Spring Is Here

In Taiwan where the cherry blossoms came and went but not in North America yet

By Stephen Pate – At the end of one of the longest and coldest winters in recent history, we can only wait for the spring blossoms that arrived in New Taipei City, Taiwan on February 2, 2014.

Cherry Blossoms, New Taipei City, Taiwan (Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved)

According to NOAA “The winter of 2013 – 2014 will go down in the history books in the Midwest U.S. as a top-ten coldest winter on record, but ranked as the warmest winter on record in California. Temperatures averaged over December 2013 – February 2014 in the contiguous U.S. made it our 34th coolest winter since records began in 1895.” Wundergound.com

Cherry Blossoms, New Taipei City, Taiwan (Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved)

The pictures in this story were taken by fashion photographer Oswalt Ho around Tamkang University in New Taipei during the annual Cherry Blossom festival in Taiwan.

Cherry Blossoms, New Taipei City, Taiwan (Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved)

Blossoms in Taipei bring out the shutter bugs for the annual spring blossoms.

Prunus-Capanulata, New Taipei City, Taiwan (Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved)

Along another path, visitors come across a vast field of flowers in a long garden by the water.

Garden of Wisdom Taiwan (Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved)

The flowers stretch for more tan a mile between the water and the highway. Is this the Garden of Wisdom at Tamkang University? I can’t confirm it.

Field of flowers, New Taipei City, Taiwan (Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved)

Along the flower garden, signs contain words like “Intelligent”, “Love”, “Health”, and “Success” in English and Chinese. Visitors ring the bell twice -“Ring Ring Bell” – as a gesture of their wish, a tradition.

Love Bell Taiwan (Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved)

The flowered walk is obviously special for lovers according to the sign. Look at the picture of the field above and you will see people clustered around the “I Love You” sign.

Photo 低調的阿宅 Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved

Taiwan is known for its flowers and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is a popular tourist event.  At the Tamkang University, Oswalt Ho was back at fashion photography with a lovely model.

Follow me on Twitter at @sdpate or on Facebook at NJN Network, OyeTimes and IMA News Buzz. All photos by 低調的阿宅  Oswalt Ho Creative Commons some rights reserved.