HAVING FUN IN CAPETOWN AREA, SOUTH AFRICA

My second time to visit Africa, I chose South Africa as my destination. The first city I visited was Cape Town. Cape Town is a very unique city. Though it is located in South Africa, I felt it is more like an European City, due to its building style and life style. I also saw more white people than other cities.

Cape Town area is a fun place; there is beautiful V & A waterfront for shopping and dining. Also Table Mountain for hiking, then the famous Cape of Good Hope. Also you can get very closed to wild seals and penguins. It is a perfect place for family.

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HIKING AT XITOU (溪頭)

There are two most famous tourist attractions in Nantou County(南投縣), Taiwan; one is Sun Moon Lake (日月潭), another one is Xitou(溪頭). The most popular place in Xitou is the Xitou Nature Education Area.

From its web site, here is the brief history of Xitou Nature Education Area:
1. In the late Qing Dynasty, the Xitou was "origin of stream" in a small village in mountain.
2. During the Japanese Occupation, it was chosen as the forest for practical training by Tokyo University.
In during vocation, students were sent for practice and research.
3. The forest recreational area has been established in 1970.

Today, it is not only for educational purpose to National Taiwan University, also an important place for recreation. There are a lots of hotels around this area. Most people will spend 1 to 2 days in this area and feel the mother nature by walking in the woods and taking deep breath of fresh air.

If you do not have enough time, you may just take less than 2 hours to see the famous University Pond and the bamboo bridge. 
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A TOUGH HIKING TRIP - SKY LADDER(天梯)

Hiking is one of may favorite activities. I visited a location in Nantou county(南投縣), Taiwan which is famous of the special ladder suspension bridge(梯子吊橋). This ladder style suspension bridge is very special. It is the first one in Taiwan and the second in the world, with a total length of 136m and 208 steps; the height difference between the 2 sides is a staggering 20m.

To walk across this bridge is not a difficult job, but reaching it and returning to the entrance is defiantly a tough challenge. I consider myself as an experienced hiker, but this time it really gave me a hard time. The distance between entrance and the bridge is about 1Km, and between entrance and the end of this area is about 2Km. Due to the steep trail, I took about 3 hours to complete 4Km hiking.

During the 3 hour hiking, I did not only experience Sky Ladder, but also see the beautiful Green Dragon Waterfall and other scenery. Those wonderful views made the hard works worthy. But be honest, this place is not good for family with kids and senior people. Also, if you are not a person capable handling tough hiking, please do not try it. It is better just enjoy watching my photos.

HOME OF PERSIMMON CAKE - XINPU 新埔

Xinpu(新埔) is a small township of Hsinchu county (新竹縣). During October to December, it is the high season to produce persimmon. The farmers will make the persimmon cake (dry persimmon) with the over produced persimmons.
I am not a fan of persimmon cake, but I am attracted by the beautiful color and atmosphere of making persimmon cakes.

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MEMORIAL OF 911

Today is the 10th anniversary of 911. I uploaded this photo which I took in 1992 to remember this tragedy and wish no more terrorist attack happened any more.