Taiwan - 7 Shots of Taipei, Taiwan

I'm far from being an OK photographer but still, I like to take photographs and share it with my friends. So, I thought of this 7 shots series where I'll post 7 photos that I think represent the place. I did it for Pulau Ketam and Klang during the #TSBreakAway adventures and I begin the series with 7 pictures of Taipei, a city I recently visited and came to love.

Chinese deity costume

I took this photo inside a Chinese temple somewhere in Wanhua district. I'm a poor dictionary on all things Chinese hence, I can't say for sure whether this is a deity or something along the line. I just find it very creepy, an unexpected adjective in a temple.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Security guard change process

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a popular tourist spot in Taipei, mostly for the 10 plus minutes security guard change. The process was precise and detailed, something quite interesting for those who has yet to see anything like this.

Either National Theatre Hall or National Concert Hall

Honestly, I can't be sure which one is this for both the National Theatre Hall and National Concert Hall boost the same architecture style and located on the same ground as Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (one on the left and the other right). These two buildings are especially stunning during night time when all lit up.

Shilin Night Market

A stall in Huaxi Night Market

Night markets are regular past time activities in Taiwan come night time. I had visited 4 of them in my short time in the city and I have to say, not every one of them are the same. Shilin Night Market is hip and happening but cater more towards tourists while Huaxi Night Market has a local vibe to it.

Longshan Temple

One of the oldest temples in Taipei, Longshan Temple constantly has a large crowd of people paying respects to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy the temple dedicated to. While the original architecture was damaged long ago, it still reeks of tradition and heritage.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

#TSBreakAway - 7 Shots of Pulau Ketam

"The main issue we are dealing with here in Pulau Ketam is the rubbish problem," said Mr Song Soon Guan, councillor for Klang Municipal Council. Even if he didn't point it out, we could see it with our own eyes. 

Plastic bags, polystyrene containers, water bottles, aluminium cans, and even baby diapers surfaced on the island as the water receded. During low tide, Pulau Ketam looks like a town built on top of a landfill site. It is simply an ungodly sight. How did this happen? I find this illustration the best answer to it.

It is a shame, really, for Pulau Ketam is quite a characteristic little fishing island. Colourful houses on wooden stilts scattered throughout the island. Small boats docked by the shore, getting ready for its seafaring hours. Villagers cycled about in surprising speed, leaving me befuddled as to why they were in such a hurry. 

Pulau Ketam just screams, "Photograph me!" So, I did. Like the previous post on 7 shots of Klang, here's my 7 shots of the island. I hope they do convey the idle lifestyle of this quaint island. 

#TSBreakAway - 7 Shots of Klang

I may have been to all the Southeast Asian countries but I have yet to fully explore my homeland. Out of the 13 Malaysian states and 3 federal territories, I can't claim to have been to every inch. In fact, my exposures to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia are lacking, and Kelantan remains a mysterious locale, the only state I have yet to come across with. For this reason alone, I was very happy to be selected as one of the Xplorers for #TSBreakAway.

I want to use 7 photos taken during my solo expedition to paint Klang's historic district. I am merely a "syok sendiri" photographer so don't expect National Geographic materials being showcased here. That being said, I do hope that these images will interest you to drop by and exxplore this town.