*Taiwan* - Island Diversity

giallo · #1 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 2:39 AM**

*Edit*- I forgot to add quite a few photos to this thread (Abandoned Kaohsiung neighbourhood pics and a slew of others). They're now included.

As some of you may know, I head to Taiwan two or three times a year. It's like a second home to me. I always bring my camera when I go, and after going through a few visits worth of pictures, it's really reminded me just how diverse that lil' island is. So much to see and do on a relatively small piece of land.

Tainan

tainan roof 1 by matteroffact, on Flickr

tainan roof 2 by matteroffact, on Flickr

zoom zoom by matteroffact, on Flickr

country lines by matteroffact, on Flickr

warmth by matteroffact, on Flickr

stitch by matteroffact, on Flickr

orange peel by matteroffact, on Flickr

mien by matteroffact, on Flickr

banny by matteroffact, on Flickr

hamdog by matteroffact, on Flickr

rainbow walls by matteroffact, on Flickr

advantage by matteroffact, on Flickr

Taipei

101 blanket by matteroffact, on Flickr

pinky by matteroffact, on Flickr

tiny dancer by matteroffact, on Flickr

indifference by matteroffact, on Flickr

tall boy by matteroffact, on Flickr

repat 2 by matteroffact, on Flickr

repat 3 by matteroffact, on Flickr

repat 5 by matteroffact, on Flickr

ruin by matteroffact, on Flickr

wall to wall by matteroffact, on Flickr

lay by matteroffact, on Flickr

repat by matteroffact, on Flickr

repat 4 by matteroffact, on Flickr

criss cross by matteroffact, on Flickr

paste on by matteroffact, on Flickr

balance by matteroffact, on Flickr

parklife by matteroffact, on Flickr

nuh uh by matteroffact, on Flickr

rush by matteroffact, on Flickr

taipei motion by matteroffact, on Flickr

Penghu Islands

barren by matteroffact, on Flickr

boarded by matteroffact, on Flickr

shanshui please by matteroffact, on Flickr

pop up by matteroffact, on Flickr

jump in by matteroffact, on Flickr

thirst by matteroffact, on Flickr

moisture by matteroffact, on Flickr

temple run by matteroffact, on Flickr

innovate by matteroffact, on Flickr

faux by matteroffact, on Flickr

coral core by matteroffact, on Flickr

super prick by matteroffact, on Flickr

wobble by matteroffact, on Flickr

stubbed by matteroffact, on Flickr

pin point by matteroffact, on Flickr

typ by matteroffact, on Flickr

pounch by matteroffact, on Flickr

longing by matteroffact, on Flickr

Kaohsiung

peel by matteroffact, on Flickr

sunny rice by matteroffact, on Flickr

collide by matteroffact, on Flickr

duck down by matteroffact, on Flickr

just ducky by matteroffact, on Flickr

loom by matteroffact, on Flickr

bayday by matteroffact, on Flickr

transport by matteroffact, on Flickr

trailin by matteroffact, on Flickr

etheral by matteroffact, on Flickr

foreground by matteroffact, on Flickr

rome by matteroffact, on Flickr

angler by matteroffact, on Flickr

big thumb by matteroffact, on Flickr

catch one by matteroffact, on Flickr

light dome by matteroffact, on Flickr

monkey shines by matteroffact, on Flickr

painted eggs by matteroffact, on Flickr

stretch by matteroffact, on Flickr

think on it by matteroffact, on Flickr

pluck by matteroffact, on Flickr

dusk time by matteroffact, on Flickr

An abandoned neighbourhood I found on the outskirts of Kaohsiung.

down and out 3 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 20 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 6 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 18 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 8 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 5 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 16 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 14 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 23 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 19 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 17 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 15 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 13 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 12 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 9 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 4 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 7 by matteroffact, on Flickr

down and out 10 by matteroffact, on Flickr

toxie by matteroffact, on Flickr

stay golden by matteroffact, on Flickr

night light by matteroffact, on Flickr

stacks by matteroffact, on Flickr

beachy kaohsiung by matteroffact, on Flickr

bomby by matteroffact, on Flickr

bock by matteroffact, on Flickr

tippy by matteroffact, on Flickr

country flavour by matteroffact, on Flickr

swoop by matteroffact, on Flickr

ping tung mountain by matteroffact, on Flickr

morning kao by matteroffact, on Flickr

Thanks for staying until the end

dumbntough by matteroffact, on Flickr

ColDayMan · #2 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 5:22 AM**

Flawless, as usual. How do people in Shanghai generally regard Taiwan in general? A tourist destination? "Part of China?"

muppet · #3 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 10:06 AM**

great pics. Taiwan is so intriguing as what China would have turned out like without communism. Just as big and bloody a struggle for democracy but more old culture intact, though far less physical old culture left, with far more postwar buildings. Also I hear the food is superb.

