Featured Image – Page 4 – Wangechi Gitahi Travels

Asia

Homely Pingtung

By Wangechi Gitahi

After enjoying Taipei for sometime, I chose to venture southwards to Pingtung, that is also referred to as Pingdong. I really liked this place as the people were super warm, the landscape really serene and there was lots to learn about their culture, especially due to the high older generation population. The below is what I got up to, feel free to follow suit. a)Engage with the people I was privileged to have a home stay experience courtesy of my friends Katys grand parents. These two opened their hearts and home to me and I will forever be grateful that I eventually started calling them grand ma and grand pa. It was interesting watching people observe grandma and I conversing with each other, her in Chinese, me in English, yet we completely understood each other.They became my tour guides and showed me all around the town and its outskirts. May…

Asia

Mouth watering Miaoli

By Wangechi Gitahi

Miaoli is located to the West of Taiwan. It is generally a hilly area and thus the weather is conducive for farming and hiking. I got the privilege to visit courtesy of being invited to the Eva Airlines Family funday. I was staying at my friends Katys home and that day I accompanied Mr. Chen, her father. This family truly integrated me as part of the family that I went as part of family and I truly had a sumptuous great day. The following were the highlights: Delicacies: I managed to eat and enjoy all the below delicacies presented to me. Sometimes not knowing what is presented as a delicacy is indeed a plus, as thus one becomes more adventurous on sampling. a) Clam soup: I thought it was vegetable soup, or sea weed soup only to reach the bottom of the bowl to find clam shells. Oh well, you…

Asia

Welcoming Taipei

By Wangechi Gitahi

My first time to ever hear about Taiwan or even interact with Taiwanese was in 2009, when I had travelled to India to volunteer on a Rural Project. While at the project, I was met with ladies who had the brightest and warmest smiles who were also part of the project. I was the only African on location and the first African and Black at that, that the citizens and the international volunteers had ever seen or interacted with. The Taiwanese ladies went out of their way to make me blend in, feel at home and feel welcome. As the project ended and we all returned back to our countries, we hugged and assured each other we would one day visit each other in our respective homes. First forward to 2011, and one of them told me about the Taiwan Youth Trekkers competition that was run by the Taiwan Youth…

Asia

Taiwan 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.It is officially called the Republic of China (ROC) but most people refer to it simply as Taiwan. It was previously known as Formosa and its capital city is called Taipei. 2. It is an Island located in East Asia and is bordered by China in the West, Japan to the North East and Philippines to the South. 3. They dominantly speak Chinese and still use traditional Chinese characters in writing. 4. It has 14 recognized aboriginal tribes and a a population of about 23million people . 5.Their dominant religions are Buddhism and Taoism 6. The ladies are afraid of the sun and the rain. When the sun is high, they will have their umbrellas up to reduce exposure to the suns rays and when it rains, even a little, they have to be well covered in ponchos and umbrellas to avoid the effects of (acid) rain. 7.Their trash collection…

Asia

Thailand 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.It is officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand and its capital city is Bangkok. 2.Their official language is Thai but most of them also speak English especially in the major towns. 3.The head of state is a King while the Prime Minister is the head of Parliamentary government. 4.It has the second largest economy in South East Asia and is made up of 1430 islands. 5.The dominant religion is Buddhism and they are open to all religions. 6. It is the only country in South East Asia that was not colonized by a European country 7.It is densely populated, especially in Bangkok. 8. It is bordered by Myanmar /Burma to the North and West, Laos to the North and East, Cambodia to the South East and Malaysia to the South. 9. The head is revered by the Thai people, thus never touch someones head, even children. The feet on…

Asia

Dubai 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.Dubai is an Emirate in the United Arab Emirates(UAE), they are seven in total-Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras-al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. 2. It is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. 3. Each of the United Arab Emirates is ruled by an absolute monarch, a prince. 4. Arabic is the official language but English is spoken in most areas. 5. It is located in South West Asia and its region is commonly referred to as the Middle East. 6. The dominant religion is Islam and thus they are generally conservative. They are however a very open country and thus it is very cosmopolitan. 7. Its culture is dominantly Arab culture and is considered one of the strongest super powers in the Arab World. 8.Much of Dubai is desert. It has thus reclaimed some land from the Persian Gulf and developed areas like Palm Jumeira and…

Asia

Hong Kong 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.Hong Kong’s official name is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or Hong Kong SAR. 2.Hong Kong’s official languages are Chinese (Spoken Cantonese) and English 3.It is located in East Asia and Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and several other smaller islands. There are 263 islands in Hong Kong. 4.It has the worlds highest number of skyscarpers with most buildings being over 14floors 5.It is the most expensive country in the world to buy a home in 6.It is a leading financial hub, worldwide 7. Hong Kong is a generally safe country with with very low crime rates. It is safe even for females to travel at night 8.The airport staff at the Hong Kong International Airport get an A+ in customer service. When we arrived, to my amazement, I was received with a wheel chair as I was travelling with the aid of a…

Africa

Ethiopia 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.Ethiopia is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and its capital is Addis Ababa. 2. The dominant religion is Christian with most being Orthodox Christians. 3. It is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second most populous country in Africa. 4. It is bordered by Eritrea to the North and Northeast, Djibouti and Somalia to the East, Sudan and South Sudan to the West and Kenya to the South. 5. Ethiopia was never colonized during the “Scramble for Africa”, but was occupied by the Italians. 6. Ethiopia has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. The nine sites are Aksum, Fasil Ghebbi, Harar, Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Lower Valley of the Omo, Rock-Hewn Churches, Simien National Park and Tiya. 7.The Ethiopian Calendar has 13 months and it is 7 ½ years behind the Gregorian calendar. New Year in Ethiopia starts on…

Asia

Blast from the past in Melaka

By Wangechi Gitahi

Melaka also referred to as Melacca is a beautiful city located to the South of Malaysia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is currently my favourite place in Malaysia as it is full of culture. There are many old buildings, some in their natural old state with others having been rehabilitated by the government. Things to do in Melaka/Melacca 1.Visit the historical buildings a) I got to visit Christ Church Melaka, which is the oldest functioning Protestant Church in Malaysia. Its construction begun in 1741 and was completed in 1743. It has been beautifully refurbished and one of the main buildings you will see upon arrival. b) A FAMOSA This was a former Portuguese fortress that was built in 1511 and is the oldest surviving European architectural remains in South East Asia. It was partly renovated by the Dutch and as you walk around it, you can see…

Asia

Shocking Penang

By Wangechi Gitahi

Penang is located on the North Western coast of Malaysia and is the second largest city. Its capital city George town is one of the oldest towns in Malaysia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you move around the town you will at times feel like you took a time travel into the past. My Highlights : 1)History and culture George Town is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a walk through the town will enable you to appreciate its history and culture. The area is inhabited more by the older generation and most of the buildings are really old. The government however, has tried to restore some of them. 2) Sweetenham Pier Cruise Terminal: This place is a beauty to behold. This is both the entry point and exit points of those travelling here over water. The pier handles millions of passengers yearly from the public…