Hi All, I know talking about the trip to Taiwan is a little overdue, but I guess, a little late is better than never. After all, I did promise to write a little about it ..:)...of which I almost forgot. I was reminded when I made a visit to one of my lovely blogger friends blog where she posted about persimmon which then triggered my memory...aheemmm......gosh, my age has caught up with me?
The trip was organised by the KDCA State Level UNK Committee as part of Melinda, the reigning Unduk Ngadau's activities. The trip served as an educational trip for her to expose her to other cultures to empower her knowledge as an Ambassador for Tourism. We, the Organiser of course had to tag along. The group of 18 traveled to Taiwan on the 1st November and upon reaching Taoyuan Airport, Taipei, I immediately felt I was in foreign land because of the chilly temperature. Of course, it should be. It was autumn after all but it was pleasantly cool and fresh, a stark contrast from the usually hot and humid temperature here. We arrived our hotel in Taipei at around 9 in the evening.
The following morning, dressed in our traditional costume, a chartered bus brought us to the Malaysia Friendship and Trade Centre (MFTC) Taipei where we were scheduled for a courtesy visit to the Head of Mission, Taipei, Ybhg Datuk T S Yong. We were welcomed by his beautiful wife and ushered to a Conference Room. Datin Dona has been instrumental in arranging our travel itinerary in Taiwan. We met several Malaysians staff working for MFTC. All the formalities done, a presentation of the MFTC personnel showed and briefed us the roles and functions of MFTC. We were informed that Head of Mission is equivalent to Ambassador.
For refreshments, we were served with a delicious Malaysian Nasi Lemak with super hot sambal cooked by Malaysians.
Later, we were brought to visit a few landmarks in Taipei, one of which is the Taipei 101 Tower. It is one of the tallest buildings in the world at 1,667 feet high. The tower and its spire even outrank the Petronas Twin Towers, in Kuala Lumpur.
We were brought to luncheon hosted by the wife of Head of Mission where we were joined by the Ambassador of Swaziland to Taiwan and several Ambassadors' wives and towards the evening we were brought to watch a cultural show.
The following days were spent sightseeing and window shopping. Ahh..but let the pictures speak for themselves.
at the persimmon farm..too ripe huh
'Persimmon Picker'...hehe
At the persimmon garden, a Persimmon Festival.
The Persimmon Festival is one of Taiwan's tourist attraction.
The Persimmon Festival is one of Taiwan's tourist attraction.
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Group photo with the Head of Mission Taipei, his wife and staff of Malaysian Friendship
and Trade Centre Taipei
Middle, an aborigine lady, flanked by Ray (left) and Melinda
Background : Chang Kai Shek Memorial
Lunch with the wives of Ambassadors of various countries.
On my left is the wife of Ambassador of Singapore in Taiwan
On the right is Ambassador of Swaziland in Taiwan.
a cultural performance by the Aborigines Cultural Group, Taiwan. There are 14 aborigines tribes in Taiwan. There's one tribe (can't remember which one) which has an uncanny resemblance with our traditional costume.
Even some of their language are similar to the Kadazandusn tribe in Sabah. We asked one lady to count 1 to 10 in their language and there was a lot of similarities for example, five in Kadazan is himo and the lady told us that it 'hima' or something like that in their language. I also asked how they say eyes in their language, and she said 'mato' and ears 'tolingo'......We were shrieking in amusement. That was sooo eerie.
Some has claimed that the ancestral roots of Kadazandusuns could have originated from here. So far no concrete evidence is available and has remained unproven until now. It would be quite interesting. I hope one day, someone would do a proper research on this.
"a groom carrying his bride on their wedding day"
aerial view of Sun Moon Lake
But she looks like one of us doesn't she.
they know how to aramaitie also ..hehehe
Melinda with a beautiful Malaysian lady, now a PR of Taiwan. She has been residing in Taiwan for the past 35 years. She has not forgotten her roots. See what she wears.. love it.
