Things I Didn’t Expect in Taiwan

How To Ride A Motorbike and Not Look Like a Dumb@$%: Tips for Women in SE Asia

Asia, How To's, Taiwan, Thailand 14 Responses »

Feb 272013

Having the freedom of your own transportation is a blessing after waiting for trains, taking crowded buses and being ripped off by taxi drivers for days or weeks on end. But just because you want the freedom of driving yourself around, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your dignity and cause chaos through the streets of Asia.

I hate to call out my gender, but sometimes it’s just necessary.

Dear fellow women, let’s all stop being horrid drivers around SE Asia, it just gives us a bad rap. Not only is it embarrassing, but it is also really unsafe. Sadly some of these accidents are deadly every year. At the same time, don’t be too afraid to rent a motorbike, either. Take some of the same precautions I’ve learned in the last few years, and be able to ride confidently (or at least fake the confidence) around South East Asia. Continue reading »

Taiwan’s Stunning East Coast

Asia, Taiwan 9 Responses »

Sep 282012

Winding right and left. Accelerating up sharp curves. Reaching the top of the hill to see turquoise blue waters stretch over the curve of the Earth. The lush green mountains rise into the clouds, while palm trees and jagged cliffs line the coastline. Clear of any typhoons, the sun was hot and strong as we rode south along Taiwan’s East Coast, only stopping to apply more sunscreen, dive into the ocean, or have a snack.

Completely underrated and somewhat unexplored, Taiwan’s East Coast offers beautiful coastline and authentic Taiwanese culture. Off the beaten path, you’ll find yourself to be the only one on the beach, or even the only one staying in the hostel. This was the case for Simon and I, and it was a welcome relief from the hustle-bustle of Taipei. Continue reading »

Five Bites: Taiwan

Asia, Food, Taiwan 2 Responses »

Aug 282012

Though we had some troubles eating outside of Taipei due to the language barrier (as I’ve stated in my other posts) we still had a lot of great meals. Surprisingly, we were even pleased with the food at 7-11. (Which we had to eat a lot of on our scooter road trip.) At a 7-11, in the middle-of-nowhere-Taiwan, I had a great sticky bun and fresh papaya! Also, the “tea eggs” (hard-boiled eggs cooking in a big pot of dark brown tea) were a great snack on the run.

But don’t worry, I am not picking any of my Five Bites from any 7-11s. Below are the best meals, and/or items I found in Taiwan…recipe included!

Taipei’s Night Markets: Bucket Lists, Stinky Tofu & Snakes

25 Before 25, Asia, Food, Taiwan 1 Response »

Aug 242012

Bucket list item #17, check!

The reason I put Taipei night markets on my bucket list was because I had heard so much talk about them. How great they were, how great the food was. It sounded like my slice of heaven. Walking from cart to cart, trying different things; all entirely delicious. Like most things in Taiwan, and most things in life, the reality of the place or situation is completely different from the expectation.

Things I Didn’t Expect in Taiwan

Asia, Taiwan 7 Responses »

Aug 212012

Well, I didn’t expect earthquakes, landslides and headache-inducing thunder….but that’s a different topic.

Before visiting Taiwan, I really didn’t have too many pre-conceived notions of the place. Simon and I decided to go based on two reasons. It was a short flight (2 and a half hours) and we had heard only good things from the people we knew that had visited. These seemed like good enough reasons, and I really didn’t know what else to expect. Continue reading »