Kaohsiung Architecture

I can't pretend I know too much about architecture but I can tell you what I like. I have to admit there isn't too much architectural inspiration in Taiwanese cities.

When the Dutch arrived in the 16th century they dubbed the place "Ilha Formosa" or "Beautiful Island". Well we have a pretty good demonstration of what not to do with a beautiful island.

View from the top of Dream Mall looking toward the harbour.

The Taiwanese love their big buildings. They're very proud of the Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world (for a short time). Koahsiung's 85 holds similar awe.


The majority of buildings that people live in though are concrete cubes with weird wiring and poor insulation - hot in summer and cold in winter.


Overall I find them grey and depressing. One of my students, who is an architect, says these pre-fabs are cheap to build.


The seventies styles seem common.


Government buildings are not immune.

This one is amazing if only for the tree growing through it.

Even the new ones look soulless. You must have air conditioning or they're unbearable.


Even empty buildings can be used as billboards

Farewell

Betel Nut: A Beginner's Guide

The Scavenger Hunt - Epilogue

Thanks to everyone who came along to the

Great Kaohsiung Scavenger Hunt

Obviously you

Could work it out?

(apart for the whole cafe on the mountain bit)

Nice work!

See below for the full list of clues,

and feel free to send in your photos.

I'd like to get them up here.

Location 1:

Wisconsin has one famed for its Packers,
Get to Kaohsiung’s green waters, you slackers!

You must find:

Taiwan is home to one famous ale,
bring us something with its name so you won’t fail.

It’s a Taiwanese child’s idea of heaven,

Can you find a good boy (gwi gwi) at 7- Eleven?

What you need is a pic,

of any sexy chic.

Saint Anthony it translates to from Spanish,

the name of this place you can get a dish.

You must get its business card,

it can’t be that hard!

New York it’s the “subway”, London it’s “underground”,

A token from Kaohsiung’s version, must be found.

Location 2:

Taiwan is an island,but Kaohsiung has its own,
here you’ll find the next clue’s home.

You must find:

On the island sea-creatures are thick,
bring us one, impaled, on a stick.

Taiwan has a famous Goddess of the Sea,
you must get a photo of her and thee.

it could be Mazu but it'll do

In Taiwan there’s a nut that’s often chewed,

bring us some, and evidence you’ve used.

This stuff on the beach you like to lay,

bring a handful, by the end of day.

To the island two boats commute,
One is pretty, the other ain’t so cute.

A pic of you on the latter,

is what really matters.

the crappy ferry

Location 3:

A café on the mountain over looks the city,

Here is where the next clue will be.

You must find:

Here is many a religious icon,

you get a photo of you and one.

Near here is a station of fire,
a picture of its truck you must acquire.

To truly be triumphant,

bring a piece of a plant.

In Kaohsiung it is the tallest,

its gym’s business card, bring to us.

icon

On Wufu Bridge there is a date,

bring us a photo which it states.

Location 4:

Find the Buddha and make it snappy,

you know the one, he’s always happy.

fire truck

You must find:

More important that all the rest,

Can you find a pair of breasts?

You may not give a flying fuck,

but you need a menu with duck.

Taiwan has a famous bean curd,to some it smells like turd.

Bring with you a sample,and proof you’ve consumed ample.

breasts as promised

Next to Love River is a tower famed for its light,

a photo of you climbing it shall bring delight.

Location 5:

The final spot,is a house of fruit

the colour of a setting sun

hurry there to continue the fun,

off you trott o collect the loot

stinky tofu time

More photos from the hunt:

Taiwan is home to one famous ale,
bring us something with its name so you won’t fail.

It’s a Taiwanese child’s idea of heaven,

Can you find a good boy (gwi gwi) at 7- Eleven?


Taiwan has a famous Goddess of the Sea,
you must get a photo of her and thee.





To the island two boats commute,
One is pretty, the other ain’t so cute.

A pic of you on the latter,

is what really matters.

Here is many a religious icon,

you get a photo of you and one


Near here is a station of fire,
a picture of its truck you must acquire.

More important that all the rest,

Can you find a pair of breasts?

I can't believe it's not: 7-11

More Fashion Tragedies

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get photos for all the bad fashion I see around me, so here's a list I jotted down while sitting in cafe near Wufu Road.

• man-bags
• giant hair
• dyed hair
• short shorts
• couples in matching shirts
• pricey punks
• shirt dresses
• big watches
• business man uniform
• converse rip-offs
• protective sun wear
• masks
• novelty helmets
• USA tee shirts
• pet dressing
• giant high heels
• backwards bike shirts
• shirtless sleeves

Photo from: http://dailychao.blogspot.com/2008/09/buying-love.html

Receipt Lottery

This is something I've been meaning to blog for a while... but why bother is other people are going to do it for you.

Check out:

http://feikaidi.blogspot.com

Police in Taiwan...

Scooter rider without helmet shot dead in police chase

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:38 am

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Police have begun investigating a shooting case in which a scooter rider with a concealed license plate was shot in the head and died after he and his partner refused to stop for a police check in Taipei County.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/taipei/2008/09/30/176731/Scooter-rider.htm

Kaohsiung...

Looks like:

A reconditioned two-stroke engine

A thick gray blinding blanket of haze

A concrete building covered with billboards

A myriad of multi-coloured flashing lights illuminating canyons of roads between buildings

Smells like:

Giant plumes of blue-gray two-stroke engine exhaust

Spices of Chinatown

Open sewers

Rancid cooking oil

Sugary sweet bread

Sounds like:

A clapped-out two-stroke engine

Chinese opera outside my bedroom window

Ballady Pop everywhere you go

Wailing ambulances

“Welcome Shoppers”

Tastes like:

Two-stroke engine exhaust

Salty soy

Greasy pork

Japanese Rice

Bad imitations of Mexican food

Feels like:

Two-stroke lung disease

Sweat running down my back

Scooter sunburn on hands and feet

Excessive icy air-conditioning

An industrial hangover