Lukang has always been one of our favorite places...when we arrived in Changhua a few years ago...exhausted from a 32 hour no sleep jaunt...that very weekend the first place we went to was Lukang. We went there by bicycle...its a little further away than a ride to your local general dealer but it was fantastic. On the way to Lukang there are many craft stores that specialise in religious objects...it is not uncommon to see the gods reclining or standing within the entrance ways of store after store. They're beautifully made and one can't help but feel the spiritual energy hum around your ears and vibrate against your eyes as the overwhelming sights and sounds of the place press up against you. Lukang is a deeply spiritual place...though it has become a little more commercialised of late. I love Matsu and Longshan temple...Heather brought me to this place first...another reason amongst millions of reasons why I love her so much...That first day we stood at the Matsu temple watching a priest or monk in religious ecstasy leading the gods into the temple in a complex choreographed dance. He would freeze every once in a while in his trance, his sword stretched out towards the temple gates and his back dripping blood and sweat. I love Lukang. We wandered through the alley of nine turns...remnants of old Lukang...Japanese occupied Lukang...we listened to the quite whisper of old things recounting the old stories of countless generations that had lived there... Today we went there once more and I remembered why I love it here so much...I reconnected with that time and place in my memories. First we visited and the dutch house...now a museum of folk art or something...remarkable place...magical. Heather was working...she's helping her students with a project...Dylan and I were along for the ride. Dylan was uber-cool...relaxed and checking everything out from his stroller. He liked the kids and played with them whenever they had time to spare. We then wandered through the old alley ways and took in old Lukang...it was great to be back.
Below: The dutch house....probably some sort of government outpost in its day...
Above: Cool Chinese dude shows the kids how to play a game.
Above: In the alley of nine turns...this house is of historical significance...on and under the bridge intellectuals, poets and artists of the time used to meet to discuss things. Below: The oldest house in Lukang.
Above: In the wonderful food market near the Matsu temple....
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