will return to the afterlife on Kuningan day, at the end of the 10-day holiday period.

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Sago Cakes – a traditional Spice Island taste treat

Cut into individual segments, the sago cakes are ready to eat
Fresh, hot palm sugar-filled sago cakes, ready to eat

SAPARUA ISLAND, INDONESIA – A short caravan of funky minibuses hauled our group on a bumpy ride through the jungle. We were headed from our beachside landing to our morning destination in a rural island village.

The road had been paved with concrete sometime in the last century and was sorely in need of resurfacing. But the bouncy ride was all just part of the adventure.

We had come to watch our hostess, Oma Nelly (oma means grandma in the local language), demonstrate how she makes traditional sago cakes. Our guide, Leo, explained each step of the process.

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Balinese culture on display during Kuningan Day

Stone figures adorned with flowers beside an altar piled high with prayer offerings for Kuningan Day in Bali Indonesia
BALI, INDONESIA – During a recent midday walk we passed dozens of altars piled high with colorful prayer offerings for Kuningan day.
Decorated with intricate woven fabrics, ornate palm frond banners and rosettes, tropical flower blossoms, piles of exotic fruits and coconuts, each altar seemed determined to outdo the one next door.
Balinese people believe Kuningan is the day their ancestors return to heaven after visiting the earth during the 10-day Galungan celebration.