Now we are in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan… Temples are the same, yet still very different to anything you might encounter

Every temple is slight bit different – has different protectional deities, etc.

Dragons are a predominat feature…

Very opulant style – not at all like in Japan or Thailand

intricate details in the columns

and 3-dimensional scenes are everywhere

Well, this is 3-dimensional as well – just natural… This one was just perfect

And again another neighbourhood temple in the middle of a living area. On the left the chimney for the fireplace where the devotions (including paper-money or vouchers for cars, etc.) for the afterlife are burnt

Getting ready for the festivities – usually the anual celebration

Just an amazing feeling to stand below the orange baloons

Very colourful, very lively. The belief system is complex and too supersticious for my liking, but if they are happy about it…

Burning incense is common

And they use it a lot… Fresh supplies…

Do it yourself fortune telling… You throw two pieces and formulate a question in your mind – the way the pieces fall to the ground is your answer… Keep on trying 😉

Or – as an alternative – you can draw your fortune from a pot.

I love old doors, old paint, whatever is cracking and fading…

This one took me quite some time as – for some reason just when I was there – every 30 seconds someone came out of the office behind the door…

The way houses (ok, mansion would be the proper term) were built in the 16th / 17th century

In that time the view must have been more enchanting and green – yet the idea remains…

And for the sake of diversity – here is another one…

And the central incense burner for the quick offering on your way to office / school, etc.

This monastery was currently closed, but you could still hear the chanting of the monks – from a tape… Very nice feeling of peace and transquility

Whatever the monk has smoked he seemed to enjoy it…

Beautful old paintings

Back to Tainan.. – another gorgeous gate

Leading to an every grander inner yard

Behind the temple at night the entrance to the next one… I loved the colour and the illumination

The temple for the women