Australian servicemen brought wads of these notes back to Australia from The Solomon Islands, in 1945. The notes were never in circulation and were worthless following Japan’s surrender.
My father served in New Guinea and later The Solomon Islands – he was a radio mechanic who did not see the tough aspects some others may have endured.
Click to enlarge this copy of a rare document. Main picture, Shigemitsu signs the above document.,
IN CHINA NEWS FOOTAGE FROM THE FOLLOWING DAYS: You Tube clip <Click here
North Gate – when Taipei was surrounded by a wall, and when the city was far smaller. Thousands of people passed through this tunnel gate – many with hopes of a better life ahead. For some this was not going to be the case, for others – fortunes were to be made.
There is little doubt that the local Taiwanese had a rough time when Japan surrendered in WW2 and the Chinese Nationalist KMT government arrived and installed martial law for the next 38 years. How many Australians understand what martial law is?
Today Taiwan is the first Chinese democracy. View below is overlooking Liberty Square from the CKS memorial.
(Picture looks like a postcard with retouching by an artist….. it’s not).
I find an art form in old brick walls like this one near Guting MRT, this week.
Australian’s would go crazy for a pile of historic bricks like these, and use them to build a modern dwelling. Old Taipei will see more demolishes like this one near Zhongshan MRT on Nanjing E. Road.
Part of a large sign has a few words of wisdom in English, this is the temple next door to the former British consulate’s house.
If visiting during weekends, you will not be alone.
In the distance is the ferry wharf for departure to Cijin Island, across the harbour. NT$15 for the crossing. Bus No.248 from Kaohsiung Main Station got me here, fare is NT$12 (a standard fee for all bus rides in the city. You need the correct change before boarding bus). If arriving by train, its station No.1 on the O (orange) line. A 400 meter walk to the ferry required.
This is a stitched picture – two pictures into this single version. Camera was Sony TX-9 – my current ‘monster’:-)
Late afternoon view from Da Dao Cheng wharf. Taipei bridge on the left, Sanchong across the river. Hire a bike nearby and join dozens of others doing the same thing.
The amount of stainless steel used in products in Taiwan never ceases to amaze.
Giant bikes stand the test of time, however they are about four-times the price of cheap mainland imports (in Australia).
How many people walked though this gate into the City of Taipei – happy for the security offered within the walled city?
How many others have departed full of despair? If the stones could speak. Overhead (almost) is Civic Boulevard which came so close to threatening the existence of this historic structure.
North Gate is a place for people by themselves who have time to think and imagine what the past may have been like.
