The air feels heavy with humidity and mist clings to the verdant mountainsides where orchids grow amongst the bark of forest trees. The scene is one of tranquillity and beauty, yet dominating the view is the unmistakable silhouette of one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers; a striking reminder that we are in fact close to the metropolis of Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.
Here amongst the rolling countryside, in an unassuming house with paint peeling off the wooden walls, I am not only witnessing, but partaking in what can only be described as a ceremony, one that is rich in cultural and historical significance.

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