Taiwan - Is it China?

Taiwan's other title is the Republic of China (ROC) and mainland China's other title is the People’s Republic of China keyword being 'People'. Are you still with me? Taiwan and Hong Kong seem to be united cousins in a way because they both want to continue as sovereign nation’s in their own right free from China's absolute rule. Many centuries ago China was the most powerful nation on earth long before the British Empire's claim to fame. Taiwan's female President, a progressive democrat has stated the nation's wishes publicly for China to refrain from its renewed territorial ambitions. Some 'powerful' global nations do not recognise Taiwan in its own right which does not help the cause so its diplomacy aspires to a status-quo despite immense pressure from China.

Taiwan markets

Go girl!

🤒

I can collect all the media intelligence I like but there's nothing like getting the real truth from the Taiwanese people here. There are and has been so many nations in history striving to achieve independence from a parent or occupying nation either be force or negotiation of the current political/economic arrangements. Other than the power agendas of dictatorial megalomaniacs who by the way appear to be mostly male. Don't we all just want a peaceful, happy and prosperous life?

There's an old beginning to a story “Once there were two Chinaman, now look how many” Oops! this is a travel blog - not an Anthropology lesson John. But as I travelled far from my Australian home I’ve realised how extraordinarily compressed but vibrant lives these various SE and NE Asian people live. We would be in constant panic mode in the organised chaos of these crowded intense spaces but the people here simply get on with living. A beep of the car horn in my country could become a 'road rage incident' but here it's a norm and simply means 'I'm here'. Unfortunately these developing nations have extraordinary high casualty statistics. I get many 'you ride my bike' offers but I kindly decline and walk most of the time because I like to and also to survive another day.

No it's not Mr Whippy the icecream man. It's your daily rubbish truck rush.

Wonderful railway network service 

English-speaking Taiwanese people are hard to find but the nation encourages English speaking where possible. Thank goodness for the language translator on my IPhone as I explored the amazing street food districts asking “fish?”, “chicken?” or “woof woof?”.

I think the women of these nations are extraordinary and the most hard working, strong spirited pillars of their communities. Watching them interact with each other and their entrepreneurial skills are impressive. They won't and should not be expected to be ordered around the home or kitchen in some domestic misery. I have family members and dear close friends who in my opinion have these wonderful attributes.

Fishing village NE Taiwan

But Taiwan is not just about high-tech industries and fabulous street food. A mountain range spine runs all the way from south to north essentially separating the east from the west almost to the northern capital of Taipei. Taiwan has a good train/bus network providing great options for either city, regional or national conservation park destinations. There are stunning forests and highland slopes supporting 'Barking deer’, the Formosan Macaque Monkey and many distinct and attractive birds. 

Many centuries ago the country was joined by a land bridge to mainland China but as the seas rose the island's inhabitants remained and the nation of Taiwan emerged. The early maritime explorers from southern Europe named this land as 'Formosa' meaning 'Beautiful Island'. My forest hikes were very relaxing as expected - surprisingly I did not see many Taiwanese walkers but the occasional backpacker. I finished my last four days in the northern capital Taipei and as usual established myself in the best location for food, public transport, cultural activities and an overdue movie session. Wow! I've never seen so much night light signs in one place - not even Hong Kong.

Cooking my own hotpot

Downtown Taipei district