Earlier this year I took a short trip to Kinmen. This is a small island off Taiwan Main Island and it is closer to Mainland China than to Taiwan. It is also a place with a rather interesting history. Back in the early 50s, there was a period where China fired mortars almost every day across the Straits onto the island. At that time, it was a show of force between the Mainland China and Taiwan which was backed by the US. Those days Kinmen was out of bound for most civilian and only military personnel were allow to be there. Naturally, as time passes and situation improved, the town starts to develop. Today, it is still a little underdeveloped compared to the main island Taiwan.When I arrived, it was noon and I was out quickly to look for lunch. Taiwan is known for its beef noodle and I quickly found myself in a noodle shop (recommended by the local foodies). There were'nt a lot of customers and I guess was past lunchtime.
Naturally, I had to order their most famous dish - beef noodle.
I had better beef noodle elsewhere but I guess it is alright as I was hungry.After lunch, took a short walk about town. It wasn't a big town and there was not much new development taking place. Most buildings were low rise, which I guess were due to Kinmen's past history.
Also did the tourist thing and went out of town to some of the "tourist" stops. This is a cluster of old Chinese residential buildings that were re-furbished for tourists. The interest here is the architectural design and the overall layout of the building clusters.
Walk about among the individual houses and the back lane.
Peeped into the back courtyard into the home.
A local resident.
As the sun was setting fast, walked out of the house cluster to the surrounding areas.Caught sight of this tree - which was support by an interesting iron chain.
As it was kinda of late I then went back to town and took a few more shots of the town.
It has been sometime since I last electrical and telecom grid of this nature.
Next morning, before breakfast I stepped out of the hotel. The night before there were a number of other tourists, mostly from main Island of Taiwan arrived. They too are ready to go out and find out more about Kinmen. But boy, was it foggy that morning. I asked a local, he said it is typical to have thick fog in the morning especially during early spring.
Made my way into town again and this time into an older part of town for a traditional breakfast of rice porridge. On the way I passed some old shops. Haven't seen shops like these for a while.
An old stone archway.
Breakfast, at last.. served hot and prepared right in front of you.
Wonder off after a hot breakfast into a nearby old "Magistrate" building - sort of like the modern day local government building. Here the local magistrate will rule over local matters. Now the building is opened to public and I saw a school bring their young students for a visit.
View attachment 36728
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After this quick walk, I headed back to the airport for my trip back.
Would have love to post more pictures but it seems I have run out of memory and the blog does not allow me to post more. Perhaps till the next short trip somewhere..
​All pictures were taken with D800E with the Nikkor 35mm f/2D.
Naturally, I had to order their most famous dish - beef noodle.
I had better beef noodle elsewhere but I guess it is alright as I was hungry.After lunch, took a short walk about town. It wasn't a big town and there was not much new development taking place. Most buildings were low rise, which I guess were due to Kinmen's past history.
Also did the tourist thing and went out of town to some of the "tourist" stops. This is a cluster of old Chinese residential buildings that were re-furbished for tourists. The interest here is the architectural design and the overall layout of the building clusters.
Walk about among the individual houses and the back lane.
Peeped into the back courtyard into the home.
A local resident.
As the sun was setting fast, walked out of the house cluster to the surrounding areas.Caught sight of this tree - which was support by an interesting iron chain.
As it was kinda of late I then went back to town and took a few more shots of the town.
It has been sometime since I last electrical and telecom grid of this nature.
Next morning, before breakfast I stepped out of the hotel. The night before there were a number of other tourists, mostly from main Island of Taiwan arrived. They too are ready to go out and find out more about Kinmen. But boy, was it foggy that morning. I asked a local, he said it is typical to have thick fog in the morning especially during early spring.
Made my way into town again and this time into an older part of town for a traditional breakfast of rice porridge. On the way I passed some old shops. Haven't seen shops like these for a while.
An old stone archway.
Breakfast, at last.. served hot and prepared right in front of you.
Wonder off after a hot breakfast into a nearby old "Magistrate" building - sort of like the modern day local government building. Here the local magistrate will rule over local matters. Now the building is opened to public and I saw a school bring their young students for a visit.
View attachment 36728
​
After this quick walk, I headed back to the airport for my trip back.
Would have love to post more pictures but it seems I have run out of memory and the blog does not allow me to post more. Perhaps till the next short trip somewhere..
​All pictures were taken with D800E with the Nikkor 35mm f/2D.