2011年2月26日 星期六

蘭陽博物館

在蘭陽博物館,看見流水在天上跳舞

晴天時,可以看到龜山島最美的角度;下雨時,像走入水濂洞……,開幕滿3個月的蘭陽博物館,顛覆你的想像。

文.曾慧雯  攝影.陳德信

2011/02 康健雜誌 147期

穿過雪山隧道,放眼所及是一畦一畦的水田。水田的綠映照著遠山的綠,這是頭城真誠質樸的姿態。

頭城鎮位於宜蘭縣最北端,以中元節盛大的「搶孤」活動聞名全國。而現在,能夠代表頭城、甚至是代表宜蘭的新地標誕生了。

往烏石漁港的方向前行,不久就會在右手邊看見一座造型特殊的建築物,靜靜側臥在濕地水草之間。

這座仿鄰近北關海岸一帶常見單面山設計的建築,就是歷經18年漫長籌備、終於在2010年1 0 月正式開幕的蘭陽博物館。

蘭陽博物館給人第一眼的印象就很驚豔。它像是一塊斜斜插進土地、兀自挺立的大石,一翼陡峭、另一翼緩斜,就連色彩與質感也低調、貼近自然。

博物館外牆以不同色澤的石材組成,建築師姚仁喜的靈感來自韋瓦第的《四季》提琴協奏曲,以各種石材不同的灰階來表現樂曲中的音符,構成視覺上和諧的美感,相異的紋理則讓人好奇觸摸起來的手感。

走進博物館, 第二波視覺的衝擊襲來。內部空間是一個廣大的三角錐,右邊牆面的石材斜排拼貼,在光影照映下,石板深淺色澤交錯卻又工整劃一,就像從空中鳥瞰著翠綠與金黃交織的蘭陽平原水稻田。

天花板與左邊牆面則是由金屬骨架與多層隔熱玻璃組成,既可以引進戶外光線,又可以節省空調的使用量。

左右兩種不同材質、虛實夾雜的牆面交會出一個銳角,望出去即是一片天然的濕地,再遠一點則是烏石漁港與海面上的龜山島。

「有些遊客反應說, 踏進博物館會覺得有點頭暈,」蘭陽博物館展示組組員詹喻雯笑說,傾斜的單面山造型,的確會讓有些人感到不太平衡,所以博物館還特地在手扶梯貼上垂直的紅色貼紙,讓頭暈的遊客可以靠貼紙來分辨水平與垂
直線。

蘭陽多雨

蘭博「水的旅行」貫串展場蘭陽博物館的展示區樓層由上到下分為宜蘭的山、平原、海與時光廊,動線層次分明。遊客一開始必須先搭乘電扶梯直達四樓,由高海拔的生態與林業,一路往下探索宜蘭的農耕、漁業及各種經濟文化活動。

搭乘電扶梯時可以俯瞰博物館大廳中央,由許多陳列宜蘭各社區特色物產的「水滴椅」排列而成的宜蘭縣地圖,例如蘇澳的白米木屐村、冬山河畔的珍珠稻草藝術村等,展現各地的獨特風貌。

來到四樓「山之層」展示區

入口,天花板垂下多盞流光瀲灩的「雨絲燈」,看起來就像金色的雨絲不斷滴落在蘭陽平原上,一旁的牆面則書上一句宜蘭俗諺:「阿藝倌真正水,噶瑪蘭厚雨水。」

這是句押韻的順口溜,意思是說,阿藝這個女孩子長得非常美麗,而宜蘭這個地區常下雨、雨水豐沛;同一個「水」字展現出兩種不同的意思,也預告了「水」將會串連起位於不同樓層的展場,體現雨潤蘭陽的精神。

「山之層」用實物模擬中央與雪山山脈常見的動植物及生態環境,而且還可以透視到下方的「平原層」與「海之層」,就像是站在山頂往腳下眺望一般,與實際的地理經驗相符。頭頂上帶有斜度的屋頂則投影出「水的旅行」,從山地到平原,從平原再入海,水的一生周而復始、生生不息。

