Friday 4 November 2016

Day 4: Our trip to BeiTou


We returned to the University of Taipei for our dance master class this morning. We stretched together as a team and warmed our muscles before the lesson started. The lesson was intensive and we had a great time on the dance floor. For the members among us who aspire to be dancers in the future, this experience is an inspiring one.







After lunch, we headed to the BeiTou Thermal Valley and saw the hot springs along the trail. We then went to the BeiTou Hot Springs Museum nearby and learned about the Hokutolite rocks which can only be found in the Taipei BeiTou and Tamagawa Hot Spring in Japan and in Russia.


















In the afternoon, Ms Liu, the person-in-charge of the BeiTou Public Library, guided us around the eco-architecture building which won the diamond award for eco-buildings, saving more than 30% of energy and natural resource consumption.




We moved on to the New Taipei City Sustainable Development Education Center, another building which won the diamond award, to learn about the various design applications to ensure a sustainable living environment for the future generations. In all these tours and lessons, it became evident that as dancers, we can also help spread the message as individuals and also through our dance as a team. 




 







In the late afternoon, we went to the Old Streets of Danshui and enjoyed the heritage and culture in the shops along the river. Danshui is famous for its Tie Dan, preserved quail eggs, which originated from the poor agricultural population in the past who wanted to keep their food as readily available as possible. We took a ride to the nearby Danshui Fisherman's Wharf and took photos together at the Lovers Bridge as a memento.




We concluded the night after our dinner and a quick debrief, so that we can prepare for a long day out tomorrow to learn about the heritage and culture of the Taiwanese people.


Here are some of our reflections today:

~ Khee Ing, 3D

~ Jia Hui, 3C

~ Amelia Siah, 1N2

~ Renee Tan, 3B

~ Rachel, 2C

~ Raifana Humairah, 2D
                                  
Describe your experience when you visited the Sustainable Development Education Centre.

"I was fascinated by the energy saving building. The male's toilet is very unique as the urinal has a special method to remove the urine and the user does not need to flush."
   ~ Emily, 3D


"It was very interesting as I have learnt about how they had removed all their air-conditioning units and used natural ventilation to cool the rooms in the centre. They have also used panels to insulate heat and reflect light."
  ~ Nur'lin, 3N1


"I was amazed that every part of the centre has its usefulness. I have also learnt many new materials such as the walls were made of recyclable materials that are a form of insulator of heat."
~ Sumaira, 2D