Due to the weather , the ship back to Keelong was cancelled. I stayed one extra day in Nangan, so I just went to places that I missed.
Tunnel 88 is a 264-meter tunnel originally used by military to store tanks. In 1988 it was turned to store wine for Matsu Distillery. As soon as I walked in, I smell alcohol. To keep the temperature and moisture constant, it opens to visitors only 4 times a day.
Matsu Distillery
Wine...inside tunnel 88
Niujiao village which is very closed to Matsu Distillery
After having my breakfast, I took the bus to Fuao and moved to Qingshui village. As I booked the ticket to go back the next day, it's easier for me to go to the dock. I got off at FuaoFrom there I need to walk to Qingshui as the bus didn't go through there. I lived in a mordern guesthouse this time, they give discount from Mon to Thurs during off season. It's the cheapest guesthouse among 4.
View of Fuao from a hill
the guesthouse
The owner of the guesthouse showed me how to take buses. There are two routes: one goes along the coast and the other goes along the montains. The bus goes to different village every time , therefore, you got to make sure before you get on the bus. The time table is fixed and there are probably only 15 buses a day. The lastest one is at 5:40 pm. I took the bus to Furen Village. I decided to take it easy as this would be my last day here, even there were still many places I'd like to go.
As I left Beigan, I didn't book the hostel in advance for the night as I didn't make any plans of my journey. Of course I got some ideas in mind- wether started from east or west. Anyway, I finally settled myself in Jinsha village (west of the island).Then I walked along the footpath to Iron Fort. It was a major base for military frogmen and an important defense of the island due to its shape and strategic location(according to David Hsu, China post 2006 July)
A guard sheltr built for German Shepherds.
Had my breakfast at the coffee shop which runs by the owner of the guesthouse.
After explored the east of Beigan, I planed to visit the north and south of the island the second day. So my first spot was Ciaozai which used to be the popuation centre of beigan. (The ruin house in Ciaozao)
According to my plan, I took Taima ship from Keelong harbor to Matsu. Matsu consists of 5 major islets; Nangan, Beigan,Dongyin,Jyuguang and Lian. (Even Matsu and Kinmen are very close to china, they belong to Taiwan.)
the map was taken from beigan township administration, Matsu
see the link below
http://www.beigan.gov.tw/en.htm
My best friend's uncle died suddenly at the office last week. It was a shock for her as he was still quite young and there was no sign at all. It's possible because he was working too hard. Then she said to me that she was glad that I am sick as she knew how exhausted I was and had never got enough rest. And now I am sick, I don't go to work so finally I can have some rest. 
To be honest, I have no fear of death. Thinking about I can be with God, I really think it's wonderful. Of course, this illness isn't that serious. But due to this illness and the sudden death of her uncle, we talked a lot about this topic. I had never thought about the possibility of sudden death before, but now both of us agreed that we really need to give a thought about it and prepared for it. I mean things like let my parents know my bank accounts, so if something happened they can have the money...things like that . That's what I mean by prepared.
Besides, the want to do list is also a way of preapring. Then I know I will have no regreat if something sudden happen. It's like before I left N.I, I felt I had to say goodbye to all my friends, walked around everywhere and watched the last movie. So I could say goodbye properly and had no regreat. So the want to do list is the same. Finally, I find the things that really matter are just family and friends. Spending time with them is the only thing that maters to me.
I am back after 5 days traveling alone in Matsu. This wasn't the first time I traveled alone, it's a bit different compared with those before though. Traveling is always a joy for me. I am always so excited about going to new places and see new things. I was happy about this journey too, but it's more like a journey with myself and loneliness. It's like I started a talk with myself and God. It's so important for me and helped me keep on going. It's also the first thing I completed on my want to do list.
It's a journey that I had to face all by myself. Having say that , I knew God is always with me whenever I go and whatever I go through. And while I am walking along the road, there are friends support me in many different ways. Friends who talked with me or spared their time to visit me, friends who prayed for me, friends who tried to cheer me up and friend who is willing to provide me a place if I go back to N.I. I knew I am not alone. Besides, during the journey in Matsu, there were many ppl helped me. Those who showed me the way, gave me a lift when I was lost and those who showed me around. I just want to thank you all. You are my little angels God sent to me.
When M asked me about my address and mobile here a couple of weeks ago. I didn't think too much. Then tonight I got a package from M and T . Their love fly so far away from N. I to me. They hope to cheer me up. What a surprise!! I really don't know what to say at the moment except a heart full of thanks. Sorry, to let you worry about me. I am fine and I will beat this illness, i promise.
After spending 4 weeks runing around hospitals and working from home. I felt a bit released after finishing two translation projects and these costed me almost 10 full working days. There are 4 more to go but they will be much easier for me. And I don't feel like to take any projects anymore before I go back to work.
As I won't go back to work till 1st Dec and will need to go back to hospital early next month. I plan to travel alone for a while, I want to away from Taipei, Taiwan. So, there are few places that I'd like to go. First, maybe spending few days on a distanced island which is also belong to Taiwan. I have never been there and I'd like to take ship there. It will takes 8 hours from Kelong. Of course, I can take plane. But I think it's more fun taking ship, besides, it's much much cheaper. The ship will leave at night and arrive early in the morning. Isn't this interesting? I have never had traveling byship that long. It'll be great. Yeap, I did go there in Nov/08
Second, I also thinkg about going to China. Haven't seen my missionary friends for ages. I really miss them. I'd like to spend a week with them too. But I am not sure if it is possible. Might go there soon in a couple of month 2010. June~Aug 2010. dine!
