Xizhi is the end of the river

Xizhi is a city next to Taipei. It was the place I stopped in when arriving to Taiwan. I took a red eye from Seattle, got picked up, and shuttled to be trained in one day without any sleep. They interrupted the training half way, to have me start working my first day. Really stressful introduction. In hindsight, looking back while skating this marble quarterpipe in Xizhi, it was worth it. I'm glad I came to Taiwan. Sometimes you must let go of control to let those who want to help you, come into your life. 

A little challenging runway, but its a one in a million spot.

This is a screenshot of a Google Mapz photo. That is one way to search for spots. 

 

Banqiao

I got to start this off by paying respect to one of the most iconic spots in Taiwan. These ledges have seen more action than a Pattaya bar lady. They are currently rebuilding the park, so let's hope they accidentally design another skate plaza. Gunbei! to those who I had a beer or 2 after having a session. 

Banqiao was originally created as a small feudal community all serving one person. It remained a farming based area until the 1970's when electronics were ushered in. Today, it is one of the densest places on Earth. Good luck finding any sign of agriculture. Instead, you can find skate spots being harvested all over. Search and you will find.  I guess street skating is the equivalent to the hunter and gatherer, and park skating to the farmer. For some strange reason, I would rather search for my next meal, while others don’t want to worry about if they will eat or not. You can still visit the original walled city in the center of the metropolis. 

This is one of the greatest places I've ever been. Half the building is lined with various sized marble banks, and in the back is a ditch. I went there at night knowing the security guard would be asleep. I was able to skate for around 2 hours before he woke. That must have been a rude awakening to see his fortress being attacked mid-night by some Gwhy Lao.

Enter into the city of skate

Only the Banqiao Locals know where this is

Another night spot. Sure there is less light, but it's the only time you can skate it. FYI, most security guards will be sleeping from 12-5am.

This is in front of the post office that has an ATM that can give you NTD$100 dollar bills (equivalent to USD 3$). If you only want one $100 bill from the ATM, you are allowed. One day I will try to boardslide. 

After trying the first wall ride, a group of homeless people in the park were creeping up on me like zombies. Every try brought them closer. I thought I would have to fight them by the time I got one. I went here again last night, and they painted this over, improving it. 

This is in front of a place they call a "mommy hotel". After someone gives birth in Taiwan, they will go stay at a hotel for around a month. Much better system than the U.S. I believe in the States, a new mom will stay at a hospital for 2 days after giving birth, then return home, and back in the office within 2 weeks. Savages.

This could all be yours! Please call the number below for a consultation. 

 

Geospatial Exploring

This has to be some type of a slide for children. Whenever I go skate an area like this, a young one will show up solo trying to practice their English, and then the parent will randomly appear out of the bushes. The parents trust all foreigners to be around their children. They never let a good opportunity go to waste. You got to respect the hustle. 

This design is pretty smooth. Small transitions on the side. You really have to have a creative skate outlook to have fun on something like this, then have the courage. 

Skaters are the only ones who can look at urban decay and see beauty. I remember going on a trip with my brother in law and he was so confused why I would just stare at a curb or a patch of concrete. He thought I was mental. I guess he's a little correct. Skate Mental.

Perfect for the old man

I can only assume they are implying to cut off your balls if caught urinating here. Seems a little Draconian. 

 

Neihu Sk8

Neihu is a part of Taipei that was purposefully designed late. They wanted to make a more valuable part. Majority of the buildings in Taipei look rather drab, which is due to the history of the city. They were planning on moving back to China, so they built temporary housing in mind. However, their residence became permanent. There are 5 million dollar apartments that look like a project from Queens, New York. Neihu tried to change that, as you can see with this ledge. Really impressive. 

Good rain spot in Xinzhuang. You might have to battle some Lao Ren. 

Luxury high-rise buldings in Taipei

This is the most expensive apartment complex in Taiwan. It does not follow the above mentioned history.

There's this company called Far Eastern that owns majority of all the buildings, land, restaurants, hospitals, grocery stores, banks, cell phone providers, wifi providers that build some great skatespots above and below. 