往下走,「平原層」刻畫出漢人來到蘭陽平原後帶入的農耕文化與民俗信仰。

透明的地板下藏著巧思,腳下的世界從春夏的秧苗,逐漸轉變為秋天的黃金稻穗與冬季收穫過後的沉寂,枯水期乾裂的田地與稻梗做得栩栩如生。

稻田間還有鴨子穿梭,一併介紹宜蘭的養鴨文化,還可以看見宜蘭人傳統煙燻製作鴨賞的方法。

另外, 博物館對於早期宜蘭人的庶民生活也有詳細的描繪。展場播放影片介紹中元節頭城「搶孤」的歷史,還有一座等比例縮小的「孤棧」可供遊客想像搶孤時的熱鬧陣仗。

再往前走,可以見到大街上各行各業的人們都在為生活而奔忙——當然都是蠟像囉!只不過這些蠟像內部都有安裝擴音器,無論是幫人驅鬼收驚的道士、賣豆花粉圓的小販,甚至是路邊的乞丐,都在訴說自己的故事。

最有趣的是,乞丐蠟像捧著破碗乞討,仔細一看,碗內還真的有不少銅板。我好奇地問,這些銅板是館方擺的嗎?

詹喻雯笑著否認,她說銅板都是遊客放的,甚至還有人直接「捐」發票給乞丐對獎呢!

黑潮帶來蓬勃漁業書寫討海人奮鬥史雨水在平原匯集成河,最終流入大海。進入「海之層」,第一眼看到的就是海浪拍打岸邊的畫面,對漁民來說,溫暖的黑潮流經外海,帶來豐富的漁獲,這是賴以為生的珍貴資源。人與大海搏鬥、依存的故事,就此展開。

在「海之層」, 最引人注目的應該要算是已經退役的漁船「南風壹號」,過去漁民就是靠它乘風破浪,用「射鏢」的方法獵捕旗魚與鯊魚;只是現在「鏢魚」的技法已經逐漸失傳,只留下南風壹號作為見證,遊客不妨登船一探究竟。

循著黑潮、跟著飛魚的游徑,遊客其實也隨蘇澳漁民的海洋奮鬥史走了一遭。

繼續往下來到「時光廊」,迎接遊客的是作家黃春明充滿童趣的撕畫作品《來去宜蘭》。這一區講述的是蘭陽博物館從無到有的故事, 宜蘭地方人士歷經1 8 年的奔走與努力,夢想終於成真;到了這裡,才發現眼前的一磚一瓦、每一項館藏,都是許多人心血的結晶。

展示區中間有一整片用上百幅宜蘭景觀組成的立體地圖,隨著燈光的變換,展現這塊土地的美與生命力。

「龜山島,每當蘭陽的孩子搭火車回來,當他從車窗望見你時,總是分不清空氣中的喜悅,到底是你的,或是他的。」光影幻化的宜蘭美景,與牆面上黃春明的作品《龜山島》互相輝映,濃濃化不開的,是蘭陽孩子對美麗故鄉的眷戀。

再度回到一樓博物館大廳,天光透過玻璃屋頂穿進室內,抬頭仰望,多雨的蘭陽果然還是飄起了雨絲,涓細的水流順著傾斜的屋頂滑下,想必最後會回到館外濕地水塘的懷抱吧!

