Wild Postcards

It took me some time to decide which lake this is; there is no English-language caption on the card, and Winnie, who drew a very cute self-portrait on the back of the card, told me only that the picture “is a famous lake in Taiwan”, and even then only as a postscript.  On the other hand, it’s always nice to get a postcard on which the subject of the message is something besides the postcard itself.  As for the messages that I myself send out, I plead the fifth.

Ultimately, I was able to puzzle out the Chinese caption on the front of the card.  Sun Moon Lake  (日月潭) is named from the notion that  the lake’s east side is round like the Sun, while the west side is in the shape of a crescent moon.  It’s also the place to be in Taiwan if you’re on your honeymoon, much as Niagara Falls used to be the traditional destination for honeymooners in the US.

In the middle of the lake, between the sun and the moon, is Lalu Island, which is sacred ground to the Thao tribe (or Shao, depending on who you ask), who are a people aboriginal to Taiwan.  As a result, no non-tribesman are allowed on the island, nor is swimming allowed in the lake, except for a few special events.

It took me some time to decide which lake this is; there is no English-language caption on the card, and Winnie, who drew a very cute self-portrait on the back of the card, told me only that the picture “is a famous lake in Taiwan”, and even then only as a postscript.  On the other [...]

Shall we play a game, my friends?  Ju-Chin tells me that this is/was a traditional game in Taiwan; I have seen other representations of this game, with various motifs. This particular motif features characters from a cartoon known in the US as Battle of the Planets, or sometimes G-force and has been on the air in various incarnations and overdubs here since 1978, with a movie planned for 2010.  Its first incarnation was produced in Japan in 1972 as Science Ninja Team Gatchaman; it became popular in Taiwan in 1977 as Scientific Flying Fantasy Warriors (Ke Xuei Xiao Fei Xia).

The original game board is obviously much larger than postcard-size; Ju-Chin writes that each of the grids has a ”different prizes such as candy (or) chewing gum”.

Isn’t the back of the card just as cool as the front? Not only is the Gatchaman artwork reproduced, but there’s also a very unique stampbox as well (which Ju-Chin was kind enough to leave uncovered for me).

Be sure to check out the other blogs celebrating Postcard Friendship Friday.

Shall we play a game, my friends?  Ju-Chin tells me that this is/was a traditional game in Taiwan; I have seen other representations of this game, with various motifs. This particular motif features characters from a cartoon known in the US as Battle of the Planets, or sometimes G-force and has been on the air [...]

Greta was kind enough to send me a postcard of this incredible image by Chao-Pang Hsu of Photographic Works of Taiwan.  Although the card lacks a description, Greta was kind enough to provide me with some excellent details and insights:

“Located in Hualien County in the eastern part of Taiwan, Ching-shei (or 清水, i.e. pellucid water) Cliff is one of the toppest (sic) views in this country. With the average height of 800m and bording (sic) the Pacific Ocean for about 21 mi. long at almost (a) 90 degree angle, this majestic scenery always amazes people. But driving along the coastal road could be hair-raising! Winding, narrow, and lampless!”  I think that Greta has a future as a travel writer.

Greta was kind enough to send me a postcard of this incredible image by Chao-Pang Hsu of Photographic Works of Taiwan.  Although the card lacks a description, Greta was kind enough to provide me with some excellent details and insights: “Located in Hualien County in the eastern part of Taiwan, Ching-shei (or 清水, i.e. pellucid [...]