 

Busan, South Korea

Busan is the Keelung of South Korea. It is a port city with the chillest vibes, food, and skatespots. Korean's love spicy food, BBQ, and potatoes. I think it is my favorite kind of Asian food. It's all very similar, but good. They will eat kimchi with every meal, which I'm sure is good for one's digestion. Much of the food is suppose to be a hangover cure, because they go drinking every night with their workers until the morning hours 6 days a week. They go hard in the paint. Real meaning of work hard, play hard. Americans claim that, but probably work half as less, and party 30 percent more. haha

They are building a bunch of casinos over by this beach. A little unnecessary, there is already a nice beach attraction. 

Felt Zen throughout my journey

Only sign of a rare breed of skateboard in this country 

It's calling to be knocked on

Can you spot the metal ramp thing? Every Asian city will have this kind of street were it's mainly pedestrians, BBQ, Bars, and a ton of neon lighting. 

The temples here have such a modern/traditional design. Amazing juxtapose here.

 

Hscinchu

Hschinchu has aTechnical Park that creates majority of the revenue for Taiwan. 5 years ago, all the college students wanted to be engineers making computer chips, but now the luster has burned out due to the employees burning out. It is not uncommon for them to work 12 hours a day, and 6 days a week. They would always have reports of people going to the hospital due to heart issues. The doctor would always tell them to quit their job. The younger generation all want to work for American companies promising 40 hour work weeks. They see that as a well paying part-time job. 

Taiwanese skaters don't even see this as a skate spot. There is so much granite, they can be picky. In the states anything with that material is a spot, regardless of the conditions or height. 

Feng Shui again maybe?

Yes, definetely. I'm thinking they see this as a dragon, for they find has good luck. What we find as evil, they see as lucky. Red means gain, Green means loss. A glass half empty is seen as something positive. You now have more space to add water.

A little wax will do the trick in Songshan. 

This street is the financial district. I remember reading a story about a guy mysteriously falling off a hotel in this part wanted by Triads. It is not uncommon to hear about this on the regular. I guess its the secret way of firing someone from a company. Triads got their name because they have a tattoo with 3 dots. That is also the American name, and if you ask a Taiwanese what is a Triad, they will have no idea. They refer to them as "person of a black path". 

 

Penghu, Taiwan

Went to Penghu on a 30 minute flight to find myself in a very Greek like island. It has all the traits except olives. This is an exceptional place to watch the fireworks that go off nightly.

Pirates were suppose to have used the island for a stop in between pillaging. I can see why they would choose here, the streets are lined with marble.

There is no concept of copyright here. Well, actually, its just not as strict. Like if you change maybe 5 percent of the logo, you can fully open a company piggybacking on someone else's brand. A fellow local told me this is better than the Colonel's chicken shack. I believe it, anything that uses real chickens is better. 

]This beach is on another small ferry ride away. Try to avoid the watersports, and wander down. Oh yeah, make sure to grab brew at the 7 after getting off the boat. 

Other side of Taipei Main Station. This place is a maze with hidden treasures all over. I feel like a kid looking for Easter Eggs.

Near the Hscinchu Train Station has a restaurant that mimics taco bell, and this bank to hit after downing a copycat double decker supreme. I never ate fast food in the States while older, but for some reason when its taken away from you, the craving comes back. I later found out this is called addiction, after your first taco, you won't be able to change. 

This is right below Yahoo, which I later found out is still a thriving company in Taiwan. They really love to online shop here. I feel that might be the only place to get a good discount. Department stores will have the weakest discounts like 8 percent off when you spend 50 dollars on your next visit of spending 300 dollars.

This dog is chilling in the tourist city on the top stairs. This town supposedly influenced the anime Sprited Away. I can see the resemblance, and idea, although the creator denies it. 

 There are 309 fewer hours of sunlight per year in Taipei, when compared to Portland. This spot is needed to wash away all those rain tears. 

My friend Mike took me here. He is a fellow Searcher of Animal Chin. He recently came back from China. Amazing to hear all the stories. Apparantly, Ghuangzou is the best skateboard city in the world. Speaking of which, has anyone seen Imran?