「厚雨水」的噶瑪蘭,不分晴雨,永遠都別有一番迷人韻致。

如何造訪蘭陽博物館

.館址:宜蘭縣頭城鎮青雲路三段750號 電話:03-9779700
.開放時間:週二至週日9:00~17:00(售票時間9:00~16:30)
.票價:全票100元
.宜蘭縣民、學生、兒童、老年人及身心障礙者另有優惠
.休館日:每週一(若逢國定假日照常開放)
.農曆除夕、年初一,選舉日

.交通方式:
■台北方向南下
1.國道5號高速公路(經雪山隧道)下頭城交流道→右轉省道台2庚線
(北部濱海公路)往頭城方向→續行5公里→頭城→續行1公里
→蘭陽博物館。
2.省道台2庚線(北部濱海公路)往宜蘭方向→經大里、北關
→梗枋漁港→續行5公里→蘭陽博物館。
■宜蘭、花蓮方向北上
1.國道5號高速公路下頭城交流道→右轉省道台2庚線(北部濱海公路)
往頭城方向→續行5公里→頭城→續行1公里→蘭陽博物館
2.省道台9線往北上方向→礁溪→頭城→續行1公里→蘭陽博物館。
3.省道台2庚線(北部濱海公路)往北上方向→頭城→續行1公里
→蘭陽博物館。
一日遊建議:參觀蘭陽博物館後,中午在烏石漁港附近吃海鮮,
再前往鄰近的礁溪泡溫泉或住宿。

●延伸推薦:連外國人都來「遊學」的新景點》頭城農場


Underrated Taipei, Taiwan

Stories Taiwan | Travel

Underrated Taipei, Taiwan

一笑


Underrated Taipei, Taiwan Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Many Americans don’t know where Taiwan is or mistake it for its Southeast Asian cousin, Thailand. However, for those of you unsure of Taiwan’s location, you’re missing out. Whether you’re a budget backpacker or a five-star princess, Taipei has accommodations to fit your bill.

Taipei is the home to some of the best shopping in the world, endless museums, cultural sights, night markets, hot springs, hiking and delicious foods. Its people are friendly and caring and will never hesitate to help you. After a vacation in Taipei, most tourists wonder why more Americans don’t visit this small island off of mainland China.

The shopping in Taipei is some of the best, and rivals New York City and Los Angeles. Trendsetters have many options: luxury department stores surrounding the Taipei 101 and other areas, the wholesale fashion district, Japanese and Korean fashion in XinMenDing and much more. Some of it is downright bizarre, and if you don’t fit the frame of a 5-foot, 90-pound Taiwanese girl, you may face some difficulty buying clothes in the wholesale district. However, department stores usually have a range of sizes, even larger shoes.

The imposing Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial is one of the best cultural sights in the city and is a perfect shot for the aspiring or professional photographer. The building’s architecture is unique for the region and inside the building there is a museum dedicated to the former dictator’s life. Additionally, you can climb the 89 steps to the statue of Chiang Kai-Shek, and may be lucky enough to catch the changing of the guards.

Taipei has a plethora of temples, but Longshan Temple is the one worth noting. Bring your camera or simply light some incense and join the monks in prayer. The temple is dedicated to Guanyin, a deity worshipped around the island, but officially, the temple is nondenominational.

Night markets are perhaps one of the best aspects of Taipei, especially for those who like to snack or shop after sundown. The ShiLin and ShiDa (near National Taiwan Normal University) are some of the best. Come prepared to bargain and shop for cheap jewelry, clothes and electronic accessories, and be ready to get your snack on. During the summer, night markets are the home to bao bing, or shaved ice with your choice of toppings – a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer night. Other snacks include stinky tofu, kebobs, wontons, even chickens’ feet.

The MRT, or subway in Taipei, is very convenient and relatively extensive. You can take the MRT out to Danshui and enjoy a sunset stroll by the water, or the combination of MRT and bus to the Beitou hot springs for a nice soak.

Taiwan should not be passed over on your way to Hong Kong or other large cities. Its food is some of the best in the world, and its buzzing city of Taipei offers endless activities for those with the travel bug.

