CHERRY BLOSSOM

We went hiking at Shrding Township (石碇鄉) on Sunday, and so surprised to see the cherry blossoms. Those cherry blossoms we saw are not the cherry blossoms we are sued to see in Japan, it is Prunus campanulata (山櫻花) or called Formosa Cherry. The good timing for enjoying Formosa Cherry blossoms is from late January to early March. Hope some of you can have a chance to see this beautiful scenery.

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NICE TO SEE MR. MURATA AGAIN

3 year ago, the very famous Japanese artist Range Murata (村田蓮爾) came to Taiwan for an art exhibition. That was my first to meet him. This year he came to Taiwan again to join the 2010 Taipei International Book Exhibition.

On Jan. 29, he had a 1.5 hour event of live demo. We arranged hardware and software for him; glad we got his request few weeks ago, so we can prepare the Japanese version OS and software for him.

Before the event started, we asked Mr. Murata to test the equipments. At that time he realized we met 3 year ago. I was kind surprised that he still remembered me. I asked him if everything was all right and apologized for the improper software 3 years ago. He smiled and told me everything was OK and not to mind about what happened before.

Anyway, this time we had quite a good preparation for his demo. Though he has only about one hour for the live demo, he still created a painting from sketch. That was really amazing!

Due to his tight schedule, we did not have too much talk. But I am glad to see Mr. Murata again and help him to have a wonderful event with his fans.

SOMETHING IN THE CORNER

Always staying at the same hotel for business trips to Tokyo, I did not tend to walk around hotel area after whole day meeting and the dinner gathering. So I missed something interesting and pretty.

This time because staying at different hotel, I had a chance to take different route in the same area, I found some locations with nice night view which I have seem them in Japanese drama before. Surprisingly they are not far away from the hotel which I used to stay, but I never got closer enough to see them.

I think people always miss something interesting and beautiful because they are lack of curiosity and the passion to explore, so do I.

DO YOU?

WELL PRESERVED HUKOU OLD STREET (湖口老街)

Long time ago when I worked as a commercial film producer, I had a commercial film shot at Hukou old street. Hukou old street was not such a popular tourist site at that time and was a perfect place to tell stories of early Taiwan.

Now Hukou old street became a famous tourist site of HsinChu County. It may not be as the origin, but I still prefer it than other old streets. Because it keeps more original flavour, with less non-sense souvenir shops and less visitors. But what I don't like is they allow cars driving though the old street during holidays.

If you like to see some Taiwanese old streets, don't miss Hukou old street.

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OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE, THEY JUST FADE AWAY

Hukou Township (湖口鄉) is famous of its old streets and the largest army tank base. To show the special history of Hukou Township, the township government requested some decommissioned tanks to be displayed at some tourist sites.

Near the parking lot of Hukou old street, there is a very special military vehicle which is the M733 amphibious personal carrier. According to the description, this vehicle served in ROC Marine Corps, a special model from M116 Husky in 60'.

It is hard to find any information about this special armour vehicle, either specifications and service history. Anyway, it did serve in ROC Marine Corp and be a part of national defence force of Taiwan, now retired and tries to tell its story to visitors.

After taking some photos, I though what General Douglas MacArthur said "OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE, THEY JUST FADE AWAY" is really a good description of this military vehicle.