Thursday, July 12, 2007

Matzu,Mediterranean scenery



Matzu, a sea-locked Archipelago is located northwest by west in the Taiwan Strait.

The Taiwanese are no strangers to the island of Matzu, but not many have actually set foot there. I got a chance to visit this island last June. What’s interesting is that when you go, you will find a place unlike anywhere in Taiwan. It’s like being in another country. Chinpi is famous for its Mediterranean scenery. Unfortunately, I do not understand the language they use in their daily life. Visiting Matzu, you seem to step into a realm already half known through your dreams, on a journey of leaning and experience.

We took a plane from Taipei to Beigan Isle(北竿). The host of our home-stay picked us up. That night we stayed in Chinpi(芹壁), where a renewal plan is under way to preserve the old buildings. The eastern Fukien (福建) architecture and the fishery village scenery were irresistibly charming to us and profoundly impressed us. You can see those traditional buildings in Niuchiao Village(牛角村) in Nangan Isle as well.

We rented a motorbike to go around Beigan Isle. The terrain is so steep, we have to be very careful riding! One feature is there are a lot of slogans on the walls. Another of Matzu’s “sights” is its many soldiers. It’s the same in the other villages we saw over the next three days.

After dinner, we moved some chairs out and chatted with friends. Under the moon light, you can see the beauty and tranquility of this place.

As the morning sun climbs over the horizon, the village is still and peaceful. The early light casts long shadows from the stone-walled buildings. Chinpi by dawn is as pretty as a picture.

Matzu is only a small place, but it has a complex web of natural, historical and cultural characteristics, and shows a variety of distinct faces. Matzu is mesmerizing and lovely.

4 comments:

泡泡 said...

好美的海

Unknown said...

把馬祖形容成mediterranean還真是新意耶!

Ruth said...

是很漂亮的海 不過那次去天氣不是很好
你看到的相片算是比較藍的

其實這稱呼不是我第一個說出的
它確實有地中海風情

大家有空可以去走走
很有異國情調喔

Anonymous said...

我阿爸曾在馬祖當過兵
聽他說那裡鳥不生蛋的地方
坐船又晃到不行
我會暈船
還不敢嘗試哩