2011年2月21日 星期一

香港的"出差宿舍" 高樓住宅區

看到"北京近千套限價房開始配售" 我想台灣的一些新市鎮可能相差無幾

我過去20幾年經過香港/中國 每每為其高樓住宅區所"吸引"---聽說長期住超過7-8層樓的人 心理會受到影響

不過我約10年前與Bruce Lee 住過他們公司在香港的"出差宿舍" 它就是位在這類建築物中間 不過香港的 似乎有些環境的配套設施 所以感覺還可以 沒有很大的壓迫感

寫出這與朋友的經驗 當做一種懷念




****


北京近千套限價房開始配售


資料圖片:2010年7月30日,82歲高齡的朱月珊老人(中)攜家人來到小區驗收新房。當天,北京2007年推出的首批限價房項目之一的“紅獅家園”正式交房。“紅獅家園”位于北京豐臺區宋家莊,項目可提供限價房1500多套。新華社發

…………………………………………………………

  新華網北京2月21日電(記者孫曉勝)北京市房山區兔年首個限價房項目房山區長陽鎮4號地西悅居21日正式選房。961戶房山區家庭將在9天時間內,從984套兩居室中選擇自己中意的新居。

  根據流程,所有家庭憑身份證原件、戶口本原件,以及選房排序通知單,進入選房等候區。5戶一組,進行申請人身份登記審核,同時查驗收入證明,審核無誤後,依次進行選房。

  市民孫峰一大早就來到選房大廳,他選到了一間86.92平方米的兩居室,單價每平方米5600元。

  孫峰告訴記者,他一家三口人,現在住16平方米的平房。眼看孩子長大了,家裏住不下,為這事他一直發愁。這次能買到限價房,他感到很幸運。

  據北京市房山區住保辦主任王偉濤介紹,參與搖號選房的961戶家庭,全是房山區內申請限價房的家庭,包括2009年的31戶申請家庭和2010年的930戶申請家庭。

 據了解,房山區目前共有5個在建限價房項目,西悅居是今年首個選房的項目。這個項目總建築面積16萬平方米,共1828套限價房。西悅居銷售均價為每平方米5600元,比同地段的商品房萬科長陽半島家園項目每平方米便宜近10000元。

  承建西悅居項目的北京城建興泰房地產開發有限公司總經理吉永華告訴記者,這個保障房項目離地鐵直線距離只有500多米,配建有幼兒園、小學、醫院及社區商業等設施。

2011年2月17日 星期四

鳳凰花樹【李黎】

凤凰树的果实


鳳凰花樹

  • 2011-02-18
  • 中國時報
  • 【李黎】

 那火辣辣的豔麗的南國風情,日後我不論走到天涯海角,心裡始終揣著鳳凰花樹鮮明美麗的圖像。

 大概是我的運動神 經天生不發達,自小凡是動四肢的事我都做不好,從來沒有一個體育老師喜歡過我。玩任何需要追趕的遊戲向來追不上人家,反之都是才起跑就被人捉住;團體體能 遊戲分組時同學都避我唯恐不及,怕我的表現會拉低大家的分數。玩躲避球我總是活靶,因為我很少躲得過,一聽說體育課要打躲避球我就痛苦不堪。

 躲避球場是個弱肉強食的世界。力氣大、扔球既狠且準的人,一眼就會看出像我這種不會閃避更不擅扔球的待宰羔羊。一個高大粗壯的女生右手抬 舉著球,盯住我,臉上帶一絲殘忍的快意,這個恐怖的一剎那像電影定格,至今腦海中還可以清晰無比的重播。我實在不懂為甚麼有人會發明這樣殘忍的遊戲,而且 稱之為「運動」,強迫孩子們參與?