Kilgore Trout · #4 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 10:58 AM**

Nice! I've been to Taipei and the surrounding area a million times but have never ventured south.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppet

Taiwan is so intriguing as what China would have turned out like without communism.

Don't forget that Taiwan was distinct well before 1949. Fifty years of Japanese rule left a very deep impression.

djbowen · #5 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 12:18 PM**

I definitely sense hints of Southeast Asian in some of the landscapes. Not unsurprising, as the Austronesian languages of the Philippines and Malaysia originate in Taiwan.

Coldrsx · #6 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 3:54 PM**

Great set as usual.

Have always wanted to do a loop of the island... maybe after HK.

GreenSPACE · #7 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 3:57 PM**

Fantastic shots Andrew!

arkitekte · #8 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 8:34 PM**

Solid set.

AJW · #9 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 9:48 PM**

The giant rubber duck is an artwork by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. You've captured it exceptionally well here.

Fantastic photography. Every shot has something to it.

FREKI · #10 Posted **Jul 10, 2014, 11:32 PM**

Great photos mate - makes me want to visit

mrnyc · #11 Posted **Jul 11, 2014, 12:39 AM**

wonderful work here.

is there any word on the twisty agora gardens project? maybe you can get a few pics of the work site for us sometime if you get a chance? - thx

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJW

The giant rubber duck is an artwork by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.

oh we know all about that in cleveland

Illithid Dude · #12 Posted **Jul 11, 2014, 5:41 AM**

I was literally thinking about how a lot of the old school top shelf SSP photographers hadn't made a thread in a while when I saw your thread. Fantastic work as always. Even though this is one of your shortest threads, I think the actual composition of the photos is some of your best ever. I just loooove the photos of the guy fishing, the chickens, and the family on the beach.

Xander202 · #13 Posted **Jul 11, 2014, 7:41 AM**

Beautiful thread, some Greg shots and compositions in there. I did a loop of Taiwan myself once, thoroughly enjoyed it. So much more relaxed and friendly than China I found.

giallo · #14 Posted **Jul 12, 2014, 3:31 AM**

*Edit*- I forgot to add quite a few photos to this thread (Abandoned Kaohsiung neighbourhood pics and a slew of others). They're now included.

Coldayman, that's a bit of a tough question. I've met Shanghainese (normally in the 20-30-year-old age bracket) that consider Taiwan to be its own entity - these people also think HK shouldn't be part of China. I've also met people the same age that are very much pro 'One China'.

Taiwan has exploded as a tourist destination for the upper-middle class and rich of Mainland China. Five years ago, you wouldn't see any tour groups on the island, and now they're everywhere during a Chinese holiday. Places like Kenting have become very popular for young, Chinese couples.

muppet, Kilgore pretty much covered it. Mainland China would be a very different place without communism. It would probably be 8 or more separate countries ala. post-80s USSR.

Taiwanese food is phenomenal. I have so many favourite Taiwanese dishes that naming them all would take way too long.

mrnyc, I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea this project even existed. I'm in Taipei this September, and will try to get to the site and take some pictures for you.

Illithid Dude, yeah, I'm a bit behind on posting pictures. I've got another Shanghai and a HK/GZ thread that I should be posting in the near future.

Thanks a lot for the kind words, everyone.

KevinFromTexas · #15 Posted **Jul 12, 2014, 9:29 AM**

Beautiful pics. I love the Kaohsiung skyline shots.

Tony · #16 Posted **Jul 12, 2014, 11:08 AM**

You never fail to meet and exceed expectations Andrew.

Can you tell us more about the abandoned Kaohsiung neighbourhoods?

SignalHillHiker · #17 Posted **Jul 12, 2014, 1:42 PM**

Just beautiful. :-) What a wonderful way to spend a coffee.

Danny · #18 Posted **Jul 12, 2014, 3:12 PM**

Awesome pictures, as usual! Thanks for sharing, giallo!

The diversity of Taiwan is formidable. From the beaches to the city of Taipei, everything was exceptionally captured in this tour.

Congrats and greetings from Madrid, Spain.

streetscaper · #19 Posted **Jul 12, 2014, 3:29 PM**

Awesome compositions.. love the pics.. thanks a lot!!

sabotai · #20 Posted **Jul 13, 2014, 12:27 AM**

It's crazy to think that Taipei is only 7 million people. I'll be sure to make it over there one day.