an intriguing post, sssj, especially the quaint mining towns along the railway line in Taiwan's north coast. I was especially fascinated by the network of tunnels built into the hillside to facilitate Japanese troop movements and, of course, the sky lanterns.
I find the whole idea of sky lantern to be mysterious and romantic, akin to an MS in a bottle, but in this case, written on a sky lantern and released to a celestial sea.
Your explanation for the rise of steem is as valid as any I've read and somehow seems a whole lot truer - at least for believers like you and me.
I wish you every blessing during this Christmas season,sssj, and especially the peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. Enjoy your travels, my friend