 我連騎腳踏車都比大家晚,上中學時幾乎每個人都會騎車了,唯獨我還停留在請求同學讓我跳上後車架搭個便車的階段──有時還會遭到拒絕,怕 我「跳車」的身手不夠俐落,殃及騎士。小女孩的遊戲像踢毽子,拍球,繞橡皮筋,跳繩,我當然無一項精通。最簡單的拍小皮球還勉強可以對付,複雜些的球技就 談不上了。奶奶用老舊的方孔銅錢和漂亮的雞毛特為我做的毽子,我卻最多只能踢兩下;繞橡皮筋一定一上去就絆到跌跤;跳繩多半是被淘汰到甩繩子讓別人跳。

 但我對這些遊戲的口訣很有興趣,一聽就會。我最喜歡的是跳繩的口訣,不同的跳法和速度配不同的歌謠,我雖琅琅上口卻不明白那些咿咿呀呀的話是甚麼意思。多年後才恍然大悟:那是日語──是日本小孩玩跳繩時唸的!

 動腿腳的遊戲我不行,只限於動手的還可以對付,比如小女孩喜歡玩的扔砂包遊戲──我玩的其實是米包,媽媽替我縫製的,用縫紉剩下的零碎布頭做成小巧的口袋,裡頭塞進米粒縫嚴,如果包包的大小和米粒的多少都恰到好處,則無論朝上扔或者撿起來都會很順手。媽媽做的砂包特別漂亮而且好扔,可惜我的技術並不因此而特別好。

 比較有把握的遊戲是動作幅度最小的:彈鳳凰樹的豆籽。說到鳳凰樹,可真是一樣美好的東西,即使不開花的時候,枝葉茂盛得華蓋似的,帶給了 烈日下的南台灣多少蔭涼!開花時更不用說了,那火辣辣的豔麗的南國風情,日後我不論走到天涯海角,心裡始終揣著鳳凰花樹鮮明美麗的圖像。

 我會用鳳凰花作蝴蝶:把花萼撕開當作蝴蝶的身體,粉紅色的膜底下有黏性,可以貼上兩大兩小四片花瓣作蝴蝶的翅膀,上端兩根花蕊作觸鬚,再蓋上一片同樣大小的花萼夾好,就是一隻紅翅綠身的蝴蝶了。

 鳳凰樹的豆莢特別大而堅硬,顏色深褐近黑,男生喜歡拿來當玩具刀揮舞,女生則是對裡面的豆籽有興趣。那些豆籽呈長橢圓形,也是堅硬無比。 有一段時候小學裡幾乎每個女生都有一罐豆籽,玩的時候每人取出若干粒,在桌上輕輕一撒,選兩顆距離適中的豆籽從中間用指尖一劃,不可以碰到任何一顆,然後 用其中一粒輕彈另外那粒,彈中了就歸你。厲害的高手可以一路「吃」下去,贏一大把豆籽。我的那罐豆籽不少也是贏來的,因此特別珍視,當成寶貝一樣,搖一搖 聽聽幾百粒豆籽飽滿細碎的撞擊聲,心中也有一份飽滿的喜悅。

 

終於有一天,我慎重而不捨地把那一罐豆籽送給鄰居一個比我小幾歲的女孩,因為我不得不承認對彈豆籽的遊戲已經完全失去興趣了。成長有許多跡象,那只是其中之一吧。

2011年2月15日 星期二

Casoria/The Seduction of Culture in German History

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Casoria
Comune
Comune di Casoria
Panorama of Casoria

Coat of arms
Casoria is located in Italy
Casoria
Location of Casoria in Italy
Coordinates: 40°54′N 14°18′E / 40.9°N 14.3°E / 40.9; 14.3
Country Italy
Region Campania
Province Naples (NA)
Frazioni Arpino
Government
- Mayor Stefano Ferrara
Area
- Total 12.03 km2 (4.6 sq mi)
Elevation 70 m (230 ft)
Population (1 August 2009[1])
- Total 80,080
- Density 6,656.7/km2 (17,240.8/sq mi)
Demonym Casoriani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 80026
Dialing code 081
Website Official website

Casoria is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Naples in the Italian region Campania, located about 9 km northeast of Naples.

Casoria borders the following municipalities: Afragola, Arzano, Cardito, Casalnuovo di Napoli, Casavatore, Frattamaggiore, Naples, Volla.

