Do you have any memory or impression of wars? Wars are quite far from us‚ so that it is hard to imagine how those cities were bombarded severely and how people survived in a world where finding a bomb shelter and hiding in every so often became part of life. Days of gunfire have left this island‚ whereas there were relics‚ in terms of barbettes‚ ramparts‚ monuments‚ battle cries‚ or even kitchen knives made of cases from artillery shells‚ remaining all over. These scenes are merged into our lives; we hereby get used to the walls with battle cries put up all over‚ and where the barbettes located have become a resort for a leisure walk. The generation born in the 1980s has been building up their conception of wars through hearsay. But now‚ let us have a look on what those wars have remained on this island. The “1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis” is probably the closest war to us. After the end of war‚ with the cessation of arms‚ all the artillery shells have turned into kitchen knives‚ reflecting another silhouette other than the gunfire. The artillery shells left from the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis are indeed inexhaustible supply of resources to forge knife steels or kitchen knives from their cases‚ which initials good reputation in Kinmen. Out of admiration‚ I came to the forge shops and luckily captured the process of forging blades. An unforgettable impression has been left after beholding the burst of sparkles that glittered all over. “The Burst of Sparkles” Jinning Township‚ Kinmen County | jack  Traditional Taiwanese know how to turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone and reform a frustration into the power of growth. The local business of Kinmen —— kitchen knives —— have maximized this distinguishing feature. Those missiles shot from People’s Republic of China to Kinmen Island during the war have been forged into kitchen knives in demand of every family. “Turning Missiles into Kitchen Knives” Kinmen County | Kat  Kinmen has gone through many battles‚ such as 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis‚ and sustained millions of bombs. Mr. Wu has forged “Jin He Li Knife”‚ renowned both at home and abroad‚ with ingenuity and superior craft. Kinmen Knife Made of the Case of an Artillery Shell” | 阿梅 The war has long gone and the barbettes have been transformed into ponds. Frogs would occasionally come and look forward to a stay in the summer and croak at intervals through the green. The sounds echo back and forth between the stone walls‚ making a sonata of reminiscence.  Gangzi Liao Fort is the largest and most complete among all forts in Keelung. This fort is arranged in three tiers: the lower one is a camp area‚ presumed where the headquarters located; in the middle tier‚ there are barracks‚ ammunition depots‚ tunnels and stairs led to the barbettes; the upper tier is the barbette area‚ with six barbettes on the top‚ and there are also hollowed-out mountains with barracks embedded inside. The barbette is equipped with a rail that can spin 360 degrees‚ hence freeing the shooting angles. This sort of design is distinctive from all other forts in this city‚ which makes itself quite exceptional. In addition‚ the disposal of “communication holes” between the observatory and the barbette area is another unique characteristic. “Gangzi Liao Fort” Keelung City | 趙守彥  “Gangzi Liao Fort” Keelung City | 趙守彥 Warfare had young people ever embark for a foreign land far away from home and set foot on an alien territory; after their decease‚ only monuments are left to remind the later ages of those in the past. “Keelung French Cemetery” was built in the late Qing Dynasty. Other than nine tombstones and one tablet bearing an inscription‚ four graves of the French troop that age around a hundred years are the most important relics in the cemetery. Some tombstones made of granite and sandstone have had weathering and fissured. The main totems on the tombstones are crosses and circles‚ which symbolize God’s leading the earth toward peace. There are also monuments set up during early of the time under Japanese rule. “Keelung French Cemetery” Keelung City | 趙守彥 The battle cry is mounted on the wall under the blue sky. With the tides going back and forth‚ people’s memory of the war has been washed away little by little. The firm and solid house seems to withstand the wheel of the times. “Qinbi Village‚ a Historic Site” Beigan Township‚ Lienchiang County | Victor   I arranged a trip to Matsu during the National Day holidays in 2008 and had a great impression of the spiritual slogans there. titles such as “Reoccupy the Mainland”‚ “Unison of Military and Civilian”‚ “Eliminate Espionage”‚ “Rescue Compatriots on the Mainland”‚ “Destroy Zhu and Mao”‚ “Strive for Final Victory”‚ etc. seem to be the content of the patriotic education back in our elementary school. These words appeared a little boring to me at that age. However‚ when I recall the memory‚ in that era of tension‚ slogans like “Beware of Espionage by Your Side” could also be seen everywhere in Taiwan. Let alone Matsu was in close proximity to the enemy area‚ thus these slogans had become part of the military and civilian lives on the island at that time. We have never experienced life in the battlefield where was bombarded every odd numbered day‚ so it is difficult for us to feel the hardship on the frontline. Now these spiritual slogans are reminding me of being in the middle of the front line‚ but there will be no more fight over shells‚ which grants me a safe and pleasure jaunt. However‚ in addition to taking pictures for memories‚ we can also salute to the fellow soldiers and the civilians who defended the frontline for us in the early days! “Reoccupy the Mainland” Beigan Township‚ Lienchiang County | 阿宗 How can we claim our appearance in Qinbi without taking this photograph? “Cooperation between Military and Civilian” Beigan Township‚ Lienchiang County | 張訓智 After the regime shift of the mainland‚ Matsu was governed by military for battlefield affairs for 40 years. Military buildings‚ underground tunnels and ports‚ barbettes and other facilities are thusly can be seen everywhere. People now are hanging clothes below the monuments‚ hence presenting a sense of conflict of the ancient and the modern. “Back to Former Glory of the Chinese Nation” Beigan Township‚ Lienchiang County | 張訓智 The mission of Kamikaze was brought to an end. Nowadays‚people can stand looking into the sky on the fort of the air force. It once was the blindage for the fighters of Kamikaze. Now due to the change of times‚ it has become a recreational park for the communities around. It gives an experience of adventure moving forward in time to the new age while passing through the iron bridge over the blindage. “Bridge over the Semidome” Yilan County | 吳宜晏 In the tunnel‚ it is entire darkness without a hint of light; yet‚ looking down from above‚ the tunnel resembles a serpentine snake by the sea. Even though the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis has been nearly 54 years by now‚ the colors of the war of resistance could still be found in these days. “The Spirit of Jhaishan Tunnel” Kinmen County | 許峰旗 Good weather is to go out for aerial photography. Today is a sunny day and not so windy. The location to conquer for aerial photography is the back garden of the Kinmen Jhaishan Tunnel. “Recording of the Aerial Photography for Kinmen Jhaishan Tunnel” Kinmen Country | 浯島影像部落客 Kinmen Jhaishan Tunnel is a must-see for a Kinmen city tour. Other than the sightseeing places in the tunnel‚ there is one more spot to go for anglers and photographers —— the back garden. It is usually beheld from the tunnel point of view‚ but today we are appreciating the beautiful scenery of the back garden of Jhaishan Tunnel from different angles with assistance of aerial photography. “Recording of the Aerial Photography for Kinmen Jhaishan Tunnel” Kinmen Country | 浯島影像部落客 This is one city that bears so many stories and history. The guides are disguised as Manchu soldiers‚ going up the city gate and shooting cannons‚ and narrate the history of the city for the next generation.  Tainan’s Erkunshen Fortress once was Qing army’s fortress to resist the Japanese fleet a century ago. It had made enormous contribution to the consolidation of the coast defence of the Anping Harbor in Qing Dynasty. In order to revitalize tourism in recent years‚ Tainan City Government not only renovated the whole architecture‚ but also had the staff disguised as soldiers in Qing’s outfit to guide the visitors through the history and everything about the Erkunshen Fortress during holidays. Furthermore‚ these disguised guides even shoot “cannons” on the city gate‚ which makes the best part of tour for visitors. Therefore‚ every time when it comes to the part of cannons‚ many visitors would rush on following the guides in Qing’s outfit to “shoot cannons”. The “cannon” is totally a stunt of course‚ but it has really out-and-out sound and visual effect. Thus‚ the guides have also become one of the attractions during holidays. That the guides in Qing’s outfit marching valiantly and spiritedly around the Erkunshen Fortress with portable speakers along with them is also a scene of this sightseeing place. “Guides of Erkunshen Fortress” Tainan City | james While Guan Yu on horseback galloping away to the blue sky‚ may there will be no more warfare‚ thereby eternal peace upon this island. “Sky Walking at Ease” | 臺北小蘋果 | 
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