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It wouldn’t happen in’t Kirkby

After a lunch of dumplings and turnip cake, we pick up some kelp stock and bat-ear mushrooms for dinner. Aye. T’aint Kirkby

It wouldn’t happen in’t Kirkby Read More »

Geek world heaven

If like us you are a bit geeky sometimes, Taiwan is a great place to be. You can buy all the latest electronic toys as well as bigger gadgets, many of which are not sold elsewhere.

Geek world heaven Read More »

The murder that changed the world

How a murder in Taiwan led to the crackdown by Chinese authorities in Hong Kong

The murder that changed the world Read More »

Redefining convenience

When we explained to a Taiwanese friend that small towns in the UK and Europe don’t have 7-11 convenience stores, she was shocked. “How do people eat?”, she asked.

Redefining convenience Read More »

Non – ce n’est pas un dish cloth

Arriving somewhere new, it’s normal to find many things that are unfamiliar. But some are totally incomprehensible. Dogs on scooters and dish driers, for example.

Non – ce n’est pas un dish cloth Read More »

Swirling, soaking, shuddering and smoking

We feel an earthquake every week or so. Then there’s the typhoons, the volcanoes and the rain.

Swirling, soaking, shuddering and smoking Read More »

The sounds of Taiwan

After the church bells of Switzerland, the first sound we noticed in Taiwan was the pleasing and lyrical chime that announces the arrival of the garbage truck each evening.

The sounds of Taiwan Read More »

Banishing a troublesome spirit

To mark the start of The Hungry Ghost Month, a tale about a visit to a temple to banish a troublesome ghost.

Banishing a troublesome spirit Read More »

What (not) to wear in tropical weather

When I reached the client’s office all my dignity was gone. Dripping from head to bare-feet, the receptionist hurried forward saying ‘you can’t come in here!’

What (not) to wear in tropical weather Read More »

You won how much for doing what now?

It took us a long time to work out why shop assistants always looked at us like we were crazy.

You won how much for doing what now? Read More »

What does gourmet mean?

Why would any society make high quality, delicious food for some people, and low quality, not-delicious food for others?

What does gourmet mean? Read More »

Microsoft can learn from Taiwan

In Hong Kong and Singapore we found paying tax was pretty much pain free. Austria was a bit more complicated. Switzerland was the worst. Taiwan was best of all.

Microsoft can learn from Taiwan Read More »

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Recent Posts

  • It wouldn’t happen in’t Kirkby
  • Geek world heaven
  • The murder that changed the world
  • Redefining convenience
  • Non – ce n’est pas un dish cloth
  • Swirling, soaking, shuddering and smoking
  • The sounds of Taiwan
  • Banishing a troublesome spirit
  • What (not) to wear in tropical weather
  • You won how much for doing what now?
  • What does gourmet mean?
  • Microsoft can learn from Taiwan
  • When you speak, I understand!
  • Moving to Taiwan aged us 11 years

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About

We met in Shanghai and married in Hong Kong. We also spent many years in Switzerland, Singapore and Austria, working on climate change. Now we live in Taiwan, one of the nicest places in the world. Taiwan-Tales explains why.

Max and Mitzi

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