[edit] History

The name of Casoria is mentioned for the first time in documents from 993-998, connected to the casa aurea raviosa (Latin: "Golden House of Raviosa") mentioned in other documents from 952-988. However, numerous findings have proven that the territory was inhabited several centuries before Christ.

The village of Casoria developed after the year 1000 AD, thanks to the Benedictine monastery of San Gregorio Armeno of Naples. In the 13th century it was a fief of the archbishop of Naples. In 1580 it was acquired by the Royal Estate of the Kingdom of Naples. In 1815 it was made capital of a circondario of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, including 19 communes.

Its marshy territory was reclaimed in the same period, becoming one of the most fertile areas in the region. Until the 1950s, Casoria was an agricultural center, also producing pasta and wine, as well as cannabis handicrafts. Its industrial development, during which it became the main industrial hub in southern Italy, caused the population to increase by four times from 1951 to 1991. Most of the industries have disappeared now.

In 2005 the communal council was dissolved due to camorra connections of its members.

[edit] References




The Seduction of Culture in German History Wolf ...

《中英對照讀新聞》Italian museum chief asks Merkel for asylum 義大利博物館館長向梅克爾尋求庇護

◎ 魏國金

An Italian museum director told AFP he is asking for asylum in Germany, saying he is fed up with mafia threats and a government that is failing to protect Italy’s rich cultural heritage.

一名義大利博物館館長告訴法新社,他正向德國尋求庇護,他說他受夠了黑手黨的威脅以及無法保護義大利豐富文化遺產的政府。

"I wrote a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel," said Antonio Manfredi, director of the Contemporary Art Museum in Casoria, an impoverished and crime-heavy town close to Naples in southern Italy.

「我致函給德國總理安潔拉.梅克爾,」卡索里亞的當代藝術博物館館長安東尼奧.曼弗雷迪說,卡索里亞是一個貧窮、充斥犯罪的鄉鎮,靠近南義那不勒斯。

"I’m serious. If she gives me asylum, I’m going to pack up my bags and move to Germany with my staff and the museum’s entire collection of 1,000 works," said Manfredi, who is also a sculptor.

「我是認真的。如果她給我庇護,我將打包我的行李,並帶著我的家當與整座博物館達一千件的收藏品搬到德國,」本身也是雕塑家的曼弗雷迪說。

To make his point, he has even planted a German flag outside the museum.

為了凸顯他的訴求,他甚至在博物館外插上一面德國國旗。

A native of Casoria, Manfredi returned to his hometown after a career abroad including in China and the United States and set up the museum in 2005.

出身卡索里亞的曼弗雷迪,在中國、美國等外國發展事業後回到故鄉,並於2005年設立該博物館。

Manfredi said he has received no funds from the state and has given up hope of getting any after some recent highly-publicised accidents at the ancient site of Pompeii. "If a government allows Pompeii to fall then what hope does my museum have... There’s an enormous problem with culture in Italy," he said.

曼弗雷迪表示,他沒有從國家獲得資金,而且在最近眾所周知的龐貝遺址事件後,他也放棄獲得任何補助的希望。「如果政府允許龐貝倒塌,那麼我的博物館還有什麼希望……在義大利,有很大的文化問題,」他說。

新聞辭典

asylum︰收容所、避難所、庇護權。例句︰The Swedish court granted asylum to the ex-Guantanamo prisoner.(瑞典法院給與這名前關達納摩監獄囚犯庇護。)

be fed up with︰厭倦、不滿極了。例句︰I am fed up with her constant complaints.(我受夠了她沒完沒了的抱怨。)

make one’s point︰清楚表達某人意圖、說服他人贊同某人。例句︰You have made your point, there is no need to keep going on about it.(你已清楚表達你的觀點,所以無須對此再繼續下去。)

2011年2月14日 星期一

Sevilla/ Azulejo

Panel of glazed tiles by Jorge Colaço (1922) depicting an episode from the battle of Aljubarrota (1385) between the Portuguese and Castilian armies. A piece of public art in Lisbon, Portugal.

Azulejo (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐzuˈleʒu], Spanish

pronunciation: [aθuˈlexo]) from the Arabic word zellij زليج is a form of Portuguese or Spanish painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework. They have become a typical aspect of Portuguese culture, having been produced without interruption for five centuries. There is also a tradition of their production in former Portuguese and Spanish colonies in Latin America.

In Portugal, azulejos are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces, ordinary houses and even train stations or subway stations. They constitute a major aspect of Portuguese architecture as they are applied on walls, floors and even ceilings. They were not only used as an ornamental art form, but also had a specific functional capacity like temperature control at homes. Many azulejos chronicle major historical and cultural aspects of Portuguese history.




Reales Alcazares王宮後院所鋪的Azulejo地磚。
米千因/攝影

妳來Sevilla(喔!這字念塞維亞,不是塞維拉)是為了看南歐建築,不是什麼安達魯西亞首府、Tapas著名又好吃之類,Flamenco舞蹈雖有些許牽動,但沒碰到場子也沒啥事,倒是陶土黏心上,就是要好好地把Azulejo貼飾的牆面一一看入眼裡,收入心底。

據說,Azulejo(按:Azulejo一詞源出北非陶土燒,現廣義為裝飾性的馬賽克。)於 葡萄牙更能看得齊全,可 是Algarve沿海各城鎮找遍,畫的不是橄欖就是Gallo那隻公雞(註),嵌入軟木當隔熱墊子,價廉,都沒想買,把無用的紀念品帶回家徒增懊惱。油 瓶、茶壺、碟子、杯子……沒完沒了的橄欖與Gallo,妳要的仍舊是用Azulejo黏貼的整片牆。於是妳捨北非往南去。

Sevilla FC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

- [ 翻譯此頁 ]
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship. The club was established on 14 October ...

2011年2月12日 星期六

The Mountains of the Monsoon

台灣的公共電視台


The Mountains of the Monsoon

Rather than joining the family business, Indian wildlife photographer Sandesh Kadur committed himself to documenting the natural treasures and zoological wonders to be found only a few hours drive from his native Bangalore. Although less than 10% of the Western Ghats remain untouched, these mountains are one of the most biologically diverse places left on the planet. Their unique beauty and mystery are embodied for Sandesh in a chance sighting he had 10 years ago with a strange, all-grey feline unlike anything he had ever seen before – but known by the local tribal people as the pogeyan. Whether or not this enigmatic cat-in-the-ghat really is a new species, the pogeyan has become for Sandesh a talisman – offering some hope for the future in nature’s ability to survive the unprecedented pressures which 21st century India is subjecting its last wild places to.

This is the story of Sandesh Kadur’s journey through one of India’s last wildernesses and his quest to document and show why preserving such wild places matters to modern India.


If you are a UK resident and would like to watch the program you can watch it on BBC’s iPlayer

For comments and feedback please Click Here.





















Wildlife documentary. Environmentalist and photographer, Sandesh Kadur, has traded a comfortable career in the family business to explore the natural wonders of the Western Ghats mountains. Just a few hours drive from the commercial bustle of his native Bangalore, Sandesh could be a world away. The monsoon pours six metres of rainfall each year on the remote peaks and isolated valleys of the Ghats. Alongside familiar Indian species like elephants, tigers and peacocks are more mysterious creatures that are found nowhere else: a purple frog with a face like a shrew and a monkey with a lion-like mane and tail.

Most intriguing of all, a chance sighting of a grey big cat, unlike anything scientists have seen before. To find out whether this enigmatic cat-in-the-ghat really is a new species, Sandesh must climb to the summit of these mountains. His journey is a reminder that in fast-track, modern India, this cloud-wrapped wilderness is more precious than ever.