Spring Excursion April 20, 2010

White Tung blossoms drifted in the sky, then lightly fell onto the trail and turned the valley into a snowy world. The fresh warm breeze was mixed with a light fragrant scent and the delightful chirping of birds. Spring in Miaoli is breathtaking with the Tung blossoms in full bloom.

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The Welcome to Taipei International Club (WTIC) held its 2010 Spring Excursion on April 20, to celebrate the Hakka Tung Blossom Festival in Miaoli. More than one hundred members and guests participated in this event. Among them were ambassadors, representatives and their spouses from 20 countries.

When asked about her Tung blossoms experience, Madame Keke said, “It’s truly beautiful!” Madame Keke is the wife of the Ambassador of the Republic of Nauru. “The weather is perfect, and the atmosphere is very friendly and relaxing, I can feel that people here take obvious pride in their environment, and welcome us to their heart” said Madame Keke as she bent down to pick up the white petals on the ground.

The group arrived at the West Resortopia and was greeted by the wife of Deputy Mayor Lin of Miaoli County, and Secretary-General Chow from the local government. They started by enjoying a live performance of the Japanese Ondekoza Drum, then strolled along the trails beneath the snowy Tung blossoms in the forest. After a Hakka-style lunch they visited the wood-carving street and the township of Gongguan to have a good taste of local red dates products. Before returning to Taipei, they stopped by the Young Lake Resort, to taste Hakka rice delicacies with tea in front of the magnificent Ming-de Reservoir. In the late afternoon the misty hills quietly reflected on the water creating a superb sight.

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Organized by the wives of R.O.C. diplomats, the WTIC comprises about 270 foreign and local members representing over 40 nationalities. The Spring Excursions is among its most popular events. “Making friends while promoting Taiwan at the same time, we take our international friends to spectacular scenic spots of Taiwan,” said Charlene Yang, president of WTIC and wife of Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang. “We introduce Taiwanese culture to them,” added Yang, “and they became Taiwan’s lifelong friends.”“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Miaoli County for its help. The hospitality and friendliness of people in Miaoli have touched our hearts,” Yang continued, “Today I have received many requests from our members to organize such excursions like this more frequently.”

“I had such a great day!” said Madame Sawadogo, wife of Ambassador Sawadogo of Burkina Faso, “It was so much fun learning about Hakka customs and tasting Hakka cuisine.”
Ambassador Gwebu of the Kingdom of Swaziland concluded the excursion with her newly learned Chinese, “Miaoli hao di fang” – Miaoli is a wonderful place!

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