OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This card is so funky! I love the colours and the design, but the story is the topper! Lan-yin sent this card showing the Goddess Matsu (or Mazu). Lan-yin wrote to me about Matsu and the comfort she brings. There was a fair bit of text printed on the back of the card that I had translated by one of the super people I know via a Facebook page - shout out to Willa for her help with the following translation - "Travel with Mazu! Life is all about learning to walk down the path. I believe Mazu didn't teach us to worship but to feel life step by step, as a human, as a type of experience. Our legs are made out of metal, our heart out of flesh. Grandma (referring to Mazu), take me on another journey please!" 

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Alice lives in Taiwian chose a wonderful card for me - Mt. Fuji, located in Japan. The swans and blue skies are so serene and peaceful looking. It is also classed as a UNESCO site. Not too sure if that is her on the sticker/stamp she used, I asked but did  not hear back from her.

Greetings from Taiwan - Direct Swap with Sonya

No sooner am I able to sit back and enjoy the completion of my PostalLove collection and it seems they issue new cards just to celebrate with me! This last round saw five new countries introduced. I have connected with a few people to swap and have three other cards travelling to me. Right now the elusive one is Thailand. Wish me luck with that! Sonya and I connected on Facebook as she was offering the card from Taiwan. She shared with me her traditions for the Lunar New Year, they sound fun!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This is such a funky card! I love the simplicity of the photo and the way the longitude and latitude co-ordinates are superimposed over it. Such a striking visual! Singing lives in Taipei and wrote to me about a recent trip she took.

Greetings from Taiwan - Direct Swap with Yun Rou

Another successful swap via Facebook. This time YunRou and I both exchanged our respective "Greetings From..." cards. The card was written on October 10th, which is Taiwan's National Day or Double Ten Day. This was something I never knew and found it interesting. He asks if I am familiar with bubble tea as it originated in his hometown of Taichung. Yet another sign I should be trying it. I'll have to find a spot and bring The Little Prince to read too!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This colourful map of Taiwan was sent to me from Szu-Ying. She wrote that the card illustrates the characteristics each city is known for - fun!

Direct Swap - Winni from Taiwan

In the summer, I do love sitting by the bonfire and stargazing. When Winni was offering the 12 Zodiac constellations one day via Facebook I jumped at the chance to swap with her. Lucky for me the card I wanted was available and I had a Waldo card my son was willing to part with. This card showing Scorpio is a great addition to my small zodiac collection. I love what Winni wrote - the Chinese characters and English translation are great!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Darvish is another Postcrosser who has visited Vancouver. I seem to be crossing paths with many people who have done that lately. The card he chose for me is a great multi view showing the National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan. The image in the lower right certainly gave me a smile.

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This map card from Taiwan shows the geography in the year 942. Jerry tells me he likes lighthouses and asks if there are many in Canada. Funny when you live "inland" as I do it is something you never really think about. I know there are many in coastal towns and even along the shores of Lake Ontario. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess.

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Ann is a 22 year old student studying at Fu Jen Catholic University. She writes that she graduates soon and is hoping to find a good job. She made the card herself - nice job!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

I do like receiving both map and flag cards. Funny thing I have received more of these from Taiwan than any other country, in some cases combined! They must be pretty popular to send or the Postcrossers must be pretty patriotic. Cindy wrote telling me the colours represent blue sky, white sun and red passion - interesting!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This is probably one of the uniquest cards in terms of how it arrived. The card was written and then taped view side down to a piece of computer type paper (that was kind of neat too as it was all in characters!). Inside the "envelope" was a brochure for an exhibit Jensen had recently attended at the National Museum of History in Taipei. Different!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This totally sounds like something from a movie! Dilys sent this card from Taiwan showing Swallow Grotto and the Tunnel of Nine Turns in Taroko National Park. Beautiful.

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Lenticular cards are so much fun! Too bad they scan so horribly. This card from Lucy shows the Taiwanese flag. She wrote me about her upcoming plans to celebrate the Lunar New Year, hope she had fun!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan. The description alone sounds stunning - the east side resembles the sun while the west the moon. This night view and all other images I've seen help to confirm this. Shawmay also used a great assortment of stamps.

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This was one of my first cards that I received for 2014. Artmeis from Taiwan sent a view card showing Anping Fort. It is the first castle built in Taiwan, by the Dutch in 1624. Artmeis has never been but writes that she hopes to soon.

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Louise is a 17 year old from Taiwan and sent this card back in November. Getting closer to being caught up! She writes telling me Taiwan is known for it's delicious food. Her favourite is pearl milk tea and she asks if I have heard of it. Well, I hadn't until I l discovered it is better known here as Bubble Tea. Yes, I have heard of it but not quite so daring as to try it. I can't quite put my finger on why or what but something about the little tapioca balls kind of weird me out. Have you tried it?

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Chu-Ting sent this card in August saying that is is "far away" from New Year's. That may be true but why wait when you have a great card like this to send! Love the colours and the design.

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Julie is a student in Taiwan and sent this card showing one of her favourite Japanese cartoons. No idea what it is called as there is no info on the back. I had asked her, however did not get a reply. Anyone know?

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

The Penghu Inter-Island Bridge in Taiwan is the longest of its kind in the Far East at 5,541 meters. Lin writes that Taiwan is famous for delicious food and human touch and is a great place to visit. One more country to add to my list!