While visiting the picturesque city of Tainan (Taiwan) I was lucky to see the so-called Tainan Treehouse, a monument made from the ruins of the island’s first Dutch colonial trading port. What looks like a 17th Century warehouse has been completely overgrown with the island’s lush tropical vegetation, sinuous tree roots marrying themselves to the building’s remaining structure. The peaceful monument is actually a powerful embodiment of the 38 years of Dutch domination of the island, along with the taxes, unjust laws and punishments levied on its people. Ironically the modern museum, which traverses the picturesque ruins through elaborate catwalks inside and outside the structure, was built by the modern Dutch government – its motto ‘pioneers in international business’ adorns the adjacent museum building.