Trip to Tainan 台南

Mong-Han invited us, Maryline and Kristen to his home town Tainan 台南 for the first weekend in the new year of the ox 牛. We took the high speed train ("gao1 tie3", 高鐵) at 08:06 in the morning and arrived in Tainan after a journey of less than 2 hours, where we were picked up by Mong-Han. Our first destination of our itinerary was an old fort from the times of the Qing Dynasty at An Ping.




We then went to a temple in An Ping devoted to worshipping Mazu 媽祖, the goddess of the Sea, who protects fishermen and sailors.


Traditional oblation to the gods during the Chinese New Year are duck, pork and chicken meat (on the picture in the middle of the table) besides fruits and sweets.


These ladies in red were conducting a procession carrying a statue in front followed by musicians with drums and large cymbals and others pushing various carriages.


An Ping is one of the few places in Taiwan we've seen so far that has a protected old district, with narrow alleys and old, low brick houses.


We found old trees honoured by the local people...


... a funny relief on a house wall...


...and beautiful details like these special flower pots in the narrow lanes of An Ping:


Our last stop led us to the seaside at Huang3 Jin1 Hei3 An4 (黃金海岸 Golden Seaside).


Many kite surfers were cruising the waves.


叔叔 ("shu1 shu1" uncle) Mong-Han with Anna:


Anna got in touch with seawater the first time in her life. See how she liked it ...


Two mermaids watching kite surfers, Poseidon emerging from the Sea, and then posing with the mermaids ...


Fooling around and watching the sunset (看夕陽 , kan4 xi1 yang2) over the Taiwan Strait.


We really enjoyed this trip and especially getting out of Taipei! The sun, the fresh air and our funny friends made this a wonderful day!!!