COMING TO TAIWAN: The S. African perspective

By Marc Feltham / Wild East Comedy / Contributing writer It was 2001. I had reached the pits of despair and was seriously contemplating suicide. My previous life as a rock star was over, due to some ridiculously stupid life decisions and a penchant for chemical relief. I took a

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Orchid Island’s rocky history: Part 4/4 and tourist info

Part One here; and Part 2; Part 3 Check out this link at Travel & Culture magazine to read AmCham’s abridged version of this article. By Trista di Genova, The Wild East Land rights are another ongoing issue for this and other tribes in Taiwan. Under the Chen administration, residents

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Orchid Island’s rocky history, Part 3/4

Part One here; and Part 2 If the Tao people of Taiwan’s Orchid Island can overcome some modern-day challenges while celebrating and sharing their rich heritage, the future looks bright for this amazing but remote haven Check out this link at Travel & Culture magazine to read AmCham’s abridged version

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Touring Taiwan’s outlying islands

An excerpt of the Lin Yang (of the DPA, Deutsche Presse-Agentur) interview with Trista di Genova, who has traveled to and written about her fascination with history and culture on Taiwan’s outlying islands, so far Orchid Island, Green Island and Kinmen. Lin Yang’s travel story will be published in the

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Steven Crook: Taiwan's consummate cultural notetaker

By Trista di Genova, The Wild East (Pick up a copy of next month’s ‘Centered on Taipei’ magazine to see this interview in print.) Steven Crook, a Briton who’s been in Taiwan since 1991, is an amazingly versatile freelancer. He’s worked as a government project consultant, copy editor for Taiwan

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An Adventure 'round the Island: Couchsurfing, Hitchhiking, and Island Hopping

By Mary Weathers The Wild East As soon as I had secured myself a teaching position in Taipei, I decided to take a couple months off to tour the Island that is Taiwan. I needed to see more of the country; I had certainly not fallen head over heels in

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The healing hot springs of Chingchuan

By Barry Martinson I am floating in the steaming hot springs of the aboriginal mountain village of Chingchuan (清泉), an hour’s ride from the foothills of Chutung (竹東), not far from Hsinchu (新竹) City. Outside, the air is chilly. But once in the water, there is nothing but warmth. “Chingchuan”

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Truly Taiwan's Treasure: Taitung, pure and natural

By Trista di Genova The China Post Now is the only time you will actually see a traffic jam in beautiful Taitung County, and for the Western one, Jan. 1-4. The rest of the year, Taitung’s attractions can be tasted at leisure, and from pristine mountains and streams, aboriginal gatherings,

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