There are literally hundreds of small farms dotted along the lower reaches of the Dahan.

Salad?

On to the Xindian.

I hope you're writing a book as you do this.

I started out writing it in Chinese. Seemed appropriate at the time. Seems a little unrealistic now. Anyway, the English versions, I suppose, are here and at Taiwantrek.

http://www.taiwantrek.com/forums/guest- ... #post15149

You'll see how this relates...

http://www.ted.com/talks/eric_sanderson ... _city.html

Back from a month abroad. Great to see this project continuing, bob. Must really tear you up though to see the contrasts.

Wow does it ever.

Taiwan was absolutley blessed to be given so much rain and on such moutainous terrain.

In some places of the river they have accomplished so much. The vast wetlands that exist here, in this, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, must be something of a wonder of the modern world.

The "constructed" wetlands projects that have been developed actually seem to be working in some places.

Then you go into another area and it appears that no consideration whatsoever has been given to the resource. The pictures give some indication of how bad it is but to really get the drift of it you have to smell it. I literally feel physically ill for days after visting some of those places.

Human settlements grow up around rivers because they are a source of water and fish and because they can serve as such convenient transporation conduits. Unfortunately they also serve as convenient waste disposal sites.

At some point it becomes apparent that what is happening upstream is affecting those who live downstream and socities evolve and develop the means to ensure a healthy environment for everybody.

Or not.

I asked the guy who caught the fish whether he was going to eat them.

No way.

His intention was to sell them to the restaurants.

Taipei has come a long way towards cleaning up that river. And it has a long way to go yet.

feiCui shuiKu





You can bet your lucky stars I'll do a write up on this joint. It's a great big gorgeous lake.

There are only a couple of roads down to the shore because it is the water supply for Taipei city.

No swimming aloud.

I believe the waters of the Wantan River flow into Feicui Reservoir. Have you been up there?