Taiwan is an unexplored wonder for me. One I’m quite ecstatic to venture into. As mentioned before, I owe my friends of Grand Prismatic Media for putting Taiwan on my radar. These gems of humans spent a week roaming the country and only had enthralling things to say of it. Free spirits with a true penchant for photography, they sold me. They double sold me when they told me Jiufen is the town that was the artistic basis of Spirited Away, my favorite childhood animation. Then the stars aligned with this trip.
My cousin’s wedding coincides with Chinese New Years, which means the mountainside Jiufen is in will be doing a lantern send off famously known as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. I already knew that if I were to make my cousin’s wedding I’d want to take some proper time off. Everything just made sense. And through this serendipity I get to drag (although they’ll claim it was mutual) my friend and parents along the Northern countryside of Taiwan in the name of adventure.
The more I look into Taiwan, the more I feel grateful for this. And a little embarrassed at how uncultured I am. Taiwan is a vibrant nation with culture pouring out of every facet. Well beyond just the popularized foodie culture of Night Markets, Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings), Pineapple Cakes, and Boba Tea.
I do plan to update this post (or separate out as needed) once I’ve traversed this wonderful country, but until then I can share with you my general game plan, since it’s a family/friend trip it’s choc-full of variety as my mom is a seafood fiend, my friend a historical enthusiast, my dad an ironic chill as long we know what we’re doing next, and me–the whimsical foodie/culture one.
I do have to say, for a country I didn’t have well on my immediate travel radar, it’s definitely on everyone else’s. Everything from preferred night markets, fellow bloggers (check out the wonderful duo at Twin Speak who tackled Taiwan and had a gambit of recommendations), coworkers, friends of friends, and even strangers had things to say!
General
Let’s Talk Tech!
It’s 2020, physical maps are clunky. Phones can get you live translations, order cabs, and do practically anything; the world is a pretty well connected place! As such it makes sense that if you have an unlocked phone, a local SIM card is the most economical way to stay connected with the world, and it’s helpful travel apps. Wifi Eggs are a great alternative to those with locked phones, but considering I plan on just traveling with a dufflebag-backpack and pray mom doesn’t murder me for pushing my heels into her luggage after my cousin’s wedding, the fewer things of bulk on me, the better. As with your main carrier, it’s important to check coverage maps before investing in a SIM (you can either buy ahead for airport pick up with nifty services like Klook or buy at the kiosk in the airport). If you never plan on leaving the city you flew into you’re probably fine, but since we’re heading NE to the mountains/mining village of Jiufen coverage matters. All I’m saying is look before you leap, because when reality is disconnect from expectation, that can be a real mood killer.
More tech I recommend: travel adapter and portable charging hub. Some people are fine without the latter, but as someone who’s had some pretty jarring experiences stateside driving without navigation to get where I need to be, it’s something I’m willing to make space for.
Taipei
The thing about Taipei is…it’s a massive city. And when it comes to massive cities, if you can think of a thing it’s probably there to do. Since my friend and I land 12-15 hours prior to my parents landing, depending on how much jetlag wins we may end up doing a lot because it’s her first time out of the US as an adult and, true to our natures, we never just ease our way into things!
7-Eleven isn’t normally a place I rave about when in the US…but take me to Asia and it is a GAME CHANGER. Last year another friend and I were in Japan for a week (hence my readiness for a 12 hour Tokyo journey) and it was the dream getting all the snacks I wanted (their pudding/purin/flan game is a perfectionists dream even at a convenience store level). Taiwan is no exception. In fact, from some things I’ve perused, Taiwanese 7-Elevens may displace Japanese 7-Elevens in my heart (I am a sucker for Tea Eggs)!
Walking Tours came up as a lovely suggestion from my friend and honestly I adore it. The value of traveling with others means you get to understand both what moves them as well as inspiration on activities you may not think of. Since we have twelve hours before my parents join me and I’m always sensitive to my dad’s knees (both were replaced when I was a child so I know he’s limited on certain amounts of knee heavy activities) it sounded like the perfect thing to do before they land. We found Tour Me Away and loved the spirit of the tour group, I mean #WalkTheFun really just does it for us! They cover a wide gambit from a food walking tour to exploring Old Town Taipei, and even one (that I think I signed us up for) that’s about the chill side of Taipei.
Elephant Mountain is most definitely on the list because who isn’t fond of urban trekking? I mean that sincerely. My current residence doesn’t really have an outlet for a nature fix within city limits. To me, this is akin to a less dramatic Bukhansan mountain in Seoul as rather than 3 hours of hiking one way Elephant Mountain is a leisurely 20 minute walk. It’s name derives from it’s shape resembling its namesake, and I am all about it.
Seafood honestly if I did not have this on the list my mom might disown me. Multiple people recommend checking out the local Taipei Fish Market known for delicious, fresh eats! Given my previous post about my love for local markets, this is a mutual win!
Honestly I could keep going…but I have a feeling updating once I’ve been with food and adventures is a bigger mutual win 😉
So until next time…Stay